WHY MANY PROFESSED CHRISTIANS WILL GO TO HELL
LUKE 6:46-49
Key verse: v. 46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
Introduction:
Millions of people call themselves “Christians” in this world today. According to Webster’s dictionary, a “Christian” is “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ, or in the religion based on the teachings of Jesus.”
The Scriptures declares that a “Christian” is a “born again believer in Jesus Christ.” One that follow the example and teachings of Jesus and accepts the Scriptures the only rule for Christian living.
The Bible speaks of those who are religious and claim to do things in Jesus name, but in reality He does not know them. Consider the following message.
I. FOLLOWING THE LORD’S EXAMPLE
A. He is our Lord and Master, John 13:13, “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”
1. He has saved us from our sins by faith in Jesus Christ, Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
2. We have a home in heaven, Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
B. He has given us an example to follow, John 13:15-17, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
1. An example of humility, Philippians 2:5-8, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
2. An example of obedience, Matthew 26:39, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. 42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”
II. OUTWARD EXPRESSION IS NOT OBEDIENCE
A. Why don’t you do what I say? Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
B. God cannot be deceived by outward appearance or acts, Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
1. He knows our heart, Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
2. He knows our thoughts, Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
III. WHERE IS THE FATHER’S HONOR?
A. God the Father challenges those who profess to know Him, Malachi 1:6, “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”
1. Where is my honor, son? Exodus 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
2. Where is my honor, servant? 1 Timothy 6:1, “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”
3. Where is my honor, priest? Jeremiah 5:30-31, “A wonderful [astonishment and filthiness] and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”
B. The Lord declares that these have NO FEAR of God, Romans 3:13-18, “Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
IV. DEPART FROM ME, I NEVER KNEW YOU
B. Not everyone who calls Jesus “the Lord” will enter into the Kingdom of God, Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
C. Some will claim to have done great works in the Lord’s name, Matthew 7:22, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
D. They will make a last plea, Luke 13:25-27, “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
CONCLUSION
The most terrible words to hear in this world are, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Many will hear those words who have not repented from their sins and trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior.