Series: Sermon on the Mount
Lesson #32
Title: Known of Christ
Text: Matthew 7: 21-27
Date: December 27, 2009
Place: SGBC, New Jersey
Matthew 7: 21: 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.
HEARING AND DOING
The Lord says, “Not everyone that saith…but he that doeth.” The difference in entering into the kingdom of heaven and not entering into the kingdom of heaven has to do with being a doer of the word and not a hearer only.
But there is a difference between what the naturally religious man hears in God’s word and what the believer hears. And so there is a difference between what the naturally religious man does and teaches other to do…and what the believer does and teaches. In his next few words the Lord bears that out.
Matthew 7: 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?
These are moral, religious, church-going, professing Christians. They are convinced that they have not been hearers only but “doers in the name of the Lord.” They say to the Lord that they have preached in his name. They say to the Lord that in his name they cast out devils. They say to the Lord that in his name they did many wonderful works. And then, after they have professed to the Lord what they have done in his name, the Lord says,
Matthew 7: 23: And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
YE THAT WORK INIQUITY
Notice here, the Lord says, “Ye that work iniquity.” In their present testimony before the Lord, they ARE working the very same iniquity they worked and taught others to work throughout their earthly ministry. It is in these three words, “Have we not?” Their testimony never was Christ. And even standing before the Lord it is not “Christ!” But “we!” Here is why?
I NEVER KNEW YOU
They did all in his name. But because Christ never knew them so they preached “we” instead of Christ. They went in his name. But Christ never knew them so they went of their own might and taught “we” instead of Christ. When they taught others to be “doers” and not “hearers only”, every word and every work was in his name, but the entire tenor of their ministry was, “Have WE not?”
Matthew 7: 24: Therefore whosoever [cometh unto me] heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
I. THE WILL OF MY FATHER
Matthew 7: 21: 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…
The will of the Father is for all his children to come to Christ and the Father will make them all come to Christ. Notice how the Lord Jesus speaks of the "will of the Father." He is taking the place of a witness of Christ because the people asked him what they must do that they might work the works of God. The work is believe on Christ from the first hour to the last. Tell others to believe on Christ from the first hour to the last. Wait on God to raise up through the Word of Truth from the first hour to the last. That is what Christ tells them and does.
John 6: 36: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;…44: No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45: It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
It is possible to hear with the natural ear, to profess, to preach, and to do and still not be doing the will of the Father. But it is impossible to hear and be taught of God the Father and not come to Christ. Without God the Father teaching no man can, but when God teaches no man can resist.
John 6: 37:…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38: For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39: 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.
Salvation is not in saying, Lord, Lord, in knowing doctrine and teaching doctrine and trusting in doctrine; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. They had never come to Christ, never seen the Son, and never believed on him. Therefore though they preached in his name, cast out devils in his name, did many wonderful works in his name, it was all the works of 'WE" the works of iniquity.
II. CHRIST MUST KNOW YOU
Matthew 7: 23:…I never knew you…
When the Father draws you to Christ then Christ makes himself known in you. When he makes himself known in a sinner, he makes the sinner to know his oneness with Christ.
This word “knew”—is not knowledge—but “oneness.” The Lord ordained a husband and wife to become one flesh to exemplify the oneness of Christ and his church, each believer in particular.
Ephesians 5: 30: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31: For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32: This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Just how “one”, does Christ reveal you are with him, when he makes himself known in you.
John 10: 14: I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. [I am one with my own and they are one with me. In what manner?] 15: As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father…30: I and my Father are one.
The infinite oneness, love and delight God has with his Son is the infinite oneness, love and delight God has with those he created in his Son before he founded the world.
Romans 8: 29: For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
When God calls a sinner in time, it is not in order to make you a son at that time, but because the Father made you a son before time, one with the Father in his Son, when he put you in Christ. The adoption lets you in on what has been from before time.
Galatians 4:6: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
When Christ knows you he makes you to know that from everlasting you have been one with the Father and the Son.
1 John 3: 1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
When God teaches you to come to Christ, when Christ makes you to know that he abides in you and you in him, one with God the Father and God the Son, then there is but one thing that shall surely happen: You will hear Christ and do his sayings.
Matthew 7: 24: Therefore whosoever [cometh to Christ] and heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Application:
First, plant your entire house on Christ the Solid Rock. He said, “Think not that I came to destroy the law and the prophets, I came not to destroy but to fulfill.” Christ himself is the Perfection of everything written in the law and the prophets, of everything he has taught us in this sermon on the mount. He is the righteousness that exceeds the scribes and the Pharisees.
We broke, and continue to break, all that is written here but by his death, he paid every sin for his children. This is the very reason the believer is: poor in spirit, why the believer mourns, is meek, hungers and thirsts after righteousness, is merciful, is pure in heart, and is a peacemaker. And this is one reason the believer is persecuted.
But if you God has drawn you, and you have come to Christ, and heard him, then do and teach others to do what he has taught you—that is, turn not back to your doing but continue trusting him alone and teach others all flesh is grass and salvation is in Christ alone—this is the will of the Father, this is what Christ has taught us, that is what it is to do and to teach—believe Christ and you have fulfilled all that is required, doing this word is teaching others to trust Christ. It is continuing to trust God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ to draw them, teach them, make them to know him even as he did us. Loving the Lord thy God with all your heart is being made one with Christ and trusting Christ Jesus his Son. If you are then you are a wise man which built his house on a Rock.
Secondly, whatsover you would that men do to you do also to them, this is the end of the law and the prophets—this is love. If we love as we would have men to love us then do nothing that will hinder sinners from beholding Christ Jesus your All. The Lord said to let your light so shine.
a. Let all men see that there is greater joy in being reconciled to Christ than fighting against him by being reconciled to them that have ought against you.
b. Let all men see that your flesh is crucified with Christ by not being a divider by the lust of your flesh
c. Be honest with sinners, plain, straightforward in the truth of the gospel
d. Let all men see that you trust God that he save not by man’s strength but by his spirit by not resist them that smite, that take you to the law, that compel you.
e. Let all men see in your dealings with men that the grace of God is without respect of persons
f. Do none of your devotions to God and brethren to attract sinners to you.
e. In everything seek preeminently the kingdom of God and his righteousness trusting God to provide
f. Turn not back to that critical, self-righteous flesh but ask God to keep you from self-righteousness and to raise up by his Spirit and his Word.
Thirdly, enter into Christ the Straight Gate, and continue in him, with others who call on the Lord out of a pure heart and purge your self from false prophets.
Paul quotes our Lord here as he writes to Timothy concerning some false prophets drawing men after themselves:
2 Timonty 2: 19: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20: But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21: If a man therefore purge himself from these [sorts of men], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Matthew 7: 24: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26: And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND
ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND