But Anyone Who Hears My Teaching

Review:

A person who builds His house on the rock of Jesus can withstand the trials of life.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

● Hears: to listen, comprehend by hