I Never Knew You

Matthew 7: 21-24 "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. [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."
 
 

There was an evangelist who was holding a series of revival meetings in a small town. In preparation for the revival many of the townspeople to invite them to attend. In particular, one gentleman was urged to attend, but he was reluctant because he was an epileptic. The evangelist assured the man that every effort would be made to avoid possible injury or embarrassment. Ushers would be told about his condition and instructed in how to deal with the situation if he suffered a seizure during the meeting. They would reserve the chair closest to the door for him to sit in. The epileptic man promised he would try to attend that night. When the meeting began the ushers were all prepared and waited for the special guest to arrive. The singing had begun when a man timidly entered the revival and sat in the designated chair. The ushers noted this and kept a careful eye on the man. The audience was asked to stand for a particular hymn. When the congregation stood, this one man's chair was accidentally pushed aside. At the conclusion of the hymn everyone was told to be seated. The man at the back sat down, but without a chair beneath him, and with a great clatter and commotion, he fell to the floor.  The ushers thought that this fellow was having a seizure, so they quickly pinned the fellow to the floor and a fifth man began attempting to force something into the mouth of their victim. A great struggle ensued, but the ushers prevailed, with as much dignity as such a commotion would allow. Suddenly the man overcame his captors, leapt to his feet, and leaving his coat behind, ran from the building. When an effort was made to return the coat to the house of the man, they discovered to their horror that he had not been able to attend the meeting after all. It was a simple case of mistaken identity! (Story source: Pastor Robert Deffinbaugh)

In our passage today our Lord warns about "mistaken identity", and how mistaken identity can have eternal repercussions.
 

Visual Contextual Clues Jesus preludes this section by emphasizing TWOS:  In verses 13-14 He presents us with TWO GATES In verses 15-20 He presents us with TWO TREES In verses 24-27 He presents us with TWO HOUSES

In Matthew 7.21-23 we are presented with TWO LORDs. Jesus said:

Matthew 7: 21a "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord ..."

"Saith" is the Greek LEGO, and it is a PRESENT PARTICIPLE - best rendered as "keeps on saying to me". Jesus said, "Not everyone who keeps on saying to me Lord, Lord" will enter the Kingdom of Heaven or be saved. Listen, NOT EVERYONE who professes Christ as Savior will be saved. The false professor uses the Christian's vocabulary, recites his prayers and creeds, attends the services of the Church, participates in its functions, but DOES NOT KNOW who Jesus Christ is.

These people who Jesus referred to called Him KURIOS KURIOS, Lord of Lords, Lord God Almighty. They knew WHO Jesus professed to be - but never really knew Who He was and is. Can I share this with you? Salvation in Jesus Christ is not just a simple action of profession, but it is a SUPERNATURAL EVENT of conversion brought on by God the Holy Spirit. This supernatural event is brought on BY FAITH in Jesus.

There are a lot of people who claim to be Christians today who call on Jesus (KURIOS KURIOS) but do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. This should not be. If you are a born again Child of God, then you have a daily relationship with Jesus Christ, with God the Holy Spirit, and with God the Father. You do not just call Jesus KURIOS KURIOS, Lord God Almighty, but you strive to show you believe in Him by your DAILY RELATIONSHIP with Him.

Who enters into the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus said that great works alone, using His name, do not guarantee you entrance in Heaven. No, if you will go to Heaven you must:

Matthew 7: 21b ".............. but he that doeth the will (THELEMA = desire, pleasure, will of) of my Father which is in heaven."

We must do the Father's WILL to get into Heaven. And what is the Father's WILL? It is this:

John 15:10-13 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. [11]  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. [12]  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. [13]  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

and again...

1 John 3:22-24 "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. [23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. [24]  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."
 
 

Walking the Walk   A Civil War chaplain approached a wounded soldier on the battlefield and   asked if he'd like to hear a few verses from the Bible. The wounded man   said, "No, I'm so thirsty, I'd rather have some water." The chaplain   gave him a drink, then repeated his question. "No sir, not now -- but   could you put something under my head?" The chaplain did so, and again   repeated his question. "No," said the soldier, "I'm cold. Could you   cover me up?" The chaplain took off his inside coat and wrapped the   soldier. Afraid to ask, he did not repeat his question. He made to go   away, but the soldier called him back. "Look, Chaplain, if there's   anything in that book of yours that makes a person do for another what   you've done for me, then I want to hear it." (Carlos Wilton, via PresbyNet, "Sermonshop 04 17 1994," #5, 4/12/94)

Two people are placed before us today by our Lord Jesus. There are those who declare KURIOS KURIOS, but have no relationship with Jesus; and those who profess KURIOS KURIOS out of a heart of love for Jesus. Those who are false professors are characterized by the "I" syndrome.

Jesus looks at those who have the "I" syndrome and says,

"I" never knew you ...

