Dear Christian friends:

The Holy Christian Church has many enemies. Some are outside the Church; and are easy to see: communists, atheists, and all non-Christian churches. Non-Christian churches are: Jehovah Witness, Mormons, Unity, Christian Science, Muslims, Hindus and Jews and others. We also have enemies inside the Church, false preachers. They have the name Christian robes and books and authority, but they teach not the true Word of God.

In our text Jesus warns about false preachers in the church and He makes each one of you responsible to judge whether your pastor is a true preacher or a false one.

This is true. Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. (verses 15-16) With these words Jesus gives the responsibility to every Christian. He expects each one to judge his pastor.

Very often church members think and say, "I can't judge my pastor. I don't know if he is teaching true or false. He is wiser than I am. He studied many years in college and knows the Bible very well. I can't argue with him." But that does not excuse you. You must not let his college degree frighten you. Jesus expects you to judge him. Faith is your own responsibility. No one else can judge or believe for you. You must decide! John also writes, "Beloved, believe not every spirit (preacher), but try the spirits whether they be of God or not." (1 John 4:1) Paul praised the Bereans because they looked in the Scriptures to see if what he preached agreed with that.

Don't be deceived by "the sheep's clothing." Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." What is the "sheep's clothing?" The pastor's office or call. "Rev" does not prove he is a true pastor.

Outward piety can also be sheep's clothing. May appear holy; praying all the time; shocked and surprised to see sin. Not drink; not go to movies; not smoke. But all his holy talk and holy deeds do not prove he is a true pastor.

Great talents may also be his "sheep's clothing." Wise, smart man. Sharp, interesting speaker. Many flock to hear or see him. Oral Roberts is a sharp speaker, but he is a false one. And I know others.

Well how can we judge? By their fruits you must judge them. Jesus says, "By their fruits you shall know (judge) them," know if they are true or false.

What is the fruit of a pastor? His doctrine or teaching, that's his fruit. What he says and teaches and preaches about God and Jesus Christ, about sin and forgiveness, about heaven and hell.

The one chief doctrine by which you can judge is the doctrine about Jesus Christ. John says, "Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. Here is how you know the spirit of God: Every spirit (preacher) that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God (good, true teacher) and every spirit (teacher) that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God." (1 John 4:1-3)

Many great preachers and also some Lutheran doubt this teaching or deny it. They say Jesus was not born of a virgin. Jesus is only a great man; He is not God or God's only begotten Son."

So this is the chief doctrine by which you must judge your pastor. What does he preach and teach about Jesus Christ. Whose Son is He? Did He die and rise on the third day for our sins? If your pastor teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, God in the flesh, born of the Virgin Mary and that He died for our sins and rose again on the third day He is a true pastor. So don't be fooled by a pastor's "sheep's clothing"; judge him by what he preaches and teaches.

And it helps if you yourself read and study your Bible more. Then you will be more sure and stronger in faith yourself and nobody will be able to deceive you.

Your eternal welfare depends on it, so beware! Not only beware of dogs, but beware of false preachers. A mad dog can only bite your leg and give some pain for a short time. But a false preacher can lead you to hell. God help us all to be watchful and stay true to His Word in the Bible.

Amen.