Called ‘Lord’ on Earth, But Rejected in Eternity !
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
INTRODUCTION
One of the most frightening statements ever spoken by Jesus is found in Matthew 7.
It reveals a shocking truth: it is possible to call Jesus “Lord” on earth and still be rejected by Him in eternity.
This sermon is not directed at unbelievers alone, but at churchgoers, workers, ministers, and those who outwardly appear spiritual.
Titles, activities, and public confessions do not automatically guarantee eternal acceptance.
What truly matters is relationship, obedience, and transformed living.
1. Calling Him “Lord” Is Not the Same as Knowing Him
Matthew 7:23 – “I never knew you…”
John 17:3 – Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ.
Matthew 15:8 – “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth… but their heart is far from me.”
Many people confess Christ with their lips but deny Him with their lives.
Christianity becomes a language they speak, not a life they live.
Jesus is not impressed by religious vocabulary; He looks for a genuine, personal relationship.
Familiarity with Jesus is not the same as intimacy with Jesus.
2. Religious Works Without Obedience Are Empty.
Matthew 7:21 – “…but he that doeth the will of my Father…”
1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
James 1:22 – Be doers of the word, not hearers only.
Those rejected in eternity listed impressive achievements: prophecy, miracles, and deliverance. Yet Jesus called them workers of iniquity. Why? Their actions were not aligned with God’s will.
God values obedience above activities, and submission above performance.
3. Ministry Success Does Not Equal Eternal Approval
1 Corinthians 13:1–3 – Gifts without love profit nothing.
Romans 11:29 – Gifts are given without repentance.
Matthew 23:27–28 – Outward righteousness, inward corruption.
It is possible to be used by God publicly and still be lost privately.
Spiritual gifts can operate even when character is compromised. God can use a vessel without endorsing the vessel’s lifestyle.
Being used by God is not the same as being approved by God.
4. Hidden Sin Leads to Eternal Rejection
Psalm 66:18 – If I regard iniquity in my heart…
Hebrews 12:14 – Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
Galatians 6:7 – God is not mocked.
The people Jesus rejected practiced lawlessness while professing lordship.
Secret sin, unrepentant lifestyles, and deliberate disobedience will eventually expose a false profession.
A hidden life on earth will be revealed in eternity.
5. A True Lordship Produces a Changed Life
Luke 6:46 – “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
Romans 8:1 – No condemnation to those who walk after the Spirit.
When Jesus is truly Lord, He governs decisions, habits, relationships, and priorities. Salvation is not perfection, but it is direction—a continual submission to Christ.
CONCLUSION
The greatest tragedy is not dying without calling Jesus “Lord,” but calling Him “Lord” and hearing Him say, “I never knew you.”
This message is a call to self-examination, repentance, and authentic faith.
Eternity will not be based on what we claimed, but on who we truly followed.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.
ALTAR CALL / CALL TO RESPONSE
Today, Jesus is asking:
Is He your Lord in truth, not just in name?
Are you doing the will of the Father, not just religious works?
Is your heart aligned with your confession?
Now is the time to repent, surrender, and renew your relationship with Christ.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I repent of empty religion and self-deception.
I surrender my heart, my will, and my life to You.
Let my confession match my conduct, and my faith produce obedience.
Help me to live approved on earth and accepted in eternity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Abiodun Kadri
#LordButRejected
#Matthew721
#ExamineYourFaith
#TrueChristianity
#ObedienceOverReligion
#PrepareForEternity
#NotEveryLord
#HolinessMatters
#CalledButChosen
#HeavenIsReal
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
INTRODUCTION
One of the most frightening statements ever spoken by Jesus is found in Matthew 7.
It reveals a shocking truth: it is possible to call Jesus “Lord” on earth and still be rejected by Him in eternity.
This sermon is not directed at unbelievers alone, but at churchgoers, workers, ministers, and those who outwardly appear spiritual.
Titles, activities, and public confessions do not automatically guarantee eternal acceptance.
What truly matters is relationship, obedience, and transformed living.
1. Calling Him “Lord” Is Not the Same as Knowing Him
Matthew 7:23 – “I never knew you…”
John 17:3 – Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ.
Matthew 15:8 – “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth… but their heart is far from me.”
Many people confess Christ with their lips but deny Him with their lives.
Christianity becomes a language they speak, not a life they live.
Jesus is not impressed by religious vocabulary; He looks for a genuine, personal relationship.
Familiarity with Jesus is not the same as intimacy with Jesus.
2. Religious Works Without Obedience Are Empty.
Matthew 7:21 – “…but he that doeth the will of my Father…”
1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
James 1:22 – Be doers of the word, not hearers only.
Those rejected in eternity listed impressive achievements: prophecy, miracles, and deliverance. Yet Jesus called them workers of iniquity. Why? Their actions were not aligned with God’s will.
God values obedience above activities, and submission above performance.
3. Ministry Success Does Not Equal Eternal Approval
1 Corinthians 13:1–3 – Gifts without love profit nothing.
Romans 11:29 – Gifts are given without repentance.
Matthew 23:27–28 – Outward righteousness, inward corruption.
It is possible to be used by God publicly and still be lost privately.
Spiritual gifts can operate even when character is compromised. God can use a vessel without endorsing the vessel’s lifestyle.
