WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.679 Remember that Jesus is not speaking in chapter 7 to the ear religious. 00:00:06.740 --> 00:00:13.140 ! He is speaking to those who think that they are part of the kingdom of heaven, but are not citizens thereof. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:24.620 He is warning those in my hearing today to not be deceived by others and in today's text to not deceive themselves. 00:00:25.620 --> 00:00:29.560 He is warning us to escape final judgment. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.399 By placing saving faith in his person and in his work. 00:00:35.480 --> 00:00:40.899 He is exhorting us to find our righteousness in him and in him alone. 00:00:40.899 --> 00:00:46.600 The one and the only one who can grant us perfect righteousness. 00:00:47.740 --> 00:00:51.240 He has said in Matthew chapter 5 and verse 20, 00:00:51.240 --> 00:01:04.299 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, those perceived to be the most righteous, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:08.620 And then later in chapter 5, verse 48, he says, 00:01:08.780 --> 00:01:15.259 You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:20.820 So how are we to have this exceeding righteousness? 00:01:21.820 --> 00:01:24.420 How are we to be perfect? 00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:31.700 Jesus does not leave us without the answer to those most pressing of questions. 00:01:31.700 --> 00:01:40.060 So join me this morning as we look at our text as he continues to unfold that answer. 00:01:40.700 --> 00:01:44.260 Matthew chapter 7, verse 21 through 29. 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:47.780 Beloved, this is God's word to us. 00:01:48.099 --> 00:01:51.079 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:58.359 And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:28.340 Jesus says, 00:02:28.360 --> 00:02:36.440 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:46.040 And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:53.739 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 00:02:53.740 --> 00:03:02.500 And the rain fell and the rain fell and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell and great was the fall of it. 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:13.840 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching for he was teaching them as one who had authority and not as their scribes. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:22.120 I want to begin our study today by considering the builders of verses 24 through 27. 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:31.700 As Jesus is employing them as an analogy for what he has been teaching from verse 13 and down through verse 23. 00:03:32.599 --> 00:03:36.259 Let's begin by looking at their similarities. 00:03:36.539 --> 00:03:39.259 How are these two builders the same? 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:45.579 And then we will better be able to look at their differences together. 00:03:45.979 --> 00:03:48.639 So first there similarities. 00:03:49.560 --> 00:03:57.780 Jesus says in both verse 24 and in verse 26, everyone who hears these words of mine. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:02.859 So both builders hear these words. 00:04:02.860 --> 00:04:08.060 Jesus is certainly referring to the words that he has just spoken. 00:04:08.060 --> 00:04:12.200 Those words that we have been studying for the past so many months. 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:16.639 But I also believe that we should understand this more broadly. 00:04:17.520 --> 00:04:21.060 Jesus is speaking of the whole of the word of God. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:26.860 This full, declarative, redemptive work that God has given to us in the scripture. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:31.780 Jesus said in Matthew chapter 5, verse 17 through 19. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:36.599 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:04:36.859 --> 00:04:42.099 This was a common way to speak of the Jewish Bible, our Old Testament. 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:47.719 He says, I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:50.759 And then he goes on to say in verse 19. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:55.779 Therefore, whoever relaxes on one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same. 00:04:56.239 --> 00:04:58.139 Will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:58.379 --> 00:05:01.599 But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great. 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:03.939 In the kingdom of heaven. 00:05:04.299 --> 00:05:12.259 So Jesus is not the abolisher, but the fulfiller of words that should be taught and obeyed. 00:05:13.159 --> 00:05:20.599 Before Jesus is crucified, he promises that he will send the Holy Spirit to teach you all things. 00:05:20.599 --> 00:05:24.419 And bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:27.020 That's John chapter 14, verse 26. 00:05:27.580 --> 00:05:32.900 And then upon his resurrection, he commands his disciples to make disciples of all nations, 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:37.400 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:40.259 Matthew 28 and verse 20. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:46.879 We believe that we have that teaching in our New Testament. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:51.839 So we have the Old Testament commended to us to be taught and obeyed. 00:05:51.839 --> 00:05:57.099 And we have the New Testament commended to us to be taught and obeyed. 00:05:58.219 --> 00:06:01.519 The Apostle Paul states in Romans chapter 10 and verse 17. 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:07.819 So faith comes from hearing and hearing through the word of Christ. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:16.459 So we are to be hearers and doers of the word of Christ. 00:06:16.459 --> 00:06:20.779 Both of the Sermon on the Mount and the broader context as well. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:28.099 Both men, both builders in today's text are hearers of the word of Christ. 00:06:28.100 --> 00:06:33.439 They are also both men who build houses. 00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:36.660 These are figurative houses, not literal houses. 00:06:36.780 --> 00:06:40.840 We see that also in verse 24 and in verse 26. 00:06:41.879 --> 00:06:48.740 We should understand these houses to be lives, specifically religious lives. 00:06:49.960 --> 00:06:55.379 These are houses built in response to hearing the words of Christ. 00:06:55.379 --> 00:07:00.019 Both houses are built to stand. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:08.159 We get no inclination in the text at all that one house was built to stand and one house was built by design to not stand. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:10.719 Both houses are built to stand. 00:07:11.620 --> 00:07:17.000 Both builders have confidence that their houses will stand. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:24.100 But one man's confidence is in the Lord and the other man's confidence is in himself. 00:07:24.100 --> 00:07:28.280 So both men hear the words of Christ. 00:07:28.640 --> 00:07:35.240 Both men build houses based on the words of Christ. 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:44.140 And Jesus' exclusion of other details should lead us to understand that both houses are built in the same location. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:48.780 They certainly both experience the same storm with the same materials. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:53.399 We have no reason to think that the circumstances of these men's lives are any different. 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:57.239 That is to say, right? 00:07:58.439 --> 00:08:02.319 They're just examples of two ways. 00:08:03.539 --> 00:08:07.419 Narrow, difficult path and broad, easy way. 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:18.180 We're meant to understand that the great difference between these two men is what happens when the storm comes. 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:30.960 John wrote of his vision in Revelation chapter 20, verse 12 and verse 15 of the final judgment. 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:35.939 This is the storm here that Jesus is referring to. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:44.960 I have heard verses 24 through 27 preached way too many times about standing against the storms of life. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.860 That is not what this text is about. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:51.259 The scripture has much to say about such things. 00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:58.399 Many wonderful places we can go to find peace and comfort and tools to pick up to stand the storms of life. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:00.360 That is not what this text is about. 