“Red-Letter Living: Final Sermon”
Sunday, February 12, 2023
Community Statement:
We are not just followers of Jesus Christ; we are imitators of Jesus Christ. His Words are more than just recognizable to us, they are accepted by us as the very foundation our entire life is built on. When the storms come… we will not be shaken!
Matthew 7:24-29 (NIV)
“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. The rain came down, 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 sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.”
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
THE STORMS OF LIFE – What are they?
THE SAND FOUNDATION – What is it?
“The most deceptive form of idolatry is when we worship something good. Good things were not meant to be worshipped.” – Christopher Yuan
THE ROCK FOUNDATION – What is it?
“Everyone who hears these words of mine [of Jesus] and puts them into practice…”
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Matthew 7:28 (NIV)
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
The problem of recognition without acceptance.
John 6:60, 66 (NIV)
On hearing it [the teaching of Jesus], many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” From that time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Conclusion:
Are you trusting the Word of God implicitly?
Are you making the Word, the Foundation of Your Faith?
Will you accept that the Bible will not always answer the “why” of your storm; but it will the “how” of getting through your storm?