The Scariest Verse in the Bible

July 19, 2026
The Scariest Verse in the Bible

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CENTRAL TEXT: Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 139:1-10

LEADER: O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is high; I cannot attain it.
ALL: Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.

PRAYER/SCRIPTURE READING/CONFESSION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed

LEADER: Christian, what do we believe?
ALL: We believe in God the Father Almighty
Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic Church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting. Amen.

BENEDICTION: Jeremiah 9:23-24

LEADER: Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

ALL: Amen!

Related Scriptures:

  • Psalm 139
  • Jeremiah 1:5; 9:23
  • Amos 3:2
  • Matthew 10:29-33; 15:8; 21:28-32
  • Luke 6:46; 10:38-42
  • John 10:14, 27-28; 15:13-16
  • Titus 1:16
  • 1 John 2:3-6; 3:6-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. Jesus warns that not everyone who says, "Lord, Lord," truly knows Him (Matt. 7:21–23). What are some ways a person can appear outwardly religious while still missing a genuine relationship with Christ?
  2. The thief on the cross had nothing to offer Jesus except repentance and faith (see Luke 23:39-43). How does his story help us understand why our hope of salvation rests entirely on Christ rather than on our religious performance?
  3. Knowing Christ is the fruit of His first knowing us (see John 10:14). How does that truth give us assurance while also motivating a life of obedience?
  4. Mary of Bethany is found at Jesus' feet to learn from Him, lament to Him, and love Him. Which of those three moments at Jesus’ feet most resonates with where you are right now, and why? Which one challenges you the most right now, and why?
  5. What is one practical way you can draw near to Christ this week through the ordinary means of grace—His Word, prayer, gathered worship, or the sacraments—trusting that you are seeking the One who first sought you? (Note: we are hosting a special communion service on July 26 to devote more unhurried time in his presence).

Quotes:

"A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about Him." 
- J.I. Packer
“The premise of Christianity is that there is a difference between a morally constrained heart and a supernaturally changed heart.” 
- Tim Keller

“And the central idea was this: the deepest search in life, it seemed to me, the thing that in one way or another was central to all living was man’s search to find a father, not merely the father of his flesh, not merely the lost father of his youth, but the image of a strength and wisdom external to his need and superior to his hunger, to which the belief and power of his own life could be united.” - Thomas Wolfe

“You sum up the whole of New Testament religion if you describe it as the knowledge of God as one’s holy Father. If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.” 
- J.I. Packer

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