What Will God Say?

 

MATTHEW 7:21-23

Theme: When we reject false systems of evaluation, we are ready to embrace a concrete criterion from God.

Relevance: The Lord wants us to exercise wise judgment and choose the Will of God over the mere pretenses of people.

Introduction: the disciple must look beyond the appearance of things and note what is really happening. Refusing to be caught up with man made expectations we begin to perceive what God actually requires or stipulates.

Since there are false prophets in the world pointing people in the wrong direction, we must always be careful of deceptions. In this light Jesus reveals every disciple’s real priority consideration. God’s very own expectations…His standard…His criteria for genuine evaluations….

Message:

Determine to be the Person Who Does the Will of God (Matt. 7:21-23).

The final test is not what we think of ourselves, or what others may think. The final test is: What will God say? 

I.               How Can We Prepare for This Judgment?

By doing God’s will.

A.             The Lord Jesus next warns against people who falsely profess to acknowledge Him as Savior, but have never been converted.

                                                         i.     Not everyone who calls Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

                                                       ii.     Only those who do the will of God enter the kingdom. The first step in doing the will of God is to believe on the Lord Jesus.

1.     John 6:29, Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

2.     John 6:39-40, And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. [40] And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

3.     Matthew 12:50, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

4.     Matthew 21:28-32, But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. [29] He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. [30] And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. [31] Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. [32] For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

B.    Obedience to His will is the test of true faith in Christ.

                                                         i.     When a person is truly born again, he has the Spirit of God living within (Rom. 8:9); and the Spirit enables him to know and do the Father’s will.

                                                       ii.     God’s love in his heart (Rom. 5:5) motivates him to obey God and serve others.

II.            Words Are Not a Substitute for Obedience, and Neither Are Religious Works.

A.    The Test Is Not Words!

                                                         i.     It is not saying “Lord, Lord,” and not obeying His commands.

                                                       ii.     How easy it is to learn a religious vocabulary, and even memorize Bible verses and religious songs, and yet not obey God’s will. 

B.    The Test Is Not Works!

                                                         i.     We are now introduced to those who apparently believe themselves to be genuine disciples and can appeal to their charismatic activities to prove it, but nonetheless turn out to have no real relationship with the Lord to whom they appeal. The false prophets of v 15 were deceivers, but these are self-deceived.

                                                       ii.     On judgment day when unbelievers stand before Christ (Rev. 20:11–15), many will remind Him that they prophesied, or cast out demons, or performed many wonders—all in His name. 

C.    The Test is Not Miracles. A Ministry of miracles is Not a Guarantee Nor a Sign of Real Salvation.

                                                         i.     From these verses we learn that not all miracles are of divine origin and that not all miracle workers are divinely accredited. A miracle simply means that a supernatural power is at work. That power may be divine or satanic. Satan may empower his workers to cast out demons temporarily, in order to create the illusion that the miracle is divine. He is not dividing his kingdom against itself in such a case, but is plotting an even worse invasion of demons in the future.^[1]

                                                       ii.     Preaching, casting out demons, and performing miracles can be divinely inspired, but they give no assurance of salvation. It is likely that even Judas participated in some or all of these activities, and yet he was not a true believer.

                                                     iii.     In the last days, Satan will use “lying wonders” to deceive people (2 Thes. 2:7–12).

                                                      iv.     Even if they were doing supernatural deeds—prophesying in His name, driving out demons, and performing many miracles, they were not obedient to the Father, continually doing His will (Matt. 7:21). They would be refused admission to the kingdom because Jesus had no personal relationship with them (vv. 21, 23).^[2]

III.         Acceptance Depends Not on Profession, Nor Even on Apparent Christian Activity, But on Whether Jesus Knew Them. All their appeals will be in vain.

A.    Matthew 7:23, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

                                                  ii.     Jesus is explaining that not everyone (especially highly religious people) who claims to be Christian will be recognized by him.

                                                iii.     A true believer cannot lose his salvation, nor can all miracles be performed by true believers.

                                                iv.     What does it mean to “work iniquity” or practice lawlessness?

                                                  v.     The quality or condition of having no regard for societies laws; behavior that is contrary to or shows indifference to God’s law: Unfortunately, a lot of confusion, lawlessness, stupidity, and even death surrounds this reality. 

                                                vi.     Jesus will declare to them that He never knew them or acknowledged them as His own.

A.    Note the extraordinary authority he assumes as judge; to enter the kingdom of heaven depends on his acknowledgment and consists in being with him.

B.    “Jesus goes on to describe those who will be able to call upon His name on the day of judgment. It will be those who hear His words and put them into practice, the same ones referred to in verse 21 as those who obediently do the will of the Father in heaven. True believers are the good trees that produce good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), the true sheep who look to Christ, depend on Him, commit themselves to Him, trust in Him, and believe on Him for righteousness, salvation, and eternal life. These are the ones who will enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (From Does Matthew 7:21-23 mean that believers can lose salvation?)

