Text: Matthew 7:21-23 (CSB) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’”
We are continuing our study of the Sermon on the Mount in the Book of Matthew. We are drawing this study to a close tomorrow. I pray that it has been encouraging and challenging. Now we are looking at the topic of the Kingdom and Jesus’ Illustrations. An illustration we said is something that serves to illustrate such as
· A picture or diagram that helps make something clear or attractive
· An example or instance that helps make something clear
· Something that illustrates, like a picture in a book or magazine.
· A comparison or an example intended for explanation or corroboration.
· The act of clarifying or explaining;
Jesus is in this passage giving us 5 illustrations for what we need, how to treat others, and how to live as a true child of God. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount continually keeps bringing us back to our motives over our actions. Remember that God looks at the heart, not the outward designs. Being the Master Teacher of all times – He has given us what He wants us to learn. And, to close this lesson He is using some illustrations to cement the concepts into our minds – and lives.
The fourth picture Jesus uses is about Two Kinds of Disciples. Jesus again makes a contrast between two objects – true disciples and false disciples. Here basically does this by addressing the false disciple. He gives us a glimpse that on Judgment Day, the true disciples will be separated from the false ones.
So, who are the false disciples? Are they among us today? Unfortunately, the answer must be yes. And this goes back to what we have seen that there are those who are trusting in a WORKS salvation and not a GRACE salvation. Those who trust in the former will find that on Judgment Day, the false disciples will be condemned. They will protest and proclaim to have accomplished wondrous deeds (verse 22). Look at what they are claiming for their salvation. They prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles. All works. “God, you have to let me into Heaven. Look at all the work I have done for You. I have worked my whole life to be good enough to get in. You have to let me in.”
But, listen to the words of Jesus – (verse 21b, 23). They disobeyed the Father. Would God reject them? God will say He never knew them. This reminds me of a story in Acts 19 that shows a similar concept – from the demonic word’s side.
“God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, so that even facecloths or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.
Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded. When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high esteem.” (Acts 19:11-17 CSB)
If the demons can declare that they never knew these Sons of Sceva because of their deeds – why do we question that God would do the same?
Muse today over your relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the most important relationship that anyone can have. If you were standing before you today, would He say He knew you? Why? Because He is your Lord and Savior – or because you have worked to be accepted? The right answer here makes an eternal difference.
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