Man, what’s going on in this passage?
The reality is, many people taught the wrong way and did things that seem right by prophesying, casting-out demons, and doing mighty works—all in the Lord’s name. This made others believe in their authority. However, Christ had been making it clear to folks that God’s Word is superior to any miracle. Let that sink in...God’s Word is superior to any miracle. And further, signs and miracles are to be rejected, if they are not according to the Word of God (Deut. 1:3). In fact, according to Deuteronomy 1:3, a false teacher was to be executed.
How does this impact today? First, reject anything if it contradicts the Bible. It’s that simple. Jesus is thee Truth. All of the Bible points to Him. Our strength is in Him. It’s all about Him. Next, doing things in the Lord’s name can be hollow even false. What matters is doing “the will of [our] Father who is in heaven.” Pray that you align yourself with God’s will. Do your best to do God’s will. If you do it in His name, great. Just seek his will and do it. Finally, don’t forget, God’s Word is superior to any miracle. In fact, it’s superior to anything. Spend some time in the Word today and every day. There’s a great study guide below!
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ How come it’s ‘Lord, Lord’ and not ‘Lord’ in verse 21? [v21]
+ What does someone need to do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? [v21
+ How important are miracles in regardless to getting into the Kingdom of Heaven? [v22]
+ What did the miracle-workers do or not do that was so wrong? [v21—23]
+ What does it mean ‘I never new you’? What would make Jesus say this to them? [v23]
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How can you align yourself to do “the will of [our] Father who is in heaven”? [v21]
+ What do you think is “the will of [our] Father who is in heaven”] in your life? [v21]
+ What does the Father want you to do today? [v21]
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who does the Father want you to share this message with today? [v21]
+ Who can you pray with today to discern the will of the Father for your day, week, year, and life? [v21]
STUDY GUIDE [ WWW.ESV.ORG ]
+ Matt. 7:22 mighty works. Compare Acts 19:13–16. Acts 19:13 itinerant Jewish exorcists. These persons used extensive ceremonies and spoken formulas to try to free people from the influence of evil spirits. Acts 19:15–16 Using the name of Jesus was not enough to cast out evil spirits. True faith in Jesus was also necessary.
+Matt. 5:1–7:29 The Authoritative Message of the Messiah: Kingdom Life for His Disciples. This is the first of five major teaching sections in Matthew (chs. 5–7; 10; 13; 18–20; 24–25). Speaking to his disciples (5:1), Jesus explains the reality of discipleship in the everyday world through the presence and power of the kingdom of God. These teachings form a challenging but practical systems of ethics that Jesus expects his followers to live by in this present age. This “Sermon on the Mount” is probably a summary of a longer message that Jesus may have given a number of times in various forms (compare the “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke 6:17–49).
+ Theme Matthew tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-expected Messiah who brought the kingdom of God to earth.
+ Purpose Matthew writes his Gospel to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, that he has the right to the throne of David as Israel’s true King, and that he is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all the world (1:1; Gen. 12:1–3). Matthew seeks to encourage Jewish Christians (and all future disciples) to stand strong despite opposition. They should feel secure in the knowledge of their citizenship in God’s kingdom. Matthew shows that Gentiles also can find salvation through Jesus the Messiah.
+ The Setting of Matthew The events in the book of Matthew take place almost entirely within the vicinity of Palestine, an area extending roughly from Caesarea Philippi in the north to Beersheba in the south. During this time it was ruled by the Roman Empire. The opening chapters describe events surrounding Jesus’ birth in Judea, where Herod had been appointed king by the Romans. The closing chapters end with Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension during the rule of Pontius Pilate and the tetrarchs Antipas and Philip.