Conclusion:

When we reject phony righteousness, we become able to eliminate false systems or sanctimonious standards of judgment also. Our Lord invites us to exercise wise judgment and choose the Will of God over the mere pretenses of people.  Will you accept his generous invitation?

MANY ARE STUCK IN DEADLY SINFUL SYSTEMS OF EVALUATION!

1 Timothy 6:20-21, O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: ²¹ Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

We must guard against the errors seeping into the churches and taking the place of God’s truth. Not only are we to guard the Bible teachings committed to our trust, but also avoid the dangers of improper division of the Word, foolish irrelevant chatter, and contradictions falsely claiming to be real knowledge.

 We are called to avoid being carried away by false teaching, by imitating the obedient faith of godly leaders.

Hebrews 13:7, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…. 17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

GOD OFFERS FREEDOM THROUGH CHRIST FROM THE EVIL

The world in which we live is not a godly world, but we each must experience the freedom that Christ offers to us so that we can live in this world, yet not be “of” this world.

John 17:14-17, 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.

Christ prayed earnestly that we would not become enslaved and influenced by the evil present in the world system. 

YOU CAN BE FREE OF SIN’S CLUTCHES TODAY WHEN YOU RECEIVE CHRIST!

To any person in the clutches of something sinful, negative, or evil, “You can be free!”

Romans 6:18, Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:22, But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

This is the spiritual freedom that everyone needs to become familiar with.

GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS YOURS BY HIS GRACE! (Through the kindness and help of God)

Ephes. 1:7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Have you decided to accept and receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord? To “accept and receive”—is required for you to be forgiven by God, regardless of the nature, magnitude, or deep entrenchment of your sins.

To “accept” is to believe with your mind that what the Bible says about Jesus and His death on the cross is true—that Jesus died for your sins, and He rose again to give you and me new life in Him. To “receive” is to say, “I don't merely accept what Jesus did on the cross as a fact of history or as a statement of sound theology, but I accept His sacrificial death on the cross as being for me personally and individually—his sacrifice was made for my sins. I invite Christ to indwell me, to cleanse me of all my past transgressions, iniquities, evil, and sin, and to make me a new person in God's eyes. I receive the work of the Holy Spirit in me that gives me a completely restored relationship with my heavenly Father.”

Titus 3:5-7, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Have you taken Him up on His offer? If not, will you accept and receive Jesus Christ today? Will you receive God's forgiveness?

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1230.

^[2] Louis A. Barbieri Jr., “Matthew,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 34.

Your Response Matters to God

Phil. 2:12–13

Theme: To become like Christ requires the work of God deep within.

Introduction:

The spiritual life is a journey, and you can always see farther down the road spiritually than you currently are. For that reason, our lives are often haunted by discontentment at best, and deep frustration at worst. In the better moments of our spiritual pilgrimage, we are pleased with the spiritual progress God has granted, enriched by the communion of the Lord and the fellowship of other believers. Yet even in these good moments, we know that there is more—we hunger and thirst for righteousness. We sense the character gulf between us and the Lord Jesus is still sizable. As a result, we Christians are unsettled and drawn inescapably beyond the ground on which we stand, toward chock-full communion with Christ. A number of realizations helps us in our journey; one is the work of God deep within the hearts and minds of His people to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.

Message:

To become like Christ requires the combination of the work of God, the Word of God, prayer, personal commitment, other believers, and time and trials. Yes, the Work of God within is one of seven key ingredients required for us to develop a mature Christian character and know a life marked by victory instead of defeat. If we make these a part of our daily experience and recognize how God uses each of them, then we will indeed grow in the Lord. Today let us focus on the Work of God deep within the believer and a congregation for positive change.

I.    Respond Faithfully to The Work of God Within (Phil. 2:12-13).

Phil 2:12-13,Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13, For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

A.   Continue to Walk in Obedience before the Lord and unto the Lord (vs. 12).

                                        1.     Certainly, we should obey God through the influence of spiritual leaders.

i.       Just as the Lord Jesus Christ obeyed the Father and carried out His plan even to death on the cross (v. 8).

ii.     These Philippian Christians needed to obey, to follow Paul’s instruction which was drawn from Christ’s selfless example. (Walvoord, J.)

iii.   Obedience is compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.

iv.   Obedience is more than mere compliance, which is behavior influenced by peers, and from conformity, which is behavior intended to match that of the majority. No, the Lord wants your heart.

                                        2.     Surely, we should continue in obedience when spiritual leaders are not around; Paul understood he could potentially die soon.

i.       Hebrews 13:7, Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. ⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. ^[1]

ii.     Hebrews 13: 17, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.^[2]

                                        3.     Consistent obedience to the Lord is a mark of real maturity and worth thriving for; obedience should certainly be towards the Lord’s authority.

