NOTES: God is Near, Part 12
Sermon: God is Near 12: To Know and Be Known
Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024
Text: Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)
Matthew 7:21–23, 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Let’s Connect:
Often, the hard sayings of Jesus are (foremost) an invitation to draw near.
DINO -disciple in name only
Text Explained:
NT example of this —Sons of Sciva (Acts 19:11–17)
Jesus begins with the warning (vs. 21):
Galatians 4:9, “9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”
Jesus identifies the primary excuse persons use for their false pretense (vs. 23):
First the warning, then the excuse, now the consequence (vs. 23):
What is it to be known?
1 Corinthians 8:3, 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
1 John 3:18–24, 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
19By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
We are fully known by God once born-again.
To not be known - means we are not in Christ— not born again
2 Timothy 2:19, “19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” (Numbers 16:5, Nahum 1:7)
1 Corinthians 13:12, 12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Born Again? Yes, he will recognize you!
The Take Out:
Sharing our faith with others— born again transformation:
Though we are fully known by God, we will need all of eternity to know Him fully.
Our Challenge:
Be a true knower and follower of Jesus! Not a DINO!
Philippians 3:7–11, “7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
Communion: