Historical Posts
Matthew 07:21-23 Who Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven?
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Text: Matthew 7:21-23
Introduction
1. Most people believe they will go to heaven when they die
a. Their hope is fostered by the comforting words of many preachers, priests, and rabbis
b. Their hope is based upon the idea that heaven is for all believers, or for those whose good works outweigh the bad
2. But are such hopes well-founded?
a. Will most people go to heaven when they die?
b. Is salvation based upon good works? Is it based upon faith only?
3. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus gave some ominous warnings…
a. Few, not many, would be saved – Matthew 7:13-14
b. Many religious people, including some believers in Jesus, will learn that they too will be lost! – Matthew 7:21-23
4. With Matthew 7:21-23 as the spring board for our study, I wish to address the question: “Who will enter the kingdom of heaven?”
Body
I. WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
A. THE TERM “KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”…
1. Is synonymous with the “kingdom of God” – Matthew 4:17 with Mark 1:14-15
2. Refers to God’s kingship, or rule, from heaven
3. The kingdom of heaven is focused in the Person of Jesus Christ, and is especially manifested where He rules in the hearts of men – Luke 17:20-21
B. IN BRIEF, THE “KINGDOM OF HEAVEN”…
1. Is spiritual in nature – John 18:36; Romans 14:17
2. It began when all authority (rule) was given to Jesus – Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36; Ephesians 1:20-23
3. Today, it includes the Lord’s church on earth (for those who submit to the Will of Christ are added to the kingdom) – Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9
4. In the future, it will involve the “new heavens and new earth,” where we will be with God and Jesus for eternity! – Matthew 13:40-43; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1-22:5
5. The kingdom of heaven was “inaugurated” on the Day of Pentecost, and will be culminated” when Jesus returns to deliver it back to God – cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23-28
C. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IN OUR TEXT…
1. Appears to have the future aspect of the kingdom in view
a. Note that Jesus says “in that day…” – Matthew 7:22
b. An apparent reference to the day of judgment – cf. 2 Timothy 1:12, 18; 4:8
2. Thus Jesus is talking about who will enter the kingdom in its future aspect
a. Of which He spoke on other occasions – Matthew 25:31-34
b. Of which Peter wrote – 2 Peter 1:10-11
D. What a wonderful blessing, to have an abundant entrance into “the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”! But this leads me back to our text (Mt 7:21-23), and to the main question of our study
II. WHO WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
A. NOT EVERYONE WHO PROFESSES JESUS…
1. “Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven”
2. There are some who teach that as long as one believes in Jesus, they will be saved
a. That salvation is by “faith only”
b. Even though the only time “faith only” is found in the Scriptures, it says: “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” – James 2:24
3. But there is such a thing as “an unsaved believer”…
a. The demons believe, but are not saved – James 2:19
b. There were some who believed in Jesus, but were not saved – John 12:42-43
c. Jesus described a true disciple as one who not only believes in Him, but does what He says – John 8:30-32
d. Let no one think that just because they “believe” in Jesus, they have a free ticket into heaven!
B. NOT EVERYONE WHO DOES MANY GOOD WORKS…
1. “Many will say to Me in that day, `Lord, Lord, have we not…” – Matthew 7:22
2. Here were people who not only believed in Jesus, but believed they had:
a. Prophesied in His name!
b. Cast out demons in His Name!
c. Done many wonders in His Name!
3. They thought they had been empowered to do such wonderful works!
4. Such good works certainly did not earn their way to heaven
a. Indeed, salvation is by grace, not meritorious works – cf. Titus 3:3-7
b. Good works had not saved Cornelius, he still needed to be told what to do to be saved – Acts 10:1-5; 11:14
5. Indeed, sometimes what we may think is a good work is without any authority…
a. Jesus condemns these as those “who practice lawlessness” – Matthew 7:23
b. Literally, those who act without authority
1) It was not that they did something condemned by Jesus
2) It was that they did things for which they had no authority!
6. We might be very religious, and do many things in the name of Jesus, yet He might still say: “I never knew you; depart from Me…”
C. ONLY THOSE WHO DO THE FATHER’S WILL…
1. As Jesus said, “…he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
a. Here is the dividing line: those who DO the Father’s will!
b. As James would write later, it is the “doer of the work” who is blessed in what he does – cf. James 1:22-25
2. Is this legalism?
a. No! Legalism is salvation by perfect law-keeping, believing that one earns salvation by the merit of what they have done
b. Salvation by grace does not preclude the necessity of obedience
1) We simply need to recognize that our obedience does not earn or merit salvation
2) When all is said and done, we are still unworthy! – cf. Luke 17:10
3. The Father’s will, while it offers salvation by grace, does require obedience!
a. Only those who obey from the heart will be delivered from sin – Romans 6:17-18
b. Christ is the author of salvation to all who obey Him – Hebrews 5:9
c. Christ will come in judgment against those who obey not the gospel -2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
Conclusion
1. Who will enter the kingdom of heaven?
a. Not those who profess to believe, but do not obey
b. Not those who think they are doing many religious things, but without authority
c. Only those who do the Father’s will!
2. This is why we must take an earlier statement in Jesus’ sermon so seriously…
a. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” – Matthew 6:33
b. We must make the finding of God’s will and rule the number one priority in our life!
3. What is the Father’s will? It begins with…
a. Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ – Acts 20:21
b. Confessing Jesus as Lord – Romans 10:10
c. Being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38
4. Followed by a life of faithful service to Christ, confessing our sins along the way – Revelation 2:10; 1 John 1:9
5. Are you doing the Father’s will?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Matthew 01:23-25 Beyond the Manger
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Text: Matthew 1:23-25
Introduction
1. The virgin birth of Jesus is a central truth of Christianity.
2. The fact that God relinquished heaven to come to the earth and live as a man is captivating to say the least – John 1:1; John 1:14
3. While the facts surrounding the birth of Jesus are firmly rooted in Scripture, the special celebration of his birth is a man made event.
a. It wasn’t until 354 A.D. that the Bishop of Rome decided to observe December 25th, formerly a pagan holiday observed intended to honor the God, Saturn to a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
4. This afternoon, I wish for us to focus on the Jesus beyond the manger.
Body
I. As a Baby, He Was Helpless – As A Man, He Was All Powerful
A. As a Baby, he was totally dependent on others for survival.
B. As a man, we become totally dependent on him for survival.
C. Matthew 28:18-20
D. The power of Jesus must have been, and still is awe inspiring – John 11:43
E. This sort of power demands our respect.
II. As A Baby, He Was Loved – As A Man, He Was Hated
A. While it is true that Herod hated Jesus when he was born (Matthew 2), most people love a baby.
B. (John 15:18-20) Jesus was different and thus hated.
C. By his light, he exposed the darkness and the shame in others – John 3:19
III. As A Baby, He Made Demands Of His Mother – As A Man, He Makes Demands Of Everyone
A. Every parent knows from experience the taxing demands of an infant.
B. But as Jesus grew, so did the scope of his demands.
C. He began to call all men to repentance and a change of lifestyle – John 8:11; Luke 13:3; Matthew 16:24
IV. Jesus Was Born To Die So That We Can Be Born To Live
A. Christianity is full of paradoxes.
B. It was God’s plan from before the creation of the world to send Jesus to the earth to die – Revelation 13:8; Luke 24:46-47
C. Today, those who are born again can have life – John 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:4
Conclusion
1. As important as the birth of Jesus is, we must look beyond the manger;beyond the babe; and see the Christ of the cross who has all authority, who makes demands of your life, but who also promises you everlasting life.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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An Introduction to Matthew
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Text: Matthew
Introduction
1. The book of Matthew has always occupied a position of high esteem in the faith and life of the church:
“When we turn to Matthew, we turn to the book which may well be called the most important single document of the Christian faith, for in it we have the fullest and the most systematic account of the life and the teachings of Jesus.” (William Barclay)
2. The writings of the early church fathers reveal that it was…
a. The most frequently quoted
b. Perhaps the most widely read gospel during the first two centuries of the church’s history
[Why was this book so popular? Perhaps we can understand why as we consider some background information pertaining to it…]
Body
I. AUTHOR AND DATE OF THE GOSPEL
A. MATTHEW (LEVI)…
1. The apostolic origin and canonical rank of the gospel of Matthew were accepted without a doubt by the early church (ISBE)
2. Matthew, surnamed Levi, had been a tax-collector…
a. He was one of Jesus’ earliest disciples – Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:14
b. He was chosen to be one of the twelve apostles – Matthew 10:2-3
3. Being a close associate of Jesus during His ministry…
a. Matthew’s gospel is a first hand account
b. Unlike Luke who depended upon other eyewitnesses – Luke 1:1-4
B. BEFORE 70 A.D….
1. Irenaeus says it was written when Peter and Paul were preaching in Rome
2. Eusebius states that this was done when Matthew left Palestine and went to preach to others (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, 24)
3. Clement of Alexandria said that the presbyters who succeeded each other from the beginning declared that “the gospels containing the genealogies (Matthew and Luke) were written first” (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, VI, 14)
4. A date before 70 A.D. is considered by many to be the most feasible
II. THEME AND OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL
A. ITS THEME OR PURPOSE…
1. Written to Jews, designed to prove that Jesus is the Messiah of OT prophecy
2. Evidenced by his frequent appeal to OT Messianic prophecies
a. He quotes from almost every book in the OT
b. Twelve times he identifies O.T. prophecies as fulfilled in the life of Jesus – Matthew 1:22; 2:15,23; 4:14; 5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14,35; 21:4; 27:9
— One could say that the theme is: “Jesus, King of the Jews”
B. A DETAILED OUTLINE…
(adapted from The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)
1. The birth and childhood of Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:1-2:23
a. Genealogy of Christ – Matthew 1:1-17
b. Birth of Christ – Matthew 1:18-25
c. Visit of the Magi – Matthew 2:1-12
d. Flight into Egypt and massacre of the infants – Matthew 2:13-18
e. Residence at Nazareth – Matthew 2:19-23
2. The preparation for the ministry of Jesus Christ – Matthew 3:1-4:11
a. The forerunner of Christ – Matthew 3:1-12
b. Baptism of Christ – Matthew 3:13-17
c. Temptation of Christ – Matthew 4:1-11
3. The ministry of Jesus Christ – Matthew 4:12-25:46
a. His ministry in Galilee – Matthew 4:12-18:35
1) Residence at Capernaum – Matthew 4:12-17
2) Call of four disciples – Matthew 4:18-22
3) General survey of the Galilean ministry – Matthew 4:23-25
4) Sermon on the mount – Matthew 5:1-7:29
5) Ten miracles and related events – Matthew 8:1-9:38
6) Mission of the twelve – Matthew 10:1-42
7) Christ’s answer to John, and related discourse – Matthew 11:1-30
8) Opposition from the Pharisees – Matthew 12:1-50
9) A series of parables on the kingdom – Matthew 13:1-58
10) Withdrawal of Jesus following John’s beheading – Matthew 14:1-36
11) Conflict with the Pharisees over tradition – Matthew 15:1-20
12) Withdrawal to Phoenecia and healing of a Canaanitish woman’s daughter – Matthew 15:21-28
13) Return to the Sea of Galilee and performing of miracles – Matthew 15:29-38
14) Renewed conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees – Matthew 15:39-16:4
15) Withdrawal to the region of Caesarea Philippi – Matthew 16:5-17:23
16) Instruction of the twelve at Capernaum – Matthew 17:24-18:35
b. His ministry in Perea – Matthew 19:1-20:16
1) Teaching on divorce – Matthew 19:1-12
2) Blessing of the children – Matthew 19:13-15
3) Interview with the rich young man – Matthew 19:16-30
4) Parable of the laborers in the vineyard – Matthew 20:1-16
c. His ministry in Judea – Matthew 20:17-34
1) Another prediction of Christ’s death and resurrection – Matthew 20:17-19
2) Ambitious request of Zebedee’s sons – Matthew 20:20-28
3) Healing of two blind men – Matthew 20:29-34
d. His ministry in Jerusalem – Matthew 21:1-25:46
1) Triumphal entry – Matthew 21:1-11
2) Cleansing the Temple – Matthew 21:12-17
3) Cursing of the barren fig tree – Matthew 21:18-22
4) Questioning of Jesus’ authority and his parabolic answer – Matthew 21:23-22:14
5) Questioning of Jesus by various groups – Matthew 22:15-46
6) Jesus’ public denunciation of the Pharisees – Matthew 23:1-39
7) Olivet Discourse – Matthew 24:1-25:46
4. The suffering of Jesus Christ – Matthew 26:1-27:66
a. Plot against Jesus – Matthew 26:1-16
b. The final meal – Matthew 26:17-30
c. Prediction of Peter’s denial – Matthew 26:31-35
d. Events in Gethsemane – Matthew 26:36-56
e. Events at the Jewish trials – Matthew 26:57-27:2
f. Remorse of Judas – Matthew 27:3-10
g. Events at the Roman trials – Matthew 27:11-31
h. The Crucifixion – Matthew 27:32-56
i. Burial – Matthew 27:32-56
5. The resurrection of Jesus Christ – Matthew 28:1-20
a. Discovery of the empty tomb – Matthew 28:1-8
b. Appearance of Jesus Christ – Matthew 28:9-10
c. Report of the soldiers – Matthew 28:11-15
d. The great commission – Matthew 28:16-20
III. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL
A. A JEWISH GOSPEL…
1. We’ve noted its frequent appeal to OT prophecies
2. It’s organization is mostly topical, as opposed to strictly chronological (a common style in Jewish literature)
— It appears to have been written with a Jewish audience in mind
B. AN ECCLESIASTICAL GOSPEL…
1. It is the only gospel which mentions the word “church”
a. It foretells its beginning – Matthew 16:18
b. It describes some of the life in the church – Matthew 18:15-17
2. It contains lengthy discourses especially beneficial to those in the church
a. Such as the sermon on the mount – Matthew 5 – Matthew 7
b. Such as the many parables – Matthew 13
c. Such as the Olivet discourse – Matthew 24 – Matthew 25
3. It contains admonitions important to disciples of Christ
a. Such as the importance of doing the Father’s will – Matthew 7:21-23
b. Such as observing all that Jesus commanded – Matthew 28:20
— In other words, this was a gospel designed for use by those in the early church
C. AN EVANGELISTIC GOSPEL…
1. It is a preaching gospel
a. Especially when compared with the apostles’ preaching found in Acts
b. For it expands upon the basic elements and point made in their sermons
2. Consider these themes in apostolic preaching:
a. God’s promises in the OT have been fulfilled – Acts 3:18,24
b. The long-awaited Messiah, born of David’s line, has come – Acts 13:23
c. He is Jesus of Nazareth – Acts 13:23
d. He went about preaching and doing good through mighty works – Acts 10:38
e. He was crucified according to the promise and will of God – Acts 2:22,23
f. He was raised from the dead, and exalted at God’s right hand – Acts 2:24,32-33
h. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead – Acts 3:20-21; 17:30-31
i. Therefore, all should heed His message, repent, and be baptized – Acts 2:36-38
— All of these points are expanded in the gospel of Matthew
Conclusion
1. The purpose which Matthew’s gospel served in the first century was simple…
a. To confirm faith in Jesus as God’s Anointed One (the Messiah)
b. To instructing disciples on living the Christian life
2. It can serve a similar purpose for us today…
a. Increase our faith in Jesus as the Christ
b. Instruct us in the righteousness expected of those in His kingdom
c. The last three verses present the climax of this amazing gospel:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
3. Have you submitted to the authority and command of Jesus as it pertains to becoming His disciple and observing what He taught? If so, then you have the precious promise of His abiding presence in your life!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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