Often as pastors we focus on evangelism and many times when we speak of evangelism we speak of those that are primarily outside the walls of our church. We will often challenge our people to share the gospel with those they work with, their neighbors, etc. However, what about those that are inside our church? What of those that perhaps have even been coming to church since they were children and perhaps have taught Sunday School or even bean a deacon or etc in our church. Is it possible that our churches have lost people in them? Is it possible that we even have people in positions of leadership that are lost?
This became very real to me in college. I attended a revival and a friend and I began to talk to a Sunday School teacher at this revival. During our conversation it became quickly apparent to both of us that this teacher did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ yet they were teaching Sunday School in the church. We took time to share the gospel with them and I wish I could say they accepted Christ right there but I do not know what happened. Later in life it became more and more apparent as I had opportunities to speak in different venues, I began to notice a trend of people coming to Christ who had grown up in the church. One particular time while speaking at a Youth Camp I gave a call for people to come forward and accept Christ and several of the adult leaders came forward. I do not think any of this is related to me or that it is because I am some sort of powerful speaker, in fact I am sure the opposite is true. I do however, think it is because we often make the assumption that those within the church are already saved and sometimes we fail to share the gospel or we fail to be passionate about it within our church.
Let me share some words of Jesus
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23
When I read those words often I weep. I do not weep necessarily for those outside of the walls of the church but I weep for those inside. I weep because when I read them there is one thing that stands out to me. Those that are portrayed in this passage of scripture truly think they are saved. The really believe that they have the right to be in heaven and yet they will be cast out. How many sunday school teachers, deacons, and even pastors will this include?
Think about it break the verses down. In verse 21 we clearly see that profession alone will not get someone into heaven. We can profess all we want. I can profess to be a big mac that does not make me one. My son at times has professed to be a Sasquatch does that make him one? No! Neither does a profession that Jesus Christ is Lord get you an automatic ticket into heaven. Your profession can be as sincere as you want it will not get you a pass. Why? Because profession does not equate to possession. In addition a profession is self centered and we can never stand before a Holy God and proclaim anything great about ourself.
Look at verse 22. The Plea of the person who has merely a profession is “works”. These people are trusting in their works to get to them to heaven. They have gone through their life and maybe even one day said the “sinners prayer” but they are not trusting in Christ they are trusting in what they have done to get them to heaven. They have done many great things seemingly for the kingdom of God, yet they are not allowed into heaven. I can hear the cries ”Lord haven’t we taught in your name, and preached in your name, and seen people converted in your name, look at what we have done in your name.” However, it is all meaningless. How many in our churches today will be proclaiming these very things, how many think they are saved but are simply trusting in all they have done. How many give money, have been baptized, are teachers, etc. but in the end have never placed their faith in Christ.
Look at verse 23. Very plainly Jesus says I never knew you. These have never trusted in Christ as their savior however they still think they are saved. Yet, Jesus has to proclaim “I never knew you”. In addition what they have done is simply evil. They have performed great works ultimately for self, and not for Christ. This should cause us to weep. How many have done good in the eyes of men but will be cast out on this day? Weep for those in the church. Don’t become apathetic, don’t settle for calling the people for commitment to those outside the walls of the church but preach the gospel with passion, as one who is on fire, as one who is preaching their last dying sermon, and know that there maybe those within your church, those that teach, that lead that have done many great things but are lost as they can be. Perhaps we need to reach those inside our walls before we can reach those outside the walls.
Welcome to part 6 the final part of Who are you to judge?  Remember we are talking about  Matthew 7:1-6.  Today we want to look at the fact that this critical judgmental person is not worthy of the gospel.
 In Matthew 7:6 we read “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”  Christ is very simply stating to us that we should not be foolish and jeopardize ourselves.  When we know that a person is not going to receive us or the instruction of the gospel, we are not to approach them.  To make it simple there are some criticizers ad some people that are so full of criticism that we just should not go to them.  These people will only abuse the glorious message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This language that Christ used was very strong. Â There are unbelievers that are so wicked and so nasty that they can be compared to dogs and pigs. Â I have known some of these very people. Â These people are said to be unworthy of the gospel. Â Well who are these people.
- The widely known sinner
- Those that ridicule and are filled with disrespect
- Those that are filled with rage.
- Those that are openly wicked and stand against God.
- Those that are hardened themselves and are filled with judgment and criticism.
- Those that hate and despise
- Those that persecute.
If the question is can they be saved? Â The answer is absolutely. Â for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (Romans 10:13)
Anyone that call on the Lord will be saved. Â However, there is a hard reality that must be faced: there are people that have reached such a high level of evil they are very unlikely to turn from their wickedness and to call upon the Lord. Â These people seek to take their words andÂ
wound others, they ridicule, they trample, the tear apart, they scorn, they attack, they are filled with rage, they defy.
These same people take there minds and their hand and their power and they
trample others, they strike other people, they tear others down. the persecute others, they beat them, kill, and even torture them.
Now I am not saying that everyone commits all of these sins, but hey we all know that many people are guilty of some of them.  These sins destroy the reputation and work of a person.  Here is the real tragedy, there are so many so called believers that are caught up in this criticism and judgments of others.  Believer are all to often the very ones that are guilty of taking their word and hands to damage the reputation and work of others.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers,disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1-4)
Well that’s it. Â If you have read this series I hope maybe something has helped you. Â