WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.700 Now, while the children are heading to their classes, we can look up in our Bibles, our devices, the book of Matthew. 00:00:13.700 --> 00:00:18.839 We've got a couple of readings from Matthew, and then we'll read some more in a few moments. 00:00:18.839 --> 00:00:21.940 We're reading from the Sermon on the Mount. 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:26.839 Let me introduce our new sermon series to us. 00:00:26.839 --> 00:00:30.500 And we're going to be thinking about parables with purpose. 00:00:30.780 --> 00:00:34.019 So some of the stories that Jesus tells in Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:34.219 --> 00:00:38.359 So in Matthew, Jesus is presented as the teacher. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:43.239 And there's five big blocks of his teaching recorded there. 00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:51.159 As Matthew invites us to recognize Jesus isn't just a redeemer for us, someone who saves us from sin. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:56.159 He's also the one who teaches us, teaches us how to live in God's kingdom. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:00:59.400 And one of the ways Jesus teaches is by parables. 00:00:59.580 --> 00:01:01.780 And they are stories with purpose. 00:01:01.920 --> 00:01:05.180 Everyday stories with a deeper spiritual reality. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:08.040 Revealing truths about Jesus the King. 00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:09.760 Life in the kingdom of God. 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:14.939 Stories that are an invitation for us both to reflection and to transformation. 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:20.480 So today, we will think about the parable that comes at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:23.920 Perhaps a very familiar parable of the wise and foolish builders. 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:28.019 It's a chance for us to reflect on, how's my listening? 00:01:28.099 --> 00:01:29.480 Am I listening to Jesus well? 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:31.780 What's my life built on deep down? 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:35.560 Am I prepared for the storms that come? 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:43.100 So let's read from chapter 5, verse 1 to 20, and then verse 43 to 48. 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:45.320 And let's hear the word of God. 00:01:46.320 --> 00:01:50.400 Now, when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 00:01:51.120 --> 00:01:53.640 His disciples came to him and he began to teach them. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:54.460 He said, 00:01:54.459 --> 00:02:22.680 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:24.740 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 00:02:25.540 --> 00:02:28.140 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, 00:02:28.180 --> 00:02:31.099 and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:35.200 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. 00:02:35.719 --> 00:02:38.920 For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:02:39.480 --> 00:02:41.260 You are the salt of the earth. 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:45.460 But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 00:02:45.860 --> 00:02:47.480 It is no longer good for anything, 00:02:47.900 --> 00:02:50.159 except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:52.400 You are the light of the world. 00:02:52.680 --> 00:02:54.860 A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:02:55.560 --> 00:02:57.960 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:02:59.819 Instead, they put it on its stand, 00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:02.040 and it gives light to everyone in the house. 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:05.280 In the same way, let your light shine before others, 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:08.240 that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:11.939 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:15.060 I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:18.659 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, 00:03:19.159 --> 00:03:21.860 not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:25.460 will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished. 00:03:26.320 --> 00:03:29.180 Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands 00:03:29.180 --> 00:03:33.760 and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:38.599 But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:39.040 --> 00:03:45.280 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:48.540 you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:51.060 And then at verse 43, 00:03:51.519 --> 00:03:53.539 You have heard that it was said, 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:55.959 and this is teaching from the Pharisees, 00:03:56.079 --> 00:03:57.959 Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:03.199 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:05.799 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:09.259 He causes his son to rise on the evil and the good 00:04:09.259 --> 00:04:12.399 and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:15.699 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? 00:04:15.899 --> 00:04:18.399 Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:23.060 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:25.300 Do not even pagans do that? 00:04:25.960 --> 00:04:30.520 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:31.900 Amen. 00:04:32.660 --> 00:04:37.740 And we'll return and read some of chapter 6 and 7 in a few moments. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:41.200 But before we do that, let's once again come before God in prayer. 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:52.219 Lord, as we bow before you, we would acknowledge that you are the great king, 00:04:52.220 --> 00:05:01.440 that you are in authority over us as our creator and our sustainer and our judge. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:08.639 Lord, we thank you for sending Jesus to be that long-promised king. 00:05:08.639 --> 00:05:21.879 Lord, we thank you for sending us free from slavery to sin leading to death, 00:05:22.759 --> 00:05:27.019 to bring us into eternal life and into the kingdom of God. 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:28.019 Lord, we thank you for sending us free from the kingdom of God. 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:30.979 Lord, we thank you for that call of Jesus, 00:05:31.479 --> 00:05:37.799 that invitation to come to him, weary and burdened, and to find rest. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:42.360 Lord, we pray for those in our church family. 00:05:42.500 --> 00:05:46.259 We pray for those in our own families who are weary, 00:05:47.220 --> 00:05:50.000 who are experiencing burdens of many kinds. 00:05:51.020 --> 00:05:57.620 Lord, we pray that in your mercy you would draw them and us to the Lord Jesus 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:04.580 to find rest and to find hope in his love and in the good news that he brings. 00:06:05.400 --> 00:06:07.680 Lord, we pray too for our society, 00:06:07.800 --> 00:06:12.060 as we recognize that there are so many burdens and pressures, 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:15.879 there's so many fears that exist right now. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:19.480 Lord, in all the doubt and fear and confusion, 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:25.860 may you and your providence draw many people to be looking to you 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:28.699 for hope and for help and for healing. 00:06:29.580 --> 00:06:31.500 Lord, may you be at work among us. 00:06:32.460 --> 00:06:35.080 Lord, we thank you that you don't just call us to yourself, 00:06:35.079 --> 00:06:39.599 if you also send us out to be your witnesses. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:44.379 Lord, we thank you for that privilege of being ambassadors for our King. 00:06:45.599 --> 00:06:48.120 Again, we confess how weak we feel, 00:06:48.919 --> 00:06:51.899 how often we fail to represent you well, 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:57.439 whether that's in the things that we do or indeed the things that we fail to do. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:04.839 But Lord, we pray that with your help, by your grace and by your spirit in us, 00:07:05.219 --> 00:07:10.000 you would enable us to live for you in such a way 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:15.319 that people without hope and without clarity on what is truth 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:18.439 would be drawn to Jesus, their Savior, 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:23.699 through us, through our lives individually and through our shared life. 00:07:23.779 --> 00:07:25.399 We remember that Jesus said 00:07:25.399 --> 00:07:29.240 that they will know we are Christians by our love 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:32.400 and we pray that our love would be evident 00:07:32.400 --> 00:07:35.100 and it would be attractive and appealing, 00:07:35.460 --> 00:07:39.600 that we would be enabled in some small measure 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:42.699 to reflect your amazing love. 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:47.740 Lord, we pray for your church in Scotland today. 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:50.720 We pray for rural places. 00:07:50.900 --> 00:07:55.220 We pray for urban places, our towns and cities. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:58.560 Lord, we thank you for church plants. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:01.459 We thank you for established churches. 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:05.300 And we pray for those churches that are weak and discouraged. 00:08:06.180 --> 00:08:08.680 Lord, we ask that you would build them in their faith 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.240 and their hope and their love. 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.560 And we thank you for those churches 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:14.920 that are knowing growth and encouragement. 00:08:15.639 --> 00:08:19.240 Lord, continue to renew them in your word. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:24.879 Lord, we pray that for every Christian church in Scotland, 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:27.899 we would know your spirit moving in power. 00:08:28.560 --> 00:08:31.480 that we would be growing in maturity, 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:34.360 growing to be more like Jesus, 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:37.960 fed by your words, 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:40.139 dependent on prayer, 00:08:41.039 --> 00:08:45.559 and then going out to live as your witnesses. 00:08:46.559 --> 00:08:50.139 Lord, we pray for your church in the world today. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:52.940 We think of nations in the news. 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:58.540 We pray that as France goes to the polls for a new president, 00:08:58.820 --> 00:09:01.740 Lord, that you would be reviving that nation 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:04.740 in the Christian faith. 00:09:05.260 --> 00:09:09.960 That we recognize a long history in the past of faith 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:13.100 and sending people all over the world on mission. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:17.280 But Lord, so much of that heritage has been lost. 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:19.720 But we pray that you would draw people 00:09:19.720 --> 00:09:21.980 and draw the nation back to yourself. 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:25.079 Lord, we continue to remember Ukraine 00:09:25.699 --> 00:09:29.240 and we remember your people in Ukraine today. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:33.480 For those who perhaps are unable to gather, 00:09:34.120 --> 00:09:37.240 for those who gather with a sense of fear and sadness, 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:40.019 Lord, may you be present among them. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:43.740 May you give them the deep and lasting peace 00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:46.180 of knowing Jesus as Lord. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:49.060 And we pray that you would enable the church 00:09:49.060 --> 00:09:51.200 to continue to minister mercy 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:53.100 to those who are in need. 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:57.299 And Lord, we pray for a swift and a lasting peace. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:10:00.879 Lord, we also pray for parts of the world 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:02.580 where our brothers and sisters in Christ 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.659 are persecuted today. 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:09.060 Where there is the threat of a police action 00:10:09.060 --> 00:10:11.519 or a local community intervention 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:14.720 as they would seek to worship their God and Savior. 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:18.179 Lord, we ask that you would help them 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:19.899 to persevere in their faith 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:23.039 and enable them to love and to pray for their enemies. 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:27.720 And Lord, we pray for the many hundreds of millions 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:31.079 of people today who have never heard of Jesus, 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:34.639 who don't know anything of the good news of the gospel, 00:10:35.559 --> 00:10:37.720 and who have no lasting hope. 00:10:37.720 --> 00:10:43.019 Lord, we pray that by your mercy and by your spirit, 00:10:43.160 --> 00:10:46.519 you would raise up people from all nations 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:48.600 to go to all nations, 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:50.860 making disciples of all nations, 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.660 as you have commanded. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:56.120 Lord, that we would be willing to pray 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:59.080 and to give and indeed to go 00:10:59.080 --> 00:11:02.000 and to sacrifice if you would lead us 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:04.399 in order to make Jesus known. 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:08.259 Lord, we pray that as we gather here today, 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:11.779 that you would make Jesus known among us. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:15.579 Not just that we would grow in our information, 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:18.319 but that we would be transformed, 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.039 heart, mind and will. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:22.100 And we pray in Jesus' name. 00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:23.059 Amen. 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:27.319 Now, before we turn back to Matthew, 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.579 we're going to sing again. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:30.600 We're going to sing from Psalm 62, 00:11:30.600 --> 00:11:34.500 and we'll see again the theme of God as the rock. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:36.360 So let's stand and let's sing together. 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:38.360 Amen. 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.360 Amen. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.360 Amen. 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:41.360 Amen. 00:12:06.360 --> 00:12:24.820 My honor and salvation rest 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:33.480 On God my rock and mighty fort, 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:42.240 O people, trust in him always. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:52.039 To him alone pour out your heart. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:13:01.279 The low-born man is but a breath. 00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:10.220 The high-born man is but a lie. 00:13:10.839 --> 00:13:19.179 Weighed in a balance side by side. 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:27.620 They come to nothing but a sigh. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:38.480 Do not seek after wealth by force. 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:46.980 Or triumph in ill-gotten gain. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:55.940 And even though your goods increase. 00:13:56.560 --> 00:14:05.379 Set not your heart on what is vain. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:11.500 My God has spoken. 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:24.240 I have heard that you are strong and loving, Lord. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:33.279 Each one according to his deeds. 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:41.680 You will assuredly reward. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:52.819 And now let's continue to hear Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. 00:14:54.259 --> 00:15:00.219 Here as he teaches about prayer in chapter 6 from verse 5 to 13. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:03.620 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:08.960 For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:12.580 Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:18.680 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:22.540 Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:26.899 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans. 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:30.000 For they think they will be heard because of their many words. 00:15:30.699 --> 00:15:33.860 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:36.339 This then is how you should pray. 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:39.699 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.339 Your kingdom come. 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.759 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:47.519 Give us today our daily bread. 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:51.079 And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:56.400 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:59.800 And then we're going to turn to chapter 7. 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:05.160 And towards the end of the sermon, when Jesus begins to warn. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.639 So he's promised future grace. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.240 He's shown them his commands. 00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:10.780 And then he issues final warnings. 00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:14.060 Chapter 7, verse 13. 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.759 Enter through the narrow gate. 00:16:16.420 --> 00:16:19.360 For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction. 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:21.320 And many enter through it. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:25.000 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.220 And only a few find it. 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.419 Watch out for false prophets. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.039 They come to you in sheep's clothing. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.940 But inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 00:16:32.560 --> 00:16:34.180 By their fruit you will recognize them. 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:37.759 Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:40.259 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit. 00:16:40.820 --> 00:16:42.340 But a bad tree bears bad fruit. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:44.600 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit. 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:46.680 And a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:51.500 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 00:16:51.800 --> 00:16:54.399 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:58.800 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:16:59.180 --> 00:17:01.920 But only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:06.620 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:07.960 And in your name drive out demons? 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:09.620 And in your name perform many miracles? 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:13.640 Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.840 Away from me, you evildoers. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:24.000 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. 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:29.000 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house. 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:32.380 Yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:37.440 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:39.160 Who built his house on sand. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:45.920 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell with a great crash. 00:17:46.580 --> 00:17:50.640 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. 00:17:51.080 --> 00:17:56.259 Because he taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:18:00.980 So this is the first of our stories with purpose. 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:04.820 It's the story of the wise and foolish builders. 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:11.119 As we begin, I wonder if any of you have ever been in an earthquake simulator. 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:16.339 Some of us live in extreme weather places and maybe you felt something like that. 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:22.679 But I remember being in an earthquake simulator when they would begin to make the floor move, 00:18:23.159 --> 00:18:27.299 make everything on the walls begin to shake. 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:35.759 And in the safety of that science center, they were using that simulator to teach about the impact of earthquakes. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:40.059 Especially in that case, the focus was on the many earthquakes that hit Japan. 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:48.759 And how then engineers are building, designed to cope with those constant storms that come. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:56.579 That stress testing, both of the foundation and the structure, was vital to their building projects. 00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:01.619 Well, this parable that we're reading today is about building. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:04.440 And it's about storms and it's about foundation. 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:08.420 And it's the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount. 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:14.299 Perhaps the most famous of Jesus' sermons, loved through all church history. 00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:17.180 And that parable has a message, doesn't it? 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.799 A message about building wisely. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:26.159 And building wisely requires both hearing and doing the words of Jesus the King. 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:30.259 Living all of life under his rule. 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:35.379 So we're going to think about this parable, but we're going to use the building image. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:39.559 And so we're going to think, first of all, about the importance of following the designer's plan. 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:42.859 And we're going to think about building on the right foundation. 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:47.759 And then we're going to think about the importance of preparing for the stress test. 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:50.759 Preparing for the storm that comes. 00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:54.479 So first of all, the importance of following the plan. 00:19:54.979 --> 00:19:56.719 Verse 24 tells us this. 00:19:56.719 --> 00:20:04.199 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. 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:06.579 So the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount. 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:09.479 We can think about the Sermon on the Mount as a blueprint. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:14.180 A design plan for life in God's kingdom. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:17.539 Because this sermon comes from who? 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.839 It comes from Jesus. 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:21.200 And Jesus is the Son of God. 00:20:21.819 --> 00:20:22.880 He is the Creator. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.700 He is the Lord. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:25.019 He is the Great Teacher. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:30.500 And so when we listen to Jesus' words as our Maker and King, 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:34.660 He's calling us to live by the Maker's design. 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:41.420 Now for any of us who've ever built anything, whether that be Lego or flat pack furniture or even a house, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:45.460 we know how important it is to follow the plan. 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:47.380 The designer's plan. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:52.840 Well, the truth of the Bible is that God is the great designer of us. 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:57.560 And the way life works best for us if we live by His design. 00:20:57.559 --> 00:21:00.879 And that's what Jesus is laying out in this sermon. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:05.279 Three things to very briefly say before we get to our parable. 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:12.440 The Sermon on the Mount is a blueprint for life in what John Stott calls the Christian counterculture. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:18.879 By which he means that Christians are called out from the world to live differently. 00:21:19.839 --> 00:21:22.599 Just as was the case with Old Testament Israel. 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:27.179 So perhaps you remember the story in the book of Exodus where God's people were slaves, 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:29.899 but then God by His power called them out. 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:33.399 He had called them to Himself, made a covenant commitment to them. 00:21:33.459 --> 00:21:38.819 So He called them to Himself, called them out, called them to meet Him on Mount Sinai, 00:21:39.399 --> 00:21:41.559 entered into covenant and gave them His commands. 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.519 Now what have we got in the Sermon on the Mount? 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:51.359 Here we have Jesus the Lord, and He calls His disciples up the mountain to meet with Him. 00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:54.379 And He speaks to them of grace. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:57.399 And then He gives them commands. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:01.059 And He calls them out to be different. 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:05.399 So having given the Beatitudes, He said to them, 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:08.919 You are the salt of the earth. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:12.579 What's the function of salt in that day? 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:16.099 Largely to preserve, to stop corruption. 00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:21.059 The Christian church has that responsibility within society. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.679 Jesus said, 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:24.319 You are the light of the world. 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:28.700 The contrast there with darkness that people live in without God. 00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:35.179 We are to be light that reflects the love of God and draws people to the Savior. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:43.039 This whole sermon from Jesus is a reminder that there are two ways and only two ways to live. 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:46.339 One that accepts Jesus as Lord and one that rejects. 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:52.440 And the church is called to live under the rule of Jesus to be like a colony of heaven. 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.460 To live a different life. 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:56.079 To live by a different way. 00:22:56.519 --> 00:23:01.899 To live by the ethics of grace in God's kingdom and in the world. 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:09.680 So we can also say that the Sermon on the Mount is a blueprint for a life of obedience to Jesus. 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:14.780 If we want to be obedient to Jesus, we have so much instruction in here. 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:17.519 And much of what we have, especially in chapters 5 and 6, 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:21.640 is Jesus teaching about greater righteousness. 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:24.160 Or about deeper righteousness. 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:27.140 Not just about surface level religion. 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.779 But on matters of the heart. 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:32.500 Jesus says some very striking things in chapter 5. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.840 We read in verse 17. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:38.940 I have not come to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.600 In verse 20, he said, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:44.360 Unless your righteousness surpasses the Pharisees and the teachers of law, 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.980 you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:48.019 And at the end of chapter 5, he says, 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:51.620 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:55.439 He's calling us to a deeper heart righteousness. 00:23:57.239 --> 00:23:58.500 Towards God's law. 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:01.219 Towards how we worship God. 00:24:01.899 --> 00:24:05.519 In our attitude towards money, where Jesus is a greater treasure. 00:24:06.219 --> 00:24:09.919 Towards other people, where we're slow to judge and we're quick to forgive. 00:24:11.059 --> 00:24:16.239 So he's calling us away from the legalism that was around in his day and in our day. 00:24:16.979 --> 00:24:19.279 It's all about surface and there's no heart commitment. 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:23.579 He's also warning us against the idea of license. 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:26.139 Well, if I'm saved by grace, I can just do whatever I want. 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:26.379 No. 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:29.019 We are to be careful to obey. 00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:34.599 Jesus calls us to live out the Sermon on the Mount because he is both our Savior, 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:39.200 the one who saves us from our sin by dying for us, 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:45.559 and he is our teacher who teaches us and shows us how to live within his kingdom. 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:54.100 But this sermon is also a blueprint for life in the Father's family. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:59.460 There's a couple of New Testament scholars, Jonathan Pennington and Ulrich Luzz, 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:01.460 who've done some work on this recently, 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:07.340 and they recognize that at the center of the Sermon on the Mount stands the Lord's Prayer. 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:15.420 And in a very real sense, the key to living the Sermon on the Mount is the Lord's Prayer. 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:21.700 So the good news of Christianity is that God is creator, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:25.120 and we were made in God's image to know God. 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:28.039 The relationship with God is possible, 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:31.840 but because of our sin, because of our turning our back on God, 00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.600 there is separation. 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:36.779 We stand justly under God's judgment. 