Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV-BRG) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
What Jesus said in Matthew 7 is something that every Christian should heed
How do we keep from being one whom the Lord professes, “I never knew you”?
We have to live a Holy Life separated from this World…
How do we do that?
1 John 2:15-17 (KJV) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Let’s look at Vs. 15
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
The Word of God is clear,
We live in this world, but we are not of this world
John 17:14-19 (KJV) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
This world is still controlled by Satan. – He is the God of This world
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
1 John 4:3 (KJV) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
The spirit of this world is controlled by the antichrist.
The god of this world,
the spirit of antichrist uses philosophy and vain deceit to sway your mind
Colossians 2:8 (KJV) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
2:8 spoil. “Spoil”—that is, “rob,” or “lead captive.”
2:8 philosophy (from a combination of two Greek words, meaning “love of wisdom”)
in the Bible, and here God warns us against it.
Acts 17:18 describes the two major philosophical schools of thought,
both of which opposed Paul as he preached Christ.
Acts 17:18 (KJV) Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
Paul may have been thinking mainly of the Epicureans and Stoics when he wrote this warning,
but he simply said to beware of all philosophy.
The love of human wisdom characterizes every system of philosophy;
they all follow the tradition of men and the elements of the world.
Instead, men should love Christ, who is made true wisdom unto us
1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Any philosophy centered in men or so-called “gods,” rather than in the true God of creation, is bound to be false and harmful.
1 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1 Corinthians 3:19 (KJV) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
Now Vs. 16
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1. the lust of the flesh,
2. and the lust of the eyes,
3. and the pride of life,
We could spend a lot of time on these three.
But remember, they are the basis of sin, …drifting away from God
Remember what happened to Eve?
Genesis 3:6 (KJV) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
the tree was:
“good for food” = “the lust of the flesh”
“it was pleasant to the eyes” = “the lust of the eyes”
“tree to be desired to make one wise” = “the pride of life”
Eve followed this pattern when she fell…she was deceived.
Adam was with her, “and he did eat”
Adam just wanted it
Eve was deceived
Either way, wanting it or being deceived, you fall into the trap of “the three”,
1. the lust of the flesh,
2. and the lust of the eyes,
3. and the pride of life,
What has caught your eye?
1. the lust of the flesh?
Looking and longing for someone sexually?
Trying to fulfill some fleshly desire – eating – Can’t fast because your too hungry
Can’t go to church because the flesh say’s, “Your too tired”, you don’t feel too good.
Your flesh says, “Me, Me, Me” “I need”, “I want”, “I feel”.
“I don’t feel God here”… then get prayed up and bring Him with you!
“I’m not feeling well” … If your contagious, stay home
Otherwise, You need church more than anything at that point
This is when God will work on your flesh and do a good work in you
The church is the best hospital for the “feeling bads” that you could experience.
Psalms 122:1 (KJV) I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
2. and the lust of the eyes,
When you look at the things of this world and long for them, you will be tempted to get it.
You will work more hours,
save money,
skip tithing,
do whatever it takes to possess that thing. Possessions
Car, house, clothes, boat, truck… whatever you set your eyes on
Acts 2:44-45 (KJV) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 5:1-10 (KJV) But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
Matthew 19:21-22 (KJV) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Don’t misunderstand, people need things in this world to function and survive.
But the possessions should not possess you!
3. and the pride of life,
Ah, this is the sticky one
Nobody likes to feel slighted-every have someone flip you the finger?
How insulting!
Everyone wants respect and feel honored
And if no one will do that, then I will make people see me
I’ll put on the jewelry and make people notice me
I’ll put on the flashy clothes, people will have to see it
I’ll deck out my ride, people will turn their heads as I drive by
I’ll crank up the music and make people feel my mood
I will listen to the World’s philosophy and
Buy “self help books”, “looking out for #1” “I will be the best me I could be”
People will have to respect me then
I will listen to all the self help gurus that teach me how to “think” positive
I will go to the church that “Lifts me up” and makes Me Feel important, wanted and needed.
And if I need something, they will teach me how to “Name it and claim it”
I will speak it into existence because I deserve it.
It doesn’t matter that is how the world does it
It’ doesn’t matter that it is akin to witchcraft
I’m doing it for good. “I’m good” because:
I’m a Child of the king and “he don’t make junk!”
He owns everything and I want my part NOW!
In fact, I herd a poplar preacher on TV say that If Jesus lived today, he would not be riding no donkey. He would have a Jet plane like me
I want that!...Pride of Life!
Never mind that Jesus said that I need to “Pick up my cross and follow” Him.
I don’t want tribulation in this world…that’s for Martyrs.
And I’m not a martyr!
I want it now!
Mark 8:34-36 (KJV) And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
“Denying self” is not focusing on the “three”
But rather “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
“Taking up the cross” is dying to this world and living for God
1 Corinthians 1:18 (KJV) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Galatians 6:14 (KJV) But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Matthew 10:37-38 (KJV) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And finaly Vs. 17
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The wold will pass away and the lust thereof (The Three)
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Revelation 7:15-17 (KJV) Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