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.840 This is about final judgment. 00:09:03.300 --> 00:09:04.840 This is about previously in our text. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:11.519 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father on that day. 00:09:12.779 --> 00:09:15.340 This is an eschatological text. 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:19.600 This is referring to that final day of judgment. 00:09:20.460 --> 00:09:26.100 What religious house will stand and what religious house will be demolished? 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:29.840 That's the weight of the text that's before us. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:30.759 Today. 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:36.480 So Revelation chapter 20, verse 12 and then verse 15. 00:09:37.480 --> 00:09:38.940 John wrote of his vision. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:44.000 This is the judgment that Jesus is talking about in our text. 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:55.759 This is the judgment that Jesus is talking about in our text today. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:10:00.179 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:03.919 He was thrown into the lake of fire. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:09.759 This is the judgment that Jesus is talking about in our text today. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:14.659 And so this is a storm that we will all experience. 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:20.439 Will your house stand on that great day of judgment? 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:21.440 And to help you think about in our text today. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:28.400 And to help you think about that this morning, we should consider the differences between these two builders. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:36.740 First, one builder is declared wise in verse 24. 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:37.939 He has wisdom. 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:43.300 And the other declared foolish in verse 26. 00:10:44.060 --> 00:10:52.100 On the criteria that the wise man hears these words of mine, these words of Christ, and does them. 00:10:52.100 --> 00:10:58.480 And the foolish man hears these words of mine, and does not do them. 00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:05.480 So Jesus declares wise the hearer and doer of his word. 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:11.000 And foolish the mere hearer of his word. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:18.559 James borrows language from Jesus in James chapter 1 verses 22 and following. 00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:20.200 Where he wrote, 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:25.759 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 00:11:26.620 --> 00:11:29.299 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, 00:11:29.960 --> 00:11:33.679 he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:38.960 For he looks at himself and goes away at once, forgets what he looks like. 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:44.600 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, 00:11:44.900 --> 00:11:51.900 being no hearer who forgets, but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:58.860 You see, beloved, what we do proceeds from who we are. 00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:06.759 James is saying that if you are one who perseveres to the end and stands in the judgment, 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:15.600 you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and a disciple of Jesus Christ hears the words of Christ and does them. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:21.259 Peter wrote in 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 5 and following. 00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:36.220 Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue and virtue with knowledge and knowledge with self-control and self-control with steadfastness and steadfastness with godliness. 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:40.540 And godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection with love. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:49.540 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:58.700 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 00:12:58.700 --> 00:13:00.620 And then verse 10. 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:06.820 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:11.460 For if you practice these qualities, you will never fall. 00:13:12.420 --> 00:13:18.500 If you find yourself doubting your salvation or find a brother or sister doubting their salvation, 00:13:19.060 --> 00:13:20.340 do not say to them, 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:23.560 tell me about the day you walked the aisle. 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:31.219 Open the front of your Bible and look at the date that you wrote down when you made a profession of faith in Christ. 00:13:32.119 --> 00:13:34.159 The scripture doesn't do this and neither should we. 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:39.559 We should say, hey, turn with me to 2 Peter chapter 1 verses 5 through 10. 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:42.379 And let's consider your life. 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:44.239 Let's stop and think. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:50.559 Are these qualities yours and increasing or are they not? 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:54.339 Other texts do this well for us also. 00:13:54.479 --> 00:13:58.219 The whole book of 1 John serves us in this way. 00:13:59.439 --> 00:14:06.739 Peter in 2 Peter chapter 1 is in essence saying that you show yourself to be one who perseveres, 00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:12.159 one who is called and elect by doing the word of Christ. 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:20.399 Now, I am not, nor will I ever suggest that we are saved by our works. 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:23.719 That is not what James or Peter are suggesting. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:27.399 And neither is our Lord in his Sermon on the Mount. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:31.799 But it is not just the doer of the word of Christ, 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:37.159 but the doer of the word of Christ who is in Christ who is saved. 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:40.199 We throw ourselves on his righteousness. 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:43.000 Our status is changed. 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:44.399 This is the great doctrine of regeneration. 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:46.600 We become new creations. 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:50.259 And out of our new selves, we act. 00:14:50.719 --> 00:14:52.219 How do we know if we have a new self? 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:56.179 We measure how it is that we act. 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:59.360 Am I a doer of the word of Christ, 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:02.199 taking full confidence not in my doing, 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:06.040 but in his work on my behalf? 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:09.100 Take a look up the text a bit. 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:11.160 Matthew chapter 7 at verse 22. 00:15:13.040 --> 00:15:15.259 On that day, many will say to me, 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:20.120 Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.720 and cast out demons in your name 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:26.420 and do many mighty works in your name? 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:31.600 Jesus does not condemn these particular declarations 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:33.399 of good works. 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:35.540 It's difficult for us to know 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:38.259 by what power these men did these things. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:40.080 There are some clear examples in the Scripture 00:15:40.080 --> 00:15:43.840 of people doing works that appeared to be works of God 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:46.759 but were done by the hand of Satan in their lives. 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:49.300 I think this still exists in our day. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:51.080 People do miraculous things. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.600 They do it in the name of God, 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:55.620 but they're really doing it under a different power altogether. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:59.259 There are many who, under their own power, 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:03.899 just do outwardly good-looking things. 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.779 We don't know exactly what's going on here, 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.419 but Jesus does not say, 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:11.600 those are not the good works that I required of you. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:15.399 He doesn't condemn those particular good works. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:18.220 So we can gather that the works mentioned 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:20.820 are in fact works of obedience. 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:24.360 What does Jesus tell us He will say 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.820 in that future day in verse 23? 00:16:27.400 --> 00:16:30.320 What will be the condition of their acceptance 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:31.280 into His kingdom? 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.020 The works? 00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:33.960 He says, 00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:35.800 And then I will declare to them, 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:38.400 I never knew you. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.940 Depart from me, 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:42.220 you workers of lawlessness. 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:44.520 So they did works, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:47.280 but they didn't do works in Christ. 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:49.240 They weren't in Him. 00:16:49.319 --> 00:16:51.600 He never knew them. 00:16:52.699 --> 00:16:54.220 The foolish man builds a house 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:57.419 that he believes will stand in the last day, 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:59.079 but it will not 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:02.620 because the foolish man is not known by Jesus Christ. 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:06.920 This is the man who built his house on the sand, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.940 the shifting sand of his works. 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:15.139 We must be so very careful at this point. 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:18.860 Jesus is teaching that it is altogether possible 00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:22.000 to appear to be following Christ 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.420 with our actions. 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.740 You can have every confidence 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:27.500 that you are in Christ because of your works, 00:17:27.560 --> 00:17:29.640 but this can be a self-confidence, 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:32.100 a self-righteousness. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:36.060 You can also declare all of the right theology 00:17:36.060 --> 00:17:38.540 and not be in Christ. 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:40.100 Verse 21, 00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:41.620 Jesus says, 00:17:41.619 --> 00:17:43.039 Not everyone who says to me, 00:17:43.119 --> 00:17:44.239 Lord, Lord, 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:46.799 will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:47.699 --> 00:17:52.059 This is a statement of careful theological accuracy. 00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:54.659 It was common in Jesus' day 00:17:54.659 --> 00:17:55.639 to call someone Lord 00:17:55.639 --> 00:17:58.219 as a matter of respect or of honor. 00:17:58.939 --> 00:18:00.899 Your boss may have been called Lord. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.959 The governor may have been called Lord. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:06.139 Military generals would have been called Lord. 00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:10.100 But to call Jesus Lord, Lord 00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:14.340 suggests much more than mere human respect. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:18.080 It suggests that it is altogether possible 00:18:18.080 --> 00:18:22.500 to mentally ascend to the divinity of Jesus Christ 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:25.680 and to not place saving faith in Him. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:29.880 More broadly, it means that we can have this book 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:31.240 so figured out, 00:18:31.300 --> 00:18:33.640 just like the Pharisees who searched it diligently 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:37.100 but failed to come to Christ. 00:18:38.380 --> 00:18:40.160 This book is a precious book. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.340 If you've been here long at all, 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:44.700 you know how much I love the Scripture. 00:18:45.540 --> 00:18:49.080 But this is a book that points us to our Creator. 00:18:49.600 --> 00:18:54.980 We know God and we know Christ through this book. 00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:58.380 And we can so fail to know the book 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:00.960 and not know the author of it. 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:04.039 There's a difference between knowing God 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:07.160 and really knowing about Him. 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:11.660 As a church who is in a tradition 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:13.940 that loves study and we should, 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:17.539 cares deeply about theology as we should, 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:21.279 wants to make sure things are just so-so as we should, 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:23.200 we have to be very careful 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:26.019 that we don't think that knowing things 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.779 makes us righteous before God. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:31.639 It's knowing Christ and being known by Him 00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:34.899 that approves us before God. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:40.019 In Matthew chapter 13, verse 24 through 30, 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:43.879 Jesus tells the parable of the wheat and the tares, 00:19:44.379 --> 00:19:46.440 which should be absolutely jarring to us. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.680 And I want you to turn there with me. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.799 Matthew chapter 13, just a few pages. 00:19:49.799 --> 00:20:05.919 This parable, I think, stands beside the parable of the soils. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.740 So the parable of the soils, 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:08.980 we see there's four different soils 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.899 and we're sowing, the word is being sown 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:12.460 and it gets accepted in various ways, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.859 ways that we can observe now. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:19.019 But this is the one that stands eschatologically next to it. 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.079 Well, what about the end? 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.319 That's what Jesus says. 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:24.440 The kingdom of heaven may be compared 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:28.539 to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:30.519 But while his men were sleeping, 00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:33.400 his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.940 and went away. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.839 So when the plants came up and bore grain, 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:40.319 then the weeds appeared also. 00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:42.660 And the servants of the master of the house 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.720 came and said to him, 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:47.259 Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:49.980 How then does it have weeds? 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.759 He said to them, 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:53.059 An enemy has done this. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.680 So the servant said to him, 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.720 Then do you want us to go and gather them? 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.119 But he said, 00:20:58.200 --> 00:21:00.119 No, less than gathering the weeds, 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:02.079 you root up the wheat along with them. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.960 Let both grow together until the harvest. 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:06.160 And at harvest time, 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.579 I will tell the reapers, 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.960 Gather the weeds first 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:11.200 and bind them in bundles to be burned, 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:14.140 but gather the wheat into my barn. 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:18.140 There was a common weed of the day called a tare. 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:20.800 And it looked exactly like wheat 00:21:20.800 --> 00:21:25.080 until it was time for the wheat to bear fruit. 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.920 Until it went to grain. 00:21:27.040 --> 00:21:30.180 And the tares did not go to grain in the same way. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:33.140 And so it is very possible what Jesus is saying 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.160 is that we can look around 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.980 and we can all look the same. 00:21:37.040 --> 00:21:39.200 Good seed sowed in good soil. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.780 And yet amongst us, 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:44.879 There are people who are confident in what they know 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:46.639 and in what they do 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:48.599 who are not in Christ. 00:21:49.059 --> 00:21:52.379 Will not bear the fruit of righteousness. 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.660 Isn't that jarring? 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.579 It is to me. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:22:00.420 And it should cause us to put our hands 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:03.599 to the labor of discipleship. 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:06.579 Helping each other follow Christ. 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:08.879 Helping each other be confident 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:10.980 of our calling and election. 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:13.500 Growing up in righteousness. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.200 Right? 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:15.860 Lest at the end 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:18.620 we be shown to be a tare. 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.180 A weed that is gathered 00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:22.920 and thrown into the fire. 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:26.220 We can be theologically astute 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:28.100 and zealous for good works 00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:30.400 and have Jesus declare to us 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.860 on the final day of judgment, 00:22:32.060 --> 00:22:33.600 I never knew you. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.820 Depart from me, 00:22:35.120 --> 00:22:37.300 you workers of lawlessness. 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:40.879 Unless the foundation of our lives 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:43.440 is built on the rock. 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.819 What is this rock? 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:48.200 It's Jesus Himself. 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:51.619 His person and His completed work. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.759 Just as Peter declares that, 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:55.000 just after, excuse me, 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:57.319 Jesus declares that Jesus is the Christ. 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:59.799 In Matthew 16, verse 18, 00:22:59.919 --> 00:23:00.619 Jesus says, 00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.799 And I tell you, 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.759 you are Peter, 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:04.199 and on this rock 00:23:04.199 --> 00:23:06.439 I will build my church, 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.479 and the gates of hell 00:23:07.479 --> 00:23:09.959 shall not prevail against it. 00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:10.479 Right? 00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:12.199 I want to think, 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.500 although it probably didn't happen 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.479 for them at this time, 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.479 but I want to think 00:23:15.479 --> 00:23:17.000 that the disciples' brains 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:18.139 just exploded 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.339 because they connected back 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.259 to the Sermon on the Mount. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.479 The rock! 00:23:22.239 --> 00:23:22.699 And they went, 00:23:23.239 --> 00:23:23.939 listen to Him, 00:23:23.979 --> 00:23:25.199 His metaphors are consistent, 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.000 it's fantastic. 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:30.440 Jesus is the rock 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.539 on which our lives 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.920 must be built 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.740 if we're to stand 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:35.480 in final judgment. 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.220 In Matthew chapter 7, 00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.740 Jesus is the narrow gate 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.720 that must be found 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.380 and entered, 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:41.799 and He is the rock 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.640 on which our houses 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:44.420 must be built 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.619 if we are to stand. 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.119 The surface of the land 00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.160 of Jesus' home 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:50.500 was largely, 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.319 and still is, 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.900 sand, 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.720 and the substrate, 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.859 the underlayer, 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:57.219 of the land of Jesus' home, 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.500 still is, 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:00.679 was largely sand. 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:03.039 So in order to build 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.679 a solid home, 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.740 builders of His day 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:08.059 would have to dig down 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.799 through the sand 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:10.359 to find the bedrock. 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.619 They would have to go 00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.619 and search for it 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.459 and do this work 00:24:13.459 --> 00:24:14.319 of clearing out 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:16.740 the shifting land 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.799 to find the solid land 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:20.959 on which to build. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.619 It is with this reality 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.099 in mind 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:25.059 that Jesus says 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.099 the wise man 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:27.000 built his house 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:29.279 on the rock. 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.579 They understand 00:24:30.579 --> 00:24:32.419 this analogy. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:34.279 If you've built a house 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.279 or you're building a house, 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.039 we know 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:37.500 that we have to build 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.179 our foundations 00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:39.579 below the frost line. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:40.779 Otherwise, 00:24:40.959 --> 00:24:41.519 our foundations 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.240 will crack. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.779 If you haven't, 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.240 you have no idea 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.019 what I'm talking about. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.559 In Georgia, 00:24:45.699 --> 00:24:46.500 it's not very deep. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.079 Our foundations 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.000 don't go very deep 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.419 in Georgia 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:49.099 because the frost 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.879 doesn't go very deep 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.279 in Georgia. 00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.480 In other places, 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.319 boy, 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:52.860 do you have to 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.559 dig a foundation 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.420 to make sure 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.440 your house's foundation 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.319 doesn't crack. 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:58.039 So it's into this context 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.799 that Jesus is speaking. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.940 They all know exactly 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.920 what he's talking about. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.279 How a house 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.079 on the rock 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.860 is stable 00:25:03.860 --> 00:25:04.779 and a house 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.579 on the sand 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:07.220 is not. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.539 Jesus 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:10.220 is the rock. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:11.799 We cannot build 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.640 religious lives 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.860 with any measure 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:14.900 of self-confidence, 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.339 any measure 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.160 of self-confidence, 00:25:17.620 --> 00:25:18.500 but rather 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.779 with confidence 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:21.039 in Jesus. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.460 It is with a confidence 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.720 in his completed work 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.039 that we work 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.000 and evidence 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.019 our confidence. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.420 It's because of 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:31.579 who he makes us 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:33.200 that we work. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.019 Spurgeon once said, 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:36.019 faith and works 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.839 are bound up 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:37.720 in the same bundle. 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.779 He that obeys God 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.619 trusts God 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:42.380 and he that trusts God 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.299 obeys God. 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.980 He that is without faith 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.720 is without works 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:47.279 and he that is without works 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:49.019 is without faith. 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.500 And Jesus says 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.639 in John chapter 14 00:25:51.639 --> 00:25:52.579 verse 15, 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.200 if you love me, 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.799 you will keep 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:57.680 my commandments. 00:25:59.099 --> 00:26:00.899 So there is a wise builder 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:02.660 and a foolish builder. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.220 Both experienced 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.920 the same storm 00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:06.299 in the final judgment. 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.779 And how did they fare 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:10.220 in that storm? 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.519 The wise man's house 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:14.079 did not fall 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:15.399 because it had been 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:17.040 founded on the rock. 00:26:17.140 --> 00:26:18.280 Verse 25. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.460 The foolish man's house 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.160 fell 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.519 and great 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:24.300 was the fall of it. 00:26:25.100 --> 00:26:26.160 We are builders, 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.980 all of us. 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.380 Will your house 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.180 stand in the judgment 00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.840 or will it experience 00:26:30.840 --> 00:26:32.580 a great fall? 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.380 Not many preachers 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.140 these days 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.380 like to speak 00:26:37.380 --> 00:26:38.420 of judgment. 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:40.680 It's a most unpleasant thing, 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.100 isn't it, 00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:41.720 to talk about 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:43.160 the eternal state 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.680 of souls 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.580 who aren't found 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:46.420 in Jesus Christ. 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.840 I suggest 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.880 that that's happening 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:49.740 so prevalently 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.500 in our day 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.240 because 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:52.840 they are far too 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:53.460 concerned with 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.980 pleasing their listeners 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.600 and want people 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.080 to come 00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:58.519 and feel good 00:26:58.519 --> 00:27:00.279 about coming 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.800 to church. 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.000 And as 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:04.259 Thomas Watson, 00:27:04.660 --> 00:27:05.480 a Puritan preacher, 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.540 said, 00:27:06.660 --> 00:27:07.540 this is on your bulletin, 00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.320 guilty men 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.659 do not love 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.240 to hear 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.099 of the day 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.220 of judgment. 