“The Most Important Test We Will Ever Take”
Matthew 7:13-23
Sermon Series: “Now What?”
Introduction: Have you ever failed some kind of test? You probably have, and it was not the end of the world. However, there is one test you cannot afford to fail. It is literally life‟s final exam. We need to be prepared for it. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” Let‟s do that this morning.
Four Questions To Test Our Profession Of Faith
1. Has my profession of faith in Jesus cost me anything (v. 13- 14)? Following Christ makes life better, now and for eternity, but it also often makes life harder instead of easier because there is a cost to following Him. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). However, Jesus does greatly reward us as well (Luke 19:23-30).
2. Has my profession of faith in Jesus changed my life (v. 15- 20)? In other words, what does the fruit of my life say about my salvation? Here are some things the Bible refers to as fruit:
- Leading others to Christ (Romans 1:13)
- Godly character (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Giving (Romans 15:27-28)
- Good works (Colossians 1:10)
- Praise and Worship (Hebrews 13:15)
- Holiness (Romans 6:22)
It is crucial for us to understand, however, that Christ living through us produces true fruit. It is not something that can manufacture on our own. As we abide in Christ, He lives through us so His nature is manifested in our lives.
3. Am I obediently doing the will of God or am I only relying on a verbal profession of faith (v. 21-23)? Jesus is completely
clear on this point when He says, “Not everyone who says to Me, „Lord, Lord,‟ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (v. 21). We do have to confess Jesus as Lord in order to be a Christian (Romans 10:9). However, it must be a genuine confession that is demonstrated by obedience (Luke 6:46). 1 John 2:3 says, “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” It is crucial to understand that obedience does not make us right with God (because we fall short in our obedience and obedience does not wash away our other sins). However, obedience with the right motivation is evidence of the fact that our hearts have been transformed by God‟s grace. The true Christian will either obey Jesus or feel guilty about disobedience. If that is not the reality of your life, Jesus is not your Lord, and if He is not your Lord, He is not your Savior.
4. Am I relying on what I have done or what Jesus has done for me (v. 21-23)? Verse 22 makes it clear that there is nothing we can claim for ourselves before the throne of God. All we can claim is the work of Jesus on our behalf. If you are trusting in anything besides or in addition to the finished work of Christ on the cross, you are not a Christian. Tim Keller has written, “The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.”
The End Result Of Failing This Test
1. Destruction (Romans 6:23)
2. Fire (Revelation 20:15)
3. Eternal separation from God (Luke 16:19-31)
Conclusion: Are you trusting Jesus alone? Does your life demonstrate that reality? Do you pass the test?
