Making Wise Choices: The Right Foundation

Matthew 7:24 NIV

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24 NIV

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Hear the Words of Jesus

Practice True Obedience

Build on a Solid Foundation

1. Hear the Words of Jesus (Matthew 5)

Kingdom citizens are blessed, happy, fortunate, privileged. Why? It sure looks like I’m poor, hungry, thirsty, in mourning, and persecuted! While the ungodly seem to get ahead I’m the merciful one, the pure one, and the peacemaker. (In 1st C those weren’t the highest virtues).

the promise is that we inherit the kingdom of heaven and the earth, the comfort of God, mercy from God and others. We will see God and be known as his children. We will be renowned like the prophets who went before us. And once, again, there is a heavenly kingdom that is ours.

The way down is the way up. Jesus brings an unusual message to very simple people in a challenging environment.

As people look at us, they will see the light of our Father and we will season and preserve the world around us.

The Law Fulfilled

Jesus fulfilled the Law, but in a very unusual manner.

Rather than calling us to a Law that we cannot attain, he shows us how to fulfill the Law by avoiding the centripetal force that draws everything in.

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6 arenas of conflict

2. Practice True Obedience (Matthew 6:1-18)

Three religious practices:

Giving to the poor

Prayer on all occasions

Fasting

James 1:22–27 NIV

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

3. Build on a Solid Foundation (Matthew 6:19-7:29)

Is your Kingdom here on Earth or is it in Heaven?

Build wealth in heaven

Matthew 6:20–21 NIV

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Build Confidence that God will provide

Matthew 6:25 NIV

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Matthew 6:33 NIV

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Build Relationships on Grace not Judgment

Matthew 7:1–2 NIV

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Build a Life of Expectant Prayer

A Call to make wise choices

Gate?

Voice (prophet)?

discipleship?

builders?

Conclusion:

Listen to the Words of Jesus

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Practice True Obedience

Reread Matt 5-7.

Highlight the Verbs

Select on to Practice

Set small goals and try some new steps

Build on a Solid Foundation

Whose kingdom are you building?