Matthew 7 - What Kind of Foundation Are You Building Your Life On? Will It Survive the Storm?

Click Here to Read or Listen to Matthew 7

What's Happening in Matthew 7?

Today we finish up Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, as recorded by Matthew the Tax Collector, one of Jesus' disciples. In the first two chapters Jesus taught mostly on the interior spiritual life. The disciplines his followers would need to practice in order to live life in His kingdom power.  In chapter 7 Jesus' theme is directed at how we should think about and treat others. How can this spiritual transformation change how we treat others around us? 

Judging Others

Judging others is something I think everyone struggles with to some extent. Sometimes we judge other people to feel better about ourselves or make ourselves look better. Jesus says we are a hypocrite if when we point out something in someone else's life, while being guilty of the same thing. He uses the metaphor of pointing out a speck of dust in someone else's eye, when there is a logjam in your own. 

Jesus offers a very good reason of why we should avoid having a judmental attitude. When we judge others, the same measure we use with them will be used with us. This makes me not want to judge at all. Sometimes we have high standards for others but very low ones for ourselves. In fact some people find things in others to point out as wrong precisely because they are doing it to. This may even happen subconsiously. 

What of the saddest statements I hear made is, "Christians are some of the most judgmental people I have met." May that never be said of me or you. 

Ask, Seek, Knock

I love Jesus' teaching on the progressive nature of prayer. Each aspect of prayer builds on the previous one by increasing the intentionality of it. I could ask God for something. Then, I could seek out possible avenues that my prayer might be answered. Finally, I can take a step of action to see if the door will be opened. 

For instance, I could ask God for a new job. I could sit around waiting for a new job to land in my lap. When it doesn't come I might say, "God you must not really care about me because you didn't answer prayer!" But what if in addition to asking God for a new job, I re-wrote my resume, put it online, and started researching what types of companies were looking for someone like me. Then, what if I started knocking on doors of potential employers, rather than waiting for them to contact me. I think you get the point. Prayer is not just passively waiting on God to answer us, but being willing to ask, seek, and knock until the right door is opened or closed. 

Jesus closes out this teaching by reminding us that our God is a good Father. He wants the best for us. When we pray God hears us. Just because he doesn't give us what we think we want does not mean he is not answering our prayers. God loves to give good gifts to His children in the right time, in the right way for the right reasons. 

God values persistence and passion in prayer because they show that we share His heart. It shows that we care about the things He cares about. Persistent prayer does not overcome God’s stubborn reluctance; it gives glory to Him, expresses dependence upon Him, and aligns our heart more with His. (Guzik)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

In the Gospel of John, Jesus teaches us that He is the Good Shepherd, and He is the gate for the sheep to go in and find pasture. Jesus is the true gate into the kingdom of God. . In that sense people may view Christianity as narrow, but in reality the gate God has given us to Him through His Son is very wide! Why? Because it is open to anyone who would come through it. In fact, God's desires is that everyone would come through Jesus as the gate and enjoy Him now and forever. 

True and False Prophets

Just because someone purports to speak for God does not necessarily mean they are a true prophet. It is not just our words that matter but our deeds. If someone says they are a prophet but there is no fruit in our lives we need to recognize that. Jesus says in John 15, "If you abide in me you will bear much fruit". 

We say "The fruit shows the roots". We sing, "They will no we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they will know we are Christians by our love!" Though none of us are perfect. if our lives are completely out of alignment with who God is, "Houston we have a problem!"

We should pay attention to the manner of living a teacher shows. Do they show righteousness, humility and faithfulness in the way they live?

We should pay attention to the content of their teaching. Is it true fruit from God’s Word, or is it man-centered, appealing to ears that want to be tickled?

We should pay attention to the effect of their teaching. Are people growing in Jesus or merely being entertained, and eventually falling away? (Guzik)

True and False Disciples

Jesus uses a very similar line of thinking in terms of who are his true followers. Though many will call out, "Lord, Lord", it is doesn't necessarily mean they know Jesus. It is those who do God's will. 

Does this mean we are saved by works and not by grace through faith? 

In the end, there is one basis of salvation; it isn’t mere verbal confession, not “spiritual works,” but knowing Jesus and being known by Him. It is our connection to Him – by the gift of faith that He gives to us – that secures our salvation. Connected to Jesus we are secure; without connection to Him all the miracles and great works prove nothing. (Guzik)

When we invite Jesus into our hearts by believing He is the only Son of God, we are born again. We are given His Holy Spirit and this is the power we have to live a new life that bears fruit giving glory to God. God's will is that we would know Him and accept His Son that He sent us to because of His great love for us. 

The Wise and Foolish Builders

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by comparing two types of builders. One is wise, and one is foolish. When the rains come down and the winds blow, one house will survive and the other one will collapse. 

What is the difference in the two homes? It all depends on their foundation. One was built on a rock, and the other was built on the sand. I think you know which one survived the storm. 

So the big question is what was the rock the builder used to build this foundation? 

The wise man built his house by listening to and applying God's Word to his life. Note it says not only listening to God's Word but by putting it into practice. We know that Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is the rock of our salvation. As we put our faith in Jesus and then put his teachings into practice our foundation is secure. 

When Jesus is your secure foundation, you don't need to worry about all of the storms on the horizon. These storms can come in many and varied forms through our family, our finances, our friendships, our healthy, or our own failings. Though we might get battered by the storms of life, if we cling to the rock, we will get through whatever storms we face in this world. 

Questions to Ask Yourself? 

1. Do I not only ask, but also seek and knock when I pray?

2. Am I am judgmental person? If so, what is going on in my own life that might be causing this? 

3. Am I a true disciple? Am I bearing the fruit of being in a relationship with Jesus in my daily life at work, with family, and with friends? 

What Coming Tommorrow in Matthew 8?

We are moving away from Jesus' words to His works! We are going to see how God's kingdom (His rule or reign) comes through Jesus in many different ways. Through his healing of people, his power of Creation, his power over evil spirits, and His love for someone who many might think doesn't deserve love.