Sermons on Matthew 7:21

Matthew 7:21 Interpretation:

Acting on Faith: Building a Genuine Relationship with Jesus (Impact Church FXBG) interprets Matthew 7:21 by emphasizing the distinction between knowing about Jesus and being known by Jesus. The sermon uses the analogy of knowing a public figure, like a president, to illustrate the difference between intellectual knowledge and a personal relationship. The pastor highlights that saying "Lord, Lord" is not enough; it requires doing the will of the Father, which involves a genuine relationship with Jesus rather than just performing religious activities.

Authentic Belief: Transforming Hearts for True Faith (Exponential Church) interprets Matthew 7:21 by focusing on the importance of knowing God's will and having authentic faith. The sermon emphasizes that God's will is for believers to know Him and obey Him, rather than just following the letter of the law. The pastor uses the analogy of computers doing exactly what they are told to illustrate the difference between outward compliance and inward transformation. The sermon stresses that authentic belief involves a heart transformation that aligns with God's will.

Transformative Holiness: Living from Within God's Grace (Dallas Willard Ministries) interprets Matthew 7:21 by emphasizing the distinction between knowing Christ and being known by Christ. The sermon highlights that holiness is not about external conformity but about being from a different world, drawing on God's reality. The Greek text is referenced to explain that the phrase "Lord, Lord" indicates a deeper acknowledgment of Jesus' lordship, yet it is not enough without doing the will of the Father. The sermon uses the analogy of being in the world but not of it, suggesting that true holiness comes from an inner transformation and union with God.

Understanding the Authority of Jesus's Name (Tony Evans) interprets Matthew 7:21 by using the analogy of a "power of attorney." The sermon suggests that invoking Jesus's name without doing God's will is like using someone's name without legal permission. This interpretation emphasizes that merely calling on Jesus's name is insufficient without aligning one's actions with God's will, thus offering a fresh perspective on the passage.

Faith and Works: The True Evidence of Salvation (MLJTrust) interprets Matthew 7:21 by emphasizing the necessity of works as evidence of true faith. The sermon argues that merely professing belief is insufficient for salvation, aligning with the passage's message that doing the will of the Father is essential. This interpretation is distinguished by its focus on the danger of "antinomianism," or the belief that faith alone, without works, is sufficient for salvation.

Matthew 7:21 Theological Themes:

Acting on Faith: Building a Genuine Relationship with Jesus (Impact Church FXBG) presents the theme that it is possible to do things in the name of Jesus without truly knowing Him. The sermon emphasizes that a genuine relationship with Jesus is marked by being known by Him, rather than just performing religious activities or saying the right words.

Authentic Belief: Transforming Hearts for True Faith (Exponential Church) introduces the theme of focusing on being rather than doing. The sermon highlights that authentic belief involves a transformation of the heart by the Spirit, rather than just outward compliance with religious rules. The pastor emphasizes that knowing God personally leads to a life that naturally aligns with His will.

Transformative Holiness: Living from Within God's Grace (Dallas Willard Ministries) presents the theme that holiness is about being from a different world and living from God's reality. This theme is distinct in its focus on the inner transformation and spiritual union with God as the source of true holiness, rather than external conformity or human arrangements.

The sermon also introduces the idea of postmodern holiness, which emphasizes the emancipation of the individual from imposed identity and the importance of living from the inner unique sources of life. This theme is unique in its application of existentialist ideas to Christian holiness, suggesting that true holiness involves discovering one's identity in God and living with integrity from that identity.

Understanding the Authority of Jesus's Name (Tony Evans) presents a distinct theological theme by highlighting the misuse of Jesus's name without the backing of genuine faith and obedience. The sermon underscores the importance of aligning one's actions with God's will to legitimately invoke Jesus's name, adding a fresh angle to the understanding of Matthew 7:21.

Faith and Works: The True Evidence of Salvation (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of "antinomianism" as a significant danger in Christian faith. The sermon warns against the belief that mere verbal profession of faith is sufficient for salvation, emphasizing that true faith must be accompanied by works that reflect a transformed life.

