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.’

A. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

Matthew 7:22 “…many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord…”

• Kurios GK. – is translated in scripture as Master, Sir, Yahweh Or Jehovah, revered teacher
• Luke 6:46- 47 parallels this:

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:

B. Matthew 7:21 “….will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

1. Who will enter Heaven?
2. Those who are doing God’s will.

Obedience to His will is the test of true faith in Christ. The test is not words, not saying “Lord, Lord,” and not obeying His commands. How easy it is to learn a religious vocabulary, and even memorize Bible verses and religious songs, and yet not obey God’s will. When a person is truly born again, he has the Spirit of God living within (Rom. 8:9); and the Spirit enables him to know and do the Father’s will.

Romans 8:9 (ESV) 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

John 8:31 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

C. Matthew 7:22 (ESV) 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?’

Words are not a substitute for obedience, and neither are religious works. Preaching, casting out demons, and performing miracles give no assurance of salvation.

It is likely that even Judas participated in some or all of these activities, and yet he was not a true believer. In the last days, Satan will use “lying wonders” to deceive people (2 Thes. 2:7-12). We are to hear God’s words and do them (see James 1:22-25). We must not stop with only hearing (or studying) His words.

• “In your name” Claims to great power, invoking the name of Christ (in your name, see Mark

9:38; Acts 19:13-20), and powerful deeds will be no guarantee for heaven. Jesus will send away those who do not know him personally.

Acts 19:13 – 17 (ESV)

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”

14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.

15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.

D. Matthew 7:23 (ESV) 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

• They may have done impressive deeds, but they are evildoers. Jesus will say, I never knew you. Away from me (see Psalm 6:8). In other words, “I never had a personal relationship with you, and I never went with you to do these deeds you claim. You can have no part in my kingdom.”

Monday Morning Moment: “The difference in knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus can be a matter of heaven or hell!” Luke 6:46- 47