{# pb-24 reserves room so the sticky audio player, when docked to the bottom of the viewport, never covers the last content (related sermons, tags…). Only needed when there's an audio player to dock. #}
← Sermons

Do What I Say

{# The tooltip goes through the catalogs so the separator can follow the language - CJK wants a full-width colon and no space, not ": ". #} The Gospel of Luke - Part 32

Sermon Image
{# justify-center, not justify-around: around gives each item a half-size space at the row ends, which reads as an even spread with three items but leaves two items sitting off-centre. Centring the group keeps the row balanced whatever combination of preacher, date, time and series a sermon has. The lg:px-8 on each item supplies the gap between. #}
Preacher

Joshua Winters

Date
Aug. 31, 2025
Time
10:00
Series
The Gospel of Luke
{# The compact player docks to the bottom of the viewport once you scroll past it; the waveform above and the download/share row below stay in normal flow. The `stickyPlayer` component lives in assets/public/public.js. #}
Download
{# Tinted off the page background rather than filled white, so the passages read as a grouped area instead of a raised box. #}

Passage

Luke 6:46-49
{# The description and the sermon's metadata share one grid: the description takes two thirds, the metadata rail takes the last third. Explicit column starts keep the rail on the right even when the description is absent. On small screens the grid collapses to one column and the rail follows the description. The transcription sits outside this grid, below it, so it keeps the full page width - its two-column timestamp/paragraph rows and tall scroll pane need the room. #}
{# Top margin here rather than on the caller: the transcription is no longer a grid item, so nothing else supplies the gap above it. #} {# The component is `transcript` in assets/public/transcript-component.mjs; it runs auto-scroll and the in-page search. Search is entirely client-side: queries are never sent or recorded. #}

Transcription

{# Both routes redirect to the archived page for a delinquent church, so offering them is a dead button. The transcript itself still reads, and so does searching it. #} PDF txt

Auto-generated - may contain small errors. Always verify with the audio version.

{# Hidden until the magnifying glass (or "/") opens it. On phones the buttons get their own row so the query isn't squeezed. #}
{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Well, over the summer, we've been looking at one of the sermons that Jesus gave early on in his public ministry, which we read about in Luke chapter 6. And today we're going to hear about how Jesus brought this sermon to a close.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And as a reminder, you're welcome to open to there in your Bible, Jesus spoke about a variety of things on this particular occasion. He talked about the great reversal that was coming for his followers, and how though they may face hardship and sorrows now, they are blessed because they will soon inherit the kingdom of God, and they will soon see all their tears replaced with joy.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

In contrast, Jesus also warned about how there was a great reversal coming for those who do not receive him, and how their times of comfort and laughter will be replaced with want and weeping.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Jesus then talked about how his followers should respond to mistreatment from others. He taught that we are to love our enemies and not retaliate.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Instead, we're to respond with kindness and mercy and generosity, treating others the way we would want to be treated. After all, that's how God has dealt with us, despite how we've treated him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And Jesus said that there's a reward in store for those who show that same kind of love to others, even when it's hard. Then we heard Jesus exhort his followers not to be judgmental and hypercritical of others.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Instead, we're to be gracious and forgiving. First, looking at the faults in ourselves and making sure that we address those things before trying to help others with their issues.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And then last week, we heard Jesus warn about false prophets and teachers and how to recognize them, how to discern what's inside a person by the fruit that eventually comes from their lives.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Well, now Jesus finally brings this sermon to a close, and we're going to hear how he concludes in Luke 6, verse 46. Let me read it for us.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Jesus says, Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

They are like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well built.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Probably most of us are quite familiar with these words of Jesus. They've made it into some of the songs we sing even from early childhood in the church.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The wise man built his house upon the rock. Maybe you remember singing that when you were young. Or my daughter Sophie's favorite. Don't build your house on the sandy land.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And then later we learned some of the old hymns. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So we're very familiar with these words. And yet even though we're familiar with them, they don't easily lose their impact. They're shocking.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

They're powerful images that speak to our hearts again and again. And let's look at this first statement of Jesus here in verse 46. He says, Why do you call me Lord?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Lord. And do not do what I say. This is the shocking part. And here in Luke's gospel, this is just an abbreviated version of what Jesus said on this occasion.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The fuller version of this is in Matthew's gospel. But can you imagine ending a speech in this way? Or a class lesson in this way?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Why do you call me the honored guest speaker? And don't do what I say. Or why do you call me the teacher? And don't do what I say. It's kind of jolting, isn't it?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Jesus ends his sermon by calling out all the pretenders in his audience. It's like he's saying, there are many of you here who aren't taking me seriously right now.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

You've been following me around. You've been calling me your Lord, your Master. Just like my true followers do. And yet you're completely disregarding my words. You're doing the very things I'm telling you not to do.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And you're neglecting to do the things that I'm instructing you to do. Even early on here in Jesus' ministry, hypocrisy was a problem.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Religious hypocrisy. Pretending to be a follower of Jesus was a real thing. Today, we call this nominalism. It has to do with people who are Christians in name only.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

People who claim Jesus to be their Lord, their Master, their Savior, their King. And yet their claim is hollow as seen by the fruit in their lives.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

There's the connection to what Jesus said just before this. When it comes right down to it, they don't live according to Jesus' words. How they live betrays their profession of faith.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And it's shocking because maybe there were many in the crowd that day who felt quite comfortable keeping their doubts and their skepticism to themselves.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

You know, we'll just try and blend in with the rest of them for now. But now it's like Jesus is looking them all straight in the face and saying, You can't fool me.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

What you really believe about me is plainly on display in how you live. How you respond to my words.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And so it's pointless to try and fake it. It's pointless to pretend to be my disciple. When you're living says otherwise.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Why do you call me Lord, Lord? And do not do what I say. A true disciple of Jesus takes Jesus' words seriously and does what Jesus says.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

A true disciple of Jesus takes Jesus' words seriously and does what Jesus says.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Or to say it another way, if Jesus really is your Lord, your Master, then you will do what He says. Jesus then brings this point to a close with one final illustration.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it. Because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed. And its destruction was complete. So there's essentially two responses that we can have to Jesus' words.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

His words in this sermon and all His other words as well. There are two responses. We can hear them and put them into practice. Or we can hear them and not put them into practice.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And Jesus gives an analogy for each. He says, The person who hears my words and puts them into practice, that man's like a man who in building his house dug down deep and laid a foundation on rock.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But the person who hears my words and does not put them into practice, says Jesus, is like a man who in building his house doesn't even bother to build it on a foundation.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Just builds it right on the ground. No footing, no piles, no bedrock, nothing. Just stands up the walls, nails them together right there on the ground.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Matthew, in his gospel, even records Jesus as saying, what kind of ground? Sand or loose dirt kind of ground. Also in Matthew's gospel, Jesus very explicitly describes the character behind this decision.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

He says, One of these decisions is wise and one of these decisions is foolish. And I think it's obvious which is which. But you know, initially, there may seem to be no consequence.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Both men have a house to live in. Once it's finished, the foundation is not really that visible except to people who like to look for those things.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The foolish man may even congratulate himself since he didn't have to go to as much trouble or expense or time to do all that digging and foundation stuff.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

I was thinking back to Jesus' days. Like, they didn't have backhoes then. This was by hand. They would do this digging. So initially, there may seem to be no consequence.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

In fact, it may even be that the foolish man is ahead. But then comes the flood. This is where the difference in the two houses is seen.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And the language Jesus uses to describe the flood is quite vivid. This is a picture of a river overflowing its banks and a part of that river crashing or breaking against the house.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The video footage we're about to see comes from the flood that happened just this summer on July 4th in Texas. and this video is sped up as you'll see on screen but it shows what happened in just 10 minutes to one of the roads.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

10 minutes. That's a lot of water. Here's a second clip showing some of the effects. That's a house colliding with a bridge.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It's like this for miles and miles and miles. Can you kill the audio on it, Rob?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So utter devastation. An estimated 38,000 homes damaged and 138 people have been found dead and sadly there were many children among them.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Here's a man standing in what's left of his living room. You can see some of his roof and the walls of his house on the ground behind him. hear these words of Jesus.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house it collapsed and its destruction was complete.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Jesus is saying that this is the situation this will be the situation for the person who hears my words and doesn't take them seriously. Fortunately for this man he wasn't in his house sleeping when it collapsed.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But this is a picture of complete loss. Total destruction. And that says Jesus is what awaits those who disregard my words.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Those who do not act on them. up until this point in the analogy Jesus has been quite clear of what the elements of this analogy refer to.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The building of the foundation refers to hearing his words and putting them into practice. Not building the foundation refers to not putting the words of Jesus into practice.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But what does the flood represent? what does the torrential flood that comes crashing against the house represent? Jesus leaves it up to us to figure it out.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But I think he knows that we know what it represents. The torrential flood represents God's judgment which is coming for all of us.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And it's not because God is vindictive or unkind that his judgment is coming but because of our rebellion our wickedness our sins.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The Bible tells us that God is bringing this catastrophic flood of judgment at the end because he is good and because he is just and because we really do deserve it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It will be the ultimate disaster that sweeps us all away and completely ruins us unless unless we have heard and truly believed and put into practice the words of Jesus.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

He is the salvation that we need. He is the rescue. If we hear his words and do as he says we will be saved.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And when the flood of God's judgment comes this is going to be the outcome for us instead says Jesus. Those who hear my words and put them into practice are like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

When a flood came the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well built. The torrent struck but could not shake it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So there is a way to pass through the coming flood of God's righteous judgment. We will not be disturbed moved or shaken by it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We will be completely spared of its devastation so long as we are well founded having truly believed and taken seriously the words of Jesus.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And we might wonder how do we know if we are truly believing the words of Jesus? How do we know if we are taking Jesus' words seriously? Well we know that we do if we put his words into practice and do them.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

If we do what he says that reveals whether he is truly our Lord truly our master. Very simply Jesus shows us our choice.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Hear his words and put them into practice or hear his words and ignore them. Don't put them into practice. One choice is wise and leads to life.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The other is foolish says Jesus and leads to disaster. And so I want to ask you very simply this morning have you made the wise choice? Have you made the wise choice?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Have you come to Jesus not just to hear his words but have you embraced his words? Are you putting them into practice in your life?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

If you haven't made this wise choice yet then I want to urge you make it make it today we don't know how long each of us has before we take our last breath and that's it make the wise choice today begin to put into practice and obey the words of Jesus that is true faith anything less than that is pointless pretending now I know that many of you here have made the wise choice already that makes me rejoice inside you have believed in Jesus you have owned him as your Lord and you are trying to put his words into practice and so if that's you this morning and I think you know if it is take comfort rest secure the coming devastation will not shake you

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Christ took the punishment that we deserve on himself so that we could be spared and if we belong to Christ we are safe forever what a comfort that being true we should not let the salvation which we now have become an excuse to do less of what Jesus has told us to do these are the words that really stuck in my heart and mind this week here's my words and puts them into practice if Jesus really is our Lord and our master our king the one we pledged allegiance to then we should make it the very mission of our lives to put his words into practice more and more every day to learn what he has said by reading it in our

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Bibles and to carry out his commands and instructions as best and as much as we can and not just these instructions here in this one sermon but all of his instructions all of his commands which we find throughout the rest of the pages of this book this is what it really means to believe in Jesus and to be a follower of Jesus and so I want to ask you is that your mindset to go after a deeper understanding of Jesus words and more to go after a fuller obedience to Jesus words this is priority number one for all of Jesus disciples this is priority for the disciples he was speaking to back then in the crowd and this is his number one priority for us today who call him Lord let's do what he says let's not sit back and coast along content with what we've already done the

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Lord has us here each day on this earth for a reason and it's to do what he says to bear much fruit for his glory to do the works which he prepared which God prepared in advance for us to do maybe you're a true Christian but have fallen into complacency or apathy if that's you this morning let these words wake you up we have words of Jesus to put into practice to do the race is not over yet let's throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and run with perseverance this race that's marked out for us fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Jesus has given us a clear mission go and make disciples of all nations let's not forget the mission the mission is not to get the job we're most interested in or the house that we've always wanted or the vehicle that we really like the mission is not to dial up the comforts and the pleasures and spend as much time as possible in sport or hobby or recreation the mission is not to get the ideal picture perfect family whatever that is in our definition it's to spend our days living for Christ doing what he says is that your priority number one I think to those words of Paul the apostle Paul to live!

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

is Christ he said and to die that's gain because then I get to be with him but if I'm to go on living in the body he said this will mean fruitful labor for me the kind of labor that sees more people come to hear about Jesus and follow him as we think about this whole analogy of the house and the flood I'm reminded that we shouldn't just be focused on our own house but that there are still others in this world who haven't heard of Jesus Jesus is on a rescue mission and if we're enjoined to him because he is our Lord then that puts us on that same mission with him we don't want to see anybody get swept away by the torrent that's coming at the end so I just want to ask you is that your priority today your number one priority to do what the

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Lord says let's pray Lord Jesus thank you for these words which you spoke long ago and which still are powerful today in our lives you know the things that are holding us back the things that are distracting us the things that are keeping us from following you with all our heart and I pray that you would set us free from those things and that you would unleash us with your power to do the things you said that may look different for different people in this room in our church but we want to be used by you we want to serve you and one day you're going to bust through the clouds and we want to be found doing what you have given us to do stir that fire in our hearts if we've lost it keep it burning if we haven't we commit ourselves to you for your glory amen