Battling Self Deception

2002004

Subject: Sermon on the Mount

Introduction:

A. Been said Mt. 7:21-23 is the most crucial spot in the climax of the Sermon on the mount.

1. Words here are solemn & frightening.

2. Here we have some who believed in right things, do the right things; and say the right things – only to come up short in the end.

B. Note another frightening item:

1. “Many” used in 7:22. Not an odd fellow here or there… it almost seems to be the rule than the exception - that “many” will be lost!

2. This goes along with 7:13-14.

C. From this the truth rings clear – that judgment will be a day of surprises.

1. Will be a day of astonishment…

2. so many assume they will be safe- w/no worries at all.

a) they believed in the Lord; worked good works

b) no doubt in themselves….still come up short

c) This should serve as a warning about our judgments. They often carnal – by physical appearance or personality.

D. Here….Jesus dealing w/a certain form of hypocrisy.

1. We all know about the person who is openly hypocritical. Not too much of problem in that easy to spot.

2. But…what about the “unconscious” hypocrite?

a) he not only misleads others – but himself too!

b) This the person who persuades himself wrongly about himself.

E. Now…can anything be done about it?

1. Don’t want to depress anyone today – have you walk away thinking that salvation impossible.

2. Salvation is possible! It is real! YOU CAN be saved! The mountain is not impassible! But….there are some things we must keep in mind as we go through this life striving to serve God!

I. We need to steer clear of a false doctrine of assurance.

A. Sometimes we can base our assurance on certain passages.

1. Jhn. 3:18; 36; 5:24; Rom. 8:1.

2. Some: Christ has no concern w/how you live your life. Only how you feel.

3. We must guard against trusting only in our faith & the profession of it. Often this boils down to “faith in our faith” and not “faith in God.”

B. We must understand…salvation will not be ours just because:

1. we identify self as a Christian.

2. we think we have found the right church to attend & worship with.

3. we think we teach what is doctrinally right.

4. Paul Earnhart: Much church-going can give false assurance to those who had rather talk about true religion than live it. Preaching sound doctrine doesn’t necessarily make one godly. (Invitation to a Spiritual Revolution, p. 147-48)

II. We must be willing to examine self!

A. Self examination not popular! Result? Some lost!

1. Why? Not pleasant. Can see darkness – creating unhappiness w/self.

2. So….we steer clear.

B. Bible constantly urges self examination.

1. Lam. 3:40; Mt. 7:5; 1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4

C. Self examination is NOT legalism.

1. we have been constantly urged to prove ourselves. We must be motivated to transform ourselves into the person of Christ!

2. 1 Jhn. 1:6; 8-9; 2:3-4

3. If we will examine self- take care of our sin – we can/will be saved!

D. We need to examine our motives!

1. Why am I a member of the Lord’s church?

2. Why do we get involved in the work of the church?

3. Do I do the things I do for personal glory; self satisfaction?

4. If one not constantly probing his heart – he apt to be come deceived or self deluded…

5. Like David we must pray – Psa. 139:23-24.

III. We must not be busy – just to be busy!

A. Stevens: one can become so busy with activities as to neglect soul nourishment.

1. We can get so busy w/church work that we neglect spiritual development.

2. We can get so busy w/life – that we neglect our spiritual responsibilities.

B. Friends, many of us get so busy – we lose the Lord!

C. To be over busy is a high road to self deception.

IV. We must not put up one thing against another.

A. Some tend to for a balance sheet w/their lives.

1. become aware of a problem or deficiency that disturbs us.

2. Then we mentally list some of the good things in life – that offset that.

3. Thus, we feel better about self and never get around to fixing what wrong!

B. 1 Sam. 15 – Saul – Had not carefully obeyed. Here is the warning for us!

1. Thought he would make up for that by making extra sacrifices.

2. Surely this would please Him – allay His anger.

3. THE END NEVER JUSTIFIES THE MEANS.

C. We have to fight against self justification & rationalization.

D. Disobedience can never produce the submissive trusting heart which the Lord longs after.

V. We must accept the Bible for what it says.

A. When it comes to doctrine. We are apt to explain it away if we’re not careful.

B. We often fail to heed plain bible teaching about what it says on priorities.

1. Mt. 6:33; Lk. 14:26-27; 33

2. spiritual life must become top priority. We tend to push it back & elevate career; family; recreation; etc.

C. We must heed plain bible teaching when it comes to our view on divorce.

1. Too many = just a convenient way to end a bad relationship.

2. Jesus says: Mt. 5:32; 19:9

D. Too often we argue w/Scripture – explain it away and deceive ourselves.

VI. We must work to build a relationship w/God.

A. He is the judge. What He things is what counts!

1. 7:23 – depart from me I never knew you.

2. Now. He certainly aware of their existence,…but…

3. “know” here = “taking a spiritual interest in; having a special relationship with…”

B. Ask: Do I really know Jesus? Does He really know me?

Conclusion:

A. What the Lord wants above all is – ourselves.

1. He wants our hearts – the inner man.

2. He wants not just our profession or works;

3. He wants not just our submission; our zeal; our fervor; He wants us!

B. So many can believe; do; say right things – seem to be so effective! Yet they never give themselves to God.

C. He is entitled to the WHOLE of our lives!

1. W/o any limits whatsoever.

2. in little things as well as big things.

