NOT EVERYONE GETS TO GO TO HEAVEN  Matthew 7:21-23

As Jesus drew near to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, He takes the time to remind men of the seriousness of their salvation. He wanted all who heard Him to be sure that they were genuinely converted.

I. V. 21a A STARTLING COMMUNICATION

A. Jesus makes one of the most startling statements in all the Bible. He says that not everyone who claims Him as Lord will be saved!

B. A mere profession of Jesus as Savior is not enough to save! Salvation come only through the new birth, John 3:3, 7.

C. I think it is clear that Jesus is telling us that there will be some who will think they are saved and in reality they are deceived.

1. "For many are called, but few are chosen." Matt. 22:14.

2. The parable of the Wheat and the Tares, Matt. 13:24-30

3. Peter mentioned this "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:" 2 Pet. 1:10.

II. V. 21b A SIMPLE CONDITION

A. Here, Jesus clears up the matter of what brings salvation to a life. He says that people are saved by "doing the will of His Father." Does this mean that people are saved by works? Of course not! Eph. 2:8-9.

B. John 6:40, this is the will of God, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."

C. Salvation is by pure faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. If you can trust  nothing but the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save you from your sins, that is salvation. Rom 10:9-10

D. God has made salvation so easy to receive that He is able to invite anyone who thirsts to come to Him for salvation, John 7:37

III. V. 22 A STUNNED COMPLAINT

A. When these people hear the requirement for salvation, they begin to recount all the things they have done in life!

B. These people appealed to their works to save them. This verse teaches us that salvation cannot be produced by works!

C. Notice that their whole claim to Heaven rests in what "they" have done! Salvation is all about Jesus and what He did when He went to the cross and took the sins of the world on Himself at Calvary.

2 Cor. 5:21.

IV. V. 23a A SHOCKING CONFESSION

A. As those people stood before the Lord, surely they were shocked at what they had already heard. Now He SAYS I never knew you.

B. There are those who feel that this passage is speaking to backsliders. Of course, Jesus says that He "never" knew them. These people are just plain lost in their sins!

C. The whole point of this verse is this, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.", 2 Tim. 2:19. If Jesus ever knew you, He still does today!

V. V. 23b A SUDDEN CONDEMNATION

A. There is only one place where men can be free from the manifest presence of God and that is in the fires of Hell, 2 Thes. 1:8-9

B. My friends, we need to remember that there is a vast difference between Heaven and Hell!

1. Heaven is described as a place of endless bliss and eternal glory, Rev. 21:4; John 14:1-3.

2. On the other hand, Hell is described as A PLACE OF:

A. Unquenchable Fire - Mark 9:43

B. Memory And Remorse-Luke 16:25-28

C. Thirst - Luke 16:24-25

D. Misery And Pain - Luke 16:24-26

E. Frustration And Anger Matt. 24:51

F. Endless Separation - Rev. 21:8

G. Undiluted Divine Wrath-(Hab. 3:2, There will be no mercy for those who go to Hell!)

C. I think the saddest words in all the Bible will be these words recorded here, "I never knew you, depart from me." These are people who expected to hear the Lord welcoming them into Heaven. They were sincere. They thought they were saved. They knew all the catch words and the right things to say. Why will these people hear these words? Because they are basing their salvation on works and goodness. Because they have failed to place their faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. They will go to Hell; they chose their way over God's way.

Conclusion: Unless YOU come to God through Jesus Christ, YOU will never be saved, John 14:6. Do you think you are saved? Do you hope that you will do to Heaven when you die? What are you basing that hope on this morning? If there is the slightest doubt in your heart that you are saved, you need to come and get that things settled right now. Some of you are lost. You need to get out of your seat and make your way to Jesus right now. He is calling will you come?