Let’s Rock

Focus Statement

Building our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings requires us to not only hear His words,

but to actively live them out with passion and commitment.

Point of Relation

Sisters and Brothers, before we dive into the heart of today's message,

I want to share a bit about one of my greatest passions: rock music.

I've been a life-long fan of rock, and my absolute favorite band is Bon Jovi.

Their music, with its themes of resilience and moving forward despite life's challenges, really resonates with me.

But my love for music doesn't stop there.

I also enjoy The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, and Elvis.

My musical tastes are quite eclectic, ranging from rock and heavy metal to classical and even opera.

While country music isn't my go-to genre,

I do have a soft spot for legends like Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks.

Now, rock music isn't just something you listen to passively.

It's a style of music that demands participation.

You can't just sit still when a great rock song comes on.

You have to move, you have to sing or scream at the top of your lungs.

It's a genre that requires you to engage with it fully.

You have to rock out to it!

This is very much like the teachings of Jesus.

His words aren't meant to be passively heard;

they require action.

Just as you can't help but move to a great rock song,

you can't help but be moved to action by Jesus' teachings.

They call us to live out our faith actively,

not just to listen but to do.

And here's the beautiful connection:

while I and many others love rock music, Jesus Christ is the rock! Amen?

He is the solid foundation upon which we build our lives.

Just as rock music energizes and moves us,

Jesus' teachings inspire us to live out our faith with passion and commitment.

Things to Consider

Sisters and brothers,

your foundation matters!

Consider the importance of having a strong foundation in life.

Just like a house needs a solid base to withstand storms,

our lives need to be grounded in something unshakeable.

Jesus provides that solid rock.

Also, reflect on the difference between merely hearing Jesus' words and acting on them.

As we shall see, Jesus emphasizes that it's not enough to just listen;

we need to put His teachings into practice.

Our faith should be evident in our actions.

Finally, think about resilience and perseverance.

Just as Bon Jovi's music speaks to overcoming life's challenges with realistic optimism,

Jesus' teachings encourage us to build our lives

on a foundation that can withstand any storm.

Through Christ, our faith gives us the strength to face life's difficulties.

What Scripture Says

In our main passage for today in Matthew 7:24-29 we are looking at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount.

This passage is the grand finale of Jesus' teachings in chapters 5 through 7.

Jesus uses a powerful image here—

two builders,

two foundations,

and two very different outcomes.

This was a common way to teach wisdom in Jewish culture,

and it still speaks volumes to us today.

So, let us look at what this Jesus is getting at this morning:

In verse 24, we read ”Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them,

may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock."

Jesus starts with "Therefore,"

connecting this teaching to everything he has said in the Sermon on the Mount.

It's like He's saying, "Now that you've heard all this, here's what you need to do."

He talks about hearing and acting on his words.

Friends, It's not enough to just listen;

we need to put his teachings into practice.

This echoes the Jewish tradition where wisdom is shown through action,

much like in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

We read in verse 25: "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."

Jesus describes a storm—rain, floods, and winds.

These represent the trials and challenges we all face in life.

But the house built on the rock stands firm.

This rock-solid foundation is a life grounded in obedience to Jesus' teachings.

Jesus then goes on in verse 26:

"Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand."

Here, the wise builder is contrasted with a foolish one.

The foolish builder hears Jesus' words but doesn't act on them.

In Jewish wisdom literature,

being foolish often means failing morally and spiritually,

like in Proverbs 10:8, where the wise sage writes:

“The wise of heart will heed commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”

Jesus then continues in Verse 27:

"The rain fell, and the floods came,

and the winds blew and slammed against that house;

and it fell—and great was its fall."

The same storm hits,

but this time the house falls with a great crash.

This shows the serious consequences of ignoring Jesus' teachings.

It's a vivid warning for us all.

Finally in verses 28-29 we read:

"When Jesus had finished these words,

the crowds were amazed at His teaching;

for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."

The crowds are amazed because Jesus teaches with authority.

Unlike the scribes who relied on tradition,

Jesus speaks with divine authority.

This is a key point in Matthew's Gospel, highlighting Jesus' unique role.

At this point,

it needs to be said that everything we have read in today’s passage,

not to mention all of the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount preceding it,

underscores Jesus' authority.

His teachings are not just good advice;

they are divine commands that we must follow.

What’s more, the storm imagery that Jesus employs can also be seen as a picture of the final judgment.

One day, the true foundation of our lives will be revealed.

Jesus calls us to be true disciples, not just listeners.

Our faith should be evident in our actions, reflecting our trust in Him.

Finally, it is important to stress that Jesus’ teachings stand in continuity with the Hebrew Scriptures.

We see this in Deuteronomy 32:1-4:

In the Song of Moses, God is described as the Rock,

emphasizing God’s faithfulness and justice.

This obviously ties in beautifully with Jesus' teaching about building on the rock,

showing the consistency of God's word throughout Scripture.

Also, in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4:

Paul talks about the rock that provided for the Israelites, which he identifies as Christ.

This reinforces the fact that Christ is our true foundation,

providing spiritual stability and salvation.

What This Means for You

Sisters and Brothers, as we reflect on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24-29,

let's consider what this means for each of us personally.

Jesus calls us to not only hear His words but to act on them.

This means building our lives on the solid foundation of Christ’s teachings.

In practical terms, this could mean:

Daily Devotion:

Making time each day to read and meditate on Scripture.

as well as Obedience in Action:

Putting Jesus' teachings into practice through

acts of kindness,

forgiveness,

and standing up for what is right.

Such disciplines lead to Resilience in Faith:

As you trust in Christ's strength

and remain steadfast in your faith during life's storms.

What This Means for Us

As your new pastor, I am excited to join this wonderful community of believers.

I have already noticed that you are doers of the Word,

actively engaging in community service,

fellowship,

small groups,

and church events.

This is truly inspiring.

Looking ahead, there will be new opportunities for us to step up and act together.

Let's continue to build on this strong foundation

and be ready to embrace these opportunities with the same enthusiasm and commitment.

Together, we can serve Christ and make a difference. Let's Rock! Amen? Amen.

Sermon written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.