My name is Chris Fluitt and this is Redemption Church in Plano Tx. Thank you for joining with us to worship God. Greetings to all of our online worshippers. I pray that you felt God’s presence and that His Word will speak to your heart.

Welcome to the 5th  week of our Spooky Sermon Series – Scary Words

Scary Words

In week 1 we learned that our word was Ichabod, which means “the glory has departed.”

In week 2 we told you about the scary word Anapologētos which means “without excuse.”

In week 3 week we told you about telling God “no.” Ou-Dechomai means refused.

Last week we told about the scary word “guilty.”  We not just a little guilty, we are guilty on all counts. We are not just sinners, we are actually the worst kind of sinners.  BUT THANKS BE TO JESUS who took the charges against us and the same spikes that put a whole into the hands and feet of Jesus also put holes in the charges that are against us.   

Colossians 2:14 (NIV) 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 7 beginning at verse 21.

Scary Words

In this series we have gone cover to cover to find the scariest words in scripture. We asked you to send into our anonymous text line the scariest words you could think of in your Bible. Tonight’s scary word is the word most offered to us by you.

Matthew 7:21-23 21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Our scary word tonight is the word Away

Away/Depart

This scary word is translated most often as away and depart.

It is surprising to here Jesus say to someone “depart.” Jesus is known for inviting people to come.

• Jesus looks at unqualified fishermen and invites them to come and follow him. (Matthew 4:19)
• He reaches out to touch sick lepers rather than calling them unclean and banishing them. (Luke 17:11-19)
• Jesus famously says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
• Some of the last words in your Bible are Jesus offering an invitation to come… Jesus says in Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

This very same Jesus who gives an invitation to come, also commands people to go away. 

I find this scary that Jesus, who is the only way to God and the only way to heaven, would ever tell us to depart.

This is not the only time Jesus says something like this.

Luke 13:22-  23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

 

Imagine the scenario in these 2 scripture passages.

Jesus is approached. Jesus is called Lord.

The people approaching Jesus remind Him of their good works. “Jesus, we prophesied and did miracles in your name. We cast out demons in your name!”  “Jesus, we ate and drank with you and you taught just outside my house in the street.”

And Jesus says “AWAY from me, all you evil doers.” Jesus tells these people to depart.

It is possible to depart

The same Jesus who says “come” will also say the words “away and depart.”

The same God who says “Never will I leave you or forsake you” will also one day look into the eyes of people and say “get out of here.”

Scripture is clear that no one comes to God unless the Spirit draws them. It is God’s own Spirit that draws us to Him.  Yet it is also true that you can resist and even grieve God’s Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30)

It is possible to depart God’s will.
It is possible to depart God’s fellowship and the fellowship of the people of God.
It is possible to depart the TRUTH and the true Gospel.
It is possible to depart the faith.

1 Timothy 4:1 (NIV) The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

[ “Abandon” is the same Greek word Aphistēmi/Away/Depart]

Hebrews 3:12 (NIV) See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

[“Turns away” is the same Greek word Aphistēmi/Away/Depart]

There is more scripture that says we can depart.

 

 It is possible to depart

• No longer endure sound doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:3)
• Fall away and crucify the son of God. (Hebrews 6:6)
• Exchange the Truth for a lie. (Romans 1:25)
• Be removed from Him who called you by Grace and receive another gospel. (Galatians 1:6)
• Be removed by Christ. (Revelation 2:5)

Scripture is clear that it is possible to depart!

 

Jesus is looking for more words

It is so easy to say words and show no action. We can always use words to lie. We can use words to try to flatter & “butter people up,” in hopes that they will treat us favorably.

Jesus is looking for more than words.  This is what He says to the pharisees in Matthew 15.

Matthew 15:8 (NIV) ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.   (Mark 7:6, Isaiah 29:13)

Let’s look back at our scriptures from Jesus, and notice the words “Lord, Lord.”

Matthew 7:21-23 21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

And in Luke 13:25 the same phrase appears but is translated at “Sir” in the NIV.

Luke 13:25 (NIV) Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

Kyrios Kyrios (Lord Lord)

In both Matthew 7 and Luke 13, the people that Jesus sends away are the ones who use this phrase “Kyrious, Kyrious,” “Lord, Lord.”

Kyrious is a title of honor and respect that means master, sovereign, ruler, and Lord.

The people that Jesus sends away re those who have spoken the words “Lord Lord” but have not truly received Jesus as Lord.

If Jesus is Lord, then He is boss.
If Jesus is Lord, then He should rule and reign in our life.
If Jesus is Lord, then we should seek His will.
If Jesus is Lord, He would have us live differently.

Kyrios, Kyrios are not magic words that get us what we want.  Calling Jesus Lord is a responsibility!

Luke 6:46 (NIV) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Luke 6:49 (NIV) But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

 

Quick review!

It is possible to depart

When we hear the commands of Jesus but refuse to obey – we have departed.

We are either walking with Jesus, or away from Jesus.  Which direction are you walking today?

 

Jesus is looking for more words

We must call Him master, but also treat Him as master.

Is Jesus really your Lord? Jesus knows if He really is our Lord, because we will obey Him.

 

Scary Doctrine

These 2 points, that is possible to depart, and that Jesus is looking for more than words are even more scary when we consider the prevalent teaching of the “sinner’s prayer.”

All over the metroplex, people gathered at church and heard a message. At the end of that message people were led to say a repeat after me prayer.  After repeating words, the people were told that they were eternally saved and were guaranteed to make heaven their home.

I know my message today is not popular. I know that I am going against the currant of culture, but I declare to you today that…

Jesus is looking for more than words. Your repetition of words did nothing if they do not come from your heart, are full of faith, and lead you to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

And it is possible to depart.  Those that say Lord Lord, but where not in a relationship with Jesus Christ where sent away.

How many people have said a sinners prayer, joined a Church, volunteered their time, attended a small group, been baptized, yet will stand before Jesus one day and hear Him say – AWAY!  I never knew you!?

I want you to take this seriously.

We need to know Jesus.
We need to live for Jesus.
We need to talk to Jesus in prayer.
We need to know His Word.
We need to exalt Jesus in our lives.

If I have ruffled anyone’s doctrinal feathers today, I would challenge you to find me anywhere in the Bible where someone was led in a sinner’s prayer and told they were eternally secure.

You will not find it!  Instead Jesus commanded that

We believe the gospel and are baptized (Mark 16:15-16)
We repent and receive the forgiveness of sins in His name (Luke 24:47)
We receive the promise of the Father – The Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49, John 20:22, Acts 1:8)
We should be witnesses of Jesus! (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-49, Acts 1:8)

Away/Depart

One day everyone you know will stand before the Lord. One day you will stand before the Lord.

What will He say?  Will He say “Away?”

 

Jesus will one days say AWAY…  But right now He says COME.

Do you really know the Lord?  If you are not sure, then you need to be in this altar today.

Have you only been offering Jesus words?  Come and bring some action.

When was the last time you took a step towards Jesus?  Take a step today.

When was the last time you repented?

Have you been baptized?

Have you had someone pray with you?  Have you prayed with someone else?

Jesus will one days say AWAY…  But right now He says COME.

 

 

 

Notes

Aphistēmi – Depart, withdraw self, remove

Luk 13:27 – But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart G868 from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

1Ti 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from G868 the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Heb 3:12 – Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing G868 from the living God.

2Ti 2:19 – Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let G868 ➔ every one that nameth the name of Christ depart G868 from iniquity.

 

Apochōreō – Depart, to go away

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart G672 from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

The opposite of depart is to stand, establish, or to come

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

Matthew 11:28 COME UNTO ME