Matthew 7:21-23 False Professions of Faith and Unsaved Charismatic Preachers

Introduction: Back in verse 15 Jesus warned about false prophets. In our text He warns about making a false profession of faith. Back in verses 13-14 Jesus told about a narrow way with leads to life and a broad way that leads to destruction. In our text Jesus tells about those who think they are on the narrow way, but they are on the broad way.

I. Not everyone who professes the Lord is saved. Vs. 21

A. Not everyone who professes the Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

1. Belief is from the heart; it is not from the mouth.

2. One can profess Christ with the mouth and not trust Him from the heart.

B. One who makes a profession, but does not trust the Lord as Savior will not enter into the

Kingdom of Heaven.

1. He may enter into church membership.

2. He may enter the baptismal waters.

3. But he will not enter heaven. John 3:18

C. Only those who trust Jesus Christ will enter heaven. Vs. 21b

1. It is not the Father’s will that one get baptized to enter heaven.

2. It is not the Father’s will that one join a church to enter heaven.

3. It is the Father’s will that one trust Jesus Christ whom the Father has sent to be the Savior.

John 6:28-29

II. Many have made a false profession and have taken up the ministry without being called of God to preach. Vs. 22-23

A. They prophecy in the name of Christ.

1. They are looked upon in the world as being the Lord’s preachers.

2. They may be prominent preachers.

3. They may preach in respected pulpits and denominations.

B. Some even work miracles in the name of Christ.

1. They cast out demons in His name. (Practice exorcism)

2. They do wonderful works. (Powerful works, miracles)

C. And yet they are unsaved.

1. Jesus will cast them out in the Day of Judgment.

2. He will say “I never knew you.” (I never knew you as being one of mine.)

3. Hence:

a. I never called you my child.

b. I never called you to preach.

c. I never empowered you to cast out demons nor to perform miracles.

III. Special lessons for us to learn

A. That salvation comes by faith in Christ; and not by a profession of Christ.

B. That salvation is the work of Christ; it is not accomplished by doing Christian works.

(Not preaching, nor any other Christian work.)

C. That miracle working was an important factor in early Christian times.

(Jesus, apostles, others…)

D. It is not at all a part of the Christian work today. 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Cor. 13:8-10, 13.

1. We should not be taken in by deceivers who profess to do miracles in the name of the Lord.

2. Whatever miracles they do perform are by the power of Satan.

Conclusion: 1. Make sure you are saved. (Do the will of the Father.)

2. Take up the Lord’s work in the will of the Father.

Do not support any of the deceivers with your money. Support the Lord’s cause through His church.

I. It is possible to make false professions of faith. Vs. 21

II. Many have done so. Vs. 22

III. Many of the unsaved have become preachers. Vs. 22

IV. Many of the unsaved preachers are charismatic preachers. Vs. 22

V. They have a sad awakening in the day of judgment. Vs. 23

Conclusion: We need to learn our lessons now through the lesson which Jesus taught.

A. About professing Christ as Savior.

1. A mere profession will not get one into heaven.

2. Therefore we ought to want our profession to be genuine.

3. We ought to encourage all to make sure about theirs.

B. About serving the Lord.

1. Service will not get one into heaven.

2. But every saved person should serve the Lord.

3. He should serve according to God’s will.

C. About charismatic practices.

1. God certainly has the power to perform miracles.

2. Jesus, His apostles, and others did so in early New Testament times.

3. God does not empower men to do such miracles today, 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Cor. 13:8-10, 13.

4. People who do so today are not empowered by the Lord, but by Satan.

5. People who are genuinely saved and who want to please God should not join a charismatic church.

Preached at Pleasant Hill M.B.C. 12-5-82 A.M.