[Our Lord transitioned in the Sermon on the Mount from the character and conduct of Born Again Christians to the focused consideration of our Salvation.  When our Lord said,] 

[Matthew 7:13 ¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:]

[Our Lord, in essence was saying, be sure that you know that you are Born Again.  Your salvation is a matter of the greatest importance.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, in this mortal life is as important as your salvation.  You must be absolutely certain that you get this one thing right in your life.  Make a mistake when it comes to your salvation and you will suffer for all eternity for that mistake.  The Lord Jesus Christ is expressing to you the incalculable importance of this matter.] 

[While our Lord is saying, know that you know and be absolutely sure about your salvation, most people will give their eternal future only a sight consideration.  For these, their eternal well being is worthy of nothing more than a momentary passing thought.  There are so many more important things for them to think about in their life that they have no time to devote to such an investigation.  So they will merely seek out a religious leader and ask them to inform them on the issue.  It doesn’t really matter to them if they talk to a Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or Christian any of them will do. Because they all are pretty much the same when it comes to religion.  Some may even go a bit farther and may talk to two or three of these different religious leaders and may even read small portions of the various religious books and will then proclaim, I have done my part, which is all that I need to do.] 

[To these are Lord warns,] 

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

[There are a multitude of religions in our World, and with each variation comes a bit more confusion.  But our Lord does not encourage us to lean toward religion at all when in comes to your eternal soul.  Religion is man made and is mankind’s attempt to understand God.  Human Beings can never, even remotely, understand and explain God apart from a revelation from God Himself.  God warned mankind about this when He said,] 

[Colossians 2:8 ⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ]

[God also said,] 

[Deuteronomy 29:29 ²⁹ The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. ]

[The only way we can hope to know anything true about so great a creator as Almighty God, is for Him to willingly reveal Himself to us.  This our God has done and this revelation is eternally preserved in the Holy Scriptures, The Word of God, The Bible.  Now, many will quickly ask, “What makes the Bible the Word of God over every other religious book in the world that equally claims to be the Word of God.  The only reasonable answer is the evidence that proves that the Bible is the Word of God.  What evidence?] 

[The Physical Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most profound evidence available to mankind.  The Physical Resurrection is supported by,] 

• [Over five hundred eye witnesses (1 Cor 15.1-8)]
• [More than five empirical historical works from antiquity – Josephus, Pliny, Tacitus, Suetonius, The Jewish Rabbinical writings]
• [Jesus claimed to be God.  The physical resurrection proved His claims true. Therefore the things He declares should be heard and understood as true.]

[No other religious book or system of belief has this kind of supernatural support or evidence.] 

[So our Lord says, “Be sure that you are saved. Be sure you are entering in through the narrow gate which is God’s only way to be eternally saved.  Don’t let the deceivers or false religions cost you your eternal life with Christ.”  And now it is as if our Lord says, “Here is what multitudes will do!”] 

Notice in this passage: 

A.    Their Profession (vs 21-22) [– 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, . . .  - Multitudes are in the valley of decision.  As a matter of fact everyone is in the valley of decision. We must each, as individuals consider the facts concerning eternal life, salvation, and heaven to come, and must make a choice that will impact our eternal well-being.  Notice in our Lord’s words,] 

1.      Their Intellectual Assent (vs 21,22,23; Joshua 24.15; Rom 10.13; 2 Pet 3.9; James 2.19) [- 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, . . .   – Without any doubt salvation, or ones eternal destiny is a personal and very conscious choice.  There is great debate in Christian theology between Calvanism and Armenianism.  ] 

[Calvinism teaches that because of God’s sovereignty God has already predestined certain people to go to heaven and certain people to go to hell and there is nothing that any man can do about it.] 

[Armenianism teaches that God has placed the destiny of ones soul in the hands of each and every man and it is up to each and every man to choose for themselves and there is nothing that God can do about it.] 

[The Bible teaches that it is God’s predestined plan that each and every person choose for themselves whether they will love God as much as God loves them.  God has predestined mankind to choose for themselves whether they will receive the Lord Jesus Christ or reject Him.  Thus our choice is God’s predestined plan and will.] 

[Joshua said,] 

[Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ] 

[Romans states,] 

[Romans 10:13 ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ]

[Peter wrote,] 

[2 Peter 3:9 ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. ]

[Our Lord, in our text says, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; . . . ] 

[Now if each and every person must either choose to accept or reject the Lord Jesus Christ, then what is our Lord saying in our text.  If someone says, . . . Lord, Lord . . . then haven’t they chosen Jesus?] 

[This is a profound question indeed.  It is clear to me that our Lord is marking the difference between an intellectual assent and an indwelling acceptance.  ] 

a.      [What is an Intellectual assent?] 