What a sad testimony. The "I" syndrome is a whiny syndrome that looks for its own blessing, and not toward the blessing of others. The "I" syndrome asks, "What's in it for me?", and in so doing ignores the will of God, the will of Christ, the Christian way of life.

What a glad testimony. The true believer is the one who truly BELIEVES, OBEYS, and LOVES God's Son. This person lives their lives outside of the confines of selfishness and greed. This person no longer asks, "What's in it for me?", but loves his or her fellow Christians because Jesus, their Lord, asks them to do so.

Matthew 7: 22 "Many (POLLOS) 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?"

Jesus said that POLLOS, a great number, will be deceived by the world. There are many ways that Satan ensnares us, tricks us away from a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ. Sadly, many have fallen into the traps. There are those who diligently work for the Church. Now, dear friends, I don't want you to leave this place and say "I'll never work for the Church again". Again, Jesus did teach us in verses 15-20 that if we DO NOT bring forth good fruit, this is a sign that we are unsaved.

Yet Satan has taken the other tack, and many do good works in Church or in their community believing that these works will save them. Dear friends, if you do not have a relationship in Jesus Christ, and the works do not extend out of this relationship, then you are yet unsaved.

If you have NO relationship with Christ today, then you have a false profession of faith. If you have NO relationship with Christ, then in the latter days Jesus will NOT profess you - for He will not know you. You cannot be ANGRY at GOD, nor ANGRY at MAN, nor JUDGMENTAL of MAN, nor WORK your way to HEAVEN. No, you must call on the name of Jesus and believe God for the supernatural change that makes you a Christian. You must call on Him, trust Him, and have a relationship with Him - else you are lost.
 