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:41.019 But God, in his grace, has sent his son Jesus, 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:46.779 and Jesus has lived a perfect life for us as our representative and substitute, 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:49.279 and then he died on the cross, taking the penalty, 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:51.559 taking the punishment that we deserve, 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:53.839 and then he rose again in victory. 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.599 With the result that, 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:59.039 when we trust in Jesus, 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.779 our sins are forgiven, 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.799 we have eternal life, 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:05.980 and we are adopted into God's family. 00:26:05.980 --> 00:26:08.559 We are invited to call God, 00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.380 our Father in heaven. 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.059 And then, 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:16.099 we are called to live out the Father's family values. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.579 So we pray, 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.640 your kingdom come, 00:26:19.160 --> 00:26:20.039 your will be done. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:25.940 So we cannot live the Sermon on the Mount without calling God, 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.860 our Father in heaven. 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:31.920 And so to read the Sermon on the Mount is to recognize, 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:33.759 here is Jesus' grand design 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:36.000 for how to live in the kingdom of God. 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.680 And the parable, 00:26:36.879 --> 00:26:37.660 at the end, 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.339 reinforces that, 00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.279 because it calls us, 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:40.740 once again, 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:42.660 to build wisely, 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:45.180 to both listen and do, 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.400 the word of God. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:49.700 And so one thing that certainly reminds us, 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.240 as a church, 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:52.160 is that we must always prioritize 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:55.859 a discipleship that involves hearing and doing, 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:58.279 because that's the only kind of discipleship there is. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:27:02.639 So let's think about the parable now, 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.940 and let's think about the importance of building 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:07.599 on the right foundations secondly. 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:10.059 So chapter 7, 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:13.559 and verse 24 to 27, 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:15.240 we have that parable. 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:18.099 And it's a very simple parable in one sense. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.019 We have two builders, 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:22.220 and we have two construction projects. 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:24.539 One builder is described as wise, 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:26.740 one is described as a fool. 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:32.599 Just to help us get a sense of the kind of project 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:34.759 that Jesus invited his hearers to imagine, 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:36.099 in Jesus' day, 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.559 archaeology tells us 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:41.859 that many of the houses were either one or two stories high, 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:44.420 rough masonry on the outside, 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:48.539 and the foundations were cut into the bedrock. 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:50.819 That's important. 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:53.779 Also, when we remember the weather in the region, 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.940 for those of us who are interested in weather, 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.659 and we have some, 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:58.279 a little bit of weather trivia, 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:00.500 Jerusalem and London, 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.619 three different places, 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:06.579 but get around about the same annual rainfall, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.940 22 and a half inches, 00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:09.879 give or take. 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:14.420 London gets that over 300 days. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.879 So you get wet days, 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.899 you get drizzly days, 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:18.420 you get sort of overnight showers. 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:21.660 Jerusalem gets it in 50 days. 00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:23.660 What does that tell us? 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.460 When the rain falls, 00:28:24.540 --> 00:28:25.920 it falls heavy and it falls hard. 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.720 They have a wet season, 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.400 which in Jesus' day, 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.400 brought storms that were very destructive, 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.440 which made it essential 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:35.620 that whenever you built something, 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.780 you built it with a foundation. 00:28:38.300 --> 00:28:39.220 Everybody knew that. 00:28:42.060 --> 00:28:43.320 So why is that a foolish builder? 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.980 So in any parable of Jesus, 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:47.460 one of the things to be looking out for, 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.160 if we want to understand 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.779 what's the point that Jesus is trying to make, 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:52.180 we try and look for the surprising detail. 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.880 And the surprising detail 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:56.279 is in verse 26. 00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.759 Everyone who hears these words of mine 00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.079 and does not put them into practice 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:01.120 is like a foolish man 00:29:01.120 --> 00:29:02.400 who built his house on sand. 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.279 Why is that surprising? 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:04.720 Because nobody upon nobody 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:06.519 builds their house with no foundation. 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.059 It's just nobody does it. 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:08.860 This is folly. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:11.039 And nobody would do it. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:13.000 But regardless, 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.139 one storm comes 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:16.599 and there are two different outcomes. 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.740 So Jesus is talking about 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:19.059 two ways to live 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.519 and those two ways to live 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:22.019 have two different outcomes. 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.639 The one house, 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.599 the one life stands, 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:25.480 the other falls. 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:29.680 Now during that building process, 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:31.000 if we'd arrived after 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:34.039 the sort of initial construction phase, 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.480 perhaps the walls are halfway up, 00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:37.019 if you were sort of walking past 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.960 each building site, 00:29:38.359 --> 00:29:39.899 the foolish person may have seemed 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:40.980 so equally skilled 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.800 and equally efficient 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:43.380 as the wise 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.780 because the foundation 00:29:44.780 --> 00:29:46.580 or the lack of foundation 00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:47.840 was unseen 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:51.280 until the storm came 00:29:51.280 --> 00:29:53.740 and the storm exposed 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:55.180 that vital lack. 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:58.080 The way we might think about it, 00:29:58.560 --> 00:29:59.240 he exposed the fact 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.200 that he's a cowboy builder. 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.259 He's trying to take shortcuts 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:04.240 and he lacks true wisdom. 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.780 So that's the parable 00:30:05.780 --> 00:30:06.900 and it's quite easy to understand 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.820 but it's important for us 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:10.000 to think about what point 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:11.059 Jesus is making 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:13.000 because it's really important 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:13.779 for us to think about 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.220 what foundation is my life, 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.720 my life built on. 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:21.200 One thing, one point, 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.740 the right foundation 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:25.119 needs right hearing. 