[An intellectual assent is our human response to a basic knowledge of something without fully understanding and ascribing to its influence in our lives.  It is to declare something is true without allowing its truths to really have an impact in our lives.  In the case of this text these people will call Jesus Lord, but they never allowed Jesus to truly be the Lord of their lives.] 

[Notice again that our Lord says,  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, . . .] 

[But our Lord’s response will be,] 

[Matthew 7:23 ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ]

[If Jesus were truly their Lord, then their Lord would have known it.  But the Lord says He never knew them.] 

[Notice also that our Lord says, . . . Many will Say . . . – This theme of many in contrast to the few has carried on from verses 13-14.  My friends don’t be quaint with your eternal soul.  Don’t give a meager consideration to your eternal well being.  Your eternal glory and joy verses your eternal damnation and torment are in the balance.  The Lord Jesus Christ is expressing to all who will hear Him just how important this decision, that you must and will make, really is.  Will you take it lightly or will you give it all that it deserves?] 

b.      [Notice the content of their Intellectual Assent – their knowledge is similar to the knowledge of our Lord’s adversary, the devil.  Consider,] 

[James 2:19 ¹⁹ Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ]

1)      [They know about the Lord Jesus Christ.  They may even call Jesus God.] 

2)      [They know the circumstances surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ. They know Jesus lived, died, and physically resurrected.] 

3)      [They know the position of Jesus Christ. They know that Jesus is seated on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.] 

[In the parables our Lord reveals that these Intellectual believers carry Bibles, attend Churches, pray the prayers of faith, watch for the bridegroom and much more.  They look like, act like, and talk like the people of our Lord.  But time and time again the Bible openly and loudly declares that they are not saved.] 

[Our Lord says of these, ]

[Matthew 7:23 ²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ] 

2.      An Indwelling Acceptance (vs 21; Rom 10.9-10) [– 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. - In stark contrast to their intellectual assent there stands the New Birth found only in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many have tried to explain the difference between a professor and a confessor.  A professor being one with an intellectual knowledge of the things concerning our Lord, but not having received the New Birth.  A confessor is one who has received the New Birth.  Our Lord clearly makes this distinction in our text.  Those who will actually find an entrance into the kingdom of Heaven must, in the words of our Lord, do the will of my Father which is in heaven.] 

[Salvation is incredibly simple, it is so simple that is becomes hard to accept in its simplicity.  Our minds tell us that there just must be something difficult about something as eternally magnificent as securing the eternal promise of Heaven.  But God has made the gift of eternal life incredibly easy to receive.  But our Lord is expressing to us that while the gift of eternal life is easy to receive it is not always easy for us to take, because our human minds want to complicate the issue.] 

[So what is it that makes the difference between intellectual knowledge and an indwelling acceptance?] 

[God says,] 

[Romans 10:9-10 ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ]

a.       [Believe that Jesus physically arose from the grave.  This does no mean just say it, it means believe it.  Do you really believe that Jesus actually walked out of that grave?  Do you realize that even the devil knows this fact?  The devil was there when Jesus arose.  The devil sees Jesus in his ascended glory.  The devil knows that Jesus not only arose, but He knows that Jesus is alive at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  But the devil is not saved.] 

b.      [Confess means that you must agree with God, or say the same thing as God, about Jesus.  In other words you must be able to say that everything God says about Jesus is really true.  The fact that Jesus preexisted before He was born and was a part of this world’s creation (Col 1.16-18).  The fact that Jesus was Born of a Virgin and is the only begotten of the Father (John 1.14;3.16; Luke 2.26-37).  The fact that Jesus died on a cross and physically arose from the grave (Luke 2.36-43).  And most importantly the fact that Jesus is the enthroned Lord of all creation (Philip 2.10-11).  You must agree with God on all of these and much more.] 

c.       [Surrender to the Lordship of the Lord Jesus Christ.  You must undeniably agree with God that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Now many will say that Jesus is Lord, they are professing followers, but not many really agree with God that Jesus really is Lord, they are not practicing followers. Many people will call Jesus Lord but they are still the Lord of their own life.  ] 

[How do you know who is the Lord of your life?  How do you know whether you are surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ or not? ]  

[What will your decision be when it comes to something you want to do when confronted with something God asks you to do, what will you do?] 

[When God says dress modestly, what will you do?]

[When God says don’t drink or do drugs, be sober.  What will you do?]

[When God says participate in your Church.  What will you do?]

[When God says be a witness.  What will you do?] 

[The evidence of a surrendered spirit is a willingness to sacrifice and submit to your Lord.  In reality you always submit to the true Lord of your life.  So who does your life say is your Lord?] 

[Lordship Salvation – Some would argue with me here stating that I am teaching lordship salvation.  Perhaps this is lordship salvation.  I just do not see how a person can receive Jesus as Savior without receiving Jesus as Lord.  When you receive the Lord Jesus Christ you must receive Him you cannot just receive a part of Him.  He is Lord.] 

