Before we jump into the story of the sand builders, I want us to consider what Jesus was saying before He started talking about building. Looking back at verses 21-23 in Matthew 7, He declares who is in His Kingdom and who is not. First He says, Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall … Continue reading The Saga of Sand Builders and Closing Remarks
Sermon on the Mount
Build on the Rock
Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 I love … Continue reading Build on the Rock
Citizenship in the Kingdom is More Than Talk
Jesus spoke of the narrow road and false prophets. Before leaving the seriousness of obedience and following Him, He continued with one more crucial point. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that … Continue reading Citizenship in the Kingdom is More Than Talk
Beware of False Prophets
Beware of false prophets? Do we have false prophets? Oh, yes, we do, and they multiply daily. They may not appear to represent what we would call a prophet, but prophesying false information is their main line of communication. In our world, the media, politicians, and many in the medical field have perfected the art … Continue reading Beware of False Prophets
The Narrow Way
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 We want to believe that it … Continue reading The Narrow Way
The Golden Rule
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 Jesus just got through telling those gathered on the mount to ask, seek, and knock until they received from God the things they needed to do His will. But He adds this instruction. He tells … Continue reading The Golden Rule
ASK – SEEK – KNOCK
After Jesus laid out the basics of how the Kingdom works and how to expect Holy Spirit to lead us, He offers keys to kingdom blessings that require our initiation. Let’s see what He has to say. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be … Continue reading ASK – SEEK – KNOCK
Pigs and Pearls
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Matthew 7:6 Now here, Jesus gives some wonderful wisdom that we need to be applying today. Dogs and pigs are both considered unclean, unholy animals. The term … Continue reading Pigs and Pearls
Judge Not
There are few verses quoted more frequently than the opening ones of Matthew 7. These same verses are also less understood by those who are so ready to attack others whom they believe are not practicing them correctly. Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the … Continue reading Judge Not
What Do You Value? Part 3 – Do Not Worry
As we finish out chapter 6 today, Jesus speaks to the crowd about worry compared to life in the Kingdom. In Kingdom life, worrying about material things is dishonoring to God and is a sin. To be fearful about the supply of future needs is to be guilty of unbelief. It calls into question the … Continue reading What Do You Value? Part 3 – Do Not Worry
Hear God's Heart 