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.899 Which would be 00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.339 to suggest 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:14.720 that those 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.059 who are found 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:15.399 in Christ 00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:15.759 do. 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:17.299 That final day 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.339 where we will be 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:20.500 given to the kingdom 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.039 of God 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.079 in our entirety. 00:27:23.919 --> 00:27:24.939 But I have to tell you, 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.220 church, 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.639 my concern this morning 00:27:26.639 --> 00:27:27.539 is not that you 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.480 be pleased with me. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.679 I don't really care 00:27:31.679 --> 00:27:33.679 if it means 00:27:33.679 --> 00:27:34.519 that your soul 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.159 is headed 00:27:35.159 --> 00:27:36.220 towards destruction. 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:39.880 If your soul 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:41.279 be not saved, 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.279 why does it matter 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:44.200 if you like me? 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.240 I want you instead 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.700 this morning 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.920 to have an unshakable 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:48.740 confidence 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:50.180 that your house 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:50.740 is built 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:52.279 upon the rock 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.500 because that final 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.640 storm is 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.720 coming. 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.140 The scripture 00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:58.980 promises it 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.620 to us. 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.700 The writer of Hebrews 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.900 says in Hebrews 9 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:04.220 and verse 27, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.759 it is appointed 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.339 for man 00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:06.940 to die 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.440 once 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.000 and after 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.420 that 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.259 comes 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.440 judgment. 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.539 This is a sure 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.599 thing. 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:15.039 If you are not 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.980 found in Christ 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.740 on that day 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.740 of judgment, 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.920 it is a very 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.680 frightful 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.680 thing. 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.200 You ought to 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.079 tremble 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:24.359 at the idea 00:28:24.359 --> 00:28:25.759 that there will be 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.619 a final judgment 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.140 for you 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.740 and that you 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:28.379 could be 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:29.640 separated from God 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.599 forever. 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.539 Jesus said 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.559 in Luke 13 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.480 verse 28 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.240 that the place 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:36.460 those cast 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.919 from the Lord's 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:37.359 presence 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.480 will be full 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.559 of weeping 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.679 and the gnashing 00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:42.379 of teeth. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.659 It is a lake 00:28:43.659 --> 00:28:44.139 of fire, 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.639 a place 00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:46.099 of torment 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.619 for those 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.279 who are enemies 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.519 of our most 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:50.039 holy God. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.799 Flee 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.559 from the wrath 00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.159 of God 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:54.659 to God 00:28:54.659 --> 00:28:56.559 in Christ. 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.460 Place your faith 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.460 in Jesus. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.640 the same 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:00.900 way, 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.200 I think 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.539 that Ray 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:01.920 Comfort 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.500 uses this 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.539 analogy a lot, 00:29:03.620 --> 00:29:03.980 the same 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.960 way that 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.740 a parachuter, 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:06.740 a parachutist, 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.640 I think is the 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.440 right term, 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:09.980 trusts in a 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.400 parachute. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:11.740 The other 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.140 day I 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.039 flew a 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.640 pretend plane 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.100 in our living 00:29:14.100 --> 00:29:14.420 room and 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.039 had my boys 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.500 putting on 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.100 backpacks and 00:29:16.100 --> 00:29:16.620 jumping off 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.220 the couch 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.559 to talk about 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.319 what it means 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:20.120 to believe 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:21.360 in Jesus. 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.380 To trust 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.420 that He 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:24.920 will catch 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.420 you at the 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.880 end. 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.059 That you 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.900 will be found 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.259 in Him 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.900 and His 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.519 righteousness 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.240 will be 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.879 yours. 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.319 And the 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:31.759 penalty for 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.160 your sin 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:32.759 was paid 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.319 by Him 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.019 on the 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.339 cross 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.160 to believe 00:29:35.160 --> 00:29:35.799 in that 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:36.420 way that 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:36.720 you would 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.640 toss yourself 00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:39.099 out of 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.500 the plane. 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:41.619 Flee 00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.019 from the 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.359 wrath of 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.680 God 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:44.099 to God 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:45.400 in Christ. 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.640 Enter by 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.000 the narrow 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.420 gate. 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.740 Do not 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.579 be deceived 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.359 by others 00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.379 or deceive 00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:52.759 yourselves. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.259 It is 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.359 confident 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.500 faith 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.039 in the 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.480 person and 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:57.799 work of 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.160 Christ. 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.799 evidenced 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.019 by 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.700 obedience 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.019 that will 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.400 see us 00:30:01.400 --> 00:30:01.740 through the 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:01.980 judgment 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.440 of God 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.019 and into 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:03.460 His 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.000 blessed 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.779 presence 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.960 forever. 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.420 Matthew 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:08.940 concludes 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.700 his record 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:10.400 of Jesus' 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:10.900 sermon 00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.579 by writing, 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:12.660 And when 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.400 Jesus finished 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.140 these sayings, 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.319 the crowds 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.440 were astonished 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.039 at His 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.440 teaching, 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.420 for He 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:18.859 is teaching 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.180 them as 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.500 one who 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.039 had authority 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.559 and not 00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.339 as their 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.039 scribes. 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:23.359 They were 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:24.700 amazed. 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:26.740 They were 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.860 dumbfounded. 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.960 This was a 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:30.180 big teaching 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.860 that they 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:32.080 had heard. 00:30:33.080 --> 00:30:33.420 No one 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:33.940 had spoken 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.900 such strong 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.500 declarations 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:35.860 about the 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:36.259 kingdom of 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:37.200 God as 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.940 Jesus had. 00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.140 No one 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:39.920 had corrected 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.460 the common 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.220 misunderstandings 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.700 of the law 00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.380 as Jesus 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.259 had. 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.360 No one 00:30:44.360 --> 00:30:44.840 had placed 00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:45.519 such high 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.160 standards of 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:46.559 righteousness 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.180 and then 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.819 declared 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.680 themselves 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.860 the righteous 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.580 answer 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.680 as Jesus 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.519 had. 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.900 No one 00:30:53.900 --> 00:30:54.400 had so 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:54.900 warned 00:30:54.900 --> 00:30:55.220 against 00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.580 false 00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:56.039 prophets 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.660 and 00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:57.340 false 00:30:57.340 --> 00:30:58.420 believers 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.420 as 00:30:59.420 --> 00:30:59.759 Jesus 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.240 had. 00:31:01.320 --> 00:31:01.660 Jesus' 00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:02.220 listeners 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.560 were amazed 00:31:03.560 --> 00:31:03.920 at the 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.360 authority 00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:04.759 that He 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.500 spoke with. 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.200 But Jesus' 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:07.680 listeners 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.920 in His 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.400 day 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.680 and in 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.120 ours 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:12.000 need more 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.900 than 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:14.000 amazement. 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.980 We need 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.900 belief. 