Building a Life on the Solid Rock of Jesus

Jesus says here's a kingdom where the poor and the vulnerable and The Grieving and those on the margins are welcomed in here's a kingdom where it's people are defined by Mercy and peacemaking where they take care of those in need where they keep their word where they give without expecting anything in return here's a way of life that transforms you from the inside out it is anchored in prayer it is Guided by wisdom and it empowers you to do the impossible things like choosing not to worry or loving your enemies. [06:18]

Jesus says therefore any everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock the rain came down and the streams Rose and the winds blew and beat against the house yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the Rock but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on a sand the rain came down and the streams Rose and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell with a great crash. [08:10]

The first question the crowd is confronted with is how are they going to respond to Jesus's words and Jesus outlines two options he says there's a wise option and there's a foolish option and this choice between wisdom and foolishness is a theme that's presented throughout the Bible from from Adam and Eve in Genesis to now and what we read over and over again in places like genesis and Deuteronomy and Proverbs and Psalms and even in the gospels is that choosing wisdom always leads to life and choosing foolishness will always lead to ruin. [09:10]

The blueprint for this house it isn't hidden Jesus says it involves daily hearing and practicing his words the word for hear in the Greek is akuo and its Hebrew counterpart is the word shama maybe you've heard of the shama before it's this beautiful invitation in Deuteronomy here o Israel the Lord your God is one and in response to who God is love the Lord your God with all your heart your mind mind and your soul and your strength respond with your whole being as is true with many of the ancient words in Hebrew the word shama means many things yes it meant listening but it also meant understanding and obeying. [10:32]

For Jesus the sermon is not this fun imaginative exercise it was meant to be applied it's accessible it's a life that leads to meaning and purpose and connection now it's not something we have to wait for practicing this way is like building your life on the Rock it's the wise choice and Jesus says get to it because just like the rain rotates seasonally through the region the storms are going to come. [11:20]

Jesus knows that no matter what storm you're facing no matter what is going to come and the storms are going to come the reality is often you can't go over it you can't go under it oh no you have to go through it the storms are going to come and the people in the first century knew this they were living in perilous times they were in the middle of many storms and there were many options the first century World presented as firm foundations for the people. [13:58]

Jesus loved the people too much to let them be deceived by these false promises of these foundations ultimately all these things are shaky sinking ground so Jesus presents a more beautiful Vision he presents a foundation that will last a kingdom that will endure and he asks them what are you going to do with these words that you've heard are you going to listen and obey it's a critical question that paves the way for a second question that the crowd is confronted with and I'd say that this one is maybe even more important than the first. [14:50]

The crowd knew that something was different even if they couldn't put their finger on it and looking back we know that Peter's confession was true that Jesus is the Messiah Jesus is the way to life Jesus is the Firm Foundation the one who is with us no matter the storm Jesus knows that sometimes we can't go over it we can't go under it we have to go through it and it's almost like Jesus says you have to go through it so hold on to me I'll go through it with you what we know is Jesus is the one who stays next to us the one who is enthroned the one who has overcome the one who is Victorious the one who doesn't promise safety but in whom we can rest secure. [18:04]

If he is the Messiah are you willing to trust him are you willing to make him the leader of your life and this is a big question because if I'm honest there are times where I settle for intellectually knowing he's the Messiah but I choose not to surrender the leadership of my life to him because surrender every day is tough trust is tough yes Jesus leads to the road to life but that takes a daily death of s on our part and that is painful. [20:00]

When we do it we don't do it to earn God's love we do it because of God's love and we don't do this alone we're empowered by the Holy Spirit what we read is following Jesus living on The Sermon on the Mount it's the wise choice that leads to life it helps us live and into and join a kingdom that not even the greatest of storms can shake. [24:57]

When we build our lives on the Firm Foundation of Jesus it's not just so that we personally can live out the road to life that we personally can enjoy life but we live The Sermon on the Mount when we do we declare Jesus to a world who is desperate for a beautiful lovely compelling answer to life and it's not on us to correct people's perceptions about Jesus followers our invitation is just to listen and respond to Jesus and as we live The Sermon on the Mount not only are we drawn to Jesus but the spirit will draw others to Jesus as well not only for our good but for our neighbor good and for God's glory. [26:46]

How are you going to respond to Jesus and how are you going to respond to Jesus's words this week and so I'll give you just a minute we'll reflect on those questions and then Pastor staff will come up and lead us through communion. [27:38]