WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.000 When I used to live in the North East, I would listen to this radio station called Sun FM. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:16.000 I liked it because it had great music, great humour and of course it talked a lot about football. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.000 What was not to like I thought. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:22.000 But it also had these really, really annoying moments. 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:26.000 They had these incredibly long advert breaks. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:31.000 I don't know if you get that when you listen to the radio now. Maybe you know what I'm talking about. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:39.000 So they were advertised competitions, cars, washing detergent, when Sunderland were playing that weekend. 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:48.000 I would always know what they were advertising, but towards the end they would start speaking so quickly that I would just miss it. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:51.000 The most important bit that I thought. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:53.000 The terms and conditions apply. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.000 Maybe you know, you've heard this before perhaps. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:01.000 You know, it was a great offer, a great offer within reason. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:04.000 A reason which the company had set for themselves. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:09.000 You know, and sometimes we come across terms and conditions when we browse the internet, don't we? 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:14.000 We need to tick that little box before we can proceed to the next page. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:17.000 How many of us actually read it. 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:22.000 And within these terms and conditions they contain warnings. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:27.000 Warnings and instructions from the company for the use of the product. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:32.000 Now where we are today, towards the end of the Sermon of Mount. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.000 Jesus reveals the terms and conditions. 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:40.000 The terms and conditions and the warnings about being a Christian. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:45.000 And what Jesus says here are not often talked about. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:52.000 Perhaps, maybe the majority of the time, we skim read or perhaps we ignore them. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.000 Just like the terms and conditions that we might come across in our world. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:02.000 You know, we may ignore reading, terms and conditions. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:06.000 But we cannot ignore the rules they state that we must abide by. 00:02:07.000 --> 00:02:13.000 And what Jesus says here in this portion of scripture are absolutely crucial for us. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:19.000 These warnings demonstrate to us what it looks like to live in his kingdom. 00:02:19.000 --> 00:02:22.000 And Jesus gives four of them. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:24.000 Warning number one. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:27.000 The way the world lives looks appealing. 00:02:27.000 --> 00:02:30.000 Look there at verses 13 to 14. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:34.000 Jesus describes two paths of life that people take. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:38.000 The path of the broad road with the wide gate. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:41.000 And the path of the narrow road and the small gate. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:46.000 Let me tell you, this wide gate looks much more appealing, doesn't it? 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.000 A spacious road. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.000 It accommodates the crowd. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:52.000 It accommodates the big cars. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:55.000 It accommodates their friends with all the luggage. 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:56.000 Imagine this. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:01.000 Imagine going on holiday without a weight restriction. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:03.000 What would you take? 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:07.000 Pack whatever you like. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:09.000 Take whatever you like. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:14.000 The broad road with the wide gate is the world's way of living. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:16.000 No restrictions. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.000 Come as you are and live as you like. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.000 Do whatever makes you happy. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.000 And this way is very popular. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:28.000 Notice that many enter through it. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:30.000 Loads of people. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:33.000 A crowd and even some of your friends. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:43.000 This world's way of living looks more appealing compared to the life of the small road with the narrow gate. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:46.000 Those small little commuter bikes would fit through there. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:52.000 And this world's way of living is easier to live than in God's way. 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:57.000 Because living in God's way requires much more of it. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:00.000 Now I don't know if you would have come across this in the media. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:03.000 It's been going on for a number of years. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:06.000 But in Northern Ireland there was this bakery. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.000 A Christian bakery. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:14.000 And they were asked to do something which they couldn't do as Christians. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:21.000 They were asked to put this message supporting gay marriage. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:24.000 And they refused to do this message. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:34.000 Was it far easier for the Christians at that bakery to put the message on the cake rather than refuse the business? 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:41.000 The way for the people of God's kingdom is not one of living with ease. 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:43.000 But one of persecution. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:45.000 Being called bigots. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.000 Being taken to court. 00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:49.000 Which is what happened to them. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:58.000 And this is what Christians are called when we tell people what the Bible says about things like homosexuality and marriage. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:08.000 It is much easier to go along with what the world says and does than to risk being persecuted. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.000 For that's what it's like. 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:16.000 That is what it is like when we hear God's words and put them into practice. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:19.000 The world doesn't like it. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:21.000 So we are persecuted. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:30.000 And it's sad to say that many church denominations have crumbled under the pressure of living the way of the world. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:33.000 Rather than being obedient to what Jesus has said. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:39.000 Jesus here gave warnings to his disciples about two ways to live. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:44.000 The intention is to warn them to consider the cost. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:50.000 To consider the cost of following him and the persecutions that come with living according to his word. 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:53.000 But you see. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:57.000 Notice there that following God's way is worthy of a cost. 00:05:57.000 --> 00:06:01.000 Notice the promise of this narrow way. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:03.000 It leads to life. 00:06:03.000 --> 00:06:09.000 The trials that we endure are worth it because of this promise. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:11.000 Do you notice that? 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:13.000 Verse 14. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:16.000 It leads to life. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:19.000 Living God's way leads to life. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:25.000 And persecution comes with being a disciple of Christ. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.000 But it is the right path to be on. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:30.000 It is the only path that leads to life. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:38.000 And this is what we are seeing in our house group studies at the moment in 1 Peter isn't it? 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:42.000 For anyone who wishes to live a godly life will be persecuted. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:46.000 And look at that result again of those two ways to live. 00:06:46.000 --> 00:06:50.000 The wide gate and the broad road leads to destruction. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.000 The way of the world. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:55.000 The small gate and narrow road on the other hand leads to life. 00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:58.000 And that is the warning. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:01.000 Living the way of the world is more appealing. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:03.000 Is more inviting. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.000 It's easier. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:12.000 And look what Jesus says this way leads to. 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.000 And many. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.000 Even your crowd. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:18.000 Maybe even some of your friends are on this path. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:21.000 And they go to destruction. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:27.000 And living God's way requires us to take steps of faith like that bakery shop. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:32.000 Putting God's word into practice at times when it costs us. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:39.000 Standing up for what we believe in and not letting the world stay. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:45.000 This could even be perhaps not watching certain programs on TV that your friends are talking about. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:50.000 And not getting involved in work conversations that are unhelpful. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:55.000 And even avoiding situations that aren't going to be beneficial for you. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:56.000 Gossip. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.000 Bad jokes. 00:07:58.000 --> 00:08:02.000 And it is going to be hard. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.000 Because the world's way of living is appealing. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:09.000 It is much easier to say yes to sin than no. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:14.000 You know and daily we need to make that choice. 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:19.000 Do I follow the way of the world or do I follow Jesus? 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:24.000 And notice how many find this way, verse 14. 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:27.000 Those who find it are few. 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:32.000 It can be quite lonely living as a Christian. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:36.000 Maybe you are one of 220 people in your world. 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:38.000 The only Christian. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:40.000 The only Christian in your class. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:45.000 Or in your family. 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:48.000 But listen to that warning of living the world. 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:49.000 The way of the world. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:52.000 That leads to destruction. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.000 We need to fight against following what the world says. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:59.000 By following Jesus. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.000 And trusting in his word. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:03.000 By putting it into practice. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:08.000 Now the second warning that Jesus gives to his disciples. 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:12.000 Is to beware of people who preach charity about God. 00:09:12.000 --> 00:09:13.000 Verse 15. 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:17.000 Now these are more commonly called false prophets. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:19.000 Or false teachers. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:22.000 Now these are people who know the word of God. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:25.000 Yet twist it to make it sound like something else. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:30.000 They stand on a pulpit and preach how God wants his people to live. 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:32.000 But they do it wrong. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:35.000 And this leads people to live incorrectly. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:39.000 And false prophets that Jesus talked about here. 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:41.000 Were not a new idea. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:46.000 The people of Israel throughout the Old Testament were plagued by them. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:49.000 And if you went to your Bible now. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:51.000 Maybe children this is a challenge for you. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:09:54.000 To go to your Bible and start at the very beginning. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:57.000 And find a false prophet in every single book. 00:09:57.000 --> 00:10:02.000 The one that I'm talking about here in Genesis is Satan. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:05.000 The false prophet who knew God's word. 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:08.000 Yet he twisted it to suit his own needs. 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:14.000 And the reason why Jesus tells us to be aware is. 00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:17.000 They are ravenous wolves. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:20.000 I've never come across a wolf myself. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.000 But you know you see them on television or on planet earth. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:27.000 Wolves steal and kill. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:30.000 False prophets. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:31.000 They know God's word. 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:34.000 Yet they steal the truth and the life that it brings. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:37.000 Steal it away from the people that would hear it. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:40.000 Robbing them of the life that it brings. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.000 A pastor once said. 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.000 There are many in the Lord's service. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.000 Who have the word of God. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:51.000 Yet for one reason or another. 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:52.000 Only known to themselves. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.000 They do not speak it faithfully. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:57.000 They are either not prepared in the first place. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.000 To let the word hurt them. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:02.000 Or they are not prepared to let it hurt other people. 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:05.000 It's subtle isn't it? 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.000 But false prophets come from within the church. 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.000 Many leadership positions. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:14.000 And we should not be surprised by this. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:17.000 Jesus tells us that it's going to happen here. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.000 He warned us about them. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:24.000 False prophets who are heading for destruction. 00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:27.000 And are taking many people with them. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:31.000 They steal the word by watering down difficult truth. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.000 They distort it. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:36.000 And change it in order to attract people to Christianity. 00:11:36.000 --> 00:11:39.000 And we today. 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:42.000 We need to be diligent of anyone who preaches. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:46.000 Does what they say line up with what the Bible says? 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:52.000 And we can be so grateful here at IPC. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.000 Because we have elders. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:57.000 Our elders here protect us from threats like this. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:01.000 False teachers are like wolves. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:03.000 They kill. 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:04.000 They are dangerous. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:09.000 And elsewhere in the Bible we are told that false teachers come from within the church. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:11.000 And if you look down there in verse 16. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:14.000 Jesus tells us how we can recognize them. 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:16.000 By their fruit. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:20.000 Now this is not just what someone does. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:23.000 But all that they say and do. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:25.000 Does what they say claim to believe? 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:28.000 Is it backed up by their actions? 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:34.000 We don't often know that a tree is bad until it produces bad fruit. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:40.000 And a bad tree producing bad fruit is not useful, is it? 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:45.000 It wouldn't be so helpful if you went to Morrison's and found some moldy apples, would you? 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.000 Bad trees are cut down. 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:49.000 They are thrown into the fire. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:55.000 And to know if a tree is bad, it's not a quick and easy test. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.000 It takes time. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:00.000 Trees take a long time to produce fruit. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:02.000 Just the same with false teachers. 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:05.000 They pretend to live as Christians. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:08.000 They say and do the right things. 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:11.000 But ultimately they cannot do it for a long period of time. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.000 They pretend to be one of us. 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:16.000 Wearing sheep's clothing. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:21.000 But when the trials of life come, they show their true nature. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:27.000 The apostle John in the first verse of three letters to the church. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:30.000 Wrote and warned the church about false teachers. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:33.000 And he gave additional ways to unveil a false teacher. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:37.000 We, the apostles, are from God. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:40.000 And whoever knows God listens to us. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:43.000 But whoever is not from God does not listen to us. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:49.000 John tells the church that we can recognize false teachers for what they teach. 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:54.000 In other words, is their teaching the same as what the apostles taught? 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:57.000 Or do they preach a different message of doctrine? 00:13:57.000 --> 00:14:01.000 And we need to be discerning. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:04.000 If false teachers are all around them. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:06.000 In different churches. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.000 In our schools. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.000 And we need to know God's word. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:16.000 And know what it says so that we can protect ourselves, our families and the church. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:19.000 For the impact is devastating. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:27.000 And we don't need to look far over history to see how devastating false teachers are. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:31.000 They've sabbored the church for the last 2,000 years. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.000 Causing churches to split. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:35.000 Christians to be martyred. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.000 They've started. 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.000 They've allowed the way of the world to affect the church. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:41.000 And there's warning here. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.000 It is for our good. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:46.000 Because true life is at stake. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.000 And false teachers, they are wolves. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:53.000 They rob people of the truth and life of God's word. 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:55.000 And this kills them. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:15:00.000 And Jesus is the true prophet. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:02.000 And he is the word of God. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:06.000 And he came and backed up what he said by his actions. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:10.000 And this is who we are to be hearing and listening to. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:12.000 And not the false prophets of this world. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:20.000 Another warning that Jesus gave his disciples is to be aware that not everyone who believes they're going to heaven will. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:24.000 Read with me there verse 21 to 23. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:30.000 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:34.000 But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:39.000 On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:41.000 And cast out demons in your name? 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:44.000 And do many mighty works in your name? 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:47.000 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:50.000 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:15:58.000 I would say these are some of the most terrifying verses in the New Testament. 00:15:58.000 --> 00:16:02.000 I remember coming across a story a few years ago. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:04.000 An elderly woman, a pastor once met. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:07.000 And they had a fairly decent conversation. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.000 And he discovered that she was a Christian. 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.000 And great. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:11.000 Great he thought. 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.000 And he asked her where she went to church. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:18.000 But he discovered that she hadn't been to church for a very, very long time. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:23.000 And the reason why she told him, you know, I led the Sunday school for 20 years. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:25.000 I've done my bit. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:28.000 So I don't think I need to go anymore. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:30.000 That's sad, isn't it? 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:35.000 But I don't think that she's the only one. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:39.000 I think many of us probably think like that in some way. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:45.000 You know, it's rather, it's about what we do rather than what Christ has done. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:50.000 And what Jesus says in these verses is more subtle than this. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:55.000 He's referring to those who are actually within the church. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:57.000 An elder, perhaps. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:00.000 Even an elder will fall on that day of the Lord. 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:03.000 An esteemed person regarded by many. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:06.000 They might one day fall. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:13.000 And Jesus here is wanting to get across that there are people who do many works for him within the church. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:19.000 But have no love for him. 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:25.000 And it is our love for God that demonstrates the proof of our forgiveness of sins. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:28.000 Knowing that we are sinners. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.000 Knowing that we have been set free. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:32.000 Knowing that we have been forgiven. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:35.000 It's life changing. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:39.000 It was that what moved the woman who had lived that sinful life. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:43.000 When she had come to Jesus to anoint him with that expensive ointment. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:45.000 And she loved Jesus much. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:48.000 This was the proof that she had received forgiveness. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:53.000 Her love for Jesus came at a great cost. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:55.000 Her life savings. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:57.000 Persecution. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:18:00.000 But yet she knew that she was forgiven. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:04.000 It is by faith that we receive forgiveness. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:10.000 And by love we give thanks and testify to the Lord's kindness in our lives. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:13.000 She heard his words. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:16.000 Believe them by putting them into practice. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:21.000 The people describe in verse 21 to 23. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:25.000 They do not love God because they do not know his love. 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:31.000 They do not believe that they are sinners who are in need of him. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.000 They are pretending to be Christians. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:36.000 Enjoying the benefits of being in the church. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:41.000 Without ever striving to put God's word into practice. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:45.000 And this is how God's people are marked. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:48.000 A genuine love for him. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:51.000 They know God and God knows them. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:56.000 You know we might ask and that is the question of this passage. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.000 Doesn't God know everything? 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:01.000 Yes. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:03.000 Yes he does. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:08.000 But here he is talking about people who have been truly changed. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.000 People who love God. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:14.000 Showing that they strive to put God's word into practice. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:17.000 People who have been born again. 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:19.000 As in the book of Jeremiah. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:22.000 I will give them a new heart to know me. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:24.000 That I am their Lord. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:26.000 They will be my people and they will be my. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:28.000 And I will be their God. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:31.000 For they will return to me with all their heart. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:36.000 And if we have been given a new heart by God. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:39.000 We will want to know him. 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.000 We will want to hear his words. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.000 And put them into practice. 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:45.000 Even when it is difficult. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:47.000 In other words. 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:49.000 If you love him. 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:51.000 Then you will hear his word. 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:53.000 And put it into practice. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:59.000 And Jesus says this to the people who have not been changed in the last days. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:01.000 Verse 23. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:04.000 I never knew you. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:09.000 Away from me you evil doers. 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:11.000 This woman that this pastor spoke to. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:16.000 She did not love God even though she thought she did. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:19.000 And many people believe in Jesus. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:21.000 And that they are Christians. 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:24.000 But by their actions they show that they do not love him. 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:28.000 Because they only hear our Lord's words. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:30.000 And yet refuse to put them into practice. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:34.000 In the final warning that we see this evening. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:38.000 That we see the danger of only hearing Jesus' words. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:40.000 And not putting them into practice. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.000 Verses 24 to 27. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.000 Let me read. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.000 Verse 24. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:47.000 Everyone then who hears these words of mine. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:50.000 And does them will be like a wise man. 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:52.000 Who built his house on the rock. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.000 And the rain fell. 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:55.000 And the floods came. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:58.000 And the winds blew and beat on that house. 00:20:58.000 --> 00:21:00.000 But it did not fall. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:02.000 Because it had been founded on the rock. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:05.000 And everyone who hears these words of mine. 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.000 And does not do them. 