ROCK SOLID FAITH #2: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
INTRO: Last week, our Senior Pastor Steve started a series on the Sermon on the Mount called, Rock Solid Faith. This is part two.
How many of you would like to have a rock solid-faith? Jesus gives us the key:
OPENING TEXT:
“24 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. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." 28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:24-29).
• Jesus talks about, “hearing and doing these sayings of mine.” What sayings? Primarily he’s talking about his teaching in the sermon on the mount.
• How are you building your life? Are you being a smart or a stupid carpenter?
• If you want to develop a rock-solid faith, build on the rock of Jesus’ teaching!
ILLUSTRATION: Retiring Carpenter
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to poor workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career. When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
(illustration taken from a sermon on sermon central dot com)
• Are you ready to start developing a rock-solid faith? Let’s re-read Jesus’ words:
“24 These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit - but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. 26 "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. 27 When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” (Matthew 7:24-27, The Message).
GHANDI QUOTE: “I like your Christ, but I don’t like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” Why is that? Because of Christians who don’t live the life. We need to change that!
BACKGROUND TO THE SERMON:
“23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. 25 Great multitudes followed Him--from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.” (Matthew 4:23-25).
What do we learn about Jesus here? He is compassionate, and looks for ways to love and bless people. This is one of the things that motivated him to preach and teach the people, knowing that the truth of God’s Word can change their lives!
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT: Jesus is THE Prince of Preachers!
“1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed…”
BLESSED: happy, supremely blessed; to be envied, and spiritually prosperous – with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favour and salvation.
• These next few verses are called the be-attitudes, or the ‘happy’ attitudes.
• Everyone is searching for happiness, but often finds it short-lived in life.
• ILLUSTRATION: Taking my kids to McDonalds for a “Happy” meal. They are ’happy’, but it is temporary and only last until the final french fry. This is the world’s happiness, not God’s lasting happiness.
• Jesus says the way to happiness is different than the worldly view of riches and fame.
• Do you want to be happy, supremely blessed? Here are the keys:
3 "BLESSED ARE the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (opposite: the proud)
• Poor = “helpless, powerless, beggarly.” Those who recognize their spiritual poverty, casting aside their pride, and receive God’s grace. To be humble and lowly.
ILLUSTRATION: After the church service a little boy told the pastor, "When I grow up, I’m going to give you some money. "Well, thank you," the pastor replied. "But why?" "Because my daddy says you’re one of the poorest preachers we’ve ever had."
(illustration from sermon central dot com)
STORY: “That night Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to be his dinner guests, along with his fellow tax collectors and many other notorious sinners. The Pharisees were indignant. "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" they asked his disciples. When he heard this, Jesus replied, "Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ’I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices.’ For I have come to call sinners, not those who think they are already good enough.” (Matt. 9:10-13).
• QUOTE: The church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners.
• QUOTE: “Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual, but for the wobbly and the weak-kneed who know they don’t have it all together, and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace… Something is radically wrong when the local church rejects a person who is accepted by Jesus… Any church that will not accept that it consists of sinful men and women, and exists for them, implicitly rejects the gospel of grace.” (Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel).
4 BLESSED ARE those who mourn, Reward: they shall be comforted. (opposite: the hard hearted)
• Mourn = “mourning over sin, the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation. The “comfort” is the comfort of forgiveness and salvation.” (John MacArthur).
5 BLESSED ARE the meek, Reward: they shall inherit the earth. (opposite: the rebellious or out of control)
• Meek = not ’weak’ but a “gentleness of spirit; supreme self-control; submitted, like a ‘broken’ horse”
• Example of Jesus: “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory.” (Matthew 12:18-20).
6 BLESSED ARE those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Reward: they shall be filled. (opposite: the complacent)
• Hunger = “to crave or seek with eager desire.”
• Righteousness = “integrity, virtue, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting”
• Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matt. 6:33).
7 BLESSED ARE the merciful, Reward: they shall obtain mercy. (opposite: the judgmental)
- We are told to forgive others as God forgave us – story of unjust servant
8 BLESSED ARE the pure in heart, Reward: they shall see God. (opposite: the impure)
- We are told to be innocent of evil. In this ungodly antichristian world, we need to guard our hearts and watch what kind of movies and TV shows we see.
9 BLESSED ARE the peacemakers, Reward: be called sons of God. (opposite: the fighters)
- We are called to pursue peace with all men.
10 BLESSED ARE those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, Reward: the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:1-12).
CLOSING CHALLENGE: Jesus gives us 8 keys to developing a rock-solid faith:
• Be poor in spirit
• Be one who mourns
• Be meek
• Hunger and thirst for righteousness
• Be merciful
• Be pure in heart
• Be a peacemaker
• Rejoice when persecuted for righteousness’ sake
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN WE START LIVING OUT THESE ATTITUDES? “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).
PRAYER: For the Lord to help us let our lights shine.
