A Strong Warning

Introduction: I remember in school on more than one occasion, I came to class ready to turn in my homework, only to realize I had done the wrong assignment.

My teacher had given the right assignment. Given instructions one what to do.

I just made assumptions that proved false.

I did it wrong and had to suffer the consequences.

And I feel like I was raised in an age where teachers were different. Asking for an extension wasn’t typically possible.

Grace wasn’t often extended, especially after the teacher explained exactly what was expected.

Even today, I find myself often anxious about doing the right things at work, in my personal life, with my finances.

Because I have found that grace is not often extended when you have all the information you need and then just mess up.

When it comes to our faith and Relationship with God, we know that…

Psalm 103:8 ESV

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

But in His mercy and grace He has given us everything we need in this life to come to know Him!

He has told us everything we need to know.

All of creation points to Him.

In a sense, the whole Bible and all of creation is a strong warning to everyone who has ever lived.

There is a God and He has made himself known.

Paul put it this way

Romans 1:18–20 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

So as we come to our passage today, it’s not so much a warning as it is a promise and an invitation to dig deeper.

Transition to the Text: Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 7:21-23. This is one of the strongest warnings in all of Jesus’ teaching that is given to potential believers. But the emphasis in this passage may not be what we think.

Is it meant to leave us in doubt about whether or not we are actually saved? Are we to question our salvation up until the point we stand before the throne of Christ?

Or our we to look inward and test our words and actions to see if they line up with God’s Word and the person of Jesus Christ?

Is it possible that the entire Sermon on the Mount has led us to this point where we can confidently know that we are counted among the people of God? That we are citizens in Christ’s Kingdom? If we are obeying His Words?

I hope that we can move past our fear to confidence in our faith and our salvation.

So what is Jesus really saying in Matthew 7:21-23?

You might say, put your money where your mouth is…or…

Introduce:

Big Idea: Let Your WORDS and ACTIONS Confirm Your FAITH.

Read: Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “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. 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.’

Big Idea: Let Your WORDS and ACTIONS Confirm Your FAITH.

When we read this passage, many of us probably feel a little fearful. I mean, Jesus is telling us that there is the possibility we can live our entire life thinking that we are saved. He even uses the word, “MANY.” So we aren’t talking about a few here. There are MANY who will think they are saved and will end up being sent to Hell.

So it’s possible that we can go to church, tithe, read our Bibles, pray and still be met with “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”

That’s terrifying!

And on top of this, we wonder, how does this mesh with the whole, “Salvation is by grace through faith and not the result of works”?

But I think we miss something really important in this.

Jesus doesn’t leave us in doubt regarding our salvation. He doesn’t leave us with no way to tell whether we will be saved in the end.

He tells us exactly how you can be confident in your salvation: “but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

So…

1. OBEDIENCE should make you CONFIDENT. (Matthew 7:21-22)

Explanation: First of all we look at the first century context of the Pharisees who thought that they were good with God because of a lot of things that don’t get your into the kingdom of heaven.

They looked at the idea that they were the people of God by birth.

They looked at having the Law and the Prophets as evidence that they were right with God.

The problem is they knew the Law, but didn’t do the law….at least they didn’t keep the spirit of the Law.

And even when they did the law they did it with wrong motives.

But the whole Sermon on the Mount has been about the true attitudes, words and actions of a true follower of Jesus.

If you read this whole sermon, it will give you a clue into whether or not you are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

But we need to be careful we don’t fall into the same issue that the Pharisees did.

This is not a check the box type sermon.

The question is not so much, “Am I doing this?”

But Is this what I aspire to?

Do I aspire to being poor in spirit, to mourn, to being meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, to be a peacemaker.

Do I want to be salt and light in the world?

Do I want to be right with God and others?

Do I want godly relationships?

Do I want to kill sin in my life?

Do I want to be bound by truth?

Do I want to be generous and merciful with those who cannot repay me?

Do I want to love my enemies?

Do I want practice my faith for an audience of one and not for the world to see?

Do I want to pray like Jesus?

Do I want to invest my time, talent and treasure in the expanding the kingdom of God?

Do I want to move beyond anxiety to full trust in God?

Am I ready to look inward, be real with myself, God and others? Am I willing to acknowledge my shortcomings and trust the Holy Spirit to change me more and more into the image of Jesus?

