The Scariest Verse in the Bible
February 21, 2021 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: You can have assurance that you are saved.
Focus Passage: Matthew 7:21
Supplemental Passage: And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:11-13 NASB)
Introduction: The Bible is an amazing book; the very Word of God. Within it, millions have found hope through faith in Jesus Christ. There are passages on love, hate, hope, miracles, destruction, and praise to God. There are many passages that comfort, some which alarm, and even some that can be quite scary. Personally, I think the scariest verse in the Bible is Matthew 7:21 . (Jesus says) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven will enter.” In other words, just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t make you one! This ought to bring pause for some serious prayer and soul searching!
Every time I come across Matthew 7:21, I am taken back by how scary this verse must be to religious people. By that, I mean people who are desperately trying to get to Heaven by doing good. Or by being good. There are many people who call themselves a Christian, Follower of Jesus, or Believer, who, quite frankly, are only fooling themselves because they are trying to add something to the Gospel. What are they adding? Their own effort. All of the religions of the world can be put in two categories: 1) anything but faith and grace alone, 2) faith and grace alone through Jesus Christ. There are a whole lot of “Christians” who say they believe, but think they have to contribute to their salvation by doing something. All of the religions of the world fit into this category, but one. The True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I. Two Kinds of People
a. Those who “say” (vs 21-22) Look the part. Talk the talk. Playing Church.
b. Those who obey (vs 21) Doing their part. Walking the Walk. Being the Church.
II. Two Kinds of Gates
a. Wide and inclusive (V 13) Everyone. Every thought. Every whimsical fancy. Jesus plus, or don’t even need Jesus.
b. Narrow and exclusive (v 14) Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one gets to the Father except through Jesus.
III. Two Kinds of Foundations
a. Built on solid rock (vs 24-25) The TRUE Gospel
b. Built on sand (vs 26-27) An adulterated, altered gospel; a false gospel.
Application/Call to Obedience: So, does this verse and series of verses scare you? See what Jesus has to say in 1 John 5:11-13. Do you have the Son? Are you playing church? Are you playing Christian. God isn’t playing. Life is for keeps. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. (1 Kings 18:21 NLT) The Bible says, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10 NASB) Obey what you know the Spirit of God is telling you!
