6 Words That Will Change Your LifeSample

One of my best friends, Dave Gibson, is a long-time missions pastor. He shares Jesus across his city and around the world with love, grace and truth. Dave has developed a little sermon outline with a big punch, based on Matthew 7:21-23. 

In these words Jesus deals with the ultimate rejection. Now I’ve been rejected many times before. In high school, I was rejected by a girl I thought I was in love with—but I kept trying anyway! In college, I was rejected by a girl I knew I was in love with—but eventually married her! 

But the ultimate rejection has nothing to do with dating, and everything to do with salvation. 

So who are these people Jesus is talking about? The answer may surprise you.  

1. They profess Christ, but don’t possess Christ. 

These people say a lot of the right things. They call Jesus is Lord. They even say it twice, for emphasis. But it’s not a matter of just saying the right words verbally.  

Paul put it this way in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

It’s not a matter of saying the right things. It’s a matter of trusting in the right person - Jesus Himself! 

2. They practice religion, with no personal relationship. 

Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’”  

Religion is no substitute for a relationship with God. The word “religion” comes from the Latin word which means “to bind back.” It’s man’s attempt to bind himself back to God through deeds and creeds. But the only thing that can bind back what has been broken is the grace of God, extended to us through Jesus Christ. 

3. They do the right things for the wrong reasons. 

Jesus calls them evildoers, not because of what they did, but because of why they did it, and because of who they were trusting in. They did the right things for the wrong reasons in order to make themselves feel and look good. 

Salvation comes through faith alone, in Christ alone.  

That reality should compel us to clearly share the message of the gospel with everyone we know. 

Pray for a friend who needs Jesus. Then share then watch the video and follow up with a conversation.