Description

The Danger of Self-Deception

Matthew 7:21-23

Introduction

• Romans 6:1-2

• 2 Timothy 3:5

Who are the two groups of people?

1. Seemingly Righteous.

• Matthew 7:21-23

• Genesis 4:1

• Jeremiah 1:5

• John 10:14

• Quote: “I never saw you come as a beggar to my door. I never saw you sit as a disciple at my feet. I never saw you as a humble follower treading in my footsteps. I never saw you as a sheep that knew my voice, and followed me. ‘I never knew you.’ You were a stranger to me; you and I never exchanged a word with one another. We were not friends. You never leaned your head on my bosom. You had nothing to do with me, and now I have nothing to do with you.” - Charles Spurgeon

2. Truly Righteous.

• Matthew 7:21

Marks of a True Believer.

1. They will produce good fruit.

• Matthew 7:17-19

• Luke 6:45

• Galatians 5:22

2. Fruitfulness increases and demonstrates true salvation.

• 2 Peter 1:3-10

3. If your fruit is increasing, you are looking more and more like Jesus.

• Romans 8:29

4. Will confess his/her sin to God and quit habitual, unrepentant sin.

• 1 John 1:8-9

• Matthew 3:8

• 1 John 3:6-10

5. Obedient to God's Word.

• John 8:31

• Hebrews 5:9

• Titus 2:11-12

• Luke 6:46

• Ephesians 2:8-9

• Ephesians 2:10

Application

2 Corinthians 13:5 "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?"

Self-Examing Questions

What is the basis of my salvation? Is it on Christ alone, through grace and faith alone?

Do I regularly confess my sins when I commit them?

Do I plead with God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to quit habitual sin? Or am I indifferent to my sin?

Am I obedient to God's Word?

Am I producing good works that is flowing from a sincere salvation of me knowing Jesus and Jesus knowing me?