[The difference between an intellectual assent and an indwelling acceptance is the difference between whether Jesus is the Lord of your life or something else is the Lord of your life.] 

3.      An Investigative Assertiveness (vs 23) [– And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. – Our Lord is calling each and every one if us to consider diligently where we stand in respect to our Lord Jesus Christ.  You had better make this a matter of serious consideration.   You cannot afford to take this lightly.  What a terrible set of words are spoke by our Lord when He says, . . . depart from me, ye that work iniquity] 

[These people really believed that they were serving God.  But in the end they were serving everything but God.  How incredibly terrible it would be to think you were serving God only to discover you never really knew the Lord Jesus Christ at all.  Why did they make this mistake?  This brings us to our next point.] 

B.     Their Persuasion (vs 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? – Without any doubt our Lord is describing people who believed that they were serving the Lord Jesus Christ.  Consider.] 

1.      Their Works (vs 22; Titus 3.5; Matt 24.24; 2 Cor 11.13-15; Isa 64.6) 

a.       [They Prophesied - have we not prophesied in thy name?] 

b.      [They Cast out demons - and in thy name have cast out devils?] 

c.       [They did wonderful works- Miracles - and in thy name done many wonderful works?] 

d.      [All in Jesus name - 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?] 

[This begs the question, What is it that will get a person to heaven?  These would say, surely if I can do great supernatural works in the name of Jesus then I must be saved and secure.  I must be on my way to heaven and right with God.] 

[Yet the Bible says,] 

[Titus 3:5 ⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ]

[The devil and his cohorts can do great works,]

[Matthew 24:24 ²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.]

[The devil and his cohorts can do good works,]

[2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ¹³ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. ¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. ]

[Am I implying that anyone who does a great work or miracle is of the devil or is a deceiver?  Not at all.  Our God is still a miracle working God.  But what I am saying and what our Lord is saying is that no miracle or great work can get you to heaven apart from the saving grace of God and the New Birth found only through our Lord Jesus Christ.]

[These people, and they are many, all thought that they were right with God because of the great things they had done.  But God has said and warned time and time again.] 

[Isaiah 64:6 ⁶ But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.]

2.      Their Way (vs 22; John 16.1-3) [– 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? – Notice their insistence when they stand in front of our Lord.  They will argue, they will try to debate with God, just as they will bow up in aggressive defense of themselves under the convicting voice of this message and passage of Scripture. Why? Because they are absolutely persuaded that they are serving God.] 

[John 16:1-3 ¹ These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. ² They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. ³ And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. ]

[They will say, we did it all for you Lord.  It was all done in your name.  Yet Jesus will say depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.] 

C.    His Proclamation (vs 23) [- And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. – These claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ, but the Lord Jesus Christ says to them, . . . I never knew you.  What heart rending words these are.  How they tear at the very fabric of our existence.  To stand in front of the one who sacrificially gave His life on Calvary’s Cross to save your eternal soul and hear Him say, . . . I never knew you. ] 

[What must you do to be sure you never hear these words directed toward you? ] 

1.      Be Sure Your Resignation Is Right (vs 21; Rom 10.9-10,13; John 1.2; Rev 3.20) [- 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. ] 

a.       [Agree with God that Jesus is Lord and enthrone Him as the Lord of your life  (Rom 10.9-10,13)] 

[Romans 10:9-10 ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ]

[Romans 10:13 ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ]

b.      [Enter God’s family by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today(John 1.12; Rev 3.20)] 

2.      Be Sure Your Relationship Is Right (vs 23) [- . . . I never knew you. – You claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Does He know you?  ] 

a.       [Marital status - In the Old Testament we read that "so and so knew his wife."  This is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew idea of knowing ones wife.] 

b.      [Christ is saying you never were my Bride.  Are you given to the Lord Jesus Christ as a bride ought to be given to her husband?  I fear in our day that we have largely lost sight of what it means for a wife to be given to her husband.] 

1)      [A woman in biblical days had no protection apart from her husband. ]

2)      [A woman in biblical days had no provision apart from her husband. ]

3)      [A woman in biblical days had no prosperity apart from her husband.]    

[The statement here implies that the Lord Jesus Christ must be our all in all.  He must be everything to us and everything in our lives must revolve around Him.  Are you a bride of the Lord Jesus Christ?] 

[How do you know if your salvation is secure rather than like those described in this passage?  How do you answer this question?  “What is it that is going to get you into heaven?” <Pause for answers to generate in peoples minds>] 

[What was your answer?  Did you answer,] 

·         [My Baptism will get me to heaven.]

·         [My Church Membership will get me to heaven.]

·         [My Good Deeds will get me to heaven.] 

[Nothing, absolutely nothing, but Jesus Christ will get you to heaven.  Christians ought to do all of the things listed above, but not in order to go to heaven, they do them because they are already guaranteed heaven.]

CrossRoads Baptist, June 14, 2009