Stop the cheap-talk Christianity, it is dangerous!

Rev Enoch Thompson | MARCH 4, 2023 | MATTHEW 7:21-23

KEY VERSE:

²¹"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

It is interesting how the Lord sets the standards and provides the bases of inclusion or exclusion from the Kingdom He came to establish. It is easy to think one belongs to the Kingdom when, actually, one is far removed from the Kingdom. And the Lord sounds the alarm early enough in His ministry:

²¹"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21 (NIV).

To say “Lord, Lord” is easy; anyone can say it and even add accolades and appellations to the name of the Lord. The Lord Jesus indicates that it is not the mere heaping of words upon His holy Name or things related to His Name that makes one a Kingdom citizen, but the obedience to His teachings, which in turn pleases the Father in Heaven, which brings about Kingdom citizenship.

It is possible to do the things associated with the Kingdom of God, miracles, signs and wonders, and not have the sanction and approval of the King of the Kingdom. Please note that the Lord did not argue with those making the claim of work done in His Name, to say that they did not do those works they were claiming to have done.

The deciding factor for the Lord in who is a Kingdom citizen and who is not is not the matter of cheap talk. The matter of relationship, the relationship between the individual and the Saviour is the deciding factor in the matter of qualification. The Lord does not know nor acknowledge the cheap-talkers. “Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:23). Where Christian faith is in name and word only character is flawed and people live without Kingdom principles; they qualify to be called “evildoers.”

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are you a Christian, a citizen of the Kingdom of God, of a truth? The matter must be settled. True Kingdom citizenship must result in Kingdom spirit and character. If there are ways in which our behaviour does not match up to our religious language and claims, then we are getting ready for a rude awakening. Settle your submission to the lordship of Christ, vow to live up to your Christian profession in every area of life.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, I crown you Lord indeed in all matters of my life. I pray that my Christian life will not only be at the level of a biblical name, a church membership or other association with Christian institutions. May I have your acknowledgement in this life, and when I stand before you at the end, may I be received into your glorious Heaven. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!