Matthew 7:21-27
Sermon by Rich Lanning Devotion by Tina Miller
May 25 2025
Introduction
Watch some funny videos of people who thought they had something but flopped.
Background
These videos are humorous, but Jesus gives us a serious warning about thinking we’re good Christians and have done everything right, when our hearts aren’t really his.
Pray
Give us real knowledge or what we read. Show us not only how to understand it, but how to live it, so we might live in Spirit and in truth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Origen)
Looking into the scripture passage
In these verses Jesus is speaking of the day when people will stand before him hoping to enter the kingdom of heaven, but being turned away.
Read: Matthew 7:21-23
Ask: What do the people claim to have said about Jesus?
Can a person say that Jesus is Lord and not be a true Christian?
Yes, people can say things outwardly that are not true in their hearts. Can you think of some people who lived during Bible days who were like this? [The Pharisees outwardly kept the laws but had hearts of pride and lust and hatred. See Matthew 15:1-8 for example]
Ask: What do the people claim to have done? Can you think of a person who walked with Jesus and probably told others about him and even performed miracles, but actually was a betrayer? [See Luke 9:1-6 as an example]
If our words and religious actions don’t show that we are true believers, what do you think does?
Read: Matthew 7:24-25
Who is like a wise man building his house on a rock? [the one who obeys the words of Jesus]
When we truly love and follow Jesus, he gives us a new heart that wants to obey Him. We will not do this perfectly, but if you love Jesus, when you sin, you will be sad and want to change. And He will forgive you and help you do that because He loves you and you are his! [1 John 1:9]
Apply the passage
Activity
It’s easy for us to think of the Pharisees as the “bad guys,” and think that we are not like them, but what word does Jesus use to describe the number of people who say they called him “Lord”? What might you be trusting in for being a part of the kingdom of heaven? (See lyrics to “Not in Me” at the link below for a possible list to think through)
Read: Revelation 7:14-15
What is the only thing that we can trust?
Memorize
…If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
John 14:23
Practice the verse
Divide the verse into three parts and work on each one on successive days until you can say it in its entirety. Make up hand motions to go with each section.
Extra Stuff
Dig Deeper (for older kids and parents)
Read Matthew 5:19-48.
How does Jesus expose our hearts to be more sinful than we think we are? Can we fix this problem on our own?
Discuss how a person can be “perfect as God is perfect.”
Read 1 John 1:5-10
Does a Christian always obey Jesus perfectly? What is different about a true believer described by John and a false “Christian” described by Jesus in the Matthew verses?
Songs to sing
“Not in Me” (Sovereign Grace)
