WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.540 Well, good morning, church. Would you turn with me to Matthew chapter 7. We are looking at verses 21 through 23. 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:18.059 ! That's page 762 in the Pew Bible. Let me pray for us, and then I'll read. 00:00:27.060 --> 00:00:29.980 Father, we ask for Your help and for Your presence as we come. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:39.740 I come near to You in Your Word. God, bless the reading and the preaching and the hearing of what, Lord Jesus, You have said to us in this passage. 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:47.539 God, help us not just to be hearers of the Word, but to be doers by Your Spirit. We pray this in Your mighty name. Amen. 00:00:47.539 --> 00:00:54.280 Amen. All right. Matthew chapter 7, verses 21 through 23. 00:00:54.280 --> 00:01:07.359 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:01:07.359 --> 00:01:23.560 On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and cast out demons in Your name and do many mighty works in Your name? 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:33.980 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:01:33.980 --> 00:01:41.719 Well, we've come almost to the end of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:48.480 Next week will be our last sermon on this great section of the New Testament. 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:55.939 And here, in this part of the sermon, as we've said, Jesus is driving everything home by way of application. 00:01:55.939 --> 00:02:08.419 And this text here, this second to last paragraph, in this part, we have perhaps one of the most sobering passages in the whole sermon. 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:20.900 Sobering because it strikes at the root of what most of us naturally put our confidence in when it comes to our standing with God. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:35.340 You see, the great question that hangs over this passage is this, on what basis do you hope to enter God's coming kingdom? 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:42.420 You see, in this passage, according to Jesus, there are three things. 00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:48.420 There's a kingdom to enter. There's a coming kingdom to enter. 00:02:48.419 --> 00:02:53.019 And then there are some things that won't guarantee you entry. 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:56.079 And then there's one thing that will. 00:02:57.239 --> 00:02:58.359 There's a kingdom to enter. 00:02:59.060 --> 00:03:01.079 There are two things that won't guarantee you entry. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:02.279 And there's one thing that will. 00:03:03.399 --> 00:03:05.219 So let's consider each of those points in turn. 00:03:05.339 --> 00:03:08.739 First, Jesus says there's a kingdom to enter. 00:03:09.560 --> 00:03:12.179 Jesus mentions this in the first verse of our text, verse 21. 00:03:12.180 --> 00:03:19.920 And, you know, until we get this point, we don't really understand the gravity and the importance of the rest of the passage. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:31.480 We won't understand why the stakes are so high in the rest of what Jesus has to say until we pause over this kind of underlying reality that Jesus talks about here, 00:03:31.540 --> 00:03:35.120 that there is a coming kingdom to enter. 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:40.039 So what does Jesus mean when He talks about entering the kingdom of heaven? 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:45.939 Well, to really understand this, you have to see it in the context of the big storyline of the Bible. 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:50.500 You know, it's easy to read a phrase like entering the kingdom of heaven 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:57.120 and think that Jesus is simply talking about some sort of spiritual, ethereal afterlife. 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:01.159 But that's not what Jesus is intending. 00:04:02.539 --> 00:04:06.080 You see, the biblical story is more robust than that. 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:14.840 It begins with God creating all things out of nothing and creating humans to be His image bearers in the midst of creation. 00:04:15.860 --> 00:04:23.220 Humans, we were meant to love and to serve God and to spread His glory and His reign throughout the material order. 00:04:23.220 --> 00:04:31.780 But through the sin of Adam and Eve, that project was seemingly thrown completely off course. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:37.760 Instead of life abounding in creation, there was now death. 00:04:39.140 --> 00:04:41.120 Instead of joy, there was now sorrow. 00:04:42.400 --> 00:04:48.320 And instead of God's blessing, there was now God's just curse on sin. 00:04:48.319 --> 00:05:03.159 But the rest of the biblical story is about how God intervenes to rescue both His creation and His image bearers. 00:05:04.659 --> 00:05:12.100 You see, the hope running through the Bible is that one day God would overthrow sin and death. 00:05:12.100 --> 00:05:22.280 In other words, the great hope of the Bible is that one day heaven, that dimension of reality where God dwells in fullness, 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:28.640 would one day come to earth and make all things new. 00:05:32.140 --> 00:05:36.520 That's what the prophets of Israel all spoke of at their core. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:40.500 And that was the burning hope of God's people. 00:05:41.279 --> 00:05:48.439 It's what they longed for throughout years of exile and suffering and confusion and failure. 00:05:49.539 --> 00:05:53.479 What they longed for was the kingdom of heaven. 00:05:56.979 --> 00:06:04.659 So the kingdom of heaven wasn't just, on the one hand, merely some human political arrangement that we could sort of set up. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:11.300 But, you know, neither was it some sort of disembodied afterlife that abandoned the material creation. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:17.700 No, the kingdom of heaven was the flooding of creation with God's presence. 00:06:18.320 --> 00:06:28.060 A presence so holy and so good that evil and suffering and sin and death would have to flee. 00:06:28.060 --> 00:06:42.120 God the creator, the rightful king, would at last judge and save. 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:48.600 The kingdom of heaven would mean perfect justice and healing. 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:52.019 It would mean a new creation. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:59.659 Now, this hope for creation, this arrival of God's reign in fullness, 00:07:00.479 --> 00:07:04.799 this is utterly integral to the biblical story and worldview. 00:07:05.959 --> 00:07:11.539 You can't really be a Christian in the biblical historic sense without it. 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:18.759 But just consider how wonderful this hope is. 00:07:18.759 --> 00:07:29.060 The biblical hope that we've just been talking about is neither the kind of nihilism of a pure materialism, right? 00:07:29.980 --> 00:07:33.519 Nor is it the nihilism of just sort of a pure spiritualism either. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:34.860 Here's what I mean. 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:40.819 On the one hand, if everything is just matter, time, and chance and nothing more, 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:43.620 if that's all there is, 00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:49.280 then the future is just beyond bleak, right? 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:52.220 At all. 00:07:52.780 --> 00:07:54.100 Everything amounts to nothing. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:59.040 Whatever meaning we create is like the sandcastle on the shore, 00:07:59.720 --> 00:08:02.319 just erased by the waves of a passing tide. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:07.079 But if there is a God, 00:08:08.259 --> 00:08:11.759 and if this God has a future in store for His creation, 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:19.379 if He has not abandoned His good world that is deeply flawed through sin, 00:08:19.420 --> 00:08:20.860 if He's not abandoned it, 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:24.800 but promises to release it from its bondage to decay, 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:28.279 and promises to place, 00:08:28.779 --> 00:08:31.500 bring it to a place of real freedom even from death, 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:36.379 and if God promises that His image bearers will participate in that freedom, 00:08:37.299 --> 00:08:40.440 being resurrected into the eternal life of this kingdom, 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:43.779 if that's who God is and what He has in store, 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:46.340 then suddenly this life is full of meaning. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:56.899 But do you see how this biblical hope is different from the opposite view as well, 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:58.340 this sort of purely spiritual view? 00:08:58.340 --> 00:09:02.680 You know, if God's future just sort of leaves creation behind, 00:09:02.800 --> 00:09:04.320 if we're just souls in an afterlife, 00:09:06.139 --> 00:09:08.360 then that ends up being pretty meaningless as well, doesn't it? 00:09:08.800 --> 00:09:11.180 After all, what was the point of this life 00:09:11.180 --> 00:09:16.280 if God's future is just heading towards something that just leaves it all behind? 