Introducing Jesus - Choosing a Foundation
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Hearing vs. Listening
Hearing vs. Listening
You are driving a bus. Six people get on, two people get off, then 10 people get on and five people get off, then eight people get on and four more people get off. What color were the bus driver’s eyes?
How many of each animal did Moses take on the ark? (MOSES)
The Choices We Face
The Choices We Face
1) The Right Gate
1) The Right Gate
(Explain gates to a city- possible illustrations/photos) - SHOW SLIDE
Wide gate (Disney image)
Easy
For those governed by self-interest
What are my motivations? What are my requests? What do I need to “feel better?”
Jesus in Mark 10, asks the young, wealthy man, who values his own wealth above following God- “Why do you call Me good? Only God is good.”
Those following false teachings -”all paths lead to Heaven,” “Follow your heart”
The wide gate is easy to access and travel through - “desirable” - so most will take it
“Religion,” self, false teaching, etc.
Narrow gate (rock image)
This is where Christ leads, one person at a time
Which looks more ”fun?”
Which brings temporary “happiness” vs “joy”?
2) Proper Judgment
2) Proper Judgment
Atheists and God-haters know Matthew 7:1 by heart (some so-called Christians do, too)
False teaching, false gospel
How we judge (and we should) shows our walk with Christ
We first judge SELF, then others, righteously
Jesus will judge, make decision about each of you, based on trusting Him
Jesus will judge the Christian life you live, according to His word
Think He’ll judge properly? Genesis 18:25
“Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
We will be judged by Scripture, the WORD - Jesus - John 12:48
“He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
JESUS MAKES A BOLD “JUDGY” STATEMENT in Matt 7:21
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Pick a gate, and be welcomed or dismissed - CHOOSE
Welcome (narrow)- worth the cost of following - “blessed are those persecuted in My name”
Dismissed (wide) - “your best life now”- Jesus says “Depart from Me, I never knew you!” (v. 23)
Jesus continues to speak to the three groups
Followers, Pretenders, Still deciding
Eternity is a long time - choose well, NOW
3) Wisdom
3) Wisdom
Our huge choice
12 minutes - Christ laid out an “eternity-minded” focus
He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
Wisdom is built on foundation of truth, knowledge
Two Possible Foundations
1 - World - man’s wisdom, see 1 Cor 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Since Adam and Eve, this has become the foundation of choice
People think they know better than God
Man’s wisdom constantly changes, “evolves,” faulty
Man’s wisdom is foolish
Looks to the world for solutions in time of crisis
Looks to the world for pleasure (happy, play)
Looks to the world for systems of security, comfort
2 - God’s Word- THE Word
Never changes, never re-built or re-configured, 100% trustworthy
Jesus asks - “Have you tried building on it” - There’s nothing like building on a firm foundation
God’s Word is Wise, it IS Wisdom
We need to see HIS Wisdom, not ours
God’s assurance is our blessing - “Blessed are....”- this will allow us to find joy in God, not this world
God’s Word provides ultimate security
Jesus pleads with us - “will you stand on this foundation and declare I WILL NOT MOVE FROM HERE! Will you do that?
Radical, CRAZY, foolish - RIGHT!
CLOSE
vv 24-27- Everyone hears His Word - then makes a choice
Salvation- two kinds of people, lost and saved
To live for Him
To change, correcting when necessary, as pointed out by His Word
Jesus would say that people who trust in Jesus, but who do not live for Him are not really His, “Depart from Me”
v.28 - Jesus’ teaching leaves people amazed!
He does not want admiration and respect
He demands FEAR, OBEDIENCE - Then WISDOM will follow
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
I trust you’ve been properly introduced to Jesus now - maybe re-introduced
What will you do?
Focus on basics (Word, Prayer, Church)
How will you choose a foundation for your life?
Will you stand with me?
Or will you be moved by culture
‘cause I’m not moving from this ROCK
How ‘bout you?