Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by highlighting the importance of not only hearing God’s message but also putting it into action.
“Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
“The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock.
“And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
“The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” (Matthew 7.24-27).
As we meditate on these familiar words, let’s ask ourselves what it means to hear Jesus’ words and to act on them. Is simply understanding the teachings enough, or is there something more required?
One of my friends once said to me, “We are educated beyond our obedience.” That describes my life and the lives of many in our society. It is not what we know, but what we do that is most important.
Some of the most important themes of Jesus’s teaching are included in Matthew 5-7.
A quick scan of the Sermon on the Mount reveals who God sees as blessed. It deals with topics such as anger, lust, and greed, teaches us how to pray, and provides the best prayer we could ever have. Additionally, it calls on us not to judge others but to look at the log in our own eyes, and so on.
I’ve studied this sermon for so many years that I almost have its content memorized. The question is not whether I know what is on the pages of my Bible, but rather how they are being lived out in my life.
If all I know are the principles of the Sermon on the Mount, but I am not doing what Jesus teaches, He warns me that I’m building my life on the sand.
In a time of crisis, just knowing the principles will not help me because they have not been fully integrated into my life.
Storms of Life
A few years ago, I came across a story about two pastors imprisoned in a Chinese communist work camp. Despite facing the same harsh conditions, their experiences were quite different.
One pastor thrived in this adversity, becoming a powerful witness for his faith. The other, unfortunately, succumbed to the pressure and complied with the communist demands.
Their contrasting responses mirrored the parable of the wise and foolish builders; one built their life on a firm foundation, the other on shifting sand.
This story made me think about my faith. How would I react under the storm of persecution?
How can we prepare ourselves to weather the storms of life?
LeBron James is one of America’s most recognized basketball players. He is gifted with a tremendous body and natural basketball instincts.
However, his effectiveness is not solely due to his gifting and effort. He is an incredible talent because he works extremely hard, doing numerous small things that pay off in a big way.
Similarly, if we are going to succeed in times of trouble and the storms of life, it will be because we have been obedient to God in many small things. By building up a reservoir of obedience, we become more capable of following the Savior in hard and difficult times.
The Question of Authority
When the Sermon on the Mount was finished, the crowd recognized Jesus’ authority.
Now when Jesus had finished saying these words, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as their scribes (Matthew 7.28-29).
The issue of authority is central to the Gospel of Matthew. It will come up again and again. Authority answers the question, “Who is in control here?” If Jesus is in authority, He is the one who is in control here.
After the cross and the resurrection, note what the Bible says about Jesus’ authority.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28.18).
The question of authority is very real today. Each of us must ask ourselves, “Jesus, are you the authority of my life? Are you in control here?”
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 