Every Good Tree Bringeth Forth Good Fruit

Mat. 7:17 Sermon on the Mount

Pastor Albert N. Martin expounds on Matthew 7:13-20, particularly focusing on the imperative to 'Enter ye in at the strait gate' and the warning to 'Beware of false prophets.' He argues that true conversion and genuine faith are evidenced by 'good fruit,' which he defines as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5), and a life of good works (Ephesians 2). Martin contrasts theoretical heresy with practical heresy, asserting that a lack of positive spiritual fruit in one's life is just as damning as denying core doctrines. He concludes by urging unbelievers to look to Christ for a new heart and believers to abound in righteousness for greater assurance.

4 illustrations in this sermon

Good Fruit Defined: The Beatitudes

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Multitudes and Great Buildings

The point: Know the Beatitudes experimentally; could you honestly affirm them in your life?

Martin uses the example of multitudes adhering to Christless systems and building great cathedrals to show that numbers, zeal, or impressive buildings are not decisive proofs of genuine spiritual fruit.

When we looked at the converts of the false prophet, we were looking at the character of those converts and we evaluated them not in terms of numbers, not in terms of zeal, or in terms of buildings they produce, for the flesh can do this. God does that. There are times when God moves in multitudes, swept into the profession of Christianity, and to house them great buildings must be built. But multitudes are adhering to Christless systems and building great cathedrals as monuments to that system.

5:48 - 6:20 Read in full sermon

Good Fruit Defined: Galatians 5, Philippians 3, Ephesians 2

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No Innocent Sterility in the Heart

Driving home: there is no innocent sterility in the invisible tree of the heart. You see, truth rightly received always produces fruit.

He quotes an 'honored servant of God' who said, 'there is no innocent sterility in the invisible tree of the heart,' to explain that truth rightly received always produces fruit, and its absence indicates a lack of genuine reception.

Why is this? So, for the simple reason as one honored servant of God has said, there is no innocent sterility in the invisible tree of the heart. There is no innocent sterility in the invisible tree of the heart. You see, truth rightly received always produces fruit.

13:29 - 13:46 Read in full sermon

Two Great Errors: Theoretical vs. Practical Heresy

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Church of Rome's Delusion

In this part of the sermon: Martin outlines the core gospel principles (restoration by Christ's work, partaking by faith) and two additional principles (indwelling Spirit, new life of holiness), arguing that…

The Church of Rome is used as an example of adding to Christ's sufferings with works, sacraments, and saints, thereby cluttering the way to the Savior and leading multitudes into delusion.

The only basis of restoration to God's favor, the doings and sufferings of Christ entirely. How do I partake of those doings and sufferings? Entirely by faith. You see, the church of Rome leads multitudes into delusion because she adds to the sufferings of Christ the merit of our works and the church's and the sacraments and the saints.

18:25 - 18:52 Read in full sermon

The Damning Nature of Theoretical Heresy (1 John 2:21-23)

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Jehovah's Witnesses and Liberalism

The point: When people come along with theoretical heresy, recognize it, label it, and run from it.

Jehovah's Witnesses and liberalism are cited as examples of theoretical heresy for denying Jesus as the Christ, illustrating what God calls a 'liar' in 1 John.

But he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son whoso denieth the Son the same hath not the Father. See what God says about the Jehovah's Witnesses and about liberalism that would give us a merely human Savior or even wonder if we can know there ever was such a person as a historical Christ. God says the person who denies that is a liar. He has no part in God if he does not embrace the Son as revealed in the Scriptures who is true God and true man the anointed Messiah the only Savior of sinners.

21:53 - 22:29 Read in full sermon

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