00:09:16.279 --> 00:09:23.779 But you see, when Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven, 00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:28.240 He's not talking about God abandoning creation 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:30.159 and taking His image bearers out of it. 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:35.159 No, Jesus is talking about God consummating His plans for creation 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:39.980 and resurrecting His image bearers to take their rightful place in it, 00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:41.980 reigning with Him forever. 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:48.399 Okay, so there's a coming kingdom to enter. 00:09:49.519 --> 00:09:52.279 And to miss entry into this kingdom, 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:55.820 to be on the outside when this kingdom comes, 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:59.440 is to be separated from the fullness of life itself. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:06.700 To miss this kingdom is to be left in darkness and sorrow. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:10.300 It is to be left in death and judgment. 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:15.420 Entrance into this kingdom is entrance into the greatest joy 00:10:15.420 --> 00:10:17.820 and the most thrilling adventure. 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:21.020 Entering this kingdom ought to be our deepest desire 00:10:21.020 --> 00:10:22.740 and our burning hope. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.920 For when that kingdom comes, 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:27.500 when that reign begins, 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:29.220 the reign of heaven on earth, 00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:31.720 that will be the freedom we've longed for. 00:10:31.720 --> 00:10:36.759 Freedom not just from sin and death, 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:40.060 but freedom for all that we've been created for. 00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:43.980 To bear God's image in glory 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:50.060 and to participate creatively in His reign of unending joy. 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:55.840 So there's a coming kingdom to enter. 00:10:55.840 --> 00:11:00.660 But tragically, according to Jesus, 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:04.680 not everyone will enter it. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:09.379 There are some who will be excluded from this kingdom. 00:11:09.540 --> 00:11:10.980 Jesus says so in verse 21. 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:13.019 Not everyone, He says, 00:11:13.300 --> 00:11:15.259 will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:19.379 And that brings us to our second point. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:21.320 According to Jesus, there are two things 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:25.100 that will not guarantee you entry. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:27.540 And if we're honest, they are quite surprising. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:29.500 And they are not what we expect. 00:11:31.420 --> 00:11:33.060 Consider the first one in verse 21. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:34.639 Jesus says, 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:36.440 Not everyone who says to me, 00:11:36.540 --> 00:11:38.940 Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:11:40.300 --> 00:11:41.360 Now, what does that mean? 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:43.820 Well, to boil it down, 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.220 it means that you can have 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:49.000 the most orthodox beliefs about Jesus. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:52.240 You can say that Jesus of Nazareth 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.340 is Lord of heaven and earth. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:57.540 But that is no guarantee 00:11:57.540 --> 00:12:01.360 that you are a member of God's kingdom. 00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:07.180 Even the most orthodox profession, 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:11.180 the most biblical head knowledge 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:14.419 will not guarantee you entrance into the kingdom. 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:17.940 You can believe all the right things. 00:12:18.980 --> 00:12:20.259 You can believe intellectually 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.779 that Jesus was the Son of God. 00:12:22.840 --> 00:12:24.080 You can believe with your head 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:25.580 that He lived and died and rose again. 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.860 You can profess all these things to be true. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:30.680 You can even believe these things 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:33.180 with a lot of vigor and energy. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.080 Notice in verse 21, they say, 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.340 Lord, Lord. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:39.039 The repetition is a sign of enthusiasm, 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.340 of passion, right? 00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:42.300 You can love theology. 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:45.139 You can devour apologetics. 00:12:45.560 --> 00:12:47.080 You can debate and argue 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.240 the truth of these things. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:51.039 You can be praised for your acumen 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:53.200 and skill in teaching the Bible 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:54.540 and articulating the faith. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.840 Yes, your head can be full 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:58.300 of all the right ideas, 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:02.020 but that won't guarantee you entry. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:06.780 The rightful judge could still say, 00:13:07.780 --> 00:13:08.060 depart. 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:10.180 I never knew you. 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:15.400 Now, 00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:19.919 let's not draw the wrong conclusion here. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.659 Some have read this passage and said, 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:25.879 see, according to Jesus, 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.980 it doesn't matter what you believe 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:30.419 so long as you're a loving and just person. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.259 It's not doctrine that matters. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.500 It's your deeds. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:36.699 But don't you see, 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:38.419 that's not the conclusion 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.960 Jesus intends for us to draw. 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.659 Doctrine does matter. 00:13:43.500 --> 00:13:45.179 Ideas do have consequences. 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.199 Calling Jesus Lord 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:49.159 is absolutely essential. 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:50.240 We should seek 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:52.059 to bring all of our thoughts 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:54.299 into line with God's thoughts. 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.079 That's a good and worthy desire. 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:58.740 And God is pleased when we do so. 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:00.860 But, 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:02.879 a mere 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:05.379 profession from the lips, 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:08.740 a mere head knowledge 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:10.019 of the truths of the gospel, 00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:13.279 this will not guarantee you 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.759 entrance into God's coming kingdom 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.679 as good as they are. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.740 But it's not just that. 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.860 We said there are two things 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.700 that won't guarantee you 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.559 entrance into the kingdom. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.539 Consider the second one 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.299 in verse 22. 