Jesus’ parable about the two men building houses on rocks and sand tells us two major truths about life. Number one is that life storms come to both believer and unbeliever. Number two a foundation on the Word of God is what will sustain us in those storms (Mathew 7:24-27).
What is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mountain is not a disjointed series of stories and principles. Each truth builds on the previous one. We are able to get better insight into the two men building houses when we relate it to what he just finished telling us.
He is making it clear that the foundation of our spiritual life is not to be things like miracles, casting out of demons, prophecies or any other supernatural manifestations. Our spiritual life is to be built on obedience to God’s Word alone.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Miraculous Ministry
We come to one of the most frightening words of Jesus. “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in our name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name/ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you…” (Mathew 7:21-23).
I am reminded of yesterday’s discussion of television evangelists. Most of us would think that successfully casting out demons would be proof enough that the evangelist was someone we should listen to. We would most likely agree that giving prophecies that came to pass would be a strong indicator that the person was sent to us by God. And if the person cast out demons, gave accurate prophecies, told us things about ourselves that no one else could know and performed miracles that would certainly be proof that God sent him or her. We would record their sermons, buy their books and put their teaching into practice.
But Jesus said there will be those whose ministry is filled with all of these and they still do not belong to him. Jesus will say to them on judgment “Depart from me I never knew you.” We ask ourselves, “If these powerful men and women cannot enter heaven, how will I ever get in?”
Jesus does not leave us guessing. He tells us plainly, “But he who does the will of my father.” It is he who has been born again and obeys God’s commands enters heaven (John 3:3-8; 14:15’ 1 John 2:3-6).
I am reminded of yesterday’s discussion of television evangelists. Most of us would think that successfully casting out demons would be proof enough that the evangelist was someone we should listen to. We would most likely agree that giving prophecies that came to pass would be a strong indicator that the person was sent to us by God. And if the person cast out demons, gave accurate prophecies, told us things about ourselves that no one else could know and performed miracles that would certainly be proof that God sent him or her. We would record their sermons, buy their books and put their teaching into practice.
But Jesus said there will be those whose ministry is filled with all of these and they still do not belong to him. Jesus will say to them on judgment “Depart from me I never knew you.” We ask ourselves, “If these powerful men and women cannot enter heaven, how will I ever get in?”
Jesus does not leave us guessing. He tells us plainly, “But he who does the will of my father.” It is he who has been born again and obeys God’s commands enters heaven (John 3:3-8; 14:15’ 1 John 2:3-6).
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Say Cheese
The problem with television evangelist is just that. They are on television. There is no way to examine their lives, because we cannot know them. Jesus said to “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Mathew 7:15). They look good. They sound good. But they are like iron pyrite (fool’s gold). They sparkle in the sun. Their words appear to have great value, but are worthless.
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from throne bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.” (Mathew 7:16-20).
We do well to ask, what are the fruits? Is it “good preaching?” Is it abundance of scripture? Is it reasonable presentation? Is it the way they stir our hearts? Is it the way we are moved to action?
We find the answer in Galatians 5:22-24. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is o law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” If we are unable to interact with them how can we know these things about them?
Cameras do not lend themselves to accurate fruit inspection. It is too easy to adjust the lens.
Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from throne bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.” (Mathew 7:16-20).
We do well to ask, what are the fruits? Is it “good preaching?” Is it abundance of scripture? Is it reasonable presentation? Is it the way they stir our hearts? Is it the way we are moved to action?
We find the answer in Galatians 5:22-24. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is o law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” If we are unable to interact with them how can we know these things about them?
Cameras do not lend themselves to accurate fruit inspection. It is too easy to adjust the lens.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Decent Meals
The best of men make honest mistakes. The best mothers make honest errors. But no decent mother or father will give their children gravel for breakfast, black widow spiders for lunch and live rattlesnakes for dinner. Neither will God give us things that harm our spirit (Mathew 7:9-11).
We can always trust God to work eternal good in us and for us.
We can always trust God to work eternal good in us and for us.
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