Sermon: Work Done is equal to Zero without a Genuine Relationship with Jesus
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is truly a blessing to be gathered today to explore a profound and vital truth from God’s Word: work done without a genuine relationship with Jesus is ultimately of no value. Our world often places great emphasis on the things we do—our works, our accomplishments, our service, our abilities. Whether it’s building churches, supporting ministries, sending people to Bible colleges, or excelling in various forms of ministry, these are commendable activities. But I must ask: What is the motivation behind your work? Are you doing it for the Lord out of love and devotion, or simply out of duty or self-interest? It is easy to be distracted by the outward signs of success—large ministries, growing churches, impressive theological knowledge—but the Bible makes it clear that these external accomplishments count for nothing if they are not rooted in a genuine relationship with Jesus. The words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23 serve as a grave reminder to us all: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven... I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” These words are a wake-up call, urging us to examine not just the work we do for God, but the relationship we have with Him. Let’s take a moment to reflect on this truth: It is not what we do for God that matters most—it is our relationship with Him. Today, I want us to explore the importance of this relationship, how it impacts our works, and what it means for us to live a life that is truly pleasing to God.
1. The Unraveling of Morality Without God
To understand the significance of having a relationship with Jesus, we must first look at the consequences of turning away from God. Without a foundation in God’s guidance, the moral fabric of society begins to unravel. We see this happening in our world today. As people turn away from God and His principles, evil and injustice become more prevalent, and the values of truth, love, and justice are increasingly neglected. In the Old Testament, the prophet Hosea gives us a vivid picture of the moral decay that occurs when people forsake their relationship with God. In Hosea 4:1-2, we read: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.” These verses describe a society that has lost its moral compass because it has abandoned the knowledge and fear of God. Without a relationship with the Creator, truth and love give way to deceit and selfishness. The fabric of morality unravels, and the result is a society marked by cruelty, injustice, and destruction. This is a clear warning for us today. When people reject God, they negate the very principles that hold society together. The negative effects of rejecting God’s guidance are far-reaching—crime increases, love diminishes, truth becomes subjective, and justice becomes a distant ideal rather than a lived reality. Negative is negation—when we turn away from God, we are not just moving to a state of indifference or neutrality; we are negating the very principles of truth, justice, and love that are essential to human flourishing.
2. The Futility of Work Without a Relationship with Jesus
Having established the significance of a relationship with God, it’s important to understand the futility of work that is done without this relationship. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus addresses the issue of people who perform religious works but lack a genuine relationship with Him. These individuals did mighty things in Jesus’ name—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles—but Jesus responds, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Jesus is not dismissing their works because they were bad, but because they were disconnected from Him. They performed these actions without a true relationship with the One who gives them power and purpose. In other words, their works were disconnected from the vine, as Jesus explains in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Without Jesus, our work is fruitless. We may do many good things, but if they are not empowered by our relationship with Christ, they ultimately bear no lasting fruit. The fruit that God desires in our lives comes only through abiding in Him. This is not a suggestion—it is a command. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. Moreover, work done without a relationship with Jesus is ultimately negated. It is like building a house on sand. The structure may look impressive, but it lacks the foundation needed to withstand the storms of life. When we base our work on our own strength or motivations, without deep communion with Christ, it will ultimately fail in the light of eternity.
3. The Importance of Intimacy with Jesus
At the heart of everything we do for God is intimacy with Jesus. This is the crux of our Christian life: not just to know about Jesus, but to know Jesus personally. In Matthew 7:23, Jesus says, “I never knew you.” To be clear, this is not a statement of Jesus not knowing their names or knowing about their deeds; rather, it speaks to the lack of personal relationship. To be “known” by Jesus is to have a deep, personal, and intimate relationship with Him. John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing God: “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Eternal life begins not when we die, but the moment we come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is about knowing Him and being known by Him—intimately, personally, and deeply. This intimacy with Jesus is what empowers our work. Without it, all our labor is in vain. But with it, even the smallest task becomes significant in God’s kingdom. Whether it’s preaching a sermon, teaching a Bible study, serving the poor, or loving your neighbour, it is the relationship with Jesus that gives true value to all our work.
4. The Consequences of a Life Without Jesus
Now, let’s turn our attention to the consequences of a life lived without a relationship with Jesus. We’ve already seen that Jesus warns those who do religious works but lack relationship with Him. The consequences are severe: “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” But the consequences are not just in the afterlife; they also affect our lives here and now. Without a relationship with Jesus, we lack the true power and wisdom to live according to God’s will. We become spiritually empty, doing things in our own strength, and ultimately experiencing frustration, burnout, and spiritual emptiness. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), Jesus teaches us the importance of being prepared and having oil in our lamps. The five foolish virgins who did not have enough oil were locked out of the wedding banquet. This parable illustrates the need to be constantly connected to Jesus, the source of spiritual life, and to maintain an intimate relationship with Him. Without this relationship, we risk being shut out of the kingdom of God.
5. A Call to Genuine Relationship with Jesus
So, how should we respond to these truths?
- First and foremost, we are called to examine the quality of our relationship with Jesus. Are we truly abiding in Him, seeking His presence, listening to His voice, and allowing His Word to shape our lives? Or are we simply going through the motions, doing works for God without truly knowing Him? Revelation 3:20 invites us to a deeper relationship with Jesus: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus desires a deep and personal relationship with us. He is knocking on the door of our hearts, waiting for us to invite Him in. Will we open the door and let Him be the center of our lives? Let us remember the words of John 15:4-5, where Jesus tells us: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” Our work, our service, our ministry—it all depends on our relationship with Jesus. If we want our work to be meaningful and fruitful, we must remain deeply connected to Him, drawing our strength, wisdom, and love from His presence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, work done without a genuine relationship with Jesus is ultimately empty and without eternal value. It may look good on the outside, but without intimacy with Christ, it is fruitless and devoid of true meaning. Let us not be deceived into thinking that our works can earn God’s favor or secure our place in His kingdom. What matters most is our relationship with Jesus—our intimacy with Him and our obedience to His will. Let us commit today to cultivating a deeper relationship with Jesus, knowing that out of that relationship will flow all good works, empowered by His love and grace. May we never forget that apart from Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, all things are possible.