You Gotta Put in the Work

You Gotta Put in the Work You Gotta Put in the Work Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Obedience; Lord; Discipleship / Luke 6:46-49 The sermon on the plain ends like all sermons - a call to act upon what was spoken of and shared. In fitness you gotta put in the work - without the sweat there is no building fitness. Jesus in the same way says you gotta do what I am saying in order for you to be CrossFit as my disciples. Introduction 1. There are some secrets to getting cross-fit January - this is the time of the year most make the commitment to get fit and in shape. There are more membership purchased now than at any time throughout the year. By February though the gyms are empty and the commitments are forgotten. Reminds me - I joined a gym 6 months ago - I need to call them and find out what the heck is going on. a. Show up day one i. The longest distance ever crossed by one person is the distance from the parking lot to the front door of a gym ii. Some trips taking a matter of seconds while others take weeks and months b. Show up day two i. This is where you build upon that first day - the walk inside could be easier or it could be harder - depending on the soreness - but know this unless you walk in you wont keep building c. The final secret is to keep showing up i. days turn to weeks - soon its months now habits are built and a lifestyle is being built 1. Schedule, wardrobe, meals etc ii. Some days there is a struggle - busy, tired, sore - go anyway and keep building d. Obviously the secret isnt just showing up - you can walk into a gym but without sweat and work - you wont build anything 2. Luke is now recording the conclusion of Jesus sermon on the plain a. Jesus conclusion is concise and pointed to elicit a response i. As would any good preacher - Jesus preached with a purpose in mind and a call to action for those who would be His disciples ii. This is the point of every message or sermon - this is the goal of everyone who preaches God's word b. The call to action is to act upon what they have just heard and obey what they heard i. What I believe Jesus is telling us this morning - is so what - now what are you going to do ii. You know what I am teaching - are you going to do anything? Will you obey? c. Like fitness - CrossFitness requirement is "You Gotta Put in the Work" i. To obey is difficult for sure - thats the work we need to put in › SLIDE Luke 6:46-47 CSB 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say? 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: › SLIDE Luke 6:48-49 CSB 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn't shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great." › SLIDE The Work is Not Optional as Disciples › SLIDE Luke 6:46 CSB 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things I say? 1. This question is specifically directed to those who profess Jesus as Lord a. Lord - kyrios - means master i. A title given to one who has complete authority over you ii. doulos would be the opposite of Master - bondslave - the relationship of a slave and master b. Repeating the title Lord - made it more emphatic - one who is truly calling Him Lord or at least trying to make it sound so 2. Obedience weeds out the real disciples a. It is not enough to profess Jesus Lord - if we do not obey › SLIDE - Malachi 1:6 Christian Standard Bible Chapter 1 6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of me? › SLIDE Matthew 7:21 CSB 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. i. Calling Him Lord does not matter if we do not obey His command 1. In fact it is down right contradictory 2. If He is Lord at all He is Lord of All - including you and your life › SLIDE - Jesus is saying Obedience is not optional - it is foundational - you gotta put in the work b. To obey is work and work is needed you gotta put it in › SLIDE Ephesians 2:8-9 CSB 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift-9 not from works, so that no one can boast. › SLIDE John 3:16 CSB 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. i. Yes we are saved by faith - but saving faith inevitably and necessarily results in a life of holiness and good works › SLIDE Ephesians 2:10 CSB 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. › SLIDE John 14:15 CSB 15 "If you love me, you will keep my commands. 3. To not obey your Lord is contradictory a. The only contradiction in the Bible is from the mouth of Peter › SLIDE "No Lord" b. Casual profession of faith is not enough - a true disciple must be ready to put in the work of obedience. › SLIDE The Work is the Solid Foundation › SLIDE Luke 6:47-48 CSB 47 I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn't shake it, because it was well built. 