Main Theme: Simply calling Jesus “Lord” is not enough for salvation; true faith requires obedience to God’s will.

Key Points:

• Matthew 7:21: The episode centers around Matthew 7:21, which states that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father.
  
• “Church Speak”: Will and Marie discuss how the phrase “Lord, Lord” can become empty “church speak,” a part of a religious vocabulary that doesn’t always reflect genuine faith. They warn against hypocrisy and the danger of outward displays of piety masking inward disobedience.
  
• Emphasis by Redundancy: They explain the Hebrew literary device of repeating words for emphasis, noting that “Lord, Lord” is used this way in Matthew 7:21. They provide examples of this device in other biblical passages (Genesis 22:11, Exodus 3:4, Luke 10:41).
  
• The Holy Spirit and Calling Jesus Lord: They connect this passage with 1 Corinthians 12:3, which says that no one can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit. This suggests that a true confession of Jesus as Lord comes from a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit.
  
• Deception and Self-Deception: Will and Marie express concern about the possibility of self-deception, where people believe they are saved but are ultimately rejected by God. They question how many people knowingly practice hypocrisy versus how many are genuinely misled.
  
• “Depart From Me” (Matthew 7:23): They discuss the sobering words of Jesus in Matthew 7:23, where he tells some who claim to have done great things in his name to depart from him because they practiced lawlessness. This reinforces the idea that actions speak louder than words.
  
• The Meaning of “Lord”: They delve into the meaning of “Lord” in Hebrew (Jehovah) and Greek (Kyrios), emphasizing its connotations of mastery, sovereignty, and superiority. They highlight the importance of recognizing Jesus’ true authority and submitting to his will.
  
• Psalm 139: Will references Psalm 139, echoing David’s prayer for God to search his heart and reveal any wicked ways. This emphasizes the importance of self-examination and seeking God’s guidance in living a life that pleases him.

Conclusion:

The podcast episode concludes with a prayer asking God for guidance in understanding and doing his will. The overall message is a call to genuine faith demonstrated through obedience, not empty words or outward religious practices. They emphasize the urgency of seeking God’s will now, before it’s too late.

Scripture References:

• Psalm 139
• Matthew 7:21
• Matthew 7:23
• 1 Corinthians 12:3
• Genesis 22:11
• Exodus 3:4
• Luke 10:41