Being used by God is not the same as being approved by God.
4. Hidden Sin Leads to Eternal Rejection
Psalm 66:18 – If I regard iniquity in my heart…
Hebrews 12:14 – Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
Galatians 6:7 – God is not mocked.
The people Jesus rejected practiced lawlessness while professing lordship.
Secret sin, unrepentant lifestyles, and deliberate disobedience will eventually expose a false profession.
A hidden life on earth will be revealed in eternity.
5. A True Lordship Produces a Changed Life
Luke 6:46 – “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
Romans 8:1 – No condemnation to those who walk after the Spirit.
When Jesus is truly Lord, He governs decisions, habits, relationships, and priorities. Salvation is not perfection, but it is direction—a continual submission to Christ.
CONCLUSION
The greatest tragedy is not dying without calling Jesus “Lord,” but calling Him “Lord” and hearing Him say, “I never knew you.”
This message is a call to self-examination, repentance, and authentic faith.
Eternity will not be based on what we claimed, but on who we truly followed.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.
ALTAR CALL / CALL TO RESPONSE
Today, Jesus is asking:
Is He your Lord in truth, not just in name?
Are you doing the will of the Father, not just religious works?
Is your heart aligned with your confession?
Now is the time to repent, surrender, and renew your relationship with Christ.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I repent of empty religion and self-deception.
I surrender my heart, my will, and my life to You.
Let my confession match my conduct, and my faith produce obedience.
Help me to live approved on earth and accepted in eternity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Abiodun Kadri
#LordButRejected
#Matthew721
#ExamineYourFaith
#TrueChristianity
#ObedienceOverReligion
#PrepareForEternity
#NotEveryLord
#HolinessMatters
#CalledButChosen
#HeavenIsReal
Called ‘Lord’ on Earth, But Rejected in Eternity !
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
INTRODUCTION
One of the most frightening statements ever spoken by Jesus is found in Matthew 7.
It reveals a shocking truth: it is possible to call Jesus “Lord” on earth and still be rejected by Him in eternity.
This sermon is not directed at unbelievers alone, but at churchgoers, workers, ministers, and those who outwardly appear spiritual.
Titles, activities, and public confessions do not automatically guarantee eternal acceptance.
What truly matters is relationship, obedience, and transformed living.
1. Calling Him “Lord” Is Not the Same as Knowing Him
Matthew 7:23 – “I never knew you…”
John 17:3 – Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ.
Matthew 15:8 – “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth… but their heart is far from me.”
Many people confess Christ with their lips but deny Him with their lives.
Christianity becomes a language they speak, not a life they live.
Jesus is not impressed by religious vocabulary; He looks for a genuine, personal relationship.
Familiarity with Jesus is not the same as intimacy with Jesus.
2. Religious Works Without Obedience Are Empty.
Matthew 7:21 – “…but he that doeth the will of my Father…”
1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
James 1:22 – Be doers of the word, not hearers only.
Those rejected in eternity listed impressive achievements: prophecy, miracles, and deliverance. Yet Jesus called them workers of iniquity. Why? Their actions were not aligned with God’s will.
God values obedience above activities, and submission above performance.
3. Ministry Success Does Not Equal Eternal Approval
1 Corinthians 13:1–3 – Gifts without love profit nothing.
Romans 11:29 – Gifts are given without repentance.
Matthew 23:27–28 – Outward righteousness, inward corruption.
It is possible to be used by God publicly and still be lost privately.
Spiritual gifts can operate even when character is compromised. God can use a vessel without endorsing the vessel’s lifestyle.
Being used by God is not the same as being approved by God.
4. Hidden Sin Leads to Eternal Rejection
Psalm 66:18 – If I regard iniquity in my heart…
Hebrews 12:14 – Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
Galatians 6:7 – God is not mocked.
The people Jesus rejected practiced lawlessness while professing lordship.
Secret sin, unrepentant lifestyles, and deliberate disobedience will eventually expose a false profession.
A hidden life on earth will be revealed in eternity.
5. A True Lordship Produces a Changed Life
Luke 6:46 – “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.
Romans 8:1 – No condemnation to those who walk after the Spirit.
When Jesus is truly Lord, He governs decisions, habits, relationships, and priorities. Salvation is not perfection, but it is direction—a continual submission to Christ.
CONCLUSION
The greatest tragedy is not dying without calling Jesus “Lord,” but calling Him “Lord” and hearing Him say, “I never knew you.”
This message is a call to self-examination, repentance, and authentic faith.
Eternity will not be based on what we claimed, but on who we truly followed.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith.
ALTAR CALL / CALL TO RESPONSE
Today, Jesus is asking:
Is He your Lord in truth, not just in name?
Are you doing the will of the Father, not just religious works?
Is your heart aligned with your confession?
Now is the time to repent, surrender, and renew your relationship with Christ.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I repent of empty religion and self-deception.
I surrender my heart, my will, and my life to You.
Let my confession match my conduct, and my faith produce obedience.
Help me to live approved on earth and accepted in eternity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Abiodun Kadri
#LordButRejected
#Matthew721
#ExamineYourFaith
#TrueChristianity
#ObedienceOverReligion
#PrepareForEternity
#NotEveryLord
#HolinessMatters
#CalledButChosen
#HeavenIsReal
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