Sermon on the Mount
Pt 15
Taught As One Having Authority
Matthew 7:21-29
Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. [22] Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? [23] And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! [24] Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: [27] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. [28] And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, [29] for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. [NKJV]
OPENING REMARKS
A. Sermon of the Mount Summary
1. The Sermon on the Mount is now coming to an end.
2. This passage forms the summation of the sermon.
3. Throughout this sermon Jesus Christ has been showing there is a difference between those who keep the Law for salvation and of those who put their trust in Him for salvation.
a. Those who insist on keeping the law (Good Works) are the ones on the broad way which leads to destruction.
NOTE: The Lord is not talking to irreligious people.
.. These are not atheists nor agnostics, pagans, heretics, or apostates.
.. These are people who are devoutly religious.
.. These are people who believe that they are doing the right things required of God - keeping the law, doing the right thing morally, attending worship on a regular basis, giving of their time, tithe, and talents - showing that they have a form of godliness | much like those of our current time (2 Timothy 3:1-5) among the 87% of Americans who proclaim that they are Christians.
b. Those who trust in Christ (accept the Gospel) have entered into the narrow gate which leads to life.
John 14:6
I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 1:12-13
[A]s many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
TEXT
I. Religion Alone - Insufficient
[21] Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who
does the will of My Father in heaven.
[22] Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?
[23] And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!
A. Works do not save.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
1. This group mentioned here have done mighty things in the name of the Lord – yet they are not known by Him. They are sincere in their efforts – but sincerely, wrong.
a. Call Jesus Lord, Lord – to repeat the usage of Lord indicates devotion.
b. Prophesied in His name – many a preacher, teacher, and instructor speak out for Christ / cf. Phil. 1:15.
c. Cast out demons in His name – Much like those of Sceva, Sceva, and Sceva (Acts 19:13-16).
d. Done many wonderful works in His name – great benevolence has been done throughout the world
2. Yet despite all of the great things they accomplished – In God’s Name – they did it all outside of the will of the God.
a. Those who act outside of the will of the Father will not be acknowledge for all of their good deeds. Christ here calls their efforts an act of Lawlessness.
Proverbs 16:2, 25
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. … There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
2 Timothy 2:19b-21
… The Lord knows those who are His, and , let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
II. Hearing | Listening & Non-Listening
[24] Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:
[25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
[26] But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
[27] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
A. Sayings: both heard – both build – both works look the same on the outside – both endured hardship.
B. One stood strong, delivered safely – one fell greatly, came to utter ruin.
C. The difference – the foundation – one was a solid rock cf. 1 Corinthians 3:11 / one was sand – material wealth, pleasures, recognition | all too eventually to fade away.
Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered. (cf. Jer. 17:9-10).
NOTE: A wise man listens for Christ and heeds His words. A foolish man listens for words and does not care who speaks. Who are you listening to currently?
III. Spoken W/Authority
[28] And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,
[29] for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Most of the people who were listening were not used to one being so direct. They were used to hearing scribes say, Thus says the Lord … | however, Jesus would say to them, This is what the law says, but I say unto you. He spoke as one who had the authority [the power and privilege of speaking in such a manner] to speak God’s word and the final authority on truth. This left those listening – amazed!
Hebrews 1:1-2a
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son
Matthew 16:13-17
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
CONCLUSION
Acts 16:30-31a
And he [Philippian jailer] … said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved[.]
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount Christ has been telling His disciples what was required of them to enter into the kingdom of heaven. They heard Him speak. They listened. Now they needed to heed His message. Such too should you.
INVITIATION
Those who do not know Christ as their Savior – I am asking you to believe in someone whom you have heard of several times before, probably from many different people and perhaps many different thoughts. I am asking to put your eternal soul in the hands of someone from history. I am asking you to trust in the one who claimed that He was the Son of God. The only one that God will accept in regards to the ransom of your soul, the payment for your sin debt. (John 14:6 and Acts 4:10-12). I am asking you to see your need for Jesus Christ as your Savior – I am asking you to put your faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8-9).
. You Must Know – God requires you to repent of your sins and look to the crucified and resurrected Christ for salvation.
. I urge you to run to Jesus at the cross.
. Place your faith in Jesus today and God will show you mercy.
To the Believer/Church – I urge you too to run to Jesus Christ today and see that the cross of Calvary is empty – the tomb where they laid Him is empty – though we cannot see Him we know that He sits at the Father’s hand today and intercedes on your behalf.
. Therefore – seek how to follow Him. Just as we so often sing – “Trust and Obey.”
COME WORSHIP THE LORD
. Our Invitation is open to all:
. Come to Christ
. Come if you need to pray
. Come be a part of us
. Come share with us what the Lord would have you to do
Bruce Allen | Underwood Baptist Church | February 3, 2008
bea0210@hotmail.com | http://ebenezer.reformedblogs.com