D. Only ones who will be received at judgment are ones who make pleasing Him the dominant feature of their entire life!

E. Are you willing to give yourself to the Lord?

F. I N V I T A T I O N



Battling Self Deception 2002004 Subject: Sermon on the Mount Introduction: A. Been said Mt. 7:21-23 is the most crucial spot in the climax of the Sermon on the mount. 1. Words here are solemn & frightening. 2. Here we have some who believed in right things, do the right things; and say the right things – only to come up short in the end. B. Note another frightening item: 1. “Many” used in 7:22. Not an odd fellow here or there… it almost seems to be the rule than the exception - that “many” will be lost! 2. This goes along with 7:13-14. C. From this the truth rings clear – that judgment will be a day of surprises. 1. Will be a day of astonishment… 2. so many assume they will be safe- w/no worries at all. a) they believed in the Lord; worked good works b) no doubt in themselves….still come up short c) This should serve as a warning about our judgments. They often carnal – by physical appearance or personality. D. Here….Jesus dealing w/a certain form of hypocrisy. 1. We all know about the person who is openly hypocritical. Not too much of problem in that easy to spot. 2. But…what about the “unconscious” hypocrite? a) he not only misleads others – but himself too! b) This the person who persuades himself wrongly about himself. E. Now…can anything be done about it? 1. Don’t want to depress anyone today – have you walk away thinking that salvation impossible. 2. Salvation is possible! It is real! YOU CAN be saved! The mountain is not impassible! But….there are some things we must keep in mind as we go through this life striving to serve God! I. We need to steer clear of a false doctrine of assurance. A. Sometimes we can base our assurance on certain passages. 1. Jhn. 3:18; 36; 5:24; Rom. 8:1. 2. Some: Christ has no concern w/how you live your life. Only how you feel. 3. We must guard against trusting only in our faith & the profession of it. Often this boils down to “faith in our faith” and not “faith in God.” B. We must understand…salvation will not be ours just because: 1. we identify self as a Christian. 2. we think we have found the right church to attend & worship with. 3. we think we teach what is doctrinally right. 4. Paul Earnhart: Much church-going can give false assurance to those who had rather talk about true religion than live it. Preaching sound doctrine doesn’t necessarily make one godly. (Invitation to a Spiritual Revolution, p. 147-48) II. We must be willing to examine self! A. Self examination not popular! Result? Some lost! 1. Why? Not pleasant. Can see darkness – creating unhappiness w/self. 2. So….we steer clear. B. Bible constantly urges self examination. 1. Lam. 3:40; Mt. 7:5; 1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4 C. Self examination is NOT legalism. 1. we have been constantly urged to prove ourselves. We must be motivated to transform ourselves into the person of Christ! 2. 1 Jhn. 1:6; 8-9; 2:3-4 3. If we will examine self- take care of our sin – we can/will be saved! D. We need to examine our motives! 1. Why am I a member of the Lord’s church? 2. Why do we get involved in the work of the church? 3. Do I do the things I do for personal glory; self satisfaction? 4. If one not constantly probing his heart – he apt to be come deceived or self deluded… 5. Like David we must pray – Psa. 139:23-24. III. We must not be busy – just to be busy! A. Stevens: one can become so busy with activities as to neglect soul nourishment. 1. We can get so busy w/church work that we neglect spiritual development. 2. We can get so busy w/life – that we neglect our spiritual responsibilities. B. Friends, many of us get so busy – we lose the Lord! C. To be over busy is a high road to self deception. IV. We must not put up one thing against another. A. Some tend to for a balance sheet w/their lives. 1. become aware of a problem or deficiency that disturbs us. 2. Then we mentally list some of the good things in life – that offset that. 3. Thus, we feel better about self and never get around to fixing what wrong! B. 1 Sam. 15 – Saul – Had not carefully obeyed. Here is the warning for us! 1. Thought he would make up for that by making extra sacrifices. 2. Surely this would please Him – allay His anger. 3. THE END NEVER JUSTIFIES THE MEANS. C. We have to fight against self justification & rationalization. D. Disobedience can never produce the submissive trusting heart which the Lord longs after. V. We must accept the Bible for what it says. A. When it comes to doctrine. We are apt to explain it away if we’re not careful. B. We often fail to heed plain bible teaching about what it says on priorities. 1. Mt. 6:33; Lk. 14:26-27; 33 2. spiritual life must become top priority. We tend to push it back & elevate career; family; recreation; etc. C. We must heed plain bible teaching when it comes to our view on divorce. 1. Too many = just a convenient way to end a bad relationship. 2. Jesus says: Mt. 5:32; 19:9 D. Too often we argue w/Scripture – explain it away and deceive ourselves. VI. We must work to build a relationship w/God. A. He is the judge. What He things is what counts! 1. 7:23 – depart from me I never knew you. 2. Now. He certainly aware of their existence,…but… 3. “know” here = “taking a spiritual interest in; having a special relationship with…” B. Ask: Do I really know* Jesus? Does He really know me?* Conclusion: A. What the Lord wants above all is – ourselves. 1. He wants our hearts – the inner man. 2. He wants not just our profession or works; 3. He wants not just our submission; our zeal; our fervor; He wants us! B. So many can believe; do; say right things – seem to be so effective! Yet they never give themselves to God. C. He is entitled to the WHOLE of our lives! 1. W/o any limits whatsoever. 2. in little things as well as big things. D. Only ones who will be received at judgment are ones who make pleasing Him the dominant feature of their entire life! E. Are you willing to give yourself to the Lord? F. I N V I T A T I O N