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.000 Will be like a foolish man. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:11.000 Who built his house on the sand. 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.000 And the rain fell. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.000 And the floods came. 00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:16.000 And the wind blew and beat against that house. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:18.000 And it fell. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.000 And great was the fall of it. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:26.000 Jesus gives an illustration of two men who are building a house. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:28.000 They both hear his words. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:31.000 But only one of them does anything about it. 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:34.000 Only one shows a genuine love for God. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:37.000 Jesus calls the one who hears the words. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.000 Hears the words. 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:40.000 And doesn't put them into practice. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.000 Foolish. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:44.000 This foolish man takes the easy way. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:46.000 He isn't prepared to make the cost. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:48.000 And build something worthwhile. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:50.000 He seeks enjoyment instead. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:55.000 This foolish man built his house on the sand. 00:21:55.000 --> 00:22:00.000 It's staggering to know that he had the same materials. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:04.000 And the same equipment as the man who built his house on the rock. 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.000 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:06.000 He died. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.000 He died. 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.000 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.000 He died. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.000 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.000 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.000 He died. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.000 He died. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:11.000 He died. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.000 He died. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.000 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:13.099 He died. 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.099 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.099 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.099 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.099 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.099 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.099 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.099 He died. 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:16.099 He died. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.099 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.099 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.099 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:16.099 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:25.519 long time? No? Yeah. Sand, it's a lousy foundation, isn't it? It doesn't take long for the water 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:32.459 to come around the castle and very quickly it crumbles, despite doing your best to scoop 00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:39.659 the water back out and away. This foolish man heard Jesus' words, but he did not act 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:48.440 upon him. He took a shortcut, wanting something easy and relaxing. And this is what it's like 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:54.840 if somebody hears Jesus' words and doesn't put them into practice. They look like a Christian. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:23:04.500 They talk like them. They're involved. Good servants, but show no love for God. Jesus describes 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:10.660 the one who listens to his words and put them into practice, like the wise man who built 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:21.039 his house on the rock. This man believed the reward for living God's way. Two houses, one 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:27.880 on the sand and one on the rock. The foolish man finished his in half a day, but three months 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:34.160 later, the wise man was still building. He probably took strenuous work to dig into the 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:41.580 rock. But he was preparing for his future. His house was going to be well protected. He 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:49.040 was going to be safe from harm. This is true, wasn't it? The rains came down and the floods 00:23:49.040 --> 00:23:56.100 came up. The house on the rock stayed strong, and yet the house on the sand fell flat. In fact, 00:23:56.099 --> 00:24:05.799 notice there in verse 27, it beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:15.459 it. This was not a mere sandcastle. This was not a topple or a fall. This was an utter catastrophe. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:25.599 Both of these men heard Jesus' words. Verse 26. Both of these men were in the church. 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:33.959 attended Sunday school. This is why the fall of this house is so devastating. He heard 00:24:33.959 --> 00:24:43.119 God's words as well. And Jesus, by his word, has given us everything that we need to live 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:49.699 as his people in his kingdom, in the midst of this world. Even when hardships and challenges 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:57.120 arise, we can stand because his word enables us to use. And hearing and putting God's word 00:24:57.120 --> 00:25:04.080 into practice enables us to stand up against anything. I don't know what your situation is 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:11.899 like at the moment. Perhaps it's a conflict. Perhaps it's an uncertainty of the future. God 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:21.419 has given us all that we need to stand against trials and the storms in this life. The foolish 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:31.079 man, he fools others, but he cannot fool God and his trials. And it is by the power of God's 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:40.299 word that we can stand. That we can live it out. So Jesus gave four warnings to the apostles 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:46.079 about living in his kingdom. Each demonstrate the importance of not only hearing God's word, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:55.159 but doing what it says. And these are the words that in fact bring eternal life. The words help 00:25:55.160 --> 00:26:00.980 us in the difficulties and the challenges. They show us how to live in light of the mess 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:09.019 of this world around us. How we are to respond. What we are to do. As we saw earlier, living 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:14.960 God's way is hard, isn't it? Let's not take that away. It's easier to live the world's way 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:21.460 rather than God's way. But remind yourself of the promise of life at the end. 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:29.259 And you might feel like, this sounds a little bit moralistic, Matt. This is not moralism. 00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:38.700 This is hearing Jesus' words. Expressing our love for him by doing what he says. And if 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:44.920 you do not know God this evening, then these are his words. Repent and believe and come to 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:52.640 him by faith. And be a part of his kingdom. Don't be like the foolish man. Let me reread 00:26:52.640 --> 00:27:00.140 verses 24 to 27. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:07.080 man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came and the wind blew 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:31.799 and beat against that house. And it fell and great was the fall of it. Let me pray. 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.240 Let me pray. 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.240