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:30.059 On that day, 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.860 many will say to me, 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:31.379 Jesus says, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:31.980 Lord, Lord, 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.220 did we not prophesy 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:33.879 in your name 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.600 and cast out demons 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.159 in your name 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.480 and do many mighty works 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.100 in your name? 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:41.019 And then Jesus says, 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.740 I will declare to them, 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.639 I never knew you. 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:43.639 Depart from me, 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:44.680 you workers of lawlessness. 00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:46.680 Now, 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:47.620 what is Jesus saying here? 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.120 Well, 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.080 if on the one hand, 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.200 Jesus has said in verse 21 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.000 that even the most 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.399 orthodox profession 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:54.220 is no guarantee 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.240 of kingdom citizenship, 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.620 he goes on to say 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.720 that even the most 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.580 extraordinary performance 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:01.259 is no guarantee 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:03.019 of kingdom citizenship. 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:05.220 Here are people 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:06.939 who have prophesied, 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.720 who have cast out demons, 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:10.980 who have done many mighty works, 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:12.199 and they've done it all 00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:13.419 in Jesus' name. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.819 They've done it publicly 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:16.139 for His sake. 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:19.819 But even performing 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:21.840 miraculous deeds 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.159 is no guarantee 00:15:24.159 --> 00:15:26.279 of being a member 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.079 of God's kingdom. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.919 In fact, 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:32.480 no outward acts 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:33.139 of ministry 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.220 are a guarantee. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.920 Becoming a missionary, 00:15:38.920 --> 00:15:40.039 giving time and energy 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:41.060 to serving the poor, 00:15:41.800 --> 00:15:43.360 volunteering tirelessly 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:44.500 in a local church, 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.700 you can do 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:47.220 all of these things 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.700 with great zeal, 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:50.700 with great amounts 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.659 of sacrifice, 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:55.139 and still be outside 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.720 the kingdom 00:15:55.720 --> 00:15:56.379 when it comes. 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:00.860 Now, again, 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.500 we mustn't draw 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.340 the wrong conclusion 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.019 here either. 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.899 Just like in verse 21, 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.440 here in verse 22, 00:16:07.780 --> 00:16:08.500 we shouldn't draw 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.080 the conclusions 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.399 that our deeds 00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.320 don't matter at all. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:13.100 No, that's not the point. 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.720 These actions 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.680 in verse 22 00:16:15.680 --> 00:16:17.160 are commendable. 00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:18.000 It's good and right 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.879 to prophesy, 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.580 to proclaim God's truth 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.200 in a timely, 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:21.840 edifying, 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:22.820 and courageous, 00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.820 and encouraging way. 00:16:24.940 --> 00:16:26.560 It's good to cast out demons 00:16:26.560 --> 00:16:27.060 and to pray 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.240 for spiritual liberation 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.759 and to stand against 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.300 deception 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:31.319 and the evil one. 00:16:31.979 --> 00:16:33.000 It's good to do 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.639 mighty works 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:34.620 in Jesus' name. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.279 It's good to serve Him 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:36.979 with all the strength 00:16:36.979 --> 00:16:37.939 that He provides. 00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.339 But listen, 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:43.319 your gifts, 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.419 your works, 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.240 your performances, 00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.480 promises, 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.879 even if they are done 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.879 in Jesus' name, 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:54.799 they will not guarantee you 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:57.340 entrance into God's kingdom. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:00.360 Just as your head 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.240 can be full of all 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.019 the right beliefs, 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.000 so your hands 00:17:04.000 --> 00:17:04.880 can be engaged 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:06.019 in all the right activities, 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:08.700 and you can still 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.339 be lost. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.220 Of course, 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.299 God wants your mind 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.859 and God wants 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.599 your actions, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.279 but you can say 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.859 the right things 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.879 and do the right things. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.920 You can profess 00:17:19.920 --> 00:17:21.500 and you can perform 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:24.519 and still not truly 00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.079 be saved 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:25.839 on the last day. 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.619 So if these things 00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.200 can't guarantee 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.440 entry into God's kingdom, 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.319 what can? 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:39.539 Well, it's not merely 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.079 your head 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.779 or your hands 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.019 that God is looking for. 00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:45.759 He wants your heart. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.259 This is our third point. 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:49.420 There's a kingdom 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:50.599 to enter, Jesus says. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.039 There are two things 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.839 that cannot guarantee 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.379 you entry, 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.799 but there's one thing 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.160 that will. 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.599 Look again at verse 21. 00:17:58.859 --> 00:17:59.980 Not everyone who says 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.819 to me, Lord, Lord, 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.480 will enter the kingdom 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:01.940 of heaven, 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.839 but the one who does 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:05.460 the will of my Father 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.759 who is in heaven. 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:09.640 You see, 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.480 God wants your heart. 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.819 He wants the very center 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.299 of you. 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.960 That's what Jesus means 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.940 by those who do the will 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.840 of my Father in heaven. 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.799 He doesn't mean 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.220 sort of external adherence 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.220 to a list of rules. 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.200 He means those 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.200 who have surrendered 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.860 their will 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.720 to the Father's. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:25.600 Those who can say, 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.720 I no longer run 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.440 my own life. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.460 I've actually ceded 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.620 the throne of my life 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.400 to God the Father 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.480 and to His Son, 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.200 Jesus Christ. 00:18:34.580 --> 00:18:35.120 Of course, 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.500 no one can do that perfectly. 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:37.940 You are not going 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.200 to be completely sanctified 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.920 in this life, 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.100 but it means you have 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:43.800 entrusted your life to Him. 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:47.400 This is the question. 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.160 As Jesus comes 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.980 to the end 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.420 of this Sermon on the Mount, 00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.860 have you surrendered 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:57.480 your will to His? 00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:00.099 And as a result, 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.920 are not just your words 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.120 and your actions different, 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:05.079 but is your character 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.120 beginning to change? 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.240 That's what Paul means 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.660 when he says, 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:12.259 I can do all these things 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:14.039 in 1 Corinthians 13, 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:16.079 but if I don't have love, 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:17.099 it means nothing. 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.900 Surrendering your will 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:24.480 to God the Father now 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:26.920 is the only guarantee 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:28.420 of entering His kingdom then. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:31.799 It's not just professing 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.160 or performing. 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:35.420 It's a change of heart 00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:36.259 that results 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.440 in a change of life. 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:39.059 That's what the Bible means 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.779 by repentance, 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.559 by the way. 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.440 Real repentance 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.400 isn't just being sort of 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.819 sorrowful for disobedience. 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:45.480 It is that. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.259 But it means surrendering 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:48.380 one's whole will to God. 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:54.720 But here's where we have 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.580 to be really careful. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.860 Because if we're not careful, 00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:02.820 we can begin at this point 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:05.820 to get very introspective, 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.360 can't we? 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:08.180 And we can start 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.320 to get very anxious. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:12.160 We can start to ask questions like, 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:14.440 have I surrendered enough? 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:17.059 Is my character 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:18.759 really beginning to change? 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.779 And while there is a time 00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:24.440 and place for self-examination, 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.940 these sorts of questions 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:29.820 asked on the wrong footing 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:32.240 can lead us to despair. 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.820 Because we'll always see areas 00:20:35.820 --> 00:20:37.140 of our life in need of change. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:38.860 And we'll always see ways 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.660 in which I still try 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.360 to keep control 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.200 and make myself 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:42.180 the Lord of my own life. 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:46.400 And it's in these moments 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.660 that we have to remember 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:52.360 who we are surrendering to. 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.880 Who is it that calls us 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:58.160 to give ourselves completely 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.180 to the will of the Father? 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.600 Who calls us to be poor in spirit, 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.580 to hunger and thirst 00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.440 after righteousness, 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:07.779 to seek God's kingdom 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.720 and His righteousness? 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:11.680 Who are we inviting 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.100 to sit down 00:21:13.100 --> 00:21:14.680 on the throne of our hearts 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:16.180 and to take control? 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:20.900 Who are we surrendering to? 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.860 We are surrendering 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.640 to the one 00:21:25.640 --> 00:21:27.220 who is 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:28.940 and who has demonstrated 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.960 Himself to be 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:32.600 perfect love. 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:35.939 We are surrendering 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:37.359 to a God 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:39.759 of perfect love. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.980 And of course, 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:45.339 doesn't that show us 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:47.279 the utter absurdity 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.719 of the human condition 00:21:48.719 --> 00:21:50.099 and the irrationality 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:50.539 of sin? 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:51.379 Right? 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:54.539 God is infinite goodness, 00:21:55.439 --> 00:21:57.139 but for some 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:59.119 unexplainable reason, 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:00.659 we reject Him. 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:03.779 We reject the stream 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.960 of eternal life 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.960 and we turn 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:07.340 and we dig a well 00:22:07.340 --> 00:22:08.700 that can't hold water, 00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:10.080 the prophet Jeremiah says. 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:13.200 Do you see how absurd 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:15.080 sin is? 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:19.500 But to us sinners, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:23.400 God sends His only Son 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:26.700 and Jesus Christ comes 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:28.560 and is not ashamed 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:30.500 to call us brothers and sisters. 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:33.360 The eternal Son of God 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:35.060 took our very flesh 00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:35.680 and blood, 00:22:36.300 --> 00:22:37.340 endured our sin 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:38.300 and guilt on the cross, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.880 and rose again in power 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.840 to defeat sin 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.860 and death on our behalf 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:43.460 so that now 00:22:43.460 --> 00:22:44.180 all who surrender 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.000 their lives to Him 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.759 are forgiven 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.519 and granted eternal life. 00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.600 You see, 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.380 this is why 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.720 merely professing 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.400 Jesus as Lord 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.220 intellectually 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.480 or performing 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.140 good deeds 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.060 in His name 00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:59.740 aren't enough. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.980 they're not sufficient 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.400 guarantees of entrance 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.059 into the kingdom 00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.620 because Jesus didn't come 00:23:04.620 --> 00:23:05.420 to merely give us 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.099 new ideas 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:08.579 and He didn't merely 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.420 come to give us 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.099 new laws. 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.740 He came to enter 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.620 into a deeply 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:15.319 personal relationship 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.960 with us, 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:18.160 a relationship 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.019 where He 00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.940 would take 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:21.120 all that's true 00:23:21.120 --> 00:23:21.660 of us 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:23.299 and give to us 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.160 all that's true 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:24.599 of Him. 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:27.679 He would take 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.139 our sin 00:23:28.139 --> 00:23:28.699 and our death 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:30.259 and give us 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:30.719 in return 00:23:30.719 --> 00:23:31.379 His righteousness 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:32.039 in life. 00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:35.699 And this is where 00:23:35.699 --> 00:23:36.179 the last part 00:23:36.179 --> 00:23:36.759 of our passage 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.579 is so important. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.659 Jesus says to those 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.419 who merely rely 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:41.119 on head knowledge 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.199 or merely on good works, 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.559 He says, 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.859 depart from Me, 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.799 I never knew you. 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:49.219 I never knew you. 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:54.279 the real question is, 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:57.259 does Jesus know you? 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.160 Of course, 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.259 the sense of know here 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.059 is very personal, 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.680 very intimate. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.740 Have you stepped 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.600 into that sort 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.180 of relationship 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.700 with Him 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:10.160 where you can say 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.660 of Him 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.000 and more importantly, 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.720 He can say 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.180 of you, 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:15.279 I know you. 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.100 You can know 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.680 a lot of facts 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.299 about someone 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.660 and not really 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.200 know them, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:21.779 right? 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:24.840 You can know 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.259 a lot of, 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:27.440 you can know 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:27.980 a lot of facts 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.400 about someone, 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.519 you can do 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:30.259 a lot of stuff 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.100 for someone 00:24:31.100 --> 00:24:32.620 and not really 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.019 know them. 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:36.620 What will matter 00:24:36.620 --> 00:24:38.299 on that day 00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:41.539 is not what 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.400 you know about Him, 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.720 or all the stuff 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.600 you've done for Him. 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.700 What will matter 00:24:45.700 --> 00:24:47.060 is whether you 00:24:47.060 --> 00:24:47.580 know Him 00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:50.100 and whether 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.920 He knows you. 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.980 As we wrap up then, 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.000 let's apply these things. 00:24:59.100 --> 00:24:59.560 First, 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.240 as we consider 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.180 surrendering 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.380 our wills 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:02.960 to His 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.180 and entering 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.180 into this personal 00:25:05.180 --> 00:25:06.320 relationship with Christ 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:07.100 as our Lord, 00:25:07.820 --> 00:25:09.300 it follows from that 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.280 that we should be 00:25:10.280 --> 00:25:11.420 seeking to live 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.180 this out. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.759 And we do this 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.420 in the power 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.280 of the Holy Spirit 00:25:15.280 --> 00:25:16.000 that He provides 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.640 and in the grace 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.340 that He gives. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:19.100 We should be asking 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:19.800 ourselves, 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.900 how do I live today 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:23.280 with Christ 00:25:23.280 --> 00:25:24.140 as my Lord? 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.800 How might I pray 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:28.700 and live today, 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.160 Father, 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.700 Thy will be done? 00:25:32.800 --> 00:25:33.700 George MacDonald, 00:25:33.820 --> 00:25:34.640 writing about these verses, 00:25:34.780 --> 00:25:35.340 put it this way. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:35.759 He said, 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.460 what have you done 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.220 this day 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:39.759 because it was 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.720 the will of Christ? 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.079 Have you dismissed 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.839 an anxious thought 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.440 for the morrow? 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.359 Have you ministered 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.279 to any needy soul 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:47.779 or body 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:49.279 and kept your right hand 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.660 from what your left hand did? 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.579 Have you begun 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.200 to leave all 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.000 and follow Him? 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:55.900 Did you set yourself 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:57.259 to judge righteous judgment? 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.140 Are you being aware 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.119 of covetousness? 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:02.039 Have you forgiven 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.559 your enemy? 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.720 Are you seeking 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.619 the kingdom of God 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:06.359 and His righteousness 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.799 before all other things? 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.659 Are you hungering 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:10.379 and thirsting 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:11.480 after righteousness? 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.359 Have you given 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:13.819 to someone 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.679 who asked of you? 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:17.000 Tell me 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:19.179 something you have done, 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.799 are doing, 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.980 or are trying to do 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:25.259 because He told you. 00:26:28.419 --> 00:26:29.419 I wonder, friend, 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.059 how would you answer 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.679 that question? 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:33.879 Perhaps you might share 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:34.559 that with someone 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.339 in your small group 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:35.859 this week 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:37.019 or with a friend 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.599 over coffee. 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.740 You might engage 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.899 that question together. 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.440 Where has Jesus' teaching 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:43.480 in the Sermon on the Mount 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.119 been connecting 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.279 with your life? 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:48.339 And where in that new life 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:50.019 that He's invited you into, 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:51.039 where are you listening 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.980 to His voice 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:54.299 and seeking to do 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.240 or try to do 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.359 because He told you, 00:26:56.639 --> 00:26:58.059 because He's your loving Lord 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.919 who cannot lead you astray? 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:02.019 His words are meant 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:03.019 to be lived. 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:06.420 How are you living them? 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:11.240 Second point of application. 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.779 Christian, I wonder, 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:16.779 who is it that you admire? 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:19.060 Who do you look up to? 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.640 Who are you seeking 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:22.300 to imitate or commend? 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:25.039 You know, it's easy, 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.519 isn't it, 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:27.980 to be immediately attracted 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.960 on the one hand 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.419 to those believers 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:32.240 who are intellectually prominent, 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:32.839 right? 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.839 Or on the other hand, 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.039 those who are accomplishing 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:37.419 great works. 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.740 We look up to those 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.899 who have published 00:27:40.899 --> 00:27:42.079 great works of theology 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:43.440 or have pioneered 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.579 great mission endeavors. 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:44.779 believers. 00:27:46.679 --> 00:27:47.419 And yes, 00:27:47.460 --> 00:27:48.500 we should long 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.539 for wisdom and truth 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.579 and we should aspire 00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.939 to do great things 00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:53.220 for God's kingdom. 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.879 It's good to read 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.659 the biography 00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:57.899 of great saints 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:58.679 and missionaries 00:27:58.679 --> 00:27:59.939 and be inspired 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:01.299 to follow in their footsteps. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.279 But who should we 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:08.000 ultimately emulate 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:11.619 in our sort of 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:13.379 celebrity culture? 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:16.019 who should we seek 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:18.039 to pattern our lives after? 00:28:20.500 --> 00:28:22.279 Our real desire 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:25.460 should be to look up 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.299 to the Christians 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:27.579 who display 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:30.919 genuine humility of heart 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:32.839 and closeness 00:28:32.839 --> 00:28:34.099 to God and Christ. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.500 Those who walk 00:28:37.500 --> 00:28:38.199 as He walked 00:28:38.199 --> 00:28:39.539 in obedience and trust. 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:42.399 Those who long 00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.659 simply to do 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:45.180 what Jesus says here, 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.580 to do the will 00:28:46.580 --> 00:28:47.580 of their Heavenly Father. 00:28:50.540 --> 00:28:52.440 Those whose greatest delight 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:54.100 is that Jesus, 00:28:54.320 --> 00:28:55.040 the Son of God, 00:28:55.100 --> 00:28:55.640 can say, 00:28:56.340 --> 00:28:57.019 I know you. 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.680 Do you have a Christian 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.880 like that in your life? 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.900 They're probably not 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:05.040 on your Instagram feed. 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:08.799 but look around. 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.319 There are saints 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.099 in this church 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:13.579 for you to follow 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:15.259 as they follow Christ. 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.059 Are you getting 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:19.019 into a small group? 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.139 Are you coming 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:21.339 to the monthly prayer meetings? 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.440 Are you doing 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:22.980 what you can 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.059 to connect with them? 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.819 To walk with the wise 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.379 so that you can be wise? 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:31.900 If not, 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:33.140 by all means, 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:34.020 do so. 00:29:38.260 --> 00:29:39.800 Third and last point 00:29:39.800 --> 00:29:40.740 of application here. 00:29:42.020 --> 00:29:43.800 Do you see in this passage 00:29:43.800 --> 00:29:46.400 what matters most 00:29:46.400 --> 00:29:47.980 in ministry? 00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:49.960 You know, 00:29:50.020 --> 00:29:50.800 every believer 00:29:50.800 --> 00:29:52.020 is called 00:29:52.020 --> 00:29:53.080 to use their gifts 00:29:53.080 --> 00:29:54.180 in service of Christ. 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:55.759 If you're here 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.860 and you're in a relationship 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:59.080 with God in Christ, 00:29:59.460 --> 00:30:00.299 He has given you 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.759 His Spirit 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.960 and He has given you 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.980 gifts to use 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.440 to build up the body. 00:30:06.600 --> 00:30:07.600 He's given you 00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:09.720 gifts to serve Christ. 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.779 He's given you 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.799 a mind to use. 00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.320 He's given you 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.640 talents to use. 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:15.240 The Holy Spirit 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.779 indwells each one of us 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.660 so that we might 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.620 build up the church 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.660 and advance 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.160 His kingdom 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.820 in the world. 00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:23.519 But at the end 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.140 of the day, 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:26.320 what really matters? 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.120 You know, 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:31.460 what really matters? 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.160 Is it when the book 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.700 proposal 00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:34.400 that you've drafted 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.039 is accepted? 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.120 Is it when your 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:38.840 prayers are answered? 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.620 Is it when the pews 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:41.240 are full? 00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:44.220 Those are 00:30:44.220 --> 00:30:46.120 fine and good things, 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:49.380 but what really matters? 00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.640 What about when 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:53.440 the book proposal 00:30:53.440 --> 00:30:54.860 you've spent so long 00:30:54.860 --> 00:30:55.539 on is rejected? 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.720 What about when 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:58.900 the prayers go unanswered? 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.680 What about when it seems 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.440 like there are no 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.180 mighty works? 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.000 What then? 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.240 What really matters 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.660 as we step out 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.500 and engage 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.779 in this ministry 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.779 God has given us? 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:16.399 There's a passage 00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:17.119 in Luke's gospel 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:17.740 that connects 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:18.339 with what Jesus 00:31:18.339 --> 00:31:18.899 teaches here 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:19.319 in the Sermon 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.779 on the Mount. 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.720 In Luke chapter 10, 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.519 Jesus has sent out 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:24.940 the 72 of His disciples 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:26.940 and He sent them out 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:28.240 to minister with power. 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.940 And then in verse 17 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:32.059 of chapter 10, 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.539 Luke writes, 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:34.160 the 72 returned 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.879 with joy, 00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:35.639 saying, 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.339 Lord, 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:37.980 even the demons 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.960 are subject to us 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.480 in Your name. 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:42.599 And Jesus said to them, 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:44.480 I saw Satan fall 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.000 like lightning 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.500 from heaven. 00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:47.799 And then He says, 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.059 Behold, 00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:48.880 I have given you 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.339 authority 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.860 to tread on serpents 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.539 and scorpions 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.400 and over all the power 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:52.880 of the enemy 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:54.420 and nothing shall hurt you. 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.519 Nevertheless, 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.839 do not rejoice 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.460 in this, 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.420 that the spirits 00:32:01.420 --> 00:32:02.559 are subject to you, 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.640 but rejoice 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.539 that your names 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.579 are written in heaven. 