Matthew 7:21 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Transformative Holiness: Living from Within God's Grace (Dallas Willard Ministries) provides historical context by discussing the shift from modern to postmodern views of holiness. The sermon explains that modern holiness was characterized by external methods and social conformity, which were inadequate to the needs of the soul. The historical insight into the Reformation and the existentialist project highlights the ongoing struggle to define holiness in a way that is meaningful and transformative.

Matthew 7:21 Cross-References in the Bible:

Acting on Faith: Building a Genuine Relationship with Jesus (Impact Church FXBG) references Matthew 7:22-23, where Jesus speaks about people prophesying, casting out demons, and doing mighty works in His name, yet being unknown to Him. The sermon uses this passage to emphasize that religious activities are not enough without a genuine relationship with Jesus.

Authentic Belief: Transforming Hearts for True Faith (Exponential Church) references John 14:6-7, where Jesus declares Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. The sermon uses this passage to emphasize that knowing Jesus is the only way to truly know God and have authentic belief.

Transformative Holiness: Living from Within God's Grace (Dallas Willard Ministries) references several biblical passages to support the interpretation of Matthew 7:21. The sermon cites Hebrews 12:14, which emphasizes the necessity of holiness to see God, and 1 John 2:15-17, which contrasts the love of the world with the love of the Father. These references are used to illustrate the idea that true holiness involves living from God's reality and not conforming to the world.

Faith and Works: The True Evidence of Salvation (MLJTrust) references several Bible passages to support the interpretation of Matthew 7:21:

Matthew 16:27: This passage is used to reinforce the idea that Jesus will reward individuals according to their works, aligning with the message of Matthew 7:21.

Matthew 25:31-46: The sermon uses this passage to illustrate the importance of works in the final judgment, emphasizing that actions reflecting true faith are essential.

Ephesians 2:10: This passage is cited to highlight that believers are created for good works, which God has prepared for them to do, supporting the idea that faith must be accompanied by works.

Titus 2:11-14: The sermon references this passage to emphasize that salvation leads to a life of good works, reinforcing the message of Matthew 7:21.

James 2:17: This passage is used to argue that faith without works is dead, aligning with the interpretation that true faith must manifest in actions.

1 John 1:6 and 2:4: These passages are cited to stress that claiming to know God without obeying His commandments is deceitful, supporting the sermon’s emphasis on the necessity of works.

Matthew 7:21 Christian References outside the Bible:

Transformative Holiness: Living from Within God's Grace (Dallas Willard Ministries) explicitly references Christian authors and thinkers such as Martin Luther, Søren Kierkegaard, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. Luther is mentioned in the context of the Reformation and the rejection of external methods of holiness. Kierkegaard and Dostoevsky are cited for their emphasis on the inner, subjective reality and the importance of individual choice in defining one's identity and relationship with God.

Faith and Works: The True Evidence of Salvation (MLJTrust) references the historical figure Sandeman and the heresy of "Sandemanianism," which taught that mere verbal confession of faith was sufficient for salvation. The sermon critiques this view, emphasizing the importance of works as evidence of true faith, thus providing a historical context to the interpretation of Matthew 7:21.

Matthew 7:21 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Acting on Faith: Building a Genuine Relationship with Jesus (Impact Church FXBG) uses the analogy of working on the advanced team for President George W. Bush to illustrate the difference between knowing about someone and being known by them. The pastor shares a personal story of meeting the president and realizing that despite knowing a lot about him, the president did not know him personally. This analogy is used to emphasize the importance of being known by Jesus, rather than just knowing about Him.

Transformative Holiness: Living from Within God's Grace (Dallas Willard Ministries) uses the example of the TV series "Gunsmoke" to illustrate the negative portrayal of religious people as mean and stupid, highlighting the cultural perception of holiness as external conformity. The sermon also references the existentialist statement "I am not a piano key" from Dostoevsky's "The Underground Man" to emphasize the importance of individual choice and identity in true holiness.