READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Only those whom Jesus knows, will enter into His Father’s Kingdom.
God, In Speaking, Has Made Himself Known. God has spoken of His love that whoever believes in His one and only Son Jesus Christ, shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)
Are We Ready to Meet Our Maker? “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. 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?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23) Therefore, when given the chance, Christ’s disciples must courageously warn each other of God’s benchmark criteria for eternal life: which is to have an intimate relationship with the God who speaks – Deus Dixit! It would be tragic to hear Him say, “I never knew you,” despite knowing all about Jesus and even serving in His name.
How Do We Get Our Names in The Book of Life? Good works do not qualify us for heaven if Jesus does not “know” us. How do we get Jesus to know us? Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:9-15) The Good News is that Jesus has paid the price for our sins, the penalty of which is death! When we repent, God compassionately credits the righteousness of Jesus Christ to us. We become God’s children with whom He is well-pleased. (Luke 3:22)
How Is God Speaking to You and Through You Today? When we think it’s difficult to share our testimony or the love of God with friends and family because we feel inadequate or not theologically trained, remember that God will speak through us. Deus Dixit! There is no time to lose already for the end is near. Death does not come just for the old but for the young as well. Urgently share the gospel of hope with everyone who has not yet heard so they won’t have to face a fiery furnace on the day of judgment, for none of us is righteous without Christ. God, in His kingdom work, partners with ordinary people whose passion for Him is renewed – to outreach where He directs, be it the “market” or “hospital”. His Holy Spirit works in and through us to bring others to Christ not because we are strong, but in our weakness as fragile clay jars, for “extraordinary power” belongs to God Himself and does not come from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7) We serve Almighty God who has spoken to allow His light to shine through our broken lives.
God desires to be with us even when we are far from Him. That is why Jesus came in the flesh to pay the penalty of our sins so that if we earnestly repent of our wrongdoings, God will forgive and restore us to Him. Only those whom Jesus knows will enter into His Father’s rest. Let us spend time to know the God who longs to speak to you and me: Deus Dixit.
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How has the Holy Spirit spoken to you through the preaching of God’s word?
- How would you summarise the message of this section or story?
- What are the implications for us through this message?
- What are the personal implications (for you)?
- What are the communal implications (for our gospel community)?
- What are the missional implications (for those we want to reach for Christ)?
