REVIEW
FLIP CHART: SOM’S KEY VERSE, GOAL, MOTTO
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness ….” (Mt. 6:33a).
The law sends us to Christ for justification; Christ sends us back to the law for sanctification.
FLIP CHART: Show new “Perfect Righteousness” chart explaining steps to coming to Christ (As a worm, mourning, meek, spiritual hunger/thirst with the result of legal righteousness). Explain: moral righteousness, immediate moral change at conversion, gradual change through life’s challenges and speeding up moral change via CCRC (Concentration, Choice, Reflection and Confession/Thanksgiving). Key verse, “By one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Heb. 10:14).
TEACHING GOAL: To show that religious activity and confession in Christ’s name do not guarantee eternal salvation.
REVIEW: Some key ”SO WHATS?” from previous lessons.
1. “The will of my Father”: Since the Father commands us: “This is my Son, hear him!” then we need to listen to what the Son is saying in SOM. The SOM is a concise statement of how Christ wants us to live in this world. Listening to and obeying what Christ is saying in the SOM is truly doing the will of the Father.
2. Self-Delusion: Satan seeks to deceive us and keep us from the narrow way but we also need to be aware of self-deception, self-delusion. Millions of American “evangelicals” are deluded because they are hoping in a salvation based on intellectual assent to the Gospel but that does not include repentance nor produce the fruit of obedience. We help ourselves avoid delusion by rigorous self-examination of our spiritual state.
3. Incredulity: Many will be incredulous and disbelieving “on that day” to learn that all of their confession in Christ’s name and religious activity did not guarantee eternal salvation. Although correct belief is needed for salvation the true proof of salvation is obedience to the teachings of Christ. So it is true that no person enters the kingdom because of their obedience; but it is equally true that every person who enters the kingdom leans towards and strives to be obedient.
INTRODUCTION:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Mt. 7:21-23)
OUTLINE:
THE LIFE & DESTINY OF EVIL DOERS
1. On That Day
2. Many Will Say to Me
3. Evaluating the Full Profession
4. Lord, Lord
5. Did We Not Prophesy
6. And Drive Out Demons
7. And Perform Many Miracles
8. Then I – The Lord Jesus, the Judge
9. Will Tell Them Plainly – I Never Knew You
10. You Evildoers
11. Away from Me (Depart from Me)
THE LIFE AND DESTINY OF EVIL DOERS – PART II
V. DID WE NOT PROPHESY
Prophesy here means to predict, foretell future events, declare something that can only be known by divine revelation.
It is interesting that Jesus does not challenge their prophecies as being a hoax. Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t. It seems that the validity of their prophecies was insignificant.
Satan is clever at producing false prophets. They look so genuine. Sound so genuine. And one of the reasons that they are so convincing is because they are self-deceived. Many really believe that they are prophets.
QUESTION: Can you think of any individuals in the Bible who were not followers of the Lord but gave valid prophecies?
Balaam was a false prophet but the Bible says that the LORD put a true message in his mouth, “Go back to Balak and give him this message.” (Numbers 23:5) Balaam “knew the knowledge of the Most High” and “saw the vision of the Almighty” (Num. 24:6), yet he “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (II Peter 2:15) and perished amid the enemies of the Lord (Numbers 31:8).
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. (John 11:49-52)
VI. AND DRIVE OUT DEMONS
Satan can cast out demons, that is demons can drive out demons.
QUESTION: Can you think of any non-Christian Bible characters that cast out demons?
The seven unbelieving sons of Sceva in Acts 19:13-14 made their living as exorcists.
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. . . . . . (Mark 9:38-40)
In Acts 8:9-11 we are told of the power of the sorcerer, Simon Magus.
In Luke 10:1-20 where Jesus sent out 72 followers to witness it appears that Judas, who was in this group, was given power over demons. See especially vs. 17.
VII. AND PERFORM MANY MIRACLES
Just because the supernatural happens doesn’t mean it is of God.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. (Mt. 24:24)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. (II Thessalonians 2:9-10)
Jesus does not deny the miracles nor does He say it was all a hoax. Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t.
VIII. “THEN I” – THE LORD JESUS, THE JUDGE
When giving the Sermon on the Mount our Lord appears as a wise Galilean peasant. But here this “peasant” speaks as Judge of the world.
He claims to be the sovereign judge of all mankind, the one who will exercise judgment over the destiny of every person in all of history.
Moreover . . . has entrusted all judgment to the Son . . . . . . he has given him authority to judge . . . . (John 5:22, 27)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (Mt. 25:31-32)
He commanded us . . . to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42)
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. . . . ” (Acts 17:31)
This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ . . . (Romans 2:16)
. . . Christ . . who will judge the living and the dead . . . (II Tim. 4:1)
IX. WILL TELL THEM PLAINLY – ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU’
Spurgeon claimed that there was more thunder in the phrase “I never knew you” than in the worst thunder storm.
QUESTION: What does Christ mean when he says “I never knew you?”
“To know” was a Hebrew idiom that represented intimate relations. It was frequently used of marital intimacy where “had relations” is literally “knew” in the KJV. It was also used of special intimacy with the chosen people Israel and with all of those who trust in Him. In a unique and beautiful way the Lord “knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nah. 1:7). The Good Shepherd knows His sheep intimately (John 10:1-14). (MacArthur, 479)
Know implies personal intimate knowledge, the knowledge of relationship.
Some have translated it: I was never acquainted with you.
Theirs was a public profession: We prophesied in your name, in your name drove out demons and performed many miracles. His profession was also public: I never knew you.
READING: “No,” says Christ, “I never saw you come as a beggar to my door. I never saw you sit as a disciple at my feet. I never saw you as a humble follower treading in my footsteps. I never saw you as a sheep that knew my voice, and followed me. I never knew you. You were a stranger to me; you and I never exchanged a word with you. We were not friends. You never leaned your head on my bosom. You had nothing to do with me, and now I have nothing to do with you.” (From the Web)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
We might claim to know him, but does he know us? Does he call us his child? Have I experienced the new birth? I am truly a member of His family through regeneration, through adoption?
Does Christ know me as one of his own? Do I hear his voice? Do I follow him?
“I never knew you” and “But the man who loves God is known by God.” (I Cor. 8:3)
READING: Notice how these people found out their fatal mistake. They found it out from what Christ said. He said to them, “I never knew you.” Not passionately, or angrily, but in stern, sad, solemn tones he said, “I never knew you.” “But we used thy name, good Lord.” “I know you did, but I never knew you, and you never truly knew me.” I can almost imagine someone turning round, “in that day,” and saying to some Christians, who used to sit in the same pew, “You knew me.” “Yes,” they will reply, “we knew you, but that is of no avail, for the Master did not know you.” I can picture some of you crying out to your minister, “Pastor, did not you know us? Surely you recollect what we used to do.” What can he reply? “Ah, yes! sorrowfully do I own that I know you, but I cannot help you. It is only Christ’s knowing you that can be of any avail to you.” (From the Web)
As we said last week, these people will be incredulous, flabber-gasted that they are not known by Christ
“Our final destiny will be settled, Jesus insists, neither by what we are saying to him today, nor by what we shall say to him on the last day, but by whether we do what we say, whether our verbal profession is accompanied by moral obedience.” (Stott, 206)
This is not a case of losing one’s salvation. Jesus will say, “I never knew you,” which means you never were saved, never were one of mine.
READING: Judge ye, dear friends, whether ye know Christ or not, and whether Christ knows you; and, as you judge yourselves, whatever your verdict may be, take this last word of advice; whether he knows you or not, come to him; trust in him; rest in him. I felt, as I was thinking over this subject, “Well, perhaps my Lord does not know me;” so I made sure that he should, for I sought him there and then; and I exhort you to do the same. If you fear whether you do know him, trust him this very moment. Then, if you have made a mistake hitherto, and have not really known him, you will begin to know him now; and if you have known him, you will blessedly renew your acquaintance with him, and the question that has troubled you will disappear. (Spurgeon)
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— (John 10:14)
To the five virgins who failed to put oil in their lamps, came late and knocked to enter the wedding banquet: “. . . I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” (Mt. 25:12)
He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26″Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ (Luke 13:24-27)
But now that you know God – – or rather are known by God – – how is that you are . . . (Gal. 4:9)
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (II Tim. 2:19)
X. YOU EVILDOERS
QUESTION: What words would you use to describe an “evildoer?”
Other translations: practice lawlessness, evil people, workers of iniquity, workers of evil, workers of lawlessness, doers of wickedness, workers on the side of evil.
Lawlessness is simply doing what is contrary to God’s will. Consistent wrong doing, a life that is bent on following ones own will and desire in spite of God’s clear command.
The difference between “saying” and “doing” defines an evildoer.
Evil doers are those who substitute activity for a true and vibrant relationship with Christ.
If you are professing to be a Christian but have no interest in and are not striving to do the will of the Father, you are an evil doer.
If people who prophesy in the name of Christ, drive out demons and perform miracles are classed as evil doers what will keep us from the same designation?
XI. AWAY FROM ME
Expansion of the phrase, “Away from me” is found in Mt. 25:41, 46.
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels . . . Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
If not these, who? If prophets, miracle workers and exorcists, all working in the name of Jesus are going to be rejected, then who will be accepted?
Those who have experienced the new birth and are nurturing an intimate relationship with the Savior, who are embodying / mirroring / living the commands of our Lord in general and in this case, the teaching given in the Sermon on the Mount.
The words of an engraving from the cathedral of Lubeck, Germany, beautifully reflect our Lord’s teaching:
Thus speaks Christ our Lord to us: You call Me master and obey Me not, you call Me light and see Me not, you call Me the way and walk Me not, you call me life and live Me not, you call Me wise and follow Me not, you call Me fair and love Me not, you call Me rich and ask Me not, you call Me eternal and seek Me not, if I condemn thee, blame Me not. (MacArthur, 480)
SO WHAT???
1. It is the “will of the Father” to carefully incorporate all of the teaching of the Son given in the Sermon on the Mount into our lives.
2. We avoid spiritual delusion by evaluating our relationship to Christ, checking to make sure we have embraced the Gospel through faith accompanied by true repentance and obedience to the teaching of Christ.
3. Our Lord, who appears to be no more than a Galilean peasant teacher, will, on that day, as Judge reveal the eternal destiny of all people who have ever lived on planet earth.
4. Many “Christians” will be incredulous on the Day of Judgment to learn that they are classed with evil doers, have never been known by Christ and are excluded from his presence.
5. The key to be ‘known’ by Christ is to experience the new birth and truly become a child of God by spiritual regeneration.