August 6, 2017

Sermon on the Mount

Wise and Foolish Builders
Matthew 7:24-29

This week we’re continuing our series on "The Sermon on the Mount."

A really incredible thing about the Sermon on the Mount is that Jesus didn't save his heavy hitting and culture shifting commands for a private setting, and he didn’t just save it for people whose hearts he had already won over…

Actually, The Sermon on the Mount wasn't even planned, when Jesus was surrounded by people who needed to hear the truth of who He was, He gathered them together on a hill and he shared the truth with them:

• loud and proud
• out in the open
• with nothing to hide

And that’s what we’re doing in this series… We’re meeting outside, in the open, unashamed of the truth of who God is - wanting desperately to soak up everything we can about who that man is: A God who isn't ashamed of the truth, who has nothing to hide, and who just wants to draw his people back to him.

Matthew 7:24-29
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

This section starts out with the word, "Therefore", which means that this section is not a stand alone section, it is a continuation of what is before it.  The 4 sections prior to this are comparing 2 opposing things: Narrow and Wide Gates, True and False Prophets, True and False Disciples, Wise and Foolish Builders.

Jesus is putting us face-to-face with the reality of what we should be expecting.  These are real pitfalls that we need to watch out for and the good side of these options are real choices that we need to make and execute.  Ultimately, are you going to base your life on God, or are you going to base it on temporary things?

So what is your choice? Are you going to hear these things and do them - like a wise man who built his house on the rock, or are you going to be a cultural Christian - like a foolish man who built his house on sand?

Jesus is literally saying, do you want to keep on living the way you are and have everything you hold near and dear on sand that WILL destroy everything? Or, do you want to trust in me, build your life on the solidness of who I am, and have something that will last and will sustain you?

Beatitudes:
Are we going to accept God’s definition of what it means to be blessed
or Are we going to be satisfied with the world’s goals?

Salt and Light:
Are we going to show Jesus in our everyday lives
or Are we going to treat Christianity like its an accessory?

Fulfillment of the Law:
Are we going to live in the freedom that Jesus gives us
or Are we going to get bogged down with legalism?

Murder:
Are we going to control our thoughts
or Are we going to give in to our anger?

Adultery:
Are we going to trust in God’s gifts and his timing
or Are we going to lust after what we don’t have?

Oaths:
Are we going to be known for our commitment and followthrough
or Are we going to respond flippantly to life?

Eye for an Eye:
Are we going to be willing to be taken advantage of for the sake of the Gospel
or Are we going to look our for ourselves first?

Love for Enemies:
Are we going to tear down walls between us and lost people
or Are we going to put walls up between us?

Giving to the Needy:
Are we going to be selfless and sacrificial
or Are we going to be stingy or prideful?

Prayer:
Are we going to make God the focus of our prayers
or Are we going to give him a wish list?

Fasting:
Are we going to take hearing God seriously to sacrifice for him
or Are we going to treat fasting like its a thing of the past?

Treasures in Heaven:
Are we going to focus on the Kingdom in everything we do
or Are we going to focus on our wealth and pride?

Do Not Worry:
Are we going to trust God
or Are we going to give into anxiety?

Judging Others:
Are we going to look to God to heal our issues
or Are we going to point out the issues in others?

Ask, Seek, Knock:
Are we going to be bold in asking God to do big things
or Are we going to question God and give into fear?

The Narrow and Wide Gates:
Are we going to stick it out and keep living like Jesus
or Are we going to choose the easy way out?

True and False Prophets:
Are we going to listen to and teach what is Biblical
or Are we going to accept a watered-down Gospel?

True and False Disciples:
Are we going to walk in deep relationship with Jesus
or Are we going to be content just knowing about Him?

The Wise and Foolish Builders:
Are we going to build our lives on Rock
or Are we going to build our lives on Sand?

Ultimately, are you going to let Jesus make the rules, and decide to follow them, or are you going to try and do it yourself?

Communication Card
I will build my life on God’s truth, not my perception.
I will let God make the rules in my life.
I will walk through the Sermon on the Mount again and make a plan for living like Jesus calls me to live.