“Everyone then who hears these words of mine, and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against the house, and it fell and great was the fall of it. “
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teachings .....’
Matthew 7: 24-28
This week we find ourselves at the conclusion of Jesus’s sermon. We find in our portion of scripture today our need to not simply hear his word but to do what he has said. This is our assurance during times of rain, floods, and winds of adversity that will beat on our house. I don’t know if this is just one storm of life or various kinds of storms, but either way the provision for remaining firm through any and all is the hearing of his word and the obedience of walking it out.
Jesus has finished realigning hearts and priorities for the individual who will choose the way He has laid out. Having now heard the words of Jesus, the people will surely be given opportunity to obey them.
We would be remiss not to encourage you to read Luke’s rendering in chapter 6:46-49 where he begins with Jesus’ question ~
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
I heard a man preaching the other day who made the comment that the difficulty with most Church adults today was the fact that they were adults in every sense of the word, proud, self reliant, skeptical, and the majority of the time not like children at all. Yet Jesus said we must become like children to enter His Kingdom. This child is humble, trusting and obedient.
Let us never confuse the reality of what Lordship truly is. Jesus said you call me ‘teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, For so I am. John 13:13 Whether, he is our Lord and master can only be revealed in our obedience to him.
From Jesus, the parable of the soil, the sowing of the word, we learn the word sown on the hard ground is snatched immediately away by Satan. We understand that the soil conditions are representations of heart conditions. Ephesians chapter 4 verse 18 reminds us a darkened understanding brings separation from the life of God. Ignorance is simply due to the hardening of hearts. Hard hearts are the fruit of long term disobedience.
Hebrews 3:15 reminds us “today if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts...”
Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount telling us. It is the foolish man who hears the word and does not obey. This man is destined for ruin. Obedience becomes the bedrock to our lives, foundational to all we build.
The Bible has so many words that reveal to us God the Father, Jesus the word made flesh and the Holy Spirit - everything poured out for our well-being and equipping.
It begins right here with a heart that desires to please him with a hearing ear and the willing yes.
... But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.....”
John 14:15