​Week 15, Day 5

​Week 15, Day 5
April 15, 2022
Scripture: Matthew 7
 
““These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”” (Matthew 7:24–27, The Message) 
I could go on and on about the words behind the words. I have a whole host of resources that I can investigate the Greek and Hebrew (original languages of the Bible) that I could share with you. You’d be so impressed!
 
But if those words never make their way into my life, they are really just words. It’s an empty way to live.
 
Jesus looks at his sermon and says, “Alright, listen up, I want you to live this out. Don’t just talk about it, live it!” Jesus desires us to love our enemies and pray for them, to fast in a way that others don’t know about it, remove the planks from our eyes, and seek first God’s kingdom. Simply put, Jesus wants us to love everyone and care for our souls in the process. He wants us to seek the will of God and trust in him. He teaches us to not be anxious and filled with worry. To do that, he inspires us to seek the Kingdom of God and a genuine righteousness that comes from him.
 
There is plenty for us to do. The purpose of it, it seems, is for us to get to know the Father and help others to get to know him as well.
 
That’s our life. Knowing Jesus and sharing him with others. Knowing God our Father and sharing him with others. The Spirit leads us in this endeavor, to know Father and Son.
 
We are called to live Jesus’ sermon(s). Build your life on the Rock, our salvation. It sermon closes with a comment from Matthew, “They were amazed at his teaching because he taught with authority.” Does Jesus have authority over you? The way that is made evident is if his teaching has found its way into your everyday life. They aren’t just nice words, thoughts or ideas. They are a way of life.
 
Jesus would live out his sermon. He prayed the Lord’s prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He loved his enemies and prayed for them on the cross. He didn’t judge and condemn. He laid down his life and saved.
 
 Let us walk together with Christ and live this sermon as well!