Fruit of Strength
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
The difference between House and Home.
Denotation vs Connotation
House vs Home
The power of the concept of Home.
Not the same idea for the audience of Jesus.
So we can combine that emotion, connotation, with the word House.
But, for them that word also can combine something else.
See Psalm 27:1-6.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.
Jesus offers stability in life and in eternity.
But it depends upon what you build your life upon.
Be a Wise Builder
Be a Wise Builder
vv. 24-25
Our first house in the OM. Foundation issues.
Not a new concept, for those building houses.
Your foundation matters.
What are you building your house, your life, upon?
The importance of living according to this sermon.
Summary: Internal & External Authenticity and Motivation.
We have heard the words of Jesus, now what?
A wise builder who builds his house (life and faith) on THE Rock.
Jesus had these specific teachings in mind.
The teachings of Jesus are unique.
Jesus recognizes that storms come.
For some, storms are eschatological. For others, storms are hardships and sufferings.
Jesus is likely not choosing one or the other.
Here is the call to put into practice, not merely believe.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
The description of the storm - and despite the thoroughness of the storm, the house stands.
Why? Because it had been built upon the rock of Jesus’s teachings.
Avoid Foolish Building
Avoid Foolish Building
vv. 26-27
Jesus recognizes that not everyone is going to accept what he’s teaching.
Some are going to show they’ve rejected it because they aren’t going to do it.
Again, the authenticity of what is on the inside and the outside.
The foolish builder just builds, he doesn’t take the time to consider the foundation.
The word for foolish is where we get our word “moron.”
Don’t be a moron.
The rejection of wisdom.
Storms hit everyone.
Storms don’t care. So we have to prepare.
The foolish builder faces the storm and is destroyed.
Nearly word for word the same storm. One slight difference and it is of no consequence.
But to look at the results, with the emphasis on the greatness of the fall.
Building on the wrong foundation leads to destruction of life and faith.
It’s why people walk away from both. Disillusioned because they’ve built themselves on a shifting foundation.
Jesus warns us to follow His teachings.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The people had to respond.
They recognized that His words had authority.
Jesus is such that you can’t walk away unchanged.
Either rejecting or accepting who He is and what He says.
For many in His audience, they saw that authority, the Rock of His teaching.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
One of two responses.
Two gates and roads.
Two trees and fruits.
Two builders and foundations.
You must choose.
Choice is made by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior or rejecting Him.