Once there were five sons who lived in a mountain castle with their Father. The eldest was an obedient son, but his four younger brothers were rebellious. Their Father had warned them of the river, but they had not listened. He had begged them to stay clear of the bank lest they be swept downstream, but the river's lure was too strong. Each day the four rebellious brothers ventured closer and closer until one son dared to reach in and feel the waters. "Hold my hand so I won't fall in," he said, and his brothers did. But when he touched the water, the current yanked him and the other three into the rapids and rolled them down the river. Over the rocks they bounced, through the channels they roared, on the swells they rode. Their cries for help were lost in the rage of the river. Though they fought to gain their balance, they were powerless against the strength of the current. After hours of struggle, they surrendered to the pull of the river. The waters finally dumped them on the bank of a strange land, in a distant country, in a barren place. Savage people dwelt the land. It was not safe like their home. Cold winds chilled the land. It was not warm like their home. Rugged mountains marked the land. It was not inviting like their home. Though they did not know where they were, of one fact they were sure: They were not intended for this place. For a long time the four young sons lay on the bank, stunned at their fall and not knowing where to turn. After some time they gathered their courage and reentered the waters, hoping to walk upstream. But the current was too strong. They attempted to walk along the waters edge, but the terrain was too steep. They considered climbing the mountains, but the peaks were too high. Besides, they didn't know the way. Finally, they built a fire and sat down. "We shouldn't have disobeyed our Father," they admitted. "We are a long way from home." With the passage of time the sons learned to survive in the strange land. They found nuts for food and killed animals for skins. They determined not to forget their homeland nor abandon hopes of returning. Each day they set about the task of finding food and building shelter. Each evening they built a fire and told stories of their Father and older brother. All four sons longed to see them again. Then, one night, one brother failed to come to the fire. The others found him the next morning in the valley with the savages. He was building a hut of grass and mud. "I've grown tired of our talks," he told them. "What good does it do to remember? Besides, this land isn't so bad. I will build a great house and settle here." "But this isn't home," they objected. "No, but it is if you don't think of the real one." "But what of Father?" "What of him? He isn't here. He isn't near. Am I to spend forever awaiting his arrival? I'm making new friends; I'm learning new ways. If he comes, he comes, but I'm not holding my breath." [ANGRY AT GOD]  And so the other three left their hut-building brother and walked away. They continued to meet around the fire, speaking of home and dreaming of their return. Some days later a second brother failed to appear at the campfire. The next morning his siblings found him on a hillside staring at the hut of his brother. "How Disgusting," he told them as they approached. "Our brother is an utter failure. An insult to our family name. Can you imagine a more despicable deed" Building a hut and forgetting our Father?" [ANGRY AT MAN] "What he's doing is wrong," agreed the youngest, "but what we did was wrong as well. We disobeyed. We touched the river. We ignored our Father's warnings." "Well, we may have made a mistake or two, but compared to the sleaze in the hut, we are saints. Father will dismiss our sin and punish him." "Come", urged his two brothers, "return to the fire with us." "No, I think I'll keep an eye on our brother. Someone needs to keep a record of his wrongs to show Father." [JUDGING MY BROTHER] And so the two returned, leaving one brother building and the other brother judging. The remaining two sons stayed near the fire, encouraging each other and speaking of home. Then one morning the youngest son awoke to find he was alone. He searched for his brother and found him near the river, stacking rocks. "It's no use," the rock-stacking brother explained as he worked. "Father won't come for me. I must go to him. I offended him. I insulted him. I failed him. There is only one option. I will build a path back up the river and walk into our Fathers presence. Rock upon rock I will stack until I have enough rocks to travel upstream to the castle. When he sees how hard I have worked and how diligent I have been, he will have no choice but to open the door and let me into his house." [WORK WAY TO HEAVEN] The last brother did not know what to say. He returned to sit by the fire, alone. One morning he heard a familiar voice behind him. "Father has sent me to bring you home." The youngest lifted his eyes to see the face of his oldest brother. "You have come for us!" he shouted. For a long time the two embraced. "And your brothers?" the eldest finally asked. "One has made a home up here. Another is watching him. The third is building a path up the river." And so the firstborn set out to find his siblings. He went first to the thatched hut in the valley. "Go away stranger!" screamed the brother through the window. "You are not welcome here!" "I have come to take you home." "You have not. You have come to take my mansion." "This is no mansion," Firstborn continued. "This is a hut." "Its a mansion! The finest in the lowlands. I built it with my own hands. Now, go away. You cannot have my mansion." "Don't you remember the house of your Father?" "I have no Father." "You were born in a castle in a distant land where the air is warm and the fruit is plentiful. You disobeyed your Father and ended up in this strange land. I have come to take you home." The brother peered through the window at the Firstborn as if recognizing a face he'd remembered from a dream. But the pause was brief, for suddenly the savages in the house filled the window as well. "Go away, intruder!" they demanded. "This is not your home." "You are right," responded the Firstborn son, "but neither is it his." Firstborn sought the next brother. He didn't have to walk far. On the hillside near the hut, within eyesight of the savages, sat the fault-finding son. When he saw the Firstborn approaching, he shouted, "How good that you are here to behold the sin of our brother! Are you aware that he turned his back on the castle? Are you aware that he never speaks of home? I knew you would come. I have kept careful account of his deeds. Punish him! I will applaud your anger. He deserves it! Deal with the sins of our brother." Firstborn spoke softly, "We need to deal with your sins first." "My sins?" "Yes, you disobeyed Father." The son smirked and slapped at the air. "My sins are nothing. THERE is a sinner," he claimed, pointing to the hut. "Let me tell you of the savages who stay there..." "I'd rather you tell me about yourself." "Don't worry about me. Let me show you who needs help," he said, running towards the hut. "Come, we'll peek in the windows. He never sees me. Lets go together." The son was at the hut before he noticed that Firstborn hadn't followed him. Next, the eldest son walked to the river. There he found the last brother, knee-deep in the water, stacking rocks. "Father has sent me to take you home." The brother never looked up. "I can't talk now. I must work." "Father knows you have fallen. But he will forgive you..." "He may," the brother interrupted, struggling to keep his balance against the current, "but I have to get to the castle first. I must build a pathway up the river. First I will show him that I am worthy. Then I will ask for his mercy." "He has already given his mercy. I will carry you up the river. You will never be able to build a pathway. The river is too long. The task is too great for your hands. Father sent me to carry you home. I am stronger." For the first time the rock-building brother looked up. "How dare you speak to me with such irreverence! My Father will not simply forgive. I have sinned. I have sinned greatly! He told us to avoid the river, and we disobeyed. I am a great sinner. I need much work." "No, my brother, you don't need much work. You need much grace. The distance between you and our Father's house is too great. You haven't enough strength nor the stones to build the road. That is why our Father sent me. He wants me to carry you home. "Are you saying I can't do it? Are you saying I'm not strong enough? Look at my work. Look at my rocks. Already I can walk five steps!" "But you have five million to go!" The younger brother looked at the Firstborn with anger. "I know who you are. You are the voice of evil. You are trying to seduce me from my holy work. Get behind me, you serpent!" He hurled at Firstborn the rock he was about to place in the river. "Heretic!" screamed the path-builder. "Leave this land. You can't stop me! I will build this walkway and stand before my Father, and he will have to forgive me. I will win his favor. I will earn his mercy." Firstborn shook his head. "Favor won is no favor. Mercy earned is no mercy. I implore you, let me carry you up the river." The response was another rock. So Firstborn turned and left. The youngest brother was waiting near the fire when Firstborn returned. "The others didn't come?" "No. One chose to indulge, the other to judge, and the third to work. none of them chose our Father." "So they will remain here?" The eldest brother nodded slowly. "For now." "And we will return to the Father?" asked the brother. "Yes." "Will he forgive me?" "Would he have sent me if he wouldn't?" And so the younger brother climbed on the back of the Firstborn and they began their journey home. [In The Grip of Grace, Max Lucado]

Are you in the will of Christ? Are you in the will of God? Do you want to be great for Jesus, or do you want to "play Church" until our Lord returns. The choice is up to you.