Optional Failure
Red Letter Series • Sermon • Submitted
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· 14 viewsOne building is going to fall and the other will stand. What is the one thing that is different between the two? Material, time, location, appearance, foundation?
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“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.”
And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
To our guests today. We are so happy to have you at Branches Church. It is our desire that your experience is a positive one. At the end of my sermon it is our church family practice that we join at the front for prayer. Giving the Lord an opportunity to speak to us, speak to our need, to let the Holy Spirit minister as only it can. We invite you to join us. If you prefer to stay where you have been seated that is ok too. We are just happy that you have joined us today.
The next six weeks I am going to be preaching a series on the teachings of Jesus Christ that we have titled Red Letters. If we are going to call ourselves Christian then we should be doing what Christ taught.
In the 2004 Athens Olympics there was a sharpshooter named Matthew Emmons. Matthew Emmons was far and away the best shooter in the world. Some said he is the best shooter that’s ever lived. That year the question was not who is going to win the gold, but who would take the silver and the bronze. Everyone knew Matt Emmons was going to take home the gold.
Today I am preaching “optional failure”. There are really only two options when it comes to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Doing or not doing. Failure is optional.
Rifle shooters are trained to fire between heartbeats. They try to slow their heartbeat down as much as possible and fire in between those beats per minute. Medals are literally won by millimeters. Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place by a mile and all he needed to do to win the gold was hit the target, which for many of us in this room wouldn’t be a problem, for the greatest shooter in the world, piece of cake! It’s a sport where top competitors are expected to be so accurate that we have a hard time believing they could actually miss.
With one bullet left to shoot, Matt Emmons needed a score of 7.2 to win his second gold medal of the Olympic Games. On his first nine shots in the finals, Emmons’ lowest score was a 9.3. He took careful aim, fired, and sure enough, bull’s eye for the American. He did it. Except for one small fact. He actually shot at the wrong target, one lane over, which is known as a crossfire, and got a score of 0. This was his reaction:In the 2004 Athens Olympics there was a sharpshooter named Matthew Emmons. Matthew Emmons was far and away the best shooter in the world. Some said he is the best shooter that’s ever lived. That year the question was not who is going to win the gold, but who would take the silver and the bronze. Everyone knew Matt Emmons was going to take home the gold.
Rifle shooters are trained to fire between heartbeats. They try to slow their heartbeat down as much as possible and fire in between those beats per minute. Medals are literally won by millimeters. Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place by a mile and all he needed to do to win the gold was hit the target, which for many of us in this room wouldn’t be a problem, for the greatest shooter in the world, piece of cake! It’s a sport where top competitors are expected to be so accurate that we have a hard time believing they could actually miss.
With one bullet left to shoot, Matt Emmons needed a score of 7.2 to win his second gold medal of the Olympic Games. On his first nine shots in the finals, Emmons’ lowest score was a 9.3. He took careful aim, fired, and sure enough, bull’s eye for the American. He did it. Except for one small fact. He actually shot at the wrong target, one lane over, which is known as a crossfire, and got a score of 0. This was his reaction:
Afterwards in a press conference, he said he felt great going into his last shot. He said he was more concerned with calming himself down rather than looking at his target. The last time he had cross-fired he said was 6 or 7 years ago. He went from 1st to 8th and didn’t even get a medal.
We can have the best intentions in the world. But if we are succeeding at things that don’t matter we are aiming and building wrong.
Being
Forgiving
Serving
Giving
Going
There are things that are not always what they appear to be. Fools gold, costume jewelry, the next great investment opportunity.
True for people too.
The world has too many false Christians, nominal Christians, convenient Christians, Sunday only Christians. They are not what they would like to appear to be.
It is easy to get used to things that are not what they appear to be. Fools gold, costume jewelry, the next great investment opportunity.
Have you ever been shocked to hear that a certain couple was having serious marital difficulties?
Or someone you thought was financially secure out of nowhere declares bankruptcy.
On occasion I have seen, as you have, someone who seemed to be a person of great character. Their life is one of influence and credibility. But to my dismay, what seemed like a life of great dimension begins to crumble. They were not what they had appeared to be those many years.
When we see it happen we begin to look for some valid reason, a scape goat, someone or something to blame all of it on.
The person they were married to.
Mid-life crisis
How they were raised by their parents.
All kinds of reasons for the collapse.
Jesus recognized our tendency to fault someone or something else with our collapses. So He taught us some very specific “how to’s” designed to show us how to deal with life.
This sermon might seem like an odd place for me to start. But it is important that we understand the intent of the things Jesus teaches. It is also essential that we make this very personal.
Jesus teaching is very specific and it is very relevant.
In the 2004 Athens Olympics there was a sharpshooter named Matthew Emmons. Matthew Emmons was far and away the best shooter in the world. Some said he is the best shooter that’s ever lived. That year the question was not who is going to win the gold, but who would take the silver and the bronze. Everyone knew Matt Emmons was going to take home the gold.
Rifle shooters are trained to fire between heartbeats. They try to slow their heartbeat down as much as possible and fire in between those beats per minute. Medals are literally won by millimeters. Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place by a mile and all he needed to do to win the gold was hit the target, which for many of us in this room wouldn’t be a problem, for the greatest shooter in the world, piece of cake! It’s a sport where top competitors are expected to be so accurate that we have a hard time believing they could actually miss.
With one bullet left to shoot, Matt Emmons needed a score of 7.2 to win his second gold medal of the Olympic Games. On his first nine shots in the finals, Emmons’ lowest score was a 9.3. He took careful aim, fired, and sure enough, bull’s eye for the American. He did it. Except for one small fact. He actually shot at the wrong target, one lane over, which is known as a crossfire, and got a score of 0.
Rifle shooters are trained to fire between heartbeats. They try to slow their heartbeat down as much as possible and fire in between those beats per minute. Medals are literally won by millimeters. Going into his final shot, Emmons was in first place by a mile and all he needed to do to win the gold was hit the target, which for many of us in this room wouldn’t be a problem, for the greatest shooter in the world, piece of cake! It’s a sport where top competitors are expected to be so accurate that we have a hard time believing they could actually miss.
With one bullet left to shoot, Matt Emmons needed a score of 7.2 to win his second gold medal of the Olympic Games. On his first nine shots in the finals, Emmons’ lowest score was a 9.3. He took careful aim, fired, and sure enough, bull’s eye for the American. He did it. Except for one small fact. He actually shot at the wrong target, one lane over, which is known as a crossfire, and got a score of 0. This was his reaction:
Afterwards in a press conference, he said he felt great going into his last shot. He said he was more concerned with calming himself down rather than looking at his target. The last time he had cross-fired he said was 6 or 7 years ago. He went from 1st to 8th and didn’t even get a medal.
We can have the best intentions in the world. But if we are succeeding at things that don’t matter we are aiming and building wrong.
This is exactly the story Jesus gives us in .
“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:
Therefore: Jesus has just spent some period of time discussing many facets of life. Everything from money to morals and marriage. Matthew has recorded the sermon over three chapters taking a total of 115 verses to bring us to Jesus summation of His sermon on the mount. Therefore - Jesus is about to give a final point of sobering dimension.
Notice the two components Jesus points out - hears and does.
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.
The word floods means “current”, in essence the “current of life”.
“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:
Matthew 7:26
Hearing is not accompanied by doing. There is no change in attitude or action.
He is a hearer - says amen. Might think I need to deal with that. Maybe even goes up to Jesus and says “that was an incredible sermon, but he does not do them.
still says unkind things about a brother
she still puts herself in the place to be tempted to sexual sin
doesn’t keep his word
doesn’t do good
doesn’t love an enemy, doesn’t give, pray or fast.
Earth is still more important that heaven.
The person I described is the person Jesus is talking about. Will be like a foolish “moros - stupid”.
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 7:27
great - “megas - a mega fall”
Not only did the house fall, there is an additional “and”. And great was its fall.
“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.”
And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
There are two constants and one variable in this parable.
Constants
House
storm
Variable
Building site - rock or sand.
Each of us is busy building a house. Here are two men and they are building a house. Each has the same desire, building in the same area, subject to exactly the same conditions.
Jesus is not comparing a believer with an unbeliever. This has been preached wrong. What is common to both builders is that they “hear these sayings of mine”.
Both go to church
Both make it to prayer meeting
Both hear the sermon
Both may be involved serving
Professing Christians often look just like possessing Christians.
But there is a difference. You cannot easily tell which is which. Both appear to be building Christian lives.
One has dug deep to find the bedrock. The other cut the cost by building on the sandy surface.
In the area where Jesus is teaching the ground was covered by deep sand. Beneath the sand was a strata of rock. Jesus is not thinking of people interested in beach front property. He was thinking of the place where he stood. Sand on top, the rock down below.
The foundation is hidden from view. Both build and make progress. House is looking nice. But one lacks the foundational strength. It is unstable.
Some of the unstable things people build too much on.
Some people lean too much on Christian Friends. One lady emailed her friend: “When you were here I did just fine, but when you had gone I seemed to go all to pieces.” Unstable foundation.
Some look to prevailing fashion of the moment.
Whatever teaching seems to be popular. We are inundated with “I think” teaching and have lost the “Word says”.
Weak Christians. Without back bone to stand up against the wind.
Chameleon Christians taking on the color of whichever leaf they are on… and whatever season they happen to be part of.
Tradition - Some lean on tradition or heritage but have no true worship, no prayer, no praise. They aren’t Christian in lifestyle. Support things that work against Christ in the world.
