How To Avoid Final Destruction | Matthew 7:24-29

Scripture

• Matthew 7:24–29

About this sermon

Introduction: The sermon on the mount ends with a contrast. The contrast serves as an encouragement for one kind of person, and the strongest possible warning for another. It is a closing statement that makes clear that we all must examine ourselves. “EVERYONE WHO HEARS THESE WORDS OF MINE” — Jesus said. That now includes us as much as it included the people who heard Him the first time. WE HAVE HEARD HIS WORDS. WE WILL HEAR HIS WORDS. We have heard His Words, not just in this sermon, but in the 66 books we hold in our hands. Many of us have heard His Words in countless sermons, over many years. What He describes, through contrast and illustration, could not be more serious. Our souls are at stake. Our eternity is at stake. What He describes is what happens when His words are not responded to with obedient faith — when someone does not genuinely believe in Him. What happens is disaster — IN THE END. DESTRUCTION COMES IN THE END. Today we consider how to avoid final destruction. ESV Matthew 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. There is a way that leads to life and there is a way that leads to destruction, how can we be sure that we avoid final destruction. Today we identify three choices that are vital if we are to be spared from that destruction. • DO NOT DISMISS THE DAY “Therefore” – LSB “Everyone THEN” – ESV The conjunction οὖν means “therefore, then, and, accordingly.” It connects these finals words with what Jesus has been talking about. These are the closing words of an extended exhortation to believe. And they are the second WARNING about self-deception. Jesus has told us that IN THE END there will be those who professed to know Him, who were active in His name, who were associated (at the very least in their own minds) with powerful things that took place in His name, AND YET HE WILL REVEAL THAT THEY WERE LOST. They were lost all along. Their words were empty words. They professed to know Jesus, but Jesus never knew them. They had orthodox words, but did not have the Spirit of God, were not reconciled to God, did not know the forgiveness of their sins, were not regenerate, and did not possess eternal life. THEY WERE SELF-DECEIVED BY EMPTY WORDS. They discovered this at the end of the age. WHAT JESUS HAS JUST WARNED ABOUT IS BEING LOST IN THE END. WHAT JESUS HAS JUST WARNED ABOUT IS A DAY OF FINAL JUDGMENT. WHAT HE HAS WARNED ABOUT ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE SHOCKED IN THE END BECAUSE OF MISPLACED CONFIDENCE REGARDING ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. HE IS SPEAKING OF THE DAY WHEN LOST PEOPLE WILL BE DISMISSED FROM HIS PRESENCE. It is that same day that our verses are addressing. THEREFORE — In light of two gates, two ways, two groups of people, two destinations, two kinds of fruit, AND THE DAY THAT WILL JUDGE IT ALL — EVERYONE WHO HEARS THESE WORDS OF MINE...