Obedient Actions Required of All Members

The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of Jesus

Builder of the House

Matthew 7:19-23  The Message

^15-20 “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
^21-23 “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’

For Reflection

You are human.  You must be willing to judge.  However, you must not be judgmental.  Matthew knows how false teaching, witness and preaching can undermine the gospel message.  We know it too.  Each day we see the perversions of The Way of Christ.  Hate posing as love. Exclusion posing as the body of Christ. Vengeance posing as justice.   Just look for the love of God you will easily expose the pretenders.

Pray

that you will have the wisdom to follow Jesus Christ.  Pray that you will not be seduced by those who would use God's name to make themselves important.  Pray for humility.