                                        4.     Next, our work should be as to Christ. These words show that there should be no real distinction between the secular and the sacred. All that we do should be for Him—with a view to pleasing and honoring Him and to attracting others to Him. The most menial and commonplace tasks in life are ennobled and dignified when they are done for the glory of God. Even washing dishes! That is why some Christian housewives have this motto over their kitchen sink: “Divine service held here three times daily.”^[3]

                                        5.     Ephesians 6:5-8, Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. ^[4]

                                        6.     Colossians 3:22-24, Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.^[5]

B.   Work out your Sanctification with Holy Reverence for God (vs. 12).

                                        1.     God commands us to “work it out!”

i.       “Work out” means to apply salvation, not to earn it.

ii.     A servant’s heart must be developed through devotion, education, and application.

iii.   Developing selfless attitudes and humility in service requires significant spiritual power and commitment from us. 1 Timothy 4:15-16, Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. ¹⁶ Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.^[6]

iv.   “Work out your own salvation” implies taking personal ownership and responsibility to realize godly change by the grace of God. This is not encouraging independence from God, but cooperation and living in concert with him. Note the example of the Apostle Peter in Acts 10.

                                        2.     God did not say “work for your salvation!”

i.       Titus, 3:5, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴ But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.^[7]

ii.     “Salvation” here in Phil. 2:12, is a general reference to growth in grace or sanctification

iii.   Salvation is not by works for justification or sanctification; it is by grace and through faith motivated by love.

iv.   Salvation means the solution of the problem that was vexing the Philippians, that is, their contentions. They had been plagued with squabbles and strife. The apostle has given them the remedy. Now they are to apply the remedy by having the mind of Christ. Thus, they would work out their own salvation, or the solution of their difficulty. (MacDonald, W.)

                                        3.     Godward respect and reverence are the real sources of obedience and not horror or fright. This is the sense of “fear and trembling.” Beloved, it is an incredible honor for us to experience the direct involvement of Almighty God in our development and maturity.

i.       Have proper respect in response to God’s work and blessings in your experience!

ii.     Hebrews 12:28-29, Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire.^[8]

iii.   Isiah 66:1-2, Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto me?  And where is the place of my rest? ² For all those things hath mine hand made, And all those things have been, saith the Lord: But to this man will I look, Even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And trembleth at my word.^[9]

C.   Know that God is at Work in you Creating Godly Desires (vs. 13).

                                        1.     We must “work out” what God is “working in” each of us. Once again we see a marvelous merging of the divine and human activity. In one sense, we are called on to work out our salvation. In another sense, it is only God who can enable us to do it. We must do our part, and God will do His.

                                        2.     God initiates the work deep within our hearts; He is the deeper incentive and motivation to live a Christ-like life.

i.       The desire, motivation and will to do right come from him

ii.     The energy and power to execute is also supplied by the Lord to the obedient saint.

                                        3.     God is at work in us presently “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” He is creating desires and fueling spiritual ambitions! He gives inner promptings to guide His people into his plans.

                                        4.     Someone has said, “God does the work of God, and man does the work of man. Man cannot do the work of God, and God will not do the work of man.” (M. Anders??)

D.   Fulfill your Responsibility to be Faithful and Please the Lord (vs. 13).

                                        1.     We do God’s will for his “good pleasure” and delight as our first priority

                                        2.     If that is the case, we must be clear about what is the work of God and what is our responsibility. We have a great genius for turning the two around. We prefer to try to do the work of God and neglect the work of man. It doesn’t work.

                                        3.     We must look to God to initiate the work in our hearts, and we must respond with faithful obedience.

E.   Be Sensitive to God’s Guidance, Promptings and the Spirit’s Voice Within.

                                        1.     Ignore the advice of the Devil to rebel or live for self and your own pleasure. Remember how Jesus rebuke Peter for listening to the Devil (Matt. 16:21-28).

                                        2.     Ignore the advice of our godless society telling us to live for our own satisfaction and our own glory or advancement.

                                        3.     Listen to the Spirit who encourages us to follow the selfless, sacrificial, and service model of Jesus Christ to God’s glory (Phil. 2:1-11).

 

Conclusion:

Today we focused on the Work of God deep within the believer and a congregation for positive change. To become like Christ requires the work of God deep within. What is God doing in your heart today? What motives and desires is He installing in your sensibilities? What character qualities is He building in you? How are you responding to Him? Are you obedient? It matters to God how we respond.

The Christian life is one of continual transformation, from the revolutionary change of our conversion to the daily renewal of our hearts and minds as we learn to live like Christ. We live in hopeful expectation of ultimate transformation, as well, when we shall be made perfect.

But until that time, we must live in this imperfect world. Although we can look forward to our future perfection, it can be discouraging to have to deal with the flaws within us and others. Just keep responding obediently to the work of God deep within. 

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 13:6–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 13:17). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1950). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Eph 6:5–8). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[5] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Col 3:22–24). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[6] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Ti 4:15–16). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[7] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Tt 3:3–7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[8] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 12:28–29). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[9] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Is 66). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.