Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Sunday, 26 July 2015 - "The Rock or The Sand?" Scrupture: Matthew 7:24-29

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Sunday, 26 July 2015 - "The Rock or The Sand?" Scrupture: Matthew 7:24-29RG AUDIO 072615

Matthew 7:24 “So, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on bedrock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the winds blew and beat against that house, but it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers flooded, the wind blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed — and its collapse was horrendous!”

28 When Yeshua had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at the way he taught, 29 for he was not instructing them like their Torah-teachers but as one who had authority himself.

"The Rock or The Sand?" by Author: Olivia Metcalf
When we read Jesus’ example in Matthew 7 of two builders and two houses do we think: “That foolish sinner! He only cared about having his own way. He didn’t think ahead. He built his house on the sand. Of course, a sinner would do that! Only the good and wise Christian would think to build a house on the rock. Firm and sure is the way followers of Christ live."
However, read the passage carefully. It never says anything about a Christ follower and a sinner. What it says is, one heard Christ’s words and put them into action: the other also heard as well, but didn’t put them into action.
Being a true follower of Christ has little to do with memorizing scripture passages, quoting doctrine, singing in the choir, or even teaching Sunday School. We can hear and know, and even believe, but unless we do what Jesus has said it matters not. What matters is that we put Jesus’ words, His teachings, into action. We need to desperately need to read the words of Jesus and do what he says with our whole being. That is what it means to build our house on the Rock.
Hymn for Today: "The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote

1. My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

3. His oath, His covenant, His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

In Him, my righteousness, alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

  All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,

Thought for Today:

"But if someone keeps doing what he says, then truly love for God has been brought to its goal in him. This is how we are sure that we are united with him. A person who claims to be continuing in union with him ought to conduct his life the way he did." [1 John 2:5-6]

Please pray:

For the development of Christian leaders in Nigeria.
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