In other words do I want this so badly that I’m willing to get rid of everything else in my life to take hold of Christ?

It may not matter how good we are at doing these things? What matters is are we moving towards Jesus because we actualy want to be near Jesus and like Jesus?

That was the problem with the jewish leaders of Jesus’ day. They were content to use the Law and their own religious history for political clout, power and influence, but they didn’t actually want what God’s Word was actually pointing to….Jesus.

Illustration: So many people get caught up in the tension that exists in the Bible about being saved by grace through faith, and then Jesus actually expecting us to do stuff to show our commitment to Him.

And I’ll admit, there is a tension there. But it really boils down to common sense.

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

So that means I can pray a prayer, get baptized and then do whatever I want the rest of my life and go to heaven, because it’s grace.

Paul answers this.

Romans 6:1–2 ESV

1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Jesus even got down to this…most clearly in the Gospel of John which we’ll be getting to in a few weeks.

John 8:31 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 15:8 ESV

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

There are many other verses we could turn to but you get the idea.

If you love Jesus and want to spend eternity with Him you are going to be obedient to His Word now…even when it’s not popular. Even when it causes you to be persecuted. Even when it causes you to be ostracized by your family and friends.

Application: A lot of this comes down to motivation. Why do I do the things that I do?

Is my obedience to Jesus motivated by my love for Him or out of some obligation.

And more and more I’m convinced that passages like this are not meant to make true believers fearful of their eternal destiny. They are supposed to force you to reflect and evaluate your life.

And after hearing the sermon on the mount, to ask the question do I really want this?

And believe me, after this sermon, many of His disciples turned and walked away.

There is a reason why throughout His ministry, Jesus attracted large crowds, but in the end, it was just 11 disciples and a few others who proved to be His true disciples.

I love what happened after the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus shows that those people weren’t interested in His teaching but only wanted a free meal so He went hard in on them and at the end everyone walked away except the 12, even Judas is still there.

So Jesus asks the most important question He asked them, outside of “who do you say I am?”

John 6:67–69 ESV

67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

In the midst of hardship and struggle and the growing unpopularity of following Jesus, they understood the most important thing…Jesus is worth it.

Now on the otherhand…

2. DISOBEDIENCE should make you DOUBT. (Matthew 7:23)

Explanation: Matthew 7:23

Matthew 7:23 ESV

23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Is it possible that you can live your whole life believing that you are a Christian only to be turned away at heaven’s gates?

It would appear that way, but let’s be honest, many of us who know our sin and our shortcomings. We know just how far short we fall of God’s perfect standard.

We struggle with sin and have a hard time getting it right.

We will be suprised that we get in.

It’s the proud and the arrogant who feel entitled to God’s grace and mercy because of all the things that they did for Him that are in for a rude awakening.

Because that’s really what this sermon is all about.

Make no mistake, the Scribes and the Pharisees believed they were being obedient to God, but look at where that led them.

They got angry at Jesus for healing on the sabbath.

They got angry at Jesus for spending time with sinners and tax collectors.

They got angry at Jesus for claiming a familial relationship with God that is offered to all of us!

They got angry at Jesus for wanting to take God’s Word seriously and literally.

They were arrogant and looked down on those who didn’t measure up in their eyes.

One of the most scathing remarks that Jesus said against the proud and arrogant comes in Matthew 21:31

Matthew 21:31 ESV

31 “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.

How does this measure up with the Sermon on the Mount’s call for obedience?

To start, it comes down to humility. If you are not humble about your faith, that’s a huge red flag, because Christianity is a humble faith. It’s not about measuring up necessarily as it is about knowing you don’t measure up.

And when we realize we don’t measure up, what do we do with that knowledge?

Do we fake it until we make it?

Do we cover it up? Do we justify it? Do we reinterpret scripture and tell people “that doesn’t mean what you think it means?”

Make no mistake, Jesus hates sin. He hates sin so much that He came to earth to die on the cross and destroy the power of sin.

But at the same time, He loved people so much that He was willing to do the same.

And He has called us to love people.

Do you love people? Or do you hate them? Even those who sin differently than you do?

if you hate people, that might be a good sign that you should doubt your citizenship in God’s Kingdom.

But make no mistake, sin is bad. So you need to do something about it. You need to bring it to the cross and crucify it there.

