20150902 LORD LORD

LORD LORD

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter.  (22)  On judgment day many will say to Me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and performed many miracles in Your name.'  (23)  But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from Me, you who break God's laws.'

Paul puts it like this… 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power.

In keeping with the theme of this entire sermon preached on the mount, Jesus again points out the matter of the heart. The outward expression, “Lord, Lord!” is not necessarily indicative of the condition of the speaker’s heart. It is possible to prophesy, cast out demons and perform miracles in His name and have no love in your heart. Many such things and many heinous things have been done in “His name.” The Holocaust was even brought about in “His name.” The Crusades were carried out in “His name.”

Jesus met with and ate with sinners. He called them to follow Him. He does the same thing today. If we will follow, He will not leave us in the condition He finds us. Through the power of His Word and Holy Spirit He will bring about change in our lives. Unfortunately many stop at the point of saying only, “Lord, Lord!” They go no further. They do not let His Word penetrate their hearts and minds. They do not look to the Holy Spirit for conviction of sin and righteousness. When in crises they call upon Him, “Lord, Lord!” and expect the miraculous, which often happens in spite of us. But, once the crises passes they go back to the old life, the old ways of dealing with others. They go back to ignoring the rest of this Sermon on the Mount. And, Lord willing, as we will see tomorrow, they build on sand.

Father in heaven, thank You for the Words of Jesus. Please do not let them stop at our ears. Cause them to sink into our brains, deeper into our hearts and cause them to burst forth in new life through our thoughts, words and actions. In Jesus Name AMEN!!!