Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene "Jesus’ Authority" by David Restrick for Monday, 10 July 2017 - Matthew 7:13-28

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene "Jesus’ Authority" by David Restrick for Monday, 10 July 2017 - Matthew 7:13-28 

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Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States - The Global Church of the Nazarene "Jesus’ Authority" by  David Restrick for Monday, 10 July 2017 - Matthew 7:13 “Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; 14 but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

15 “Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep’s clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves! 16 You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. 19 Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! 20 So you will recognize them by their fruit.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’[Matthew 7:23 Psalm 6:9(8)]
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,
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There is preaching, and there is preaching! The people gathered around Jesus as he delivered his Sermon on the Mount had heard plenty of preaching and teaching in their day. No doubt, most of them were regular attendees at their local synagogues. Each week they heard their rabbis explaining the scriptures and rehearsing the Law of Moses. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them snoozed as the morning message was being given. They had heard it all before.
Jesus’ preaching was different. They had not heard anyone preach and teach as he did. The things that Jesus preached were not the same old platitudes. Jesus’ preaching touched their hearts and addressed their day-to-day lives. They felt convicted as they heard his messages. Jesus’ preaching made them think, and it brought them to a place of decision. No one dared snooze off during his sermons. John tells us that even the Temple guards reported, “No one ever spoke the way this man does” (John 7:46). As the crowds listened, they were amazed! No one could listen to this preaching and remain complacent.
When we hear God’s Word proclaimed, may we be more than amazed. May we be transformed!
"My Faith Has a Resting Place" by Lidie H. Edmonds

1. My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device nor creed;

I trust the Ever-living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

2. Enough for me that Jesus saves,

This ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him,

He’ll never cast me out.

Refrain:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

3. My heart is leaning on the Word,

The written Word of God,

Salvation by my Savior’s name,

Salvation through His blood.

Refrain:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

4. My great Physician heals the sick,

The lost He came to save;

For me His precious blood He shed,

For me His life He gave.

Refrain:

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea,

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.

Thought for Today:

But he said, “Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”(Luke 11:28).

Please pray:

That many people in Malawi will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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