Slide 1

It is not what we say, it is what we do! Mt 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

As Jesus is concluding this great sermon, He wants people to know, this isnt the end but the beginning!After speaking of two gates/ two ways He then begins the need for right results!By their fruits you will know them! 15-20It is not what you say but what you do! 21-23The wise and foolish builders 24-27It is now time to put into action what we have learn from Him and live accordingly!It is one thing to know & yet another to do!

What people say and what they do are not always the same!Mt 23:3 "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.They had the right words, but the wrong works! Do people still have this problem?We indeed must practice what we preach!See Rom. 2:17-23The best sermon is not heard, but one seen!Actions speak louder than words!

I. Many Are Ignorant of Gods Will!Mt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.How many times have we heard ignorance is bliss! Meaning is you don't know about something you don't have to worry about it.It this really the best path to take when dealing with our souls?Paul addresses this problem in (Rom. 10:1-3) We need to make sure we have gotten it right!

It is not the one that says they are right, but the one that does right that will be in heaven!Many have a false sense of security when it comes to their salvation! This is very dangerous!Not only did Paul deal with this with the Jews, but also with them in Athens!The danger of ignorance! (Act. 17:16-31)Act. 17:23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

The Bible clearly teaches us that we need to know Gods will in our life!2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.Jesus often taught people that they can know!Jn. 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."One must come to both believe (know) and obey!2 Thess. 1:7-9

II. Many Are Indifferent to Gods Will!Mt 7:22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?Have you ever noticed just what those in verse 22 are really saying?Look at me, look what all I have done!We must never forget that none of us are good enough to get heaven alone!Rom. 3:10-12, 23 cf. Rom. 6:23It is only because of what Jesus has done for us that we will be found worthy!

Indifferent = having no particular interest or sympathy, unconcernedWe must always keep in mind where salvation is found!Act. 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."2 Tim. 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Without the blood of Jesus none of us could go to heaven!Rev. 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,When I ready Mt. 7:22, I think of Is. 64:4!Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

Do we believe that we will enter heaven because of what we have done for Jesus, or do we believe we will enter heaven because of what Jesus has done for us?

III. Many Are Independent of Gods Will!Mt 7:23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!I have often wondered just how many people are going to be shocked on the Day of Judgment!7 out of 10 Americans believe they are saved, but yet the majority of them live independently of Gods will in their lives!These are some of the saddest words we could ever hear!

Jesus was not just speaking to be heard, but to be heeded!James addressed the importance of this!Js 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.Js 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.Have we forgotten the lesson that Jesus teaches us in the garden as He prayers?Lk. 22:39-42 Not my will, but thine be done

Conclusion:I hope & pray that this lesson has reminded us that it is more than our words, it is our works that define us!Let each of us learn to not be Ignorant of Gods will!Indifferent to Gods will!Independent of Gods will!If you are here & have not yet come to submit to Gods will, today is the day!For us that are Christians, have we been practicing what we preach?