00:30:26.439 --> 00:30:27.720 So as so often 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:29.299 in Jesus' stories 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:29.839 and his teaching, 00:30:29.939 --> 00:30:31.939 he teaches by ways of contrast. 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.480 That's how he gets his point across. 00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.519 And here, 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.359 what's the contrast 00:30:35.359 --> 00:30:36.899 between the wise and the fool? 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.659 The wise man, 00:30:39.379 --> 00:30:41.259 we're told in verse 24, 00:30:41.679 --> 00:30:42.979 hears the words of Jesus 00:30:42.979 --> 00:30:44.819 and puts them into practice 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.339 whereas the foolish man 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.679 hears but doesn't. 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.639 The basic point being 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.819 that God's word 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:56.519 is not for information only. 00:30:57.779 --> 00:30:59.119 We don't come to church 00:30:59.119 --> 00:31:00.599 just to discover some facts. 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:02.039 We don't read our Bible 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:04.279 to grow in head knowledge. 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:05.539 Jesus wants transformation. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.399 Transformation of our heart 00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:09.000 and our mind, 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.539 our will 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.819 and our actions. 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:14.259 So imagine these men today, 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:14.960 both of them 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.240 coming to church 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:16.720 on a Sunday, 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:17.220 absolutely. 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:18.720 Both of them 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:19.559 reading their Bibles, 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.559 listening to sermons, 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.399 perhaps serving 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:23.119 on the same rotas. 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.200 But only one 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.240 truly obeys. 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:28.460 Only one has a heart 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.539 that is fully committed 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:31.339 to Jesus as Lord and King. 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.379 The right foundation 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:38.139 involves right listening. 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:40.579 It involves recognizing 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.960 that Jesus must both 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.759 be my savior from sin 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:46.659 and my teacher 00:31:46.659 --> 00:31:47.579 for how to live 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.700 in God's world 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:50.299 as a child of God. 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:52.559 That's the only 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.759 right foundation 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:55.079 and it involves 00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:55.859 that right listening. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:59.219 This parable also 00:31:59.219 --> 00:31:59.759 reminds us 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:01.019 that the right foundation 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:02.139 is a deep foundation. 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.559 It won't do 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.099 to just build 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.859 on the surface. 00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:07.139 It takes us 00:32:07.139 --> 00:32:07.879 to that imagery 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.439 that we've been 00:32:08.439 --> 00:32:09.519 singing about 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.459 and reading about 00:32:10.459 --> 00:32:10.899 at the beginning. 00:32:10.979 --> 00:32:11.799 In the Old Testament, 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.879 God was described 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.479 as the rock, 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.159 especially in the book 00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:14.839 of Psalms. 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.179 Eternal, 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:16.779 immovable, 00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.699 strength, 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.319 salvation. 00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:21.099 He's the rock of ages, 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:22.359 the one to shelter in, 00:32:22.419 --> 00:32:23.000 the one to build 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.639 a life on. 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:25.460 And then Jesus came 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.259 in his ministry 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:28.200 and he came calling 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.259 people back to God, 00:32:29.820 --> 00:32:31.220 calling people to himself, 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.940 calling people to his word. 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:34.520 Do we hear the claims 00:32:34.520 --> 00:32:35.440 of Jesus? 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:37.700 To build your life 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.580 on me and my word 00:32:38.580 --> 00:32:39.560 is to stand 00:32:39.560 --> 00:32:40.520 in the end. 00:32:42.620 --> 00:32:43.000 In a sense, 00:32:43.060 --> 00:32:44.040 that claim to God, 00:32:44.540 --> 00:32:45.280 to be God. 00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.120 Jesus came 00:32:47.120 --> 00:32:47.620 and he announced 00:32:47.620 --> 00:32:48.580 the kingdom of God 00:32:48.580 --> 00:32:49.640 is near because the king 00:32:49.640 --> 00:32:50.640 had come to establish 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.220 his kingdom. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:53.700 He called the people 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.299 to repent, 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.940 to turn from sin, 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.539 to turn to follow Jesus, 00:32:57.660 --> 00:32:58.980 to believe the good news 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.900 that he was the promised 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.799 king and savior. 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.620 He called the people 00:33:03.620 --> 00:33:05.039 to find treasure in heaven, 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:06.200 not to live for the stuff 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.220 of this life, 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.500 but rather to pursue 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.240 what is eternal. 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:10.160 And ultimately, 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.740 he wanted the people 00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:13.259 to find their true joy 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:15.460 in him, 00:33:16.400 --> 00:33:17.180 recognizing there's 00:33:17.180 --> 00:33:17.720 nothing better 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.420 than eternity 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.019 in the presence 00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.880 of the Lord Jesus. 00:33:19.880 --> 00:33:20.280 Jesus. 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:25.020 And Jesus also 00:33:25.020 --> 00:33:26.740 calls us to trust 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:28.300 him as the one 00:33:28.300 --> 00:33:29.260 who lives out 00:33:29.260 --> 00:33:29.820 the sermon 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:31.220 that he taught, 00:33:31.580 --> 00:33:32.420 that he preached. 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:33.740 I thought about that 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.160 in Easter. 00:33:34.300 --> 00:33:34.800 Jesus is the one 00:33:34.800 --> 00:33:35.380 who practices 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:36.240 what he preaches. 00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:38.800 Jesus is the one 00:33:38.800 --> 00:33:39.340 who came 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.540 as the light 00:33:40.540 --> 00:33:41.640 revealing the glory 00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.140 of God 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:43.600 into this world 00:33:43.600 --> 00:33:45.060 filled with the darkness 00:33:45.060 --> 00:33:45.540 of sin. 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.380 Jesus is the only one 00:33:47.380 --> 00:33:48.320 who always sought 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.440 the kingdom of his father, 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.840 who always pursued 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:52.140 the will of his father. 00:33:53.820 --> 00:33:55.000 Jesus is the one 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:56.000 who on the cross 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.620 loved and prayed 00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:59.320 for his enemies. 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.519 He's willing to die 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.840 to make enemies friends. 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:06.779 And this parable 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.919 is calling us 00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:09.019 to build our life 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.199 on this Jesus. 00:34:11.279 --> 00:34:12.019 Because the only 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.960 alternative is that 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:14.199 we're simply building 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.219 a life for ourselves. 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.659 And what we need to 00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:19.440 understand through 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:19.960 the Bible, 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.019 and we sang it as well 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.900 in Psalm 62, 00:34:22.019 --> 00:34:22.840 that all of our work, 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.619 all of our achievement, 00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.759 all the glory that we 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:25.519 might attain 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:27.380 will be swept away 00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.139 in the end 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.739 by death. 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:32.179 those things 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.099 that are not Jesus 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:34.000 that we are building 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.939 our identity on, 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:36.099 they are in reality 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.719 as fragile 00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:38.219 as a spider's web. 00:34:38.739 --> 00:34:40.139 And they will not stand. 00:34:40.719 --> 00:34:41.599 And what we need, 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:42.799 and Jesus calls us to this, 00:34:43.139 --> 00:34:44.019 we need solid rock. 00:34:44.099 --> 00:34:44.759 We need Jesus 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:46.279 as Savior 00:34:46.279 --> 00:34:47.479 and Lord. 00:34:49.699 --> 00:34:50.579 And another thing 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.159 when it comes to 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.959 building on the right 00:34:51.959 --> 00:34:52.619 foundations, 00:34:53.899 --> 00:34:54.659 think about the words 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:55.000 of Jesus. 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.699 Right foundations 00:34:55.699 --> 00:34:56.579 means a lifetime 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.579 of discipleship. 00:34:59.219 --> 00:35:00.019 This hearing 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:01.599 and putting into practice, 00:35:01.920 --> 00:35:03.279 this isn't a one-off thing. 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:04.940 This isn't a, 00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:06.159 I remember a number 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:06.840 of years ago 00:35:06.840 --> 00:35:07.900 I prayed a prayer 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.440 and I committed 00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.380 my life to Jesus. 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:09.940 It's not, 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:11.079 I can look back 00:35:11.079 --> 00:35:11.519 and remember 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:13.099 the day of my baptism, 00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:14.159 perhaps if we were baptized 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:14.900 when we were older. 00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:17.299 It's not a one-off thing. 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.860 It's a new way of life. 00:35:18.940 --> 00:35:19.639 It's a new king 00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.360 and a new kingdom 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:21.119 and submitting 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:22.059 to his authority 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:23.500 day upon day upon day. 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:28.319 We can connect that 00:35:28.319 --> 00:35:30.039 with the baptisms 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.759 that we had today 00:35:30.759 --> 00:35:31.960 and families 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:33.179 as spiritual units. 00:35:34.219 --> 00:35:35.259 It's a reminder 00:35:35.259 --> 00:35:35.900 that our goal 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.559 as parents 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:38.000 is both to teach 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.659 and model 00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:40.860 a life of following Christ. 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:43.420 To hear the words 00:35:43.420 --> 00:35:43.980 of Jesus 00:35:43.980 --> 00:35:45.259 should remind us 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:46.159 too of our priorities 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:46.980 as a church. 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:49.699 Reminds us of the goal 00:35:49.699 --> 00:35:50.960 of our Sunday services. 00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:52.239 It's the goal 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:54.239 of all our discipleship groups 00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:55.219 through the week. 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:56.159 we want to help 00:35:56.159 --> 00:35:56.779 one another 00:35:56.779 --> 00:35:58.799 to be wise 00:35:58.799 --> 00:35:59.639 towards God 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.859 and not to be foolish. 00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:02.919 That we would hear 00:36:02.919 --> 00:36:04.439 and that we would do 00:36:04.439 --> 00:36:06.099 the word of God. 00:36:07.779 --> 00:36:08.679 So as we begin 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:09.899 our community groups again, 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:10.779 let me invite you 00:36:10.779 --> 00:36:11.719 to encourage you 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:13.279 to commit to one of those 00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:14.239 so that together 00:36:14.239 --> 00:36:15.119 we might hear 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.939 and do together. 00:36:21.179 --> 00:36:22.139 This parable 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:24.119 calls us 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:26.019 to commitment 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:28.460 to passionate commitment 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.279 to Jesus as Lord. 00:36:31.379 --> 00:36:32.940 I read a very striking 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:33.940 it was actually 00:36:33.940 --> 00:36:35.659 just a very striking sentence 00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.559 or a couple of sentences 00:36:36.559 --> 00:36:39.099 from a professor of theology 00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:39.719 in the States. 00:36:39.839 --> 00:36:41.420 He said that as a society 00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:43.400 and I think we can include 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:44.420 the church in this 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:46.219 we have become passionate 00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:48.099 about the trivial 00:36:48.099 --> 00:36:50.939 and apathetic 00:36:50.939 --> 00:36:52.579 about the vital. 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.859 Think about what excites 00:36:55.859 --> 00:36:56.739 our own hearts. 00:36:57.779 --> 00:36:58.799 Isn't it sadly the case 00:36:58.799 --> 00:36:59.779 that we get more excited 00:36:59.779 --> 00:37:00.579 about what's happening 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.379 in the world of sport 00:37:01.379 --> 00:37:02.359 or the world of television 00:37:02.359 --> 00:37:03.159 and entertainment 00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:05.199 about our plans 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:05.699 and prospects 00:37:05.699 --> 00:37:06.359 than we are 00:37:06.359 --> 00:37:07.379 about knowing Jesus 00:37:07.379 --> 00:37:07.919 as Lord. 00:37:08.699 --> 00:37:09.719 About spending time 00:37:09.719 --> 00:37:10.359 in his word. 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:11.799 About spending time 00:37:11.799 --> 00:37:12.219 in worship. 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:16.139 I think one of the challenges 00:37:16.139 --> 00:37:17.059 coming out of pandemic 00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:18.959 is to pray 00:37:18.959 --> 00:37:20.879 for that grace 00:37:20.879 --> 00:37:22.319 to fight for godliness. 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:24.500 To fight for passion 00:37:24.500 --> 00:37:25.699 for Jesus again. 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:27.079 Because it was so easy 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:28.119 for apathy to say. 00:37:28.919 --> 00:37:29.899 And it's important 00:37:29.899 --> 00:37:30.480 for us to be 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.579 passionately committed 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:32.079 to Jesus 00:37:32.079 --> 00:37:32.679 to be ready 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:33.480 for the storms. 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.980 And let's turn there next. 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.279 Final thing 00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:38.599 to say 00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:39.179 is that 00:37:39.179 --> 00:37:40.339 this parable 00:37:40.339 --> 00:37:41.219 calls us to prepare 00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:44.219 for the stress test. 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.419 To prepare 00:37:45.419 --> 00:37:47.459 for the storm 00:37:47.459 --> 00:37:48.500 that will come. 00:37:49.899 --> 00:37:50.719 So going back 00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:52.279 to Japanese engineering 00:37:52.279 --> 00:37:54.059 the number of 00:37:54.059 --> 00:37:55.159 storm seasons 00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:55.939 they have 00:37:55.939 --> 00:37:57.319 make it apparent 00:37:57.319 --> 00:37:57.679 to them 00:37:57.679 --> 00:37:58.839 that they need to build 00:37:58.839 --> 00:38:00.219 with earthquakes in mind. 00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:01.699 They need to build 00:38:01.699 --> 00:38:02.959 with foundations 00:38:02.959 --> 00:38:03.539 that are able 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:05.079 to withstand storms. 00:38:06.939 --> 00:38:08.079 Jesus says 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.719 a wise builder 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.219 is ready 00:38:10.219 --> 00:38:10.919 for the storms 00:38:10.919 --> 00:38:11.459 that come. 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.599 Ready for the storm 00:38:13.599 --> 00:38:14.419 that will come. 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:15.799 Not if it comes 00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:16.399 but when. 00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.439 What storm 00:38:18.439 --> 00:38:19.319 did he have in mind? 00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:21.500 And why should we all 00:38:21.500 --> 00:38:22.059 pay attention 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:22.819 to his wisdom? 00:38:24.139 --> 00:38:24.859 So perhaps 00:38:24.859 --> 00:38:25.799 in our minds 00:38:25.799 --> 00:38:26.319 we hear 00:38:26.319 --> 00:38:27.339 storms 00:38:27.339 --> 00:38:27.919 and we think 00:38:27.919 --> 00:38:29.039 when we talk about it 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:30.399 the storms of life. 