There isn’t anything more practical than Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:28-29 we’re told that, “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.” (CSB)
What was it about Jesus that astonished people? Well first, he is lovingly direct. We’re used to people “direct,” but not “lovingly direct.” But second, Jesus is infinitely wise. There is real substance to his teaching, and if we would hear and obey, we’d experience great healing in our soul/relationships.
But here is something I’ve learned about Jesus. It’s not enough to be “astonished” or have an emotional reaction to Jesus’ teaching. I don’t think Jesus gave a lick about impressing people, or astonishing people, as if he we’re trying to be the greatest showman on earth.
Here is the bottom line: It doesn’t matter how lovingly direct or infinitely wise a teacher may be (even God Himself), if we’ve already decided to go about life the way we’ve always done it. The bottom line is, do Jesus’ words carry any weight/authority for you? When the music fades, when everything is stripped away, will you remain strong, feet firmly planted in Christ’s words, life fully yielded to the Lord?
Boy I wish I could spend 3-4 more weeks on the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is giving the crowd clear direction about the challenges we will inevitably face as followers of Jesus, and what we should do. I want to summarize his final words as simply as I can!
FIRST, THERE WILL BE DISCOURAGEMENT. SEEK GOD NO MATTER WHAT.
I’ve noticed that preaching can have an unintended effect on people. For example, when Jesus says, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” it can feel like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, its positively inspiring! A part of us longs for perfection! We want to realize our fullest potential. But the harder we chase after perfection, the more elusive it becomes.
We often get stuck, feeling discouraged, asking, “Can we really become like Christ? Can we really change? Is there grace? Is there mercy? Is God really good even though I’m really bad, and really fall short?”
Our own failures discourage us—and at the heart of discouragement is this nagging question of whether God feels about us the way we sometimes feel about ourselves. Is he disappointed? Has he maybe given up on us?
In holding up the highest moral/ethical ideals found in all of Scripture (i.e. be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect) it was incumbent upon Jesus that we never lose sight of God’s goodness/love. He reminds us how God is the most generous, patient Father we can imagine (Think Luke 14, story of the Prodigal Son!). God as our Father will always open the door, answer the phone, and respond to our needs. We’re family.
In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. 12 Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (CSB)
“Everyone” means everyone. If we ask, seek, knock we are promised that God “will” be responsive.
I especially like that last part… Be as good to others as God is good to you! No matter how discouraged or disillusioned we feel we should never stop seeking God. We should never doubt his Fatherly goodness/love. Nor should we ever deny such goodness/love to others.
SECOND, THERE WILL BE DIFFICULTIES. FOLLOW JESUS NO MATTER WHAT.
If you’ve ever been so bold as to follow the way of Jesus, you’ve probably found yourself feeling alone. The way of Jesus is nearly popular or easy. Celebrities will not endorse the way of Jesus. Politicians will not endorse the way of Jesus. Late night comedians will not endorse the way of Jesus. Your spouse, your boyfriend, your girlfriend… may not endorse Jesus’ teaching on purity and marriage. Your enemies, your adversaries, may not ever endorse Jesus way of love. You get the point.
In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (CSB)
This is the life God is calling us to—that we would follow Jesus no matter how difficult, or how alone we may feel on that road. We’re never truly alone—but I’m talking about from a human point of view. You will be insulted. You will be the butt of jokes. You will be mocked, ridiculed, bullied, alienated, marginalized, excluded… in much the same way Christ suffered all the same.
But just like we never stop trusting the goodness of God, we never stop following Jesus. WHY? Because the way of Jesus leads to eternal life… and the way of the world leads to destruction/death.
I’ve seen this thing at church, at youth rallies, at Christian concerts, conferences, and venues. In an emotionally charged atmosphere we get all charged up to follow the way of Jesus. We’re astonished by the speakers, music, moments. We’re encouraged to be surrounded by a great throng of like-minded believers. We have these mountain-top experiences (Jesus taught this sermon on the side of a mountain!). It’s awesome! But we’re not called to live out this life on mountaintops. We live it out here in the real, everyday world.
THIRD, THERE WILL BE DECEITFULNESS. KNOW/LOVE GOD NO MATTER WHAT.
As you follow Jesus, we naturally form attachments to prominent personalities… preachers, elders, teachers, speakers, artists. We have our favorites. Our key influences. People we quote who have shaped our spiritual journey. We tend to be drawn to the greatest shows and greatest showman. I don’t live in a cave. I have to confess, there are some REALLY handsome, fit, sparkly, dynamic, fluent, powerful preachers out there! There are also some really huge, shiny, successful, pretty, well-oiled ministries out there!
In Matthew 7:15-23 Jesus says, “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’ (CSB)
We are accountable for the influences we subject ourselves to. Sometimes it takes a few seasons before you really know the fruit of a personality or a ministry.
There is one thing that matters supremely at the end of the day—it’s whether you know/love Jesus. Not just whether the Showmen know/love Jesus, but you! Not one of the grandest/most spectacular, most astonishing feats of “ministry” will matter at the end of the age—only if we know Jesus, love Jesus, and bear godly fruit. Don’t get distracted by the “show” or “showmen.” Fix your eyes on Jesus!
FOURTH, THERE WILL BE DOWNPOURS. BUILD WISELY NO MATTER WHAT.
Spring is upon us! Every spring we have these torrential downpours. When Lara and I moved to Springfield, our house was not equipped for torrential downpours. A little rain would fall, and our basement would get flooded. We never had peace of mind. We’d go on vacation but would anxiously watch the Weather Channel, and radar.
So here is the deal. When the rain starts pouring, it’s already too late to prepare. You might think all winter long, “We should check the pumps… we should clear the gutters… unclog the storm sewer… test run the generator… buy a spare sump-pump… repair the septic system… etc.” When the rain comes it doesn’t matter what preparations you “thought” about taking… it only matters what preparations you have “actually” taken.
In life there are literal storms, but there are other kind of storms. It’s the saddest thing to watch in ministry. People who have had years, decades to prepare for a storm but chose not to. But then tragedy strikes, and it’s the 11th hour, and people have not cultivated the faith needed to carry them through the storm. If we can’t handle a few sprinkles, and a few showers, how will we ever be ready for downpours?
In Matthew 7:24-29 Jesus concludes his message: “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” (CSB)
Build wisely before the downpours come.
Matthew 7:28-29: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.” (CSB)
Isn’t that nice? Jesus has been so loving direct. He has been so infinitely wise. The whole time people have been emotionally moved. They’ve been amazed, astonished, thrilled, moved. They’ve probably nodded their heads. They’ve probably called out, “Yes Lord, Yes Lord. Amen! Amen!” They probably tweeted, facebooked, instagramed, and snapchatted.
But the only reaction to Jesus that really matters is this…
- In times of discouragement, will you seek God/ trust goodness no matter what?
- In times of difficulty, will you follow Jesus no matter how unpopular it may be?
- In times of deceitfulness, will you anchor your faith to knowing/loving God not men?
- Before the downpour comes, will you build wisely, not just hearing but obeying? Not just talking but acting?