True And False Disciples Revealed

Sermon – True and False Disciples Revealed

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”

Introduction. Matthew 7 contains one of the most shocking statements from Jesus about true and false disciples. True disciples are both known by Jesus and belong to Jesus. Each of us desires to belong, to be known and loved. To be known by God means more than just His awareness of you; it signifies a deep, intimate, personal relationship, involving being chosen, loved, and adopted as His child, with God knowing your innermost being, past, present, and future, offering security and comfort in His unwavering care, distinct from general awareness. It's a state of belonging, where God initiates the connection through faith in Jesus Christ, making you His own. Our verse today is a part of the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5-7, Jesus shares his core teaching on living in God's Kingdom. Life in the kingdom requires a radical vision of righteousness that focuses on our inner attitudes, love, and grace, not just keeping external rules. Jesus challenged His followers to become "salt and light" in a hostile world, not by power or force but through humility, forgiveness, loving enemies, and trusting God over material wealth, all culminating in the call to build life on His words, like a wise builder.

After sharing key teachings on the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounced blessings for the poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers, and even the persecuted and defined the character of kingdom citizens. Jesus knew that his audience struggled under the weight of the Law, so showed them and us how to fulfill the Law. Jesus elevated the importance of God’s Law and emphasized the spirit behind the Law. Not only should we not murder our fellowman, but don't be angry with them; not just "don't commit adultery," but "don't lust"; and yet the most radical was to "love your enemies" instead of hating them.

Righteous Living should reflect our inner heart. Our righteous living should be demonstrated by our true devotion to God and our fellowman as we give, pray and fast. The people were use to hypocrisy and religious public displays without the love of God. Following Jesus required more.

Jesus called his followers to trust in God and serve Him. He warned against serving money and material things, urging his followers to seek God's kingdom and trust Him to provide. Jesus gave them a blueprint for a life transformed by God's grace, showing what true righteousness looks like—a heart focused on God, filled with compassion, integrity, and radical love, even for enemies, leading to a stable life built on Jesus' teachings.

Matthew 7 summarizes Jesus's teaching on righteous living, focusing on not judging hypocritically, practicing discernment (not casting pearls to dogs), persistent prayer ("Ask, Seek, Knock"), the Golden Rule, choosing the narrow path to life, identifying false prophets by their fruits, and building one's life on a solid foundation (wise vs. foolish builders). Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, by emphasizing righteous actions over mere words. Following Jesus means choosing the narrow gate to life over the wide one to destruction and building your life (like a house) on the solid rock of Jesus's teachings, not on sand. He concludes his teaching with what it means to be a true disciple. Only those who do God's will, will know God and be known of Him. Not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord," will enter the kingdom.

In essence, Matthew 7 calls for internal examination, sincere prayer, loving action, wise discernment, and obedience to God's word to live a life that truly honors Him. The verse "depart from me, I never knew you" is found in Matthew 7:23, where Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to follow Him will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of God.

In this passage, Jesus explains that on Judgment Day, many who performed religious acts (like prophesying or casting out demons in His name) will be told, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness!". It signifies a lack of true, intimate relationship and obedience, not just a lack of knowledge.

Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.”