Introduction:
Matthew 7:21-23,21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

When I first read this verse in my young Christian life, I said” could this be true.”. Can a person pretend to be a Christian.?

I)                In verse 21 it says that not everyone that saith unto me Lord, will go to heaven.

A.    It is not as much as what we do as how obedient we are to God.

1.     some people go to church all their lives and never grow.

B.    Christ said; John 14:15,15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

C.    1 Samuel 15:22,22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

D.    Here in verse 21, Christ said “the will of my father” not the will of you father.

II)              Many will say, have I not done things in thy name?

A.     Prophesied in thy name

1.     Telling people about Christ.

E.     Cast out devils.

F.     Many wonderful works.

G.     Matthew 7:15,15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

III)            I never knew you.

B.     There are a lot of people today doing things in the name of God, which is not of God.

1.     There are churches out there that seem to be of God and are not.

2.     All one has to do is check out the word of God to see which one is right.

C.     2 Timothy 2:19,19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

D.    Luke 13:24-27,24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

H.    Christ said “I never knew you” not I knew you once and than you got lost.

Conclusion:  Just because people tell you about Christ does not mean that they are saved or that they represent Christ or God.

I once knew a biker many years ago that I saw this happened to them.

We must know the Bible,
2 Timothy 2:15,15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

And when we do learn of the word, we will be able to tell who is of God and who is not.

Sunday Morning Biker Services 2006