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Lord, Lord

Text: Matthew 7:15-29
4 October 2009

(I) THE CLAIM OF THE PRACTICE OF LORDSHIP EXAMINED

Examination of the claim of Lordship will be done by Jesus Himself

1. “Lordship”- Claim in words

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

a) Claim of knowledge of Jesus as Lord

b) Claim of relationship with Jesus as Lord

c) Claim examined against doing the will of the Father in heaven

d) Claim denied and rejected

2. “Lordship”- Claim in deeds

“Many will say in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ” Matthew 7:22

a) Claim of a prophetic ministry ( Matthew 7:22a )

b) Claim of a ministry of exorcism ( Matthew 7:22b )

c) Claim of a ministry of signs and wonders ( Matthew 7:22c )

d) Claims denied and rejected by the Lord Jesus

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practise lawlessness.” Matthew 7:23

3. Charged by the Lord Jesus of practice of “lawlessness” (2 Peter 2; Jude)

(II) THE WAY OF FALSE PROPHETS

1. They preach “the broad way” versus “the narrow way”

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the and broad is the way which leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” Matthew 7:13

2. They practise deception

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15

(III) THE UNMISTAKABLE PROOF OF FAITH

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” Matthew 7:16

1. The principle of Fruit-bearing

a) Known by its fruits

b) A natural test

2. Explanation of the principle of Fruit-bearing

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.” Matthew 7:17-20

a) Bad fruit

i) It comes from a bad tree

ii) A bad tree cannot bear good fruit

iii) It is ultimately cut down and thrown into the fire

b) Good fruit

i) It comes from a good tree

ii) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit

c) By their fruits you shall know them