Sunday
Jeremiah is giving the people some hope.
He is comparing the religious leaders and prophets of his day, with the coming Messiah, “a righteous Branch of David, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” (23:5) During Jeremiah’s day, many were listening to the messages of false prophets. They were trouble then and they are trouble now. False prophets are great at telling people what they want to hear. Like the prosperity gospel preachers. If you give, God will bless you with wealth beyond all you can imagine. Well, yes. But not monetary wealth, it is wealth of the Spirit, wealth of peace, wealth of contentment.
Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:15-16b).So how do you determine if what a preacher of a prophet is saying is true or false? Well, there are some questions you should ask.
What is the source for their message? Does it come directly from the bible? Is Jesus at the center of their message?
Are they “practicing what the preach”? This is an old adage, but it still rings true. Is their message completely true or just half-truths? Their message may have some truth to it, but it falls short of God’s whole truth. You can’t pick and choose what you want to believe out of the Bible, it is either all true or none of it is true.
Does their message in a subtly way encourage you to turn away from God? Is their message more about praising them than it is about praising and worshiping only God?
What are the fruits of their message? A a result will I model a more Christ-like life?
Where does this message lead me? Does it bring me closer to Jesus?
Shalom
Pastor Kathy