Knowing and being known by Christ

Mt.7:21-23

Big Idea:  We can be deceived about being connected to Christ. Our assurance is found in our union and obedience to Him.

Introduction:  The Power of a Name! Taking the Lord’s name in Reality.

 Passage:  Matthew 7:21-23

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:  We can be deceived about being connected to Christ. Our assurance is found in our union and obedience to Him.

 Outline:  4 Warnings and 2 Promises

 Warnings:

• Warning: Not everyone enters the Kingdom of Heaven
  1. Don’t be deceived! There is an eternal reality about where each person is going.
     1. Hebrews 9:27-And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
     2. This should cause urgency in our lives for ourselves and the lives of others!

• This should lead us to value relationships as far more valuable than we often do.

1. Christ is more concerned with the commitment of those who follow him over the quantity.
2. Question: Are you entering the kingdom of heaven? Why do you believe so?
   1. Either enter in to the kingdom prepared for you or Depart from me I never knew you. Only two options.
      1. Depart from me– Always amazed at how people who wanted nothing to do with Christ believe that they’ll enter into the kingdom of heaven to spend eternity with Christ.

1. Time is short-No one knows when he will die.
   1. 2 Corinthians 6:2-“For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2. Christ is the Judge
   1. Savior, Lord, Teacher, Miracle Worker….He’s also the Ultimate Judge.
   2. John 526-29-For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸ Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
      1. Jesus knows everything
      2. Jesus is everywhere
      3. He is the final Judge

• One of my chief jobs is to prepare you for that meeting. I want you to be ready, to not be surprised, to not make excuses, to not trust in things that can’t rescue you. 

• Warning: Not everyone who confesses Christ as Lord enters the Kingdom of Heaven
  1. The hardest people to convert are those who think that they’re already Christians. These people profess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. They give lip service to Jesus. They likely go to church.
  2. Entrance into the kingdom isn’t based upon the words of our mouths!
     1. Our words can either reveal truth or hide it….bring clarity to reality or cloud in deception. The heard of a man dictates how His words will be used.
  3. Entrance into the kingdom isn’t ultimately based upon our orthodox doctrine
     1. Elohim…..Yahweh…..(Greek-Kurios-LORD). Acknowledge Christ’s divinity.
     2. James 2:19-You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

• Warning: Not everyone who confesses Christ as Lord and has an emotional experience and connection to Him will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
  1. An emotional experience doesn’t mean we’re connected to Christ
     1. Lord, Lord-Doubling of letters signifies emphasis and emotion, like italics, underlining, brackets
        1. David-Absalom, Absalom….my son, my son.
        2. Jesus-Martha, Martha
     2. Moved by a Sermon-Passionate about a worship song-Touched by a conversation but never be in true relationship to Jesus Christ. 

• Warning: Not everyone who confesses Christ as Lord, has an emotional experience and connection, and has amazing ministry success and miracles will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
  1. An amazing public ministry doesn’t mean you’re connected to Christ. (Judas!)
     1. Prophesy-Proclaiming Christ, Forth-telling and fore-telling
     2. Cast out Demons-Using Christ’s name for it has power (7 Sons of Sceva)

• Perform Miracles-Simeon Magician (Had some ability and wanted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit for more)

1. Jesus is more concerned with grace over gifting.
2. No Excuses will suffice at the last judgment.
   1. We will all be laid bare and nothing we will be left with nothing to justify our choices.
   2. 1 Cor. 13:5^–Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 

Promises (Assurance)

• Those who are relationally connected to Christ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven
  1. Our assurance of Salvation comes from our Union to Christ.
     1. “I never knew you”….There are those whom he does know.
     2. How does Jesus come to know us intimately and relationally?
        1. Be Born Again (Jn.3) -Become like a little child (Mt18:3)-Receive Him (Jn.1)
        2. Grasping Grace and Trusting in Christ-Relationship with God is initiated and sustained by His grace to provide His son for our restoration.
           1. Faith and Repentance- Letting go and Trusting in Him.

• Those who are obedient to the will of His Father in heaven will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
  1. Our assurance is seen in a life continually surrendered in obedience to the Father’s will.
     1. Not moral perfection. We’re all in process! A heart that delight to do God’s will and seeks to repent when we fail.
     2. Not salvation by works! Works reveal our salvation they don’t create it.

1. The Father has a will, a purpose, commandments. The reality of our relationship is seen through our obedience to them.
   1. What happens when God’s will crosses your will? When he says something you don’t like or want to do?
      1. Forgive others as you’ve been forgiven-
      2. Love others as I have loved you
      3. Speak the truth to one another
      4. Walk in Purity- Sexually
      5. Give with a joyful heart
         1. Until then he’s not in reality Lord, He’s a consultant. This is what it means to take the name of the Lord in vain. To use His name in unreality.
         2. Two ways to obey-So I will be loved OR because I am loved.

Conclusion:

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”