As we come to the end of Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, we find ourselves back to the place where this series began – with a few challenging questions: If you don’t know the sayings of Jesus, how can you hear them? If you cannot hear them, how can you do them? If you do not do them, what will be the state of your house?
The desire of our heart has been to give you a reference point for the hearing. I think we have done that. The rest is up to you and the Lord. I hope and pray you will receive the faith and grace He offers – that your house will stand in the storms of this life as a beacon of refuge, encouragement, and wisdom for those who have not been so blessed.
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: 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. 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: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. Matthew 7:24-27
Here, at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws a contract between two men and their houses. To appreciate the contrast, we must first understand the common denominators:
- Both men hear the sayings of Jesus;
- Both men build houses; and
- Both men are subjected to a storm.
Both men had ears to hear and they knew that building a house was important. Both men had to face the storm. The storm is for everyone.
Now for the contrast:
- One man does the sayings of Jesus, and his house stands against the storm.
- One man does not do the sayings of Jesus, and his house falls… in a great way.
The correlation is clear: Do the sayings of Jesus and your house will stand; do not do them and it will fall. Make of this what you will, but it must mean something. That something will be of paramount importance during this decade of storms.
As for me, I am convinced that both men in this passage represent the lost and the redeemed, and I am strongly suggesting a truth which may be hard to receive:
There are redeemed, church-going people building their houses on sand. These unwary and unwarned people will experience the fall of their houses during the storms of this decade. If we looked closely, we would discover the devastation has already begun.
How is this possible? The answer is found in two important questions – questions we better begin asking ourselves and those we love:
Am I hearing the sayings of Jesus AND DOING THEM?
Do I even know what the sayings of Jesus are?
Truly, our only options at this point are to ignore the warning, or go back and prayerfully consider the sayings of Jesus presented in this study. We have posted the list (with links) here – that you might know them and be encouraged and helped in doing them. One more thing: Search these out with your spheres of influence. It will provide a great discipling exercise.
The Building Plan for a House that Stands
While I have your attention, let me share a few passages that should bring this home to root in your heart, and encourage your pursuit of a sturdy house.
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. John 14:21
“He who has My commandments and keeps them” is equivalent to “He who hears these sayings of mine, and does them”. This is the one who loves his Lord, and is loved in return by his Lord and the Father. Furthermore, he/she is the one to whom the Lord will manifest Himself.
This manifestation of the Lord is more important than we might imagine.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18
If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper… John 14:15-16
To stand in the storms of this decade, we need to be transformed. It is only in beholding the Lord that this is possible. Our beholding requires Him manifesting Himself to us. Furthermore, our transformer – the Holy Spirit – comes to dwell in us in response to our love and obedience to Jesus’ commandments.
Finally, our transformation is for a purpose; His purpose.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
Our transformation prepares us to prove the good, acceptable and perfect will of God – in the storm and in its aftermath. He is working in us – as we obey and work out our salvation – to will and do to His good pleasure. What is that pleasure? Jesus said it this way:
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
What’s good for the Father is good for us; and it all begins with “and does them”. I hope and pray that you are as encouraged as I have become: That God is preparing us for the coming of His Son. Let us so live our lives as to hasten the day of His return (2 Peter 3:11-13).
In closing, let me encourage you to recognize there are many who are either blinded to the signs, or have determined to ignore the warnings. This should not surprise or discourage us. It is important that we continue warning everyone in our spheres of influence; as well as those whom God puts in our path. Some will “get it” in time to save their houses; others, in the storm’s aftermath. In either case, they will know where to turn when the storm hits.
God bless you with grace and courage for the great opportunities the storms of this decade will provide for His kingdom and glory.
Humbly yours and forever His,
Rob
#iamjustthepen