Only a storm will reveal the truth.
Storms are inevitable. God does not coddle his saints. We go through the same storms as every other person. It is not God’s plan to excuse any of us from the rough experiences of life. The storm comes whether we build wisely or foolishly.
Both houses are going to be tested.
The only distinct difference is in the foundation.
Altar Music
The greatest lie of the enemy has been to trick as many Christians as possible to thinking that “I am a believer” is enough for what God intends to do in our lives.
It is not enough to say I believe! Jesus said if you believe what I say, you will build according to what I have said.
Everywhere in scripture belief is tied to action. Belief is a verb. Belief requires something of you.
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
Luke 6:
But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
Luke 11:28
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
What does that mean for you and I? We have to get this right! We have to hear and do what Jesus teaches!
Protect your marriage as your most important human asset.
Protect your morals, make no space for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.
Quit murdering the people around you with your tongue.
Get over the worlds stinking attitude of “what’s in it for me?” We can be so selfish.
The greatest lie of the enemy has been to trick as many Christians as possible to thinking that “I am a believer” is enough.
Walk the narrow path. Get out and away from the places where Christians don’t belong. When the Spirit tries to lead you by giving you a gut check - listen and follow.
It is not enough to say I believe! Jesus said if you believe what I say, you will build according to what I have said.
Quit listening to and validating the doctrines that are not scriptural. Be careful what you support!
If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
John is saying that if you give to someone who is professing a false doctrine you are as guilty of the evil as they are. Be careful what you give to support!
Give - tithe and offering… Take on one of the missionary Branches supports. Give with a right spirit.
He spent most of His time talking about these 5 principles:
Dig into the Word, read it and obey it.
There is a storm brewing. It will hit the life that you are building at some point in the future.
Financial storm
Spouse has an affair and seeks forgiveness
What if a teenage daughter tells you she is pregnant? Hurry up, keep it private, have an abortion no one will know, tragedy averted… or so it is thought. The storm tested the foundation.
Sudden loss of a family member. Storm
Sometimes it comes thru temptation.
Sometimes it comes thru loss.
At times it comes thru suffering that disturbs the peace and joy of a life and home.
At times the storm is persecution. We live in an atmosphere hostile to Christian belief. Face ridicule, opposition, suffering for the Lord.
What you have built will only stand if the foundation has been built upon the rock. If not it shall fall, it will be a great fall. The small trees are crushed when a giant oak falls.
Jesus spent most of His time talking about these 5 principles:
Being: Jesus talked about the importance of knowing Him. Being with Him. Before he invites us to do things for Him, through Him, in His name, he invites us into a relationship. Our relationship with Him determines how effective we are, how strong we are, how anointed we are.
2) Forgiving: Jesus is all about grace. Many of us struggle with receiving God’s forgiveness, forgiving ourselves, or forgiving others. To truly represent Jesus in this world, we have to understand God’s grace in our lives and extend that grace to others.
Forgiving: Jesus is all about grace. Many of us struggle with receiving God’s forgiveness, forgiving ourselves, or forgiving others. To truly represent Jesus in this world, we have to understand God’s grace in our lives and extend that grace to others.
3) Serving: After spending time being with Him, and receiving His forgiveness, now we are so motivated. After all that He’s done for me, I want to serve Him.
Serving: After spending time being with Him, and receiving His forgiveness, now we are so motivated. After all that He’s done for me, I want to serve Him.
Giving: Jesus talked about the Kingdom of heaven more than anything else. A close second was money. I’ve found through the words of Jesus it’s impossible to be a stingy Christian. Jesus followers are generous.
4) Giving: Jesus talked about the Kingdom of heaven more than anything else. A close second was money. I’ve found through the words of Jesus it’s impossible to be a stingy Christian. Jesus followers are generous.
Going: It’s no coincidence that many of Jesus’ last words in each of the Gospels and even the last command He says in the book of Acts centers on the fact that we are to be His hands and feet. We are to be His mouth piece proclaiming the promises He has for all people. We are to witness that Jesus died for our sins and that He has promised his Spirit, baptism of the Holy Spirit, for all people!
5) Going: It’s no coincidence that many of Jesus’ last words in each of the Gospels and even the last command He says in the book of Acts centers on the fact that we are to be His hands and feet. We are to be His mouth piece proclaiming the promises He has for all people. We are to witness that Jesus died for our sins and that He has promised his Spirit, baptism of the Holy Spirit, for all people!
Wrap up
Today I am calling us to survey our foundation. Are we building, having dug down until we found the rock? This series is going to test us. I know there are some areas where I need growth. You may already know some areas that you need to grow in.
Repentance - two times Jesus said “unless you repent you will all likewise perish”.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Have you been baptised in Jesus name?
Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues?
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:5
If not - every one of these acts of faith Jesus Christ has called us to do.