1. Jesus wants to show what a crossfit disciple is like a. One who hears and acts on the words of Jesus i. Comes to Jesus ii. Hears the words of Jesus iii. Obeys the words of Jesus b. He is like a man building a house i. He digs deep - this entails a lot of work and sweat 1. This builder was not bothered by having to put in the work - it takes work to lay a solid foundation 2. The only way to have a solid foundation is to put it on rock a. This man found solid rock - the solid rock is Jesus › SLIDE Jesus and His words is our rock ii. The house represents his life 1. Just like this man we are all building a house a. You can spend time adding in extras and upgrades and all the things that look brilliant and nice 2. What foundation are we laying down? a. Jesus says this man who hears and obeys - did the work to lay foundation on the rock b. Obedience to Christ is what gives us a solid foundation c. Doing is the way of being - you are what you continually do i. Work derives it character from the being 2. A solid foundation is needed for the floods a. There is strength in a solid foundation and with strength security i. A solid foundation only happens when laid upon the Rock - Christ b. When you build a house you can be sure - no matter where you build it - storms will come and they will test the foundation i. The floods are a picture of the trials and troubles of life 1. Not necessarily a picture of final judgment but that could fit also ii. Floods come to everyone - disasters, tragedies, afflictions iii. The solid foundation means that the house was not shaken 1. Despite a river crashing against it c. The house built upon obedience to Jesus stands i. The house where the man put in the work - stands the tests in life 3. The man who builds a solid foundation for his house is the crossfit disciple of Jesus who puts in the work a. Surrender - discipleship and obedience › SLIDE CrossFit discipleship involves - knowledge, personal response and a life of work › SLIDE Without the Work it All Collapses › SLIDE Luke 6:49 CSB 49 But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great." 1. Jesus shows the man who hears but doesnt obey a. First thing to notice is the other man - came to Jesus , heard and obeyed - this man just hears and doesnt obey - he doesnt even come to Jesus i. This is the man who pays lip service to Jesus and ignores His will b. This man also is building his house - his life i. His house is built on the ground - without a foundation ii. Went up much easier - didnt require any work or sweat 2. The houses may look the same - but the floods reveal the difference a. The floods and storms come to this house the same as the other house - the same as it will to your house. i. Unlike the other house though with the solid rock and firm foundation - this one was built on sinking sand ii. The river again comes and crashes against it - immediately it collapses iii. The house cannot stand without a solid foundation Some of us prop up our house upon loose foundations of sand parents, children, spouses, friends. Others use the foundations of intelligence, self-reliance, good looks, talent or skill. Maybe your foundation is position, financial resources, prestige or popularity and influence. Philosophy, Logic, or sincerity - self-esteem or good works Every single one of these has a fatal flaw - none of it is permanent and can be lost - there is no security in those and the floods will knock your house down › SLIDE Jesus is saying only those who obey Him have a solid foundation - He is the rock - apart from Him its all sinking sand Conclusion Proclaiming Jesus and listening to His words is not enough - discipleship demands the work of obedience! Obedience does not precede grace but it does follow it - You gotta put in the work Doing what Jesus commands is our solid foundation - if we choose to disobey why continue to call Jesus Lord? True obedience involves work. Actions speak louder than words › SLIDE Let us not be afraid to confess our Lord before men; and let us regard "what he says" not only above all, but in opposition to all The wise man - had to work hard - it wasnt easy and it wasnt fast - and his house stood the test The foolish man - didnt need to dig - it was easier work and he was done relatively quickly and his fell immediately -why - because he avoided the work, our way seems easier than Jesus's way - but Jesus is security and safety short-sighted - didnt live with mind to building site in the future - we need to live with the long view in life - live in light of eternity › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 3:10-12 CSB 10 According to God's grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, › SLIDE 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 CSB 13 each one's work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. 14 If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved-but only as through fire. Everyone is building - all builders have a choice of foundations - all foundations will be tried - only one will stand "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand." Will you obey Jesus and begin building your life upon Him in obedience to His word? Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:49 PM January 11, 2020.