Familiarity Without Submission

Matthew 7:21–23: Familiarity Without Submission

v.21 The Shock
- “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord…’”
- Right words ≠ right relationship

What “Lord” Means

 - Authority
- Allegiance
- Submission

The Core Problem
- Confession without submission
- Lips honor Him, lives resist Him

v.21b The Contrast
-"But he who does the will of my Father”
- Obedience reveals allegiance

v.22 The Resume
- Prophecy
- Power
- Miracles

Real gifts — wrong foundation

Gifts vs. Fruit
- Gifts: what God does through you
- Fruit: what God produces in you
Fruit reveals lordship

Abiding
- “Abide in Me”
- Fruit is produced, not performed

v.23 The Diagnosis
- “I never knew you”
- Lawlessness = independence from God

Takeaways
- Live in daily dependence (Luke 9:23)
- Lead in repentance (James 5:16)

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What do you think Jesus intends His listeners to feel when He says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’…”? How does this challenge common assumptions about faith, belief, or religious activity?

2. In your own words, what does it mean to call Jesus “Lord” beyond simply believing the right things about Him? Where do you feel the tension between acknowledging Jesus as Lord and actually living under His authority?

3. Matthew 7:22 shows people presenting a spiritual résumé to Jesus. What are some modern equivalents of that résumé today, and how can even good things subtly replace intimacy with Christ?

4. The sermon contrasted gifts of the Spirit with fruit of the Spirit.  Which fruit of the Spirit do you sense God is most inviting you to grow in right now, and what might abiding in Christ look like in that area?

5. Jesus calls the people in verse 23 “workers of lawlessness,” even though they were religiously active. What helps you discern the difference between imperfect obedience that flows from relationship and independence disguised as spirituality?

3-DAY DEVOTIONAL

Theme: From Religious Activity to Relational Dependence

DAY 1 — Familiarity Is Not Lordship
Scripture: Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46

Reflection: Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21 are unsettling because they expose a dangerous assumption: that saying the right things about Jesus automatically places us in right relationship with Him. The people Jesus addresses call Him “Lord” with sincerity and familiarity, yet their lives do not reflect His leadership. Calling Jesus “Lord” is not about using the right language—it is about yielding authority. Lordship means Jesus has the final word over our decisions, desires, and direction. The danger is not outright rejection of Jesus, but quiet resistance to His rule.

Ask Yourself:  Where in my life am I comfortable calling Jesus “Lord” but hesitant to follow His lead?

Prayer:  Jesus, search my heart. Reveal where familiarity has replaced surrender. Teach me to live under Your authority, not just speak about it. Amen.

DAY 2 — Gifts Without Fruit

Scripture: Matthew 7:22; John 15:4–5; Galatians 5:22–23

Reflection:  In Matthew 7:22, Jesus does not question whether impressive spiritual acts occurred—He exposes the absence of relational fruit. Spiritual gifts are powerful, but they are not proof of intimacy with Christ. Gifts show what God can do through a person; fruit reveals what God is doing within a person. Jesus does not call us to try harder, but to abide deeper. Fruit grows naturally when we remain connected to Him. When abiding is neglected, activity may continue, but transformation stalls.

Ask Yourself:  Is my confidence before God rooted more in what I do for Him or in who I am becoming in Him?

Prayer:  Lord, draw me back to abiding. I don’t want activity without intimacy or usefulness without transformation. Produce Your fruit in me. Amen.

DAY 3 — Known by Christ

Scripture: Matthew 7:23; Luke 9:23; James 5:16

Reflection:  Jesus’ words “I never knew you” reveal that the core issue is not imperfect obedience, but independent spirituality. The people in this passage worked for Jesus without walking with Him. They used His name but did not live under His authority. A relational faith is marked by daily dependence and ongoing repentance. Dependence acknowledges our need for Christ every day. Repentance keeps our hearts soft, honest, and responsive to Him. These practices guard us from drifting into moral, self-driven religion.

Ask Yourself:  What would it look like today to declare my dependence on Christ and practice repentance as a rhythm, not a reaction?

Prayer:  Jesus, I want to be known by You. Teach me to walk with You daily—dependent, humble, and repentant. Keep my faith relational and alive. Amen.