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Ministry Leadership Begins with Knowing Jesus, Not Proving Ourselves

Matthew 7:21–23 is one of Jesus’ most searching warnings for pastors, ministry leaders, and every Christian who serves in His name. Jesus describes people who use the right language, claim meaningful spiritual activity, and point to visible accomplishments—yet hear the devastating words, “I never knew you.”

The issue is not that ministry, spiritual gifts, obedience, or service are unimportant. Jesus is not dismissing faithful work. He is exposing the danger of building our confidence on what we have done for Him while neglecting life with Him. As this message in the Kingdom Wisdom sermon series emphasizes, religious activity can never replace genuine relationship with Jesus.

For leaders, this is a needed word. It is possible to preach, organize, counsel, lead worship, pray for people, build programs, and carry substantial responsibility while slowly losing the habit of simply being with Christ. The call of Matthew 7 is not to abandon ministry, but to recover its proper source: abiding in Jesus.

What Does Matthew 7:21–23 Warn Ministry Leaders About?

Jesus says:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

He continues by describing those who appeal to prophecy, deliverance, and miracles done in His name. Their defense is not indifference or obvious irreligion. They claim significant spiritual activity. Yet Jesus’ final assessment is not that they lacked results, influence, giftedness, or public success. He says, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).

This passage must be read in the flow of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 7 has presented consequential contrasts: two gates, two roads, two destinations, and two kinds of fruit. Jesus now goes deeper. A person may look religious on the surface, speak the vocabulary of faith, and participate in remarkable activity while still missing the life found in relationship with Him.

That warning should create humility, not anxiety-driven performance. Jesus is not describing sincere believers who struggle, fail, repent, and keep returning to Him. He is warning against claiming His name while living apart from His authority. The question is not whether a believer has ever stumbled. The question is whether we are learning to live under the reign of Jesus rather than using religious accomplishment to establish ourselves.

Why Saying “Lord” Is Not the Same as Living Under Jesus’ Lordship

Calling Jesus “Lord” matters. Confession is not insignificant. But Jesus teaches that the language of faith is not the same thing as knowing the Lord of our faith. People can know when to say “Amen,” sing worship songs, quote Bible verses, and give familiar answers without growing in communion with Christ.

For those in ministry, this distinction is especially important because we regularly use the language of faith publicly. We speak about God, explain Scripture, lead prayer, and invite others to trust Jesus. Those are holy responsibilities. But ministry language can become so familiar that leaders forget to bring their own hearts honestly before the Lord.

Calling Jesus Lord gains its meaning as we learn to live with Jesus as Lord. That kind of relationship includes listening, responding, repenting, trusting, and yielding our lives to Him. It is not merely correct theology stated from a platform; it is a life increasingly shaped by the character and authority of Christ.

Can Impressive Ministry Activity Exist Without Spiritual Intimacy?

Jesus’ answer is sobering: yes. The people in Matthew 7 point to spiritually impressive works. Yet visible activity is not automatically evidence of spiritual intimacy. This does not mean we should become suspicious of every gift, ministry, or testimony. It means we should not confuse gifts with maturity, outcomes with abiding, or public usefulness with private surrender.

The sermon makes an important distinction: the power is in the name of Jesus, not in human accomplishment. The name of Jesus is above every name, and there is power in His name. Leaders therefore have no reason to boast as though spiritual fruit originated with us. We are recipients and servants of grace.

Paul makes a related point in 1 Corinthians 13:1–3. Eloquence, prophetic insight, faith, generosity, and sacrifice can amount to nothing without love. The Christian life is not ultimately measured by how impressive we appear. It is about Christ’s life being formed in us.

This is a vital leadership diagnostic. We may be busy doing things we believe Jesus wants done, while neglecting what the preacher called “the glorious opportunity to just be with Jesus.” Relationships require time and attention. It can feel easier to ask for a list of rules, tasks, or measurable outcomes. But rule-following cannot replace the relationship for which we were created.

Leaders seeking encouragement in the daily work of shepherding others may also benefit from the pastoral resources at Church Encourager. Healthy encouragement does not flatter performance; it helps people return to the presence and grace of Jesus.

What Is the Father’s Will in Matthew 7?

When Jesus says that only those who do the Father’s will enter the kingdom of heaven, many readers immediately feel pressure to do more, work harder, or become more religious. But the wider teaching of Jesus directs us first toward receiving and trusting the Son.

In John 6:40, Jesus says, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.” The Father’s will begins with looking to Jesus, believing in Him, receiving His life, and learning to live under His loving reign.

This does not make obedience optional. It puts obedience in its proper order. Obedience is the expression of relationship, not an attempt to earn one. Ministry leaders need this order continually restored because leadership environments can make work feel like proof of worthiness. But our standing does not rest in our output. We serve from relationship with Christ, not for the right to have one.

John 15:4–5 gives the central image: Jesus is the vine, and His people are the branches. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Kingdom life is not something we independently produce and then present to Jesus. We receive His life, remain in Him, and see His life bear fruit through us.

How Can Leaders Measure Faithfulness Without Becoming Performance-Driven?

