Title: "Depart From Me, I Never Knew You."

Introduction: The Danger of False Assurance

There is a sobering reality that Jesus warns us about in Matthew 7:21-23—not everyone who claims to know Him will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Many will stand before Him, confident in their religious deeds, only to hear the terrifying words: "Depart from Me, I never knew you."

Imagine a man trying to board an international flight with a counterfeit passport. He is fully convinced that his document is legitimate. He has the right stamps, the correct format, and the proper terminology. But when he reaches the gate, the security officer scans his passport and declares, "This is fake. You cannot enter."

His confidence was misplaced, and his assumption of acceptance was shattered.

How many people will stand before Christ on Judgment Day, thinking they are secure, only to be denied entry? This passage forces us to examine ourselves: Does Christ genuinely know us, or do we only believe He does?

Exposition of Matthew 7:21-23

Verse 21: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."

• The repetition of "Lord, Lord" in Hebrew culture signifies intensity and familiarity. These people thought they had a relationship with Jesus, but their lives did not reflect submission to His will.

• Jesus is drawing a clear distinction between mere verbal confession and genuine obedience.

• Key Greek Word: "Lord" (Kurios)—not just a title but a declaration of ownership. True believers surrender to Christ's Lordship.

  
  

Illustration: A young man signs up for the military. He wears the uniform, salutes the flag, and memorizes the national anthem. But when the battle comes, he refuses to follow orders. Can he indeed be called a soldier? In the same way, many profess Christ but refuse to obey Him.

Verse 22: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'"

• The shocking truth: These individuals had miraculous works but lacked genuine relationships.

• They were involved in ministry—preaching, performing miracles, casting out demons—yet they were never truly His.

• Key Greek Word: "Many" (Polloi)—Jesus is not talking about a handful of deceived people. He warns that a multitude will be in this category.

• Works are not proof of Salvation. Even Judas cast out demons (Luke 9:1-2), but he was never truly saved.

  
  

Illustration: A counterfeit bill may look real, but it has no value when tested. Likewise, outward religious acts without inner transformation are worthless in God's eyes.

Verse 23: "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"

• "I never knew you" – Not "I once knew you, and you fell away," but "We never had a relationship."

• Key Greek Word: "Knew" (Egnōn) – This is the same root word used in Genesis 4:1, where Adam "knew" Eve. It refers to an intimate, relational knowing.

• "You who practice lawlessness" (Anomia) means living in habitual disobedience to God's will. These individuals did religious works but lived in rebellion against Christ.

  
  

Illustration: A married couple lives under the same roof but has no real connection. They go through the motions but have no relationship. Jesus says, "You claimed to be mine, but we were never truly united."

Cross-References & Application

• James 2:19 – "Even the demons believe—and shudder!"

  • Demons know Christ, but no relationship.

• 1 John 2:3-4 – "We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments."

  • Obedience is the evidence of knowing Christ.

• John 10:27 – "My sheep hear My voice... I know them, and they follow Me."

  • True believers are known by Christ and follow Him.

    
    

Common Misconceptions:

• "I said the sinner's prayer, so I'm saved." – A prayer alone does not save; faith that produces repentance and obedience does.

• "I go to church every Sunday." – Attending church does not equal Salvation.

• "I do good things." – Works are evidence of Salvation, not the basis of it (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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Illustration: Imagine showing up at the White House and saying, "I know the President! Let me in." The security officer will ask, "But does the President know you?" The question is not whether we claim to know Jesus but whether He knows us.

The Call to Examine Our Hearts

This is not a message to create fear but to prompt reflection. The goal is not to make true believers doubt their Salvation but to wake up those falsely secure.

Ask yourself:

• Do I truly know Christ, or do I know about Him?

• Does obedience mark my faith, or is it just a religious activity?

• Does my heart long to follow Christ, or am I just going through the motions?

Assurance for True Believers:

• Romans 8:16 – "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

• 1 John 5:13 – "I write these things... so that you may know you have eternal life."

  
  

Closing Appeal

Jesus calls for accurate, surrendered faith. He is not impressed by religious works; he desires relationships and obedience.

Final Thought:

"Jesus doesn’t say, ‘I knew you once, but you backslid.’ He says, ‘I NEVER knew you.’ There was never a relationship. The question today is simple: Do you know Jesus, and more importantly—does He know you?"

Closing Prayer:

"Lord, I don't just want to do things for You—I want to know You truly. If there is any false assurance in me, show me. I surrender my life completely to You. Help me to love, obey, and walk with You. In Jesus' name, Amen."