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:10.220 when your ministry 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:10.980 is going great 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.579 and your gifts 00:32:11.579 --> 00:32:12.619 are blessing others 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.939 or when your ministry 00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:15.579 is not so great 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.960 and you're not sure 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.399 if your gifts 00:32:17.399 --> 00:32:18.379 are making a difference. 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.299 Rejoice in this, 00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.079 Jesus says, 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.659 not the highs 00:32:22.659 --> 00:32:23.399 and the lows, 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.639 but that your name 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.679 is written in heaven. 00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.460 In other words, 00:32:29.159 --> 00:32:30.939 that you are known 00:32:30.939 --> 00:32:32.919 by God forever. 00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.039 forever. 00:32:35.080 --> 00:32:36.640 That's what really matters. 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.259 I know you. 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.960 Can you say that? 00:32:45.820 --> 00:32:46.920 Can you say that 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:47.880 your deepest joy 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:51.860 is that He knows you? 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:55.639 If not, 00:32:56.399 --> 00:32:58.219 then friend, 00:32:58.319 --> 00:32:58.899 look again. 00:32:59.679 --> 00:33:00.579 Look again 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.719 at what it means 00:33:01.719 --> 00:33:03.240 to have your name 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.859 written there. 00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.379 Look again 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.259 at what it means 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.599 for the Lord Jesus 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.240 to say, 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:09.599 I know you. 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:14.779 What does it mean? 00:33:16.159 --> 00:33:17.199 It means that He 00:33:17.199 --> 00:33:18.740 has set His eternal love 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.359 upon you 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.979 before you were born. 00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:23.699 and that though 00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:24.559 you were fallen 00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:25.959 and sinful, 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:28.000 an enemy of God, 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.419 it means that He 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:30.279 left heaven 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:31.500 to take your place 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.039 in judgment 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.919 and that He died 00:33:33.919 --> 00:33:34.439 on the cross 00:33:34.439 --> 00:33:35.159 and rose again 00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:36.159 for your forgiveness 00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:38.339 and now ascended 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.779 to the Father's right hand. 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:41.079 He intercedes 00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:42.399 for you continually 00:33:42.399 --> 00:33:44.779 so that now 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.459 when the kingdom 00:33:45.459 --> 00:33:46.539 comes in fullness, 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:48.179 when the doors 00:33:48.179 --> 00:33:49.059 of heaven open 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.679 and the presence 00:33:49.679 --> 00:33:51.139 of God comes flooding in, 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:52.360 and when His holiness 00:33:52.360 --> 00:33:53.920 banishes sin 00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.460 and evil 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.480 once and for all, 00:33:56.280 --> 00:33:57.160 like a child 00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:58.020 running through a field 00:33:58.020 --> 00:33:58.800 sends the birds 00:33:58.800 --> 00:34:00.220 flying in every direction, 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:04.120 then that same Jesus 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:04.980 will say to you, 00:34:06.080 --> 00:34:07.060 not depart, 00:34:07.160 --> 00:34:07.940 I never knew you, 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.079 but He'll say, 00:34:10.640 --> 00:34:11.840 enter into your rest. 00:34:12.980 --> 00:34:14.099 I've known you 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:15.820 before the foundation 00:34:15.820 --> 00:34:16.519 of the world. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:22.480 Rejoice that your names 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.159 are written in heaven. 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:24.840 Friend, 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.900 take no pride 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:27.559 in intellect, 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.619 put no trust 00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.759 in works of power, 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.099 throw yourself 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:34.239 wholly on Him 00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:36.519 and let simple 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:38.239 obedience to His will 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:40.139 be your daily bread 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:43.099 and let His love 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.440 for you 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.179 be your joy. 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.239 Let's pray. 00:34:56.159 --> 00:34:56.900 Father in heaven, 00:34:57.359 --> 00:34:59.219 thank You 00:34:59.219 --> 00:35:00.619 for these sobering words 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:03.420 from our Lord Jesus. 00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.099 God, 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.139 it's so easy 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:08.220 to get caught up 00:35:08.220 --> 00:35:10.619 in the flashy things 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:11.400 of this world. 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.900 Even inside Your church, 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.059 God, 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.820 we put the emphasis 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:17.059 on the wrong things. 00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:18.300 Lord, 00:35:18.360 --> 00:35:18.900 help us. 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.659 Help us to be a church 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.940 that rejoices 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.760 in Your truth 00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:25.500 and that stands firm 00:35:25.500 --> 00:35:26.340 in sound doctrine. 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.200 Lord, 00:35:27.260 --> 00:35:28.380 help us to be a church 00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:30.420 that expects You 00:35:30.420 --> 00:35:31.420 to do mighty things 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:32.800 in Your goodness 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.579 and sovereignty. 00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.559 But God, 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.840 help us to be a church 00:35:36.840 --> 00:35:38.740 that does not rest 00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.480 our hope 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:40.360 in those things 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:42.119 but rests our hope 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:42.559 in You 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:46.460 and that our deepest delight 00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:48.380 is to be surrendered 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:49.380 to You and Your will 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:52.260 because in Your paths 00:35:52.260 --> 00:35:54.920 there is freedom in life, 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.260 forgiveness, 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.920 and grace. 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:00.639 Help us to live 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:01.280 into these things 00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:01.700 we pray. 00:36:02.240 --> 00:36:02.519 Amen.