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:32.039 Whether that's grief 00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:33.439 or unemployment, 00:38:34.179 --> 00:38:34.699 illness, 00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:36.219 relationship breakdown. 00:38:36.339 --> 00:38:37.319 Those storms 00:38:37.320 --> 00:38:38.019 are real 00:38:38.019 --> 00:38:38.660 and painful 00:38:38.660 --> 00:38:39.340 and they do 00:38:39.340 --> 00:38:40.500 serve that purpose 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:41.519 often of exposing, 00:38:41.780 --> 00:38:42.100 revealing 00:38:42.100 --> 00:38:43.000 what our life 00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:44.080 is really built on. 00:38:45.680 --> 00:38:46.559 But I don't think 00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:47.320 that's the storm 00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:48.580 that Jesus is talking about. 00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:50.700 Most likely 00:38:50.700 --> 00:38:51.559 this storm 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:53.100 is pointing us forward 00:38:53.100 --> 00:38:53.820 to the day 00:38:53.820 --> 00:38:55.180 of judgment. 00:38:55.340 --> 00:38:55.660 Now why 00:38:55.660 --> 00:38:56.760 say that? 00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.280 It's because 00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:58.820 the context 00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.360 of the parable 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:00.640 comes with these 00:39:00.640 --> 00:39:01.539 final three 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.640 warnings 00:39:02.640 --> 00:39:03.660 that we read. 00:39:03.659 --> 00:39:04.920 So if you've got 00:39:04.920 --> 00:39:05.339 your Bible 00:39:05.339 --> 00:39:05.960 you can look at 00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:06.639 chapter 7 00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.539 and verses 13 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.119 to 14 00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:09.359 and Jesus warns 00:39:09.359 --> 00:39:10.219 about direction. 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:11.739 He says make sure 00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:12.399 you enter through 00:39:12.399 --> 00:39:13.039 the narrow gate. 00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.719 There's one way 00:39:13.719 --> 00:39:14.539 it's a hard way 00:39:14.539 --> 00:39:14.980 it's the way 00:39:14.980 --> 00:39:15.480 of the cross 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.059 but it's the way 00:39:16.059 --> 00:39:16.440 to life 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.359 but there's a broad way 00:39:17.359 --> 00:39:17.759 there's a way 00:39:17.759 --> 00:39:18.279 of comfort 00:39:18.279 --> 00:39:18.639 there's a way 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.940 most people choose 00:39:19.940 --> 00:39:22.099 but that way 00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:23.039 leads to destruction. 00:39:24.739 --> 00:39:25.119 That's final 00:39:25.119 --> 00:39:26.139 judgment language. 00:39:28.299 --> 00:39:28.679 And then in 00:39:28.679 --> 00:39:29.399 verses 15 00:39:29.399 --> 00:39:29.899 to 20 00:39:29.899 --> 00:39:30.759 he warns them 00:39:30.759 --> 00:39:31.980 about influence 00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.559 so he says watch 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.199 out for false 00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:33.760 prophets. 00:39:34.880 --> 00:39:36.219 He says watch 00:39:36.219 --> 00:39:36.699 out that you're 00:39:36.699 --> 00:39:37.320 not a bad tree 00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:38.019 bearing bad 00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:38.519 fruit because 00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:38.900 what does he 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:39.260 say? 00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:40.360 Verse 15 00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:41.079 every tree that 00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:41.599 does not bear 00:39:41.599 --> 00:39:42.219 good fruit is 00:39:42.219 --> 00:39:42.880 cut down and 00:39:42.880 --> 00:39:43.619 thrown into the 00:39:43.619 --> 00:39:44.019 fire. 00:39:45.340 --> 00:39:45.880 That's final 00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:47.039 judgment language. 00:39:48.460 --> 00:39:48.780 And then he 00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:49.519 says be careful 00:39:49.519 --> 00:39:50.000 that you're not 00:39:50.000 --> 00:39:51.440 just saying 00:39:51.440 --> 00:39:52.840 you're following 00:39:52.840 --> 00:39:53.400 Jesus but you're 00:39:53.400 --> 00:39:54.179 actually doing 00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:55.300 his will. 00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:56.440 He says not 00:39:56.440 --> 00:39:56.820 everyone who 00:39:56.820 --> 00:39:57.280 says to me 00:39:57.280 --> 00:39:57.820 Lord, Lord 00:39:57.820 --> 00:39:58.559 will enter the 00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.119 kingdom of 00:39:59.119 --> 00:40:00.960 heaven but 00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:01.400 rather 00:40:01.400 --> 00:40:02.400 some will 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:03.619 hear I 00:40:03.619 --> 00:40:04.300 never knew 00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:04.660 you. 00:40:05.220 --> 00:40:06.000 Away from 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.940 me you 00:40:06.940 --> 00:40:07.720 evil doers. 00:40:08.039 --> 00:40:09.079 To be away 00:40:09.079 --> 00:40:09.780 from Jesus, 00:40:09.900 --> 00:40:10.340 to be away 00:40:10.340 --> 00:40:11.039 from all that 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:12.039 is good and 00:40:12.039 --> 00:40:12.639 light and 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:12.860 love. 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:14.260 That's final 00:40:14.260 --> 00:40:14.720 judgment 00:40:14.720 --> 00:40:15.440 language. 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:17.200 And so 00:40:17.200 --> 00:40:18.039 Jesus is 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:20.300 warning about 00:40:20.300 --> 00:40:21.039 the importance 00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:21.860 of building on 00:40:21.860 --> 00:40:22.200 the right 00:40:22.200 --> 00:40:22.800 foundation. 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:24.780 Because he 00:40:24.780 --> 00:40:25.280 says in 00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:26.160 verse 25 00:40:26.160 --> 00:40:27.599 that when the 00:40:27.599 --> 00:40:27.980 rain came 00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.480 down and the 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:29.320 streams rose and 00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:29.920 the winds blew 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:30.619 and beat against 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.099 the house of 00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.799 the wise man 00:40:31.799 --> 00:40:32.519 it did not 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:34.579 fall because 00:40:34.579 --> 00:40:34.980 it had its 00:40:34.980 --> 00:40:35.559 foundation on 00:40:35.559 --> 00:40:36.099 the rock. 00:40:37.179 --> 00:40:37.659 But in 00:40:37.659 --> 00:40:38.480 verse 27 00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.259 when the 00:40:39.259 --> 00:40:40.099 storm came 00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:41.000 and the 00:40:41.000 --> 00:40:41.480 winds blew 00:40:41.480 --> 00:40:41.799 and beat 00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:42.199 against the 00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:42.480 house of 00:40:42.480 --> 00:40:42.980 the fool 00:40:42.980 --> 00:40:44.460 it fell 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:44.699 with a 00:40:44.699 --> 00:40:45.639 great crash. 00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:48.380 Jesus' 00:40:48.559 --> 00:40:49.099 point is 00:40:49.099 --> 00:40:49.400 that the 00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:50.360 storm will 00:40:50.360 --> 00:40:50.940 come. 00:40:51.759 --> 00:40:52.179 We will 00:40:52.179 --> 00:40:53.480 stand before 00:40:53.480 --> 00:40:55.719 Jesus the 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.539 judge one 00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.119 day. 00:40:57.779 --> 00:40:58.460 Are we 00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:59.119 ready for 00:40:59.119 --> 00:40:59.719 that day? 00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:02.579 That stress 00:41:02.579 --> 00:41:03.099 test that 00:41:03.099 --> 00:41:03.279 will 00:41:03.279 --> 00:41:03.739 ultimately 00:41:03.739 --> 00:41:04.279 and finally 00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:05.599 reveal the 00:41:05.599 --> 00:41:06.279 foundation of 00:41:06.279 --> 00:41:06.819 our life. 00:41:08.199 --> 00:41:08.420 And so 00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:08.699 Jesus' 00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.359 sermon and 00:41:09.359 --> 00:41:09.759 Jesus' 00:41:09.759 --> 00:41:10.339 story has 00:41:10.339 --> 00:41:11.019 that shocking 00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:11.739 ending. 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.440 Why? 00:41:13.719 --> 00:41:14.440 Because we 00:41:14.440 --> 00:41:15.219 need this. 00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.539 We need to 00:41:16.539 --> 00:41:17.380 be reminded 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:19.359 to continue 00:41:19.359 --> 00:41:20.420 trusting and 00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:21.319 loving Jesus. 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:22.759 Or we need 00:41:22.759 --> 00:41:23.980 to be woken 00:41:23.980 --> 00:41:24.659 up to see 00:41:24.659 --> 00:41:25.659 the serious 00:41:25.659 --> 00:41:26.179 eternal 00:41:26.179 --> 00:41:27.079 significance 00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:29.359 of choosing 00:41:29.359 --> 00:41:30.000 to reject 00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:30.480 Jesus. 00:41:33.859 --> 00:41:34.619 Perhaps we 00:41:34.619 --> 00:41:35.179 find ourselves 00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:36.179 laying foundations 00:41:36.179 --> 00:41:36.779 and preparing 00:41:36.779 --> 00:41:37.739 for so much. 00:41:38.420 --> 00:41:39.139 We make good 00:41:39.139 --> 00:41:40.179 financial plans 00:41:40.179 --> 00:41:40.819 and plans for 00:41:40.819 --> 00:41:41.460 our family's 00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:41.879 future. 00:41:42.539 --> 00:41:43.299 Perhaps we 00:41:43.299 --> 00:41:44.039 plan for our 00:41:44.039 --> 00:41:44.519 fitness or 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.379 future holidays. 00:41:47.239 --> 00:41:47.659 But do we 00:41:47.659 --> 00:41:50.279 plan to do 00:41:50.279 --> 00:41:50.539 with our 00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:50.940 faith? 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:51.960 To do with 00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:52.440 our eternal 00:41:52.440 --> 00:41:52.960 future? 