Our Sure Foundation

Introduction:

One thing that makes Christianity different from other religions is focusing on an inward relationship with God over religious acts for God. When Jesus came on the scene, he was the new Prophet on the block. His proclamation from God cut directly to the heart and motives of why a person does something and not just the acts themselves. When you love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, your actions will reflect your nature of love toward others.

Jesus ends his proclamation with a stern warning to the people and prophets of his day and those that would follow after.

Sheep’s Clothing vs. Ravenous Wolves

Matthew 7:15 ESV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Sheep’s Clothing

All the Characteristics of the Beatitudes:

Humble

Pitiful

Meek

Righteous

Merciful

Pure in Heart

Peacemakers

Persecuted for righteousness

Ravenous Wolves

Jesus described ravenous wolves in chapters 6 and 7.

Prideful

Arrogant

Faithless

Hypocritical

Judgemental

Heartless

Aggressors

Persecutors

Jesus gives a more detailed description of these ravenous wolves in Matthew 23.

Matthew 23:25–27 ESV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.

My biggest fear is people are looking at the church today. Instead of sheep ready to give our lives for the cause of Christ, they see hypocritical wolves prepared to overcome and devour. So, what do we need to do to change our community’s view to see Christ in us and not wolves in sheep’s clothing?

Bear Good Fruit.

“Bearing good fruit is not something you decide but a product of who you are.”

A wolf, no matter how much he covers up with sheep skill is still a wolf.

Matthew 7:16–20 ESV

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Good fruit only comes from a healthy tree.

A healthy tree begins with the source of its nutrients.

The soil from which the tree draws must be good for the tree to be good.

When your heart is right with God, you will produce the fruit of the Spirit and righteousness.

Jesus used this same analogy of himself and his followers in John 15.

John 15:1–4 ESV

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

John 15:7–8 ESV

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Be Known by Jesus.

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Good works are not substitute for a true relationship with God.

Many people believe that if the check on the spiritual boxes God is appeased.

This is a pagan idea that has crept into Christianity assuming the gods are agree with you and must be appeased.

God was appeased through the death of Jesus, His Son, providing a pathway to His Heart.

Vulnerability is the key to knowing and being known.

It’s easier to do good deeds than get real with God.

Vulnerability breeds vulnerablity. When you open your heart and draw close to God, He opens His heart and draws close to you.

James 4:8 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Build on the Rock.

Every structure of any size requires a firm foundation. When builders build a house, they first pour a solid foundation of concrete. When engineers build skyscrapers, they dig down to the bedrock to ensure a solid foundation.

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Word of God is our sure foundation.

2 Peter 1:19 ESV

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,

The Word of Christ is our sure foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 ESV

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:28–29 ESV

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Next Steps

Be grafted into the true vine, which is Christ.

He is the source of your strength and fruit.

Abide in Christ, and you will bear much fruit. Without him, you can do nothing.

Draw close to God through your vulnerability with God.

Doing good works never makes you closer to God.

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20, NKJV)

Build your life on the sure foundation of Christ through His words.