Beware of False Prophets

Jesus said beware of false prophets. Therefore the first of them are easy to recognize, who say all prophets are good, that the religion you hold is good, no matter what it is. False! For if that were true, then Jesus would be a liar. Second are those within the walls of true religion, like the Pharisees and Sadducees: on the inside! So too on the inside we find those who say that there's a little part of our nature  that is able to reach out and choose Jesus by our own reason and strength, or that Baptism is a dedicatory sign and nothing more, or that the Supper is not really Christ's Body and Blood, or that the Sacred Scriptures must have deficiencies because they are so old. All false! Let us hold fast to Jesus' own words, for he is the good tree. He says he gives his life a ransom for many; he says his Body and his Blood are here given for you and to you for the remission of sins, life, and salvation. He says that whoever believes in him has eternal life. He says you must be born again by water and the word. He will not lie to you.  Sermon for Trinity VIII.