Luke 6:46-49 (NKJV)
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? [47] Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: [48] He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. [49] But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

· Some people are good at talking the talk, but not everyone really walks the walk!

· Since we have been lied to by politicians, the media, religious leaders, our parents and so on, we have a lack of trust in someone that only talks the talk!

· Anybody can talk big in front of a crowd or a camera…

· Anybody can talk tough when they have an army with them…

· Real heroes don’t just talk the talk…they walk the walk!

· Real Christians don’t just talk the talk…they walk the walk!

· In fact, by its very definition, Christian means that you are one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.

· Belief alone is not enough – you must act upon your words!

· In the movie, “The Patriot,” Gabriel Martin walks into a South Carolina church to recruit men to fight in the militia against the tyranny of the British. Anne Howard says these powerful words in an attempt to help Gabriel and the cause of freedom… “Will you now, when you are needed most, stop only at words? Is that the sort of men you are? I ask only that you act upon the beliefs of which you have so strongly spoken and in which you so strongly believe.”

· There is a spirit of easy believism that threatens the Church today. This spirit would have you believe that it is ok to be a part of the right church and that is good enough. But God’s Word says otherwise…

Matthew 25:1-13 (KJV)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. [3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. [5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. [6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. [7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. [9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. [10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. [11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. [13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

· Virgins = pure and right Church!

· 5 wise = had oil (Holy Ghost) in their lamps…

· 5 foolish = were satisfied with just the lamp (religion)…

· Even though they said, “Lord, Lord” they really didn’t know God and He really didn’t know them!

· Remember, talk is cheap!

· The Lord knows those which are His…

2 Timothy 2:19-23 (NKJV)
…The solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. [21] Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. [22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.

· How do you know if you belong to the Lord?

1) Repent
2) Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
3) Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
4) DEPART FROM INIQUITY and GROW in God!

· It is not enough to partake of the first three elements of salvation – YOU MUST also live your life for God with total commitment!

· 751 times in the NT, the word “Lord” is used and it means, “supreme in authority; controller.”

· In the OT, 334 times the word Lord (translated as ADON) means, “possessor OR owner.”

· You that own a vehicle, let me ask you… Did you ask the vehicle’s permission this morning to be started? Did you ask its permission to put it in gear and press the accelerator?

· NO you didn’t! Why? Because you own and possess it; therefore it is yours to do with as you please!

· Let me interject something right here and right now! Some of us view God through the perspective of a parent that neglected or violated us. Don’t make that mistake!

· The Lord will NOT abuse you – He will not violate you – He will not neglect you!

Hebrews 13:5b (ESV)
…I will never leave you nor forsake you.

· The Will of God…

The will of God will never take you…
Where the grace of God cannot keep you;
Where the arm of God cannot support you;
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs;
Where the power of God cannot empower you!

The Will of God will never take you…
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you;
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you;
Where the army of God cannot protect you;
Where the hand of God cannot mold you!

The Will of God will never take you…
Where the love of God cannot envelope you;
Where the mercy of God cannot sustain you;
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears;
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for u!

The Will of God will never take you…
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears;
Where the Word of God cannot feed you;
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you;
Where the Omnipresence of God cannot find you!

· When Jesus is your LORD, you let Him lead and guide you! Remember this…

Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

· If the Lord orders my steps and is in control, then I have to trust that He knows what is best for me!

· He possesses me…He owns me… Acts 20:28 tells us that He has purchased the Church with His blood…

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NKJV)
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

· I trust in the sovereignty of the Lord! Within the word sovereignty is the five letter word REIGN! He is the Lord of my life – He reigns supreme!

· Talk is cheap. Some people wear the façade – they attend a church, they look the part; they even get involved in church-related activities…but God knows those that are really His!

· Are you willing to allow Him to be the Lord of your life? The old song says, “Jesus, be the Lord of all…” Yet I wonder sometimes if people just sing it without meaning it.

James 1:22-25 (AMP)
But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. [23] For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; [24] For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. [25] But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

· Jesus is not interested in being a statue that you can put on and take off of the bookshelf as you see fit. He is interested in being both Lord and Christ in your life…

· Christ means “the anointed one; the Messiah.” He is the Savior and Redeemer! He not only did His part to redeem you by purchasing your salvation with His blood, but He also wants to be the Lord of your life.

Matthew 7:21-27 (NKJV)
“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. [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?’ [23] And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ [24] Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: [27] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

· Will you choose today to walk the walk as well as talk the talk?