Matthew 7:21-23
The passage in Matthew 7:21-23 warns that many will call Jesus "Lord, Lord" and point to prophesying and mighty works, yet hear the words "I never knew you." It's possible to attend church, house church, bible study, and serve in ministry, with every box checked, and still not know Jesus personally (John 17:3). None of these actions earns salvation because Jesus already gave us the gift of salvation. Instead, he wants a genuine relationship with us. How does someone know they are saved? Matthew 7:16-20 offers a simple evaluation: “By their fruit you will recognize them…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” A life that truly knows Jesus overflows with the love of Jesus. What does it mean to know Jesus and to love like He did?
First, knowing Jesus means believing and following (John 6:40; Romans 10:9-10). Believing is more than knowing who Jesus is or saying the right words. It means trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior. His sacrifice on the cross should reach the heart and radically change the way we live our lives. Following Jesus can often mean going against the majority and paying a cost, so it's worth asking whether Jesus is Lord of the whole life or only a part of it.
Second, knowing Jesus changes how life is lived, starting with love (John 13:34-35). Loving family and people with similar interests comes easily. Loving others when tired, or when guests who don't yet know Jesus fill the home, is much harder. ANF faces the same struggle. After an Easter outreach event, a visiting family came and almost no one spoke to them during Easter Sunday. We fall into the assumption that someone else will go, so no one actually does. ANF’s guiding scripture is Acts 13:47, to be a light to all nations. Easter service was an example of ANF prioritizing comfort and failing to practice Jesus’s calling. Instead, be the person that talks to the visiting family and love them as Christ did.
Knowing Jesus also produces thankfulness and generosity. Paul wrote from prison that contentment in every circumstance comes from having Christ (Philippians 4:11-13). Job blessed the Lord even after losing nearly everything (Job 1:21). The cross and the resurrection make thankfulness possible in all circumstances, because Jesus is enough and generosity follows (1 John 3:17-18). We can practice thankfulness by giving a thanksgiving offering. Everything comes from God, yet giving can still be hard. So when we give, let’s ask "Lord, how can what You have entrusted be used faithfully to bless others?" The suffering of the poor matters to Jesus, so it should matter to those who follow Jesus.
Third, knowing Jesus produces boldness. One practical step is coming forward during commitment time when moved by the Spirit. Instead of worrying about what others think, ask God for a humble heart to come up during commitment and kneel before Him. We can see the disciples and apostles grew in boldness as they served alongside Jesus and trusted in Him. Boldness is a quality that comes from walking with Jesus. As our confidence in Him grows, so does our boldness.
Whether you have never known Jesus or are a lukewarm Christian who needs to repent (Revelation 3:16-20), Jesus invites us to believe and confess that He is savior and Lord over your life. How will you respond?
Discussion Questions
1. Where in your life are you "checking boxes" (attending, serving) while Jesus is not truly at the center? What would it look like to open the door to Jesus there?
2. Who is someone outside your comfort zone, such as a visitor, a guest, or a difficult person, whom you tend to avoid? What is one small way you could love them this week?
3. How can you practice thankfulness and generosity this Thanksgiving? Are there any practical ways you can bless others?
4. What are your takeaways from the sermon?
