Finishing Up

Good Morning!

Let’s take on the rest of the Sermon on the Mount today. I know it is a lot to cover … but I am excited about tomorrow’s last segment.

Jesus talks about a new relationship with Yahweh – the One who is so sacred that His name isn’t even mentioned. How do you view God? Do you fear Him? I am not talking just respect but actually being afraid of Him. I believe in the time of Christ, God was not viewed as a Father but rather as an Avenger. Is that a concept that you might have harbored?

Think back to Genesis – the Beginnings. Why did God create Adam? And why did God create Eve? After God had made all of what we know of as life, He said “Let us create man in our image.” Why did God want to create man in His image? Why not just make another donkey … okay, I know some of you are thinking He did and called His creation “Jim”. Well the answer is found a little later in the Genesis account as we see God having conversation with His creation Adam. God desired to have a relationship with man. Jesus refers to Almighty God as “Father” … not just because He was God’s only Son but also because we can be His children as well. So when Jesus talks about God’s nature, our picture of God can change from the One who Avenges to the One who Provides. Listen:

Matthew 7:7-12 (New International Version)
Ask, Seek, Knock

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

God has blessed Miss N and me with five children – you all know that. All of them are grown and have become productive adults who provide for themselves. But they know – at least I hope they know – that if a need arises, Mawmaw and Pop will give meet the need to the extent of our ability to give. Why? Because they are our children and we love them.

In 1976, we almost lost Michael. He had a form of pneumonia that caused him to be placed in a breathing tent in Clayton General (now Southern Regional) hospital for a period of two weeks. Miss N and I were living from paycheck to paycheck at the time … and didn’t have the financial resources to cover a long hospital stay even if the health insurance paid. A couple in our church, Dave and Donna Mulder, came to us and offered an open ended loan to pay the hospital. Look at verse 12. God, our Father, provided my brother and sister Dave and Donna to meet our need. And it taught me something … “do unto others” is not just about being nice to each other but about being involved with each other to the extent that one is willing to do what the world would see as dumb.

Moving forward:

Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)
The Narrow and Wide Gates

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The Christian life requires focus. Our focus is simple … Jesus Christ. Many will accuse us of not being inclusive because we do not accept their version of religion. We don’t because ours is not a religion – it is a relationship. Does Islam offer a relationship with Mohammed? Does Buddhism offer a relationship with the Buddha? Do any of the religions of the world offer you freedom from the curse of the Law? No … but Jesus does. So, yes, our focus is narrow – because Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” We cannot honestly represent Him if we alter that message.

And we continue:

Matthew 7:15-23 (New International Version)
True and False Prophets

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

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 who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Am I getting confused or is Jesus telling me to judge someone? No – we are not passing judgment but we are called upon to be aware of what is true and what is false. There are many examples of people who have used the name of Jesus to attempt to gain personal wealth and / or fame. And each has dealt a definite blow to the cause of Christ as their schemes have been discovered. Be wise is what Jesus is telling me. Understand Me, He cautions. Don’t fall for the glitter or the false promise but look for My Hand working.


Matthew 7:24-27 (New International Version)
The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 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 sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Christ concludes with the admonition to build our lives on the solid rock of faith in Him. But we must build – not allow the building materials He has provided to sit unused. I have Cud’n Kate’s Bible. The cover is off of it. The pages are fragile from wear. Little notes are scattered here and there in the Scriptures to remind herself of a good sermon point or a nugget of wisdom given by God. Up until the day she died, Cud’n Kate managed to make her way to St. Mark’s Methodist Church at Peachtree and Fifth every Sunday. Her day to day was filled with “Back to the Bible” hour on the radio. She used the building materials God provided her to build her life on the Solid Rock of faith in Jesus Christ. That faith led a seven year old boy to trust Jesus … and build his little life on that same solid foundation. Jesus has never failed me … and He never will.

Agape’


Mr. Jim