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.400 There were 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:19.299 many in 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.519 Jesus' 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.180 hearing 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:21.039 in His 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:21.400 day, 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:21.720 and there 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:21.920 have been 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.980 many since 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:24.460 that have 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:24.940 read and 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:25.500 have studied 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.860 and have 00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:26.380 poured over 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:26.880 the Sermon 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.200 on the 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.600 Mount and 00:31:27.600 --> 00:31:28.740 are amazed 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.019 by its 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.519 teaching. 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.440 There are 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:31.759 many in 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.000 our day 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.400 that pick 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:32.680 it up 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.100 as a 00:31:33.100 --> 00:31:33.540 good 00:31:33.540 --> 00:31:34.860 moralistic 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.519 guide for 00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.080 life. 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.180 We 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:37.440 shouldn't 00:31:37.440 --> 00:31:37.920 just be 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:38.660 amazed 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.080 at His 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:39.300 words. 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:39.600 We need 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.820 to believe 00:31:40.820 --> 00:31:42.040 in His 00:31:42.040 --> 00:31:42.500 words 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:44.060 and do 00:31:44.060 --> 00:31:44.340 them. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.080 We need 00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:46.600 to be 00:31:46.600 --> 00:31:48.019 like the 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:48.720 Peter of 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.259 John 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:50.460 chapter 6 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.640 after 00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.000 Jesus 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.759 had said 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.220 many 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.559 difficult 00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:53.920 things. 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.240 He said 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.759 all kinds 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.120 of stuff 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.579 about eating 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:55.740 His 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:55.980 flesh 00:31:55.980 --> 00:31:56.340 and drinking 00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:56.579 His 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:56.840 blood 00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.160 and people 00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:57.440 are getting 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:57.720 a little 00:31:57.720 --> 00:31:58.240 bit weirded 00:31:58.240 --> 00:31:58.500 out 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.720 by Jesus. 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:01.880 Many 00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:02.680 abandoned. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:03.620 The 00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:03.960 disciples 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.640 left in 00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.539 droves. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:06.779 And 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.000 Jesus 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.500 says, 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:07.980 what the 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.559 text says, 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:09.279 verse 66, 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:10.940 after this 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.279 many of the 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.940 disciples turned 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.640 back and no 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.400 longer walked 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.360 with Him. 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:15.759 So Jesus 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.339 said to 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.000 the twelve, 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.139 do you 00:32:18.139 --> 00:32:18.539 want to 00:32:18.539 --> 00:32:19.099 go away 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.839 as well? 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:21.240 Simon 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:21.899 Peter answered 00:32:21.899 --> 00:32:22.199 Him, 00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.319 Lord, 00:32:24.139 --> 00:32:24.500 this is who 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:24.779 we want 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.039 to be. 00:32:25.439 --> 00:32:25.879 This is who 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.139 we want 00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:26.339 to be. 00:32:26.419 --> 00:32:26.459 The 00:32:26.459 --> 00:32:27.939 Peter of 00:32:27.939 --> 00:32:28.119 John 00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:28.759 chapter 6, 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.179 Lord, 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:29.979 to whom 00:32:29.979 --> 00:32:30.359 shall we 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:30.759 go? 00:32:31.719 --> 00:32:32.019 You 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.719 have the 00:32:32.719 --> 00:32:33.279 words of 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.679 eternal 00:32:33.679 --> 00:32:34.559 life and 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.179 we have 00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:35.959 believed 00:32:35.959 --> 00:32:36.719 and have 00:32:36.719 --> 00:32:37.240 come to 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.379 know that 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.019 you are 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.500 the Holy 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.879 One of 00:32:40.879 --> 00:32:41.219 God. 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.199 May we 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:43.660 be those 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:43.819 who 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.340 declare 00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:44.980 Jesus 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.960 as the 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.380 Holy One 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.860 of God, 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.740 the Christ, 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:48.799 the narrow 00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.360 gate and 00:32:49.360 --> 00:32:49.920 the rock. 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:51.160 And may we 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.880 enter by 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:53.019 Him and 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.660 build our 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:55.140 houses on 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.940 Him into 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.460 the eternal 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:58.740 rest of 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:58.980 God. 00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.140 Let's pray 00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:00.440 together.