Church leaders need wise ways to evaluate ministry. Attendance, generosity, volunteer engagement, and organizational health can provide useful information. But none of these measurements can answer the deepest question: Are we abiding in Christ?

The better questions are relational and formative. Are we spending time with Jesus, or are we only busy on His behalf? Are we measuring our spiritual lives primarily by activity or by relationship? Is our life increasingly reflecting Jesus’ character in love, patience, humility, grace, and trust?

These questions do not eliminate practical leadership responsibilities. They ensure that practical responsibilities remain connected to the life of God. For church teams looking to think carefully about sustainable, Christ-centered ministry practices, Church Consultant provides a helpful context for leadership development shaped by the life of the local church.

Jesus describes eternal life relationally in John 17:3: knowing “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Eternal life is not merely knowing about God or accomplishing things in His name. It is knowing Him.

Life Is Received, Not Achieved

Matthew 7 presents two different approaches to Jesus. One says, “Lord, look at everything I have done for you.” The other says, “Lord, apart from you, I can do nothing.” One tries to establish standing through religious accomplishment. The other receives life through relationship with Christ.

The sermon captures this contrast in a concise phrase: “Life is received not achieved.” That is not a call to passivity. It is an invitation to stop trying to create spiritual life independently. We are invited to receive the life of God, abide in Christ, and then do the next right thing He places before us.

For leaders, this may require a simple but serious return to practices that make room for relationship: talking with Jesus, listening for Him, reading Scripture, bringing our motives into the light, receiving prayer, and allowing Him to reshape the hidden parts of our lives. The goal is not to perform spirituality more effectively. The goal is to know Jesus and live from His life.

A simple prayer for this week is: “Jesus, I don’t just want to do things or good things. I want to know you and live from your life.”

That prayer leads us back to the center. Jesus has done everything necessary to make relationship with God possible through the cross and resurrection. He invites us to say yes, follow Him, remain in Him, and bear fruit that comes from His life rather than our striving.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Some of the most important ministry in a church happens without a microphone, a title, or a place on the schedule.

It happens when someone notices a person sitting alone. When a friend makes a phone call after a difficult week. When someone quietly prays with another believer. When a person takes time to listen rather than rushing past.

Encouragement is one of the simplest and most accessible ways Christians can participate in ministry.

Ministry Begins With Noticing

People can be surrounded by others and still feel unseen.

Some are carrying grief. Others are discouraged, exhausted, uncertain, or simply trying to find their place.

We cannot know everyone’s circumstances, but we can become more attentive.

Jesus repeatedly noticed people others overlooked.

That attentiveness is a valuable starting point for Christian service.

What Can We Learn From Barnabas?

Acts introduces Barnabas as a man associated with encouragement.

When other believers were suspicious of Saul, Barnabas helped them understand what God had done in his life (Acts 9:26–27).

Later, in Antioch, Barnabas recognized God’s grace at work and encouraged believers to remain faithful to the Lord (Acts 11:22–24).

Barnabas did not simply offer positive words. He recognized potential, strengthened relationships, and helped people move forward.

Listening Can Be a Ministry

Many of us listen while preparing our response.

But genuine listening requires attention.

Instead of immediately offering advice, ask how someone is doing and give them room to answer.

Sometimes the most encouraging words are simply, “Tell me more.”

James 1:19 reminds believers to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

Encouragement Does Not Require Fixing Everything

One reason people hesitate to offer encouragement is that they feel unqualified to solve another person’s problems.

But encouragement is not the same as solving.

We can listen, pray, offer practical assistance, and help someone identify an appropriate next step.

Some situations require experienced pastoral care or professional assistance. Recognizing those limits is part of caring wisely.

Simple Opportunities Are Everywhere

A church can cultivate encouragement through ordinary participation.

Someone can greet people in the section where they regularly sit. Another person can quietly pray during a worship service. Others can offer to help when a practical need arises.

These opportunities do not always require creating a new ministry department.

They require people who are willing to be available.

Encouragement Helps People Discover Their Gifts

Sometimes another person recognizes our gifts before we recognize them ourselves.

A thoughtful word such as “You have a wonderful ability to make people feel welcome” may help someone see an opportunity to serve.

The Encourager Pathways provide tools for exploring personal growth, gifts, calling, and meaningful service.

These tools can help people move from a general desire to help toward a more intentional understanding of how they might contribute.

How Can Church Leaders Develop a Culture of Encouragement?

Begin by modeling it.

Recognize faithful service that happens quietly. Thank people specifically. Give volunteers permission to serve in simple, sustainable ways.

Help people understand that ministry is not limited to formal leadership positions.

First Thessalonians 5:11 calls believers to encourage and build one another up.

That instruction belongs to the whole church.

The Next Faithful Step

Who might need encouragement this week?

Perhaps a volunteer who has served faithfully. A parent navigating a difficult season. A person who has recently begun attending church. Someone recovering from disappointment.

You may not need a program or an assignment.

You may simply need to notice and respond.

Church leaders seeking support in developing healthier patterns of care and participation can explore Church Encourager or request a conversation.

For additional preparation in Scripture and ministry, Online Bible Institute offers structured learning resources.

Encouragement may be quiet, but its influence can reach far beyond the moment in which it is given.