Left Behind

Gospel Light Church

Matthew series #16

July 12th, 2026

Left Behind

Matthew 7:21–29

Several years ago, Gallup discovered that nearly two-thirds of Americans identify as Christians, yet biblical literacy and church attendance continue to decline dramatically.** Even more sobering, Joshua Project estimates that over 3.4 billion people—about 42% of the world’s population—remain in unreached people groups with little or no access to the Gospel.

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 remind us that there are two kinds of lost people:

• Those who have never heard.
• Those who think they know Him—but don’t.

Matthew 7:21-29 is one of the most sobering passages in all of Scripture because Jesus isn’t speaking to atheists…

He’s speaking to religious people.

****Illustration of the Left Behind series****

I. A False Profession (v.21-23)

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” vs. 21

Jesus begins by exposing the difference between confession and conversion.

Notice what these people say.

“Lord, Lord.”

• They have correct theology.
• They use orthodox language.

They even acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Yet Jesus says…

“…I never knew you.”

• This is relationship language.

Salvation has never been about simply knowing facts about Jesus.

• It has always been about Jesus knowing you.

**A “cultural Christian” is someone who calls themselves a Christian just by habit or tradition. An “actual Christian” is someone who truly believes in the faith and follows its rules.

What The Studies Say

• The Practicing Group: Studies by groups like the Barna Group show that out of the 60% of people who say they are Christian, only 24% actually go to church often and make their faith a top priority. [1]
• The Belief Test: Many people attend church but do not agree with the core ideas of Christianity. For example, the Ligonier Ministries State of Theology study showed that 40% of people who claimed to be Christian did not believe that Jesus is the only way to get to heaven

Three Mistaken Foundations

These people trusted in:

1. Their Words

“Lord, Lord…”

Many people believe repeating prayers or using Christian language guarantees heaven.

• But lips can confess what hearts never believe.

Romans 10:10 – For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2. Their Works

“Have we not prophesied…”

Imagine their résumé.

• They preached.
• They cast out demons.
• They performed miracles.

Yet none of those proved they belonged to Christ.

Religious activity is not the same as saving faith.

“Their problem wasn’t their works. Their problem was trusting their works instead of trusting Jesus.” – David Guzik

Many people put their trust in

• church attendance…
• baptism…
• serving…
• giving…
• ministry…

instead of Christ Himself.

3. Their Reputation

These people expected applause from heaven.

Instead they heard rejection.

“Many will wear Christ’s livery who have never received Christ’s grace.” – C.H Spurgeon

• You can look saved…sound saved…serve like you’re saved…and still be lost.

“Jesus is not interested in people who merely admire Him; He is looking for people who will build their lives upon His teaching.” – N.T Wright

• Christianity was never intended to be admiration.

It was always intended to become discipleship.

The greatest danger in church isn’t always open rebellion.

• Sometimes it’s false assurance. A false profession of faith.

Jesus is warning us that there is a faith that looks real…but isn’t.

II. A Genuine Obedience (v.21)

“…but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

• Jesus is not teaching salvation by works.

He’s teaching that genuine faith always produces obedience.

• Works are not the root of salvation. They’re the fruit.

James 2:17 – “This also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

• Obedience doesn’t save us. Obedience reveals us.

“Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God, and he that trusts God obeys God.” – C.H Spurgeon

Notice Jesus does not say:

“He who performs perfectly.”

He says:

“He who does the Father’s will.”

The direction of the heart matters!

True believers:

• stumble…
• repent…
• grow…
• and keep following Jesus.

III. Two Builders (v.24-27)

Now Jesus tells one final illustration.

• Two men.
• Two houses.

One storm.

At first glance…they appear identical.

Both hear the sermon. Both build houses. Both experience storms.

• The only difference…is the foundation.

The Wise Builder

“Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them…” – vs. 24

Notice the order.

• Hear.
• Then obey.

Wisdom is not accumulating biblical information.

Wisdom is applying biblical truth.

“The wise man isn’t made wise merely because he heard Jesus. He became wise because he did what Jesus said.” – David Guzik

Knowledge without obedience produces deception.

The Foolish Builder

The foolish builder heard exactly the same sermon.

Same preacher. Same message. Different response.

• He admired Jesus.
• He listened.

But never obeyed.

He built quickly because sand requires little effort.

• Rock requires digging.

Discipleship always costs more than convenience.

IV. The Coming Storm

Jesus says:

“The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew…” – vs. 25

Storms come to both houses.

• Christianity does not eliminate storms.

The difference is what remains afterward.

Some storms happen now.

• illness
• loss
• disappointment
• suffering

But ultimately Jesus is pointing toward the final judgment.

Everything not built on Christ will collapse.

“The trial of your faith is not whether you profess Christ before men, but whether you stand when the storm comes.” – C.H Spurgeon

V. The Authority of Jesus (v.28-29)

Matthew concludes:

“He taught them as one having authority.”

• The crowds were astonished.
• The scribes quoted rabbis.

Jesus quoted Himself.

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount He repeatedly declared,

“But I say to you…”

• Only God speaks that way.

Jesus is not merely another teacher.

• He is the Judge introduced earlier in this passage.

The One saying,

• “I never knew you,”

He is also the One inviting sinners to build upon Him.

“Jesus was not offering good advice for a better life. He was announcing God’s kingdom and calling people to give Him their allegiance.” – N.T Wright

The question isn’t:

• Did you attend church?
• Did you serve?
• Did you preach?
• Did you sing?
• Did you give?

The question is:

Do you know Christ?

Even more importantly…

Does Christ know you?

The good news is that Jesus does not simply expose false foundations.

He offers Himself as the only true one.

• The Rock is not your morality.
• The Rock is not your church membership.
• The Rock is not your ministry.

The Rock is Jesus Christ.