Because obedience is about dealing with your own sin first. But it’s also about leading others to Jesus as well…especially sinners like you.

Jesus even speaks to the partial obedience of the Scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew 23:23 ESV

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

These you ought to have done without neglecting the others.

We don’t get to pick and choose what we follow.

It mights seem that tithing mint and dill and cumin is loving God.

But God has called us to demonstrate our love for Him by loving people to.

1 John 4:20 ESV

20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

You can’t love God and hate your brother. It doesn’t work that way. That’s one of the clearest definitions of being a hypocrite.

Illustration: Something I have come to realize in life and ministry is that far too often the people who have the biggest doubts about whether they are going to heaven really have nothing to worry about.

It’s the people who don’t have any doubts at all. Who are overconfident to the point of arrogance that should be afraid.

Because when someone is trying to follow Jesus to the best of their ability but keeps messing up. Keeps having to come to Jesus and repent again and again for a lot of the same stuff. Who gain some victory over one sin only for another to rear it’s ugly head. It always feels like 2 steps forward and one step back.

This is the Christian life. We all need grace every single day. None of us is ever going to be perfect. It’s about where be bring those failings.

And let’s be honest, not being perfect is a part of our family history. And when we acknowlege our failings, we find ourselves in great biblical company.

Adam fell

Noah got drunk

Abraham lied

Jacob deceived.

Moses murdered

Aaron caved to peer pressure.

Gideon was a coward

David committed adultery and murdered to cover it up.

Elijah despaired

Jonah fled

Thomas doubted

Peter denied

Paul persecuted the church.

We all rebel daily.

Still Jesus redeems us.

Application: So it’s never been about being perfect. It’s about being humble and repentant and knowing that we need a savior daily.

And recognizing that when you see another person, you see them as God sees them. So your doubts will not come from your inability to obey the law exactly. It’s about your desire for following Jesus.

What’s funny is how many of us spend so much time trying to stop sinning and make little to know progress. Instead if we would pursue Jesus with our whole heart, we’d find ourselves naturally having victory over sin.

It’s not about more effort, but rather about more Jesus.

And what was Jesus’ most often repeated command in all of Scripture?

“Follow Me.”

Response: Are you CONFIDENT in your CITIZENSHIP?

Just ask the question, “Am I following Jesus?”

Summation:

Big Idea: Let Your WORDS and ACTIONS Confirm Your FAITH.

1. OBEDIENCE should make you CONFIDENT. (Matthew 7:21-22)

2. DISOBEDIENCE should make you DOUBT. (Matthew 7:23)

Closing Illustration:

Our lives from the womb to the tomb is an assignment. The instructions and expectations are clearly given. You are called to follow them. But what’s more amazing is He tells us, you won’t be able to do this on your own. This a group assigment. I’m giving you a community of people who will love you and care for you. And you will love and care for them.

Even together you will need my help. I am ready and willing to help no matter the time. Just ask.

I’m also working in the background in ways you can’t see for your good.

You’ll need to learn to open your eyes.

There are days when you will want to quit and give up.

You may have to start over a lot.

But just keep going.

the assignment is simple, follow Jesus.

Wherever He leads us we go. Whatever He tells us to do, we do.

When you struggle with sin…repent and turn to Jesus.

When you feel lost and abandoned, turn to Jesus.

You can start early or wait until the last minute, but here’s the most important thing…you do not know when the assignment is due.

It could be due in 5 minutes for 50 years.

But you better be ready. Because there is grace while you are alive. There is mercy while you are breathing.

But the moment you pass into eternity, the assignment is submitted and will await its grade before the judgment seat of Christ.

But do not be afraid and do not doubt. He has told you the way to ensure you will be received with the words, well done, good and faithful servant.

“Just follow Jesus.” “Just follow Jesus.”

Today if you are a follower of Jesus, I encourage you to keep going. Walk in the confidence that He is with you and He is for you.

But if today, you are arrogant. And think that God has to let you into heaven for any reason other than the fact that Jesus died for your sins, then I hope I can put some doubt in you today. I hope you will see this as a wake up call that forces you to look inward. That today, you would give up yourself and begin to follow Jesus by faith in His finished work on the cross.

And if you are not a believer, I encourage you to turn to Jesus and follow Him from this day forward for the rest of your life.

2 Corinthians 5:10–15 ESV

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Let’s pray.