Sun, 18 August 2019
Major Brent Taylor was a remarkable man and is an American hero. The father of seven and mayor of North Ogden, Utah was on his fourth deployment in Afghanistan with the National Guard when he was killed on November 3, 2018. Part of what made his death so painful was that it was an “insider attack.”
An insider attack refers to an incident where the shooter is wearing an Allied uniform. He is supposed to be on the same team, pursuing the same objectives, but his actions betray the cause and wreak untold havoc. Since 2008 US forces have suffered 355 casualties due to insider attacks. Nothing is more dangerous or demoralizing than a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Jesus knew this full well. He gave us this stark warning for the spiritual battle that rages all around us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). He knows that “insider attacks” are a constant threat against which we should we eternally vigilant. Deception is a favorite strategy of the Enemy of our souls.
This Sunday we will expose this spiritual danger for what it is. We will equip ourselves for the battles that await. Join us at Istrouma as we continue our study through Jesus’ matchless Sermon on the Mount.
Culture Flip “The Danger of Deception” Matthew 7:15-23
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. . . . 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matt. 7:15-19).
Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven . . . 22 On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” 23 And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matt. 7:21-23).
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).
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