In worship God touches the hearts of His people and they receive healing, breakthrough and answers to their prayers. God’s presence also brings peace and joy!
Todaywe are concluding our study of the Sermon on the Mount. “We have been studying the book of Matthew for about 1.5 years and I think our whole life would not be enough to explore it,” – Began her sermon Pastor Bose Adelaja.
“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: 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. 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: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.“(Matthew7:24-29).
What do we seehere? We see that it is necessary to dig, in order to have depth in anything. The house referred to here is our life. Man consists of three parts: spirit, soul and body. The house consists of a foundation – a prototype of the spirit, the outer part or the facade – a prototype of the body and the internal, the living area – a prototype of the soul. It’s good when we build our house on the rock, on a solid true foundation.
What else do we see? We see the practicality of Christianity, we see a living and dead religion. The living religion can withstand any circumstance. However,if we only know the words of Jesus, but do not fulfill them, we are left with nothing, we fall into the category of those who would hear, “Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Christianity– a practical walk with God.
The Christian lifeis 80 percent of practices. Theory alone will not save us, it will only bring little benefits tous and to others.
Jesus called those who approach Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him, hypocrites. Real changes take place in the heart.
It is important not to rely more on our works. We must ensure that our worksand our hearts go in the same direction. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. All our works without faith and submission to Jesus Christ would not count in Heaven.
What are the conditionsof entering Heaven? Do everything in the name of Jesus. “For the sake of Jesus, I’m going to the hospital. For Jesus’ sake, Iserve children, etc. “- only such works are acceptable in Heaven.” Pay attention again to the Sermon on the Mount. Do all things for Jesus’ sake, and at the same time, do not look for merit! “- Said Pastor Bose.
Jesus says that coming to Him, we must be willing to fulfill His word. Our best choice is the fulfillment of His Word!
What else do we see in this passage? We see two houses that were built being tested. Jesus says that the house that was rightly built will stand and the one built badly will be destroyed. We will have trials, temptations, conflicts, but God didnot plan for our foundation to be shaken. Everything depends on our choice.
Our future is provided if we live according to God’s Word. People in the world would laugh, thinking that we are stupid, but our result will be better. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.“(Matthew7:27).
Jesus says thatthe fall was great. But who is to blame? God is not guilty. Everything that is built untruthfully will fall, if not today, then tomorrow.
“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.“(Matthew 7:27,28).
When we dowhat we preach, the difference will always be seen. A clear difference between the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the Pharisees could be seen. It was not a dry, formal teaching, but it was a profound and deep teaching. It was direct, He taught without fear, He taught, not trying to please anyone. People saw the depth and the breadth of His doctrine, how He revealedto them different angles that they did not know before. They saw the light, the simplicity of the teaching, and all this did not leave them indifferent. They saw the relevance of teaching and they wondered. They saw His faithfulness, diligence, honesty, morality, he was with no hypocrisy, and they were not indifferent. They saw His power because He spoke as “one having authority.”
Jesus knewGod, He came from God, and He lived as He taught. When we do what we preach, the difference will always be clear.
So,dear brothers and sisters, it is time for us to become people with authority and true disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us radically change our lives and be transformed on the basis of this Word of God, and then we can change the world.
May God bless you!
From the Central Church service
June 19, 2014, Kiev
Press-service of the “Embassy of GodChurch”