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.360 So often 00:41:54.360 --> 00:41:54.820 we can find 00:41:54.820 --> 00:41:55.099 ourselves 00:41:55.099 --> 00:41:55.920 simply drifting 00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:57.780 without ever 00:41:57.780 --> 00:41:58.179 thinking. 00:41:59.099 --> 00:41:59.380 Drifting 00:41:59.380 --> 00:42:00.079 towards death 00:42:00.079 --> 00:42:00.519 and drifting 00:42:00.519 --> 00:42:02.000 towards that 00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:03.220 day of 00:42:03.220 --> 00:42:03.740 judgment. 00:42:05.840 --> 00:42:06.699 We live in a 00:42:06.699 --> 00:42:07.280 society that 00:42:07.280 --> 00:42:07.800 by and large 00:42:07.800 --> 00:42:08.599 has lost that 00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:09.579 sense of God. 00:42:10.400 --> 00:42:11.079 Lost the 00:42:11.079 --> 00:42:11.639 sense of sin 00:42:11.639 --> 00:42:12.179 and judgment. 00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:12.760 Lost the 00:42:12.760 --> 00:42:13.139 sense of 00:42:13.139 --> 00:42:14.159 eternal reality. 00:42:14.880 --> 00:42:15.420 And because 00:42:15.420 --> 00:42:16.099 of that, 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:17.740 there's a 00:42:17.740 --> 00:42:18.420 sense of not 00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:18.880 having the 00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:19.420 need to be 00:42:19.420 --> 00:42:20.679 prepared for 00:42:20.679 --> 00:42:21.340 death, to be 00:42:21.340 --> 00:42:22.480 prepared for 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:22.900 judgment. 00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:23.440 And also 00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:23.960 there is no 00:42:23.960 --> 00:42:25.280 solid foundation 00:42:25.280 --> 00:42:25.760 for hope. 00:42:25.820 --> 00:42:26.280 As Christians 00:42:26.280 --> 00:42:27.360 we have a 00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:27.820 hope that 00:42:27.820 --> 00:42:29.079 lasts beyond 00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.820 death. 00:42:31.920 --> 00:42:32.280 And so 00:42:32.280 --> 00:42:33.079 Jesus issues 00:42:33.079 --> 00:42:33.599 this loving 00:42:33.599 --> 00:42:35.300 warning to 00:42:35.300 --> 00:42:35.800 be ready 00:42:35.800 --> 00:42:36.579 before the 00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:37.539 ultimate stress 00:42:37.539 --> 00:42:38.840 test comes. 00:42:39.579 --> 00:42:40.300 An invitation 00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:41.139 to build on 00:42:41.139 --> 00:42:42.099 the solid rock 00:42:42.099 --> 00:42:43.099 today, to 00:42:43.099 --> 00:42:43.960 trust Jesus 00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:44.800 as creator 00:42:44.800 --> 00:42:45.559 and king, to 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:46.320 follow him and 00:42:46.320 --> 00:42:46.980 to follow his 00:42:46.980 --> 00:42:48.079 plan, to 00:42:48.079 --> 00:42:48.619 build our 00:42:48.619 --> 00:42:49.460 life on 00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:50.059 Jesus, on 00:42:50.059 --> 00:42:50.740 the salvation 00:42:50.740 --> 00:42:51.159 that he has 00:42:51.159 --> 00:42:51.720 provided, 00:42:51.719 --> 00:42:53.000 and the 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.579 wisdom from 00:42:53.579 --> 00:42:54.039 God that 00:42:54.039 --> 00:42:54.719 he taught. 00:42:56.719 --> 00:42:57.500 Think about 00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:58.099 Jesus in 00:42:58.099 --> 00:42:58.699 relation to 00:42:58.699 --> 00:42:59.159 this sermon. 00:42:59.279 --> 00:42:59.699 He is the 00:42:59.699 --> 00:43:00.059 one who 00:43:00.059 --> 00:43:01.139 lived the 00:43:01.139 --> 00:43:01.779 perfect life 00:43:01.779 --> 00:43:02.039 for us. 00:43:02.099 --> 00:43:03.159 He is and 00:43:03.159 --> 00:43:03.659 will always 00:43:03.659 --> 00:43:04.059 be the 00:43:04.059 --> 00:43:04.739 one truly 00:43:04.739 --> 00:43:06.059 wise man. 00:43:06.739 --> 00:43:07.500 The one who 00:43:07.500 --> 00:43:08.119 was perfect 00:43:08.119 --> 00:43:08.619 like his 00:43:08.619 --> 00:43:09.019 father. 00:43:09.879 --> 00:43:10.559 The one who 00:43:10.559 --> 00:43:11.599 perfectly kept 00:43:11.599 --> 00:43:12.019 the whole 00:43:12.019 --> 00:43:13.500 law and 00:43:13.500 --> 00:43:14.159 who came 00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:14.779 to save 00:43:14.779 --> 00:43:15.199 sinners. 00:43:15.719 --> 00:43:16.359 Who came 00:43:16.359 --> 00:43:16.759 to save 00:43:16.759 --> 00:43:17.339 foolish people 00:43:17.340 --> 00:43:17.960 like us. 00:43:18.920 --> 00:43:19.559 Who would 00:43:19.559 --> 00:43:20.280 choose by 00:43:20.280 --> 00:43:20.920 ourselves to 00:43:20.920 --> 00:43:21.300 build a 00:43:21.300 --> 00:43:21.760 life far 00:43:21.760 --> 00:43:22.200 from God 00:43:22.200 --> 00:43:22.460 and his 00:43:22.460 --> 00:43:22.860 ways. 00:43:24.980 --> 00:43:25.760 Dying for 00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:26.039 us in 00:43:26.039 --> 00:43:26.519 order to 00:43:26.519 --> 00:43:27.260 save us. 00:43:28.559 --> 00:43:28.860 Jesus 00:43:28.860 --> 00:43:29.519 willingly 00:43:29.519 --> 00:43:30.539 facing the 00:43:30.539 --> 00:43:31.280 storm of 00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:31.660 God's 00:43:31.660 --> 00:43:32.079 judgment, 00:43:32.660 --> 00:43:33.400 entering the 00:43:33.400 --> 00:43:34.360 darkness of 00:43:34.360 --> 00:43:35.100 the cross, 00:43:35.880 --> 00:43:36.360 feeling the 00:43:36.360 --> 00:43:36.820 father's 00:43:36.820 --> 00:43:37.820 judgment blow 00:43:37.820 --> 00:43:38.740 and beat 00:43:38.740 --> 00:43:39.579 on him, 00:43:40.480 --> 00:43:40.760 feeling 00:43:40.760 --> 00:43:41.860 abandoned by 00:43:41.860 --> 00:43:42.519 his father 00:43:42.519 --> 00:43:44.059 so that we 00:43:44.059 --> 00:43:44.659 never have 00:43:44.659 --> 00:43:45.059 to feel 00:43:45.059 --> 00:43:45.360 that. 00:43:46.179 --> 00:43:46.500 So we 00:43:46.500 --> 00:43:47.079 never have 00:43:47.079 --> 00:43:47.679 to experience 00:43:47.679 --> 00:43:48.179 the judgment 00:43:48.179 --> 00:43:48.559 of God 00:43:48.559 --> 00:43:48.800 if we 00:43:48.800 --> 00:43:49.360 trust in 00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:49.599 him. 00:43:51.420 --> 00:43:52.119 The Jesus 00:43:52.119 --> 00:43:52.780 who rose 00:43:52.780 --> 00:43:53.380 for us, 00:43:53.539 --> 00:43:54.239 who passed 00:43:54.239 --> 00:43:55.079 his great 00:43:55.079 --> 00:43:56.179 stress test 00:43:56.179 --> 00:43:56.719 and in 00:43:56.719 --> 00:43:57.599 his eternal 00:43:57.599 --> 00:43:58.579 life there 00:43:58.579 --> 00:43:59.340 is for us 00:43:59.340 --> 00:43:59.980 the guarantee 00:43:59.980 --> 00:44:00.800 of our 00:44:00.800 --> 00:44:02.119 eternal life 00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:03.519 that just 00:44:03.519 --> 00:44:03.960 as he 00:44:03.960 --> 00:44:04.820 stands so 00:44:04.820 --> 00:44:05.400 we will 00:44:05.400 --> 00:44:07.280 stand in 00:44:07.280 --> 00:44:08.099 his presence 00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:09.300 to enjoy 00:44:09.300 --> 00:44:09.980 him forever 00:44:09.980 --> 00:44:11.300 if our 00:44:11.300 --> 00:44:11.840 faith is in 00:44:11.840 --> 00:44:12.099 him. 00:44:13.380 --> 00:44:14.139 So this 00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:14.940 parable calls 00:44:14.940 --> 00:44:15.259 us to 00:44:15.259 --> 00:44:15.960 trust him, 00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:17.559 trust him 00:44:17.559 --> 00:44:18.099 as solid 00:44:18.099 --> 00:44:18.599 rock for 00:44:18.599 --> 00:44:18.960 now and 00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:19.599 for eternity 00:44:19.599 --> 00:44:21.239 to follow 00:44:21.239 --> 00:44:21.960 his commands 00:44:21.960 --> 00:44:23.019 that we 00:44:23.019 --> 00:44:23.360 might be 00:44:23.360 --> 00:44:23.820 safe and 00:44:23.820 --> 00:44:25.219 secure when 00:44:25.219 --> 00:44:25.659 the storm 00:44:25.659 --> 00:44:26.099 comes. 00:44:26.900 --> 00:44:27.539 Let's pray 00:44:27.539 --> 00:44:27.920 together 00:44:27.920 --> 00:44:28.340 briefly. 00:44:30.420 --> 00:44:31.079 Father we 00:44:31.079 --> 00:44:31.619 thank you 00:44:31.619 --> 00:44:33.500 for this 00:44:33.500 --> 00:44:34.940 simple yet 00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:36.719 powerful story 00:44:36.719 --> 00:44:37.239 that Jesus 00:44:37.239 --> 00:44:40.000 told and 00:44:40.000 --> 00:44:40.480 Lord as we 00:44:40.480 --> 00:44:41.119 consider and 00:44:41.119 --> 00:44:41.519 we pray that 00:44:41.519 --> 00:44:41.880 you'd help 00:44:41.880 --> 00:44:42.420 us to keep 00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:43.380 upon reflecting 00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:43.980 on it 00:44:43.980 --> 00:44:45.380 help us to 00:44:45.380 --> 00:44:46.440 reflect on 00:44:46.440 --> 00:44:48.440 who Jesus 00:44:48.440 --> 00:44:51.119 is and 00:44:51.119 --> 00:44:51.599 what he has 00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:53.000 provided in 00:44:53.000 --> 00:44:53.800 his salvation 00:44:53.800 --> 00:44:54.820 and in his 00:44:54.820 --> 00:44:56.500 teaching all 00:44:56.500 --> 00:44:57.139 that we need 00:44:57.139 --> 00:44:58.460 for a life of 00:44:58.460 --> 00:44:59.000 faith and a 00:44:59.000 --> 00:44:59.380 life of 00:44:59.380 --> 00:45:00.079 godliness and 00:45:00.079 --> 00:45:00.599 to secure 00:45:00.599 --> 00:45:01.139 our eternal 00:45:01.139 --> 00:45:01.579 life. 00:45:02.680 --> 00:45:03.180 Lord help us 00:45:03.180 --> 00:45:04.039 to reflect on 00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:05.920 what our own 00:45:05.920 --> 00:45:06.700 life is built 00:45:06.700 --> 00:45:07.480 on, where our 00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:08.780 priorities really 00:45:08.780 --> 00:45:10.480 lie, what we 00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:11.400 give our time 00:45:11.400 --> 00:45:12.079 and attention 00:45:12.079 --> 00:45:13.039 and joy to 00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:15.079 and Lord help 00:45:15.079 --> 00:45:15.960 us to remember 00:45:15.960 --> 00:45:17.619 the realities 00:45:17.619 --> 00:45:18.340 of death 00:45:18.340 --> 00:45:19.820 and judgment 00:45:19.820 --> 00:45:20.880 as hard as 00:45:20.880 --> 00:45:21.579 they may be 00:45:21.579 --> 00:45:23.240 that we would 00:45:23.240 --> 00:45:24.000 hear the loving 00:45:24.000 --> 00:45:24.659 warning of 00:45:24.659 --> 00:45:26.340 Jesus, that 00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:26.960 we would be 00:45:26.960 --> 00:45:28.820 prepared so 00:45:28.820 --> 00:45:29.300 that we might 00:45:29.300 --> 00:45:31.099 stand and 00:45:31.099 --> 00:45:31.380 so that we 00:45:31.380 --> 00:45:32.059 might enjoy 00:45:32.059 --> 00:45:33.619 eternity in 00:45:33.619 --> 00:45:34.320 the presence of 00:45:34.320 --> 00:45:34.699 our loving 00:45:34.699 --> 00:45:35.079 king. 00:45:35.079 --> 00:45:36.519 And it's in 00:45:36.519 --> 00:45:37.039 his name that 00:45:37.039 --> 00:45:37.480 we pray. 00:45:38.139 --> 00:45:38.460 Amen. 00:45:41.460 --> 00:45:42.279 Now let's 00:45:42.279 --> 00:45:43.119 close our 00:45:43.119 --> 00:45:44.799 time singing 00:45:44.799 --> 00:45:46.059 the classic 00:45:46.059 --> 00:45:47.119 hymn Rock of 00:45:47.119 --> 00:45:48.500 Ages and let's 00:45:48.500 --> 00:45:49.299 stand together 00:45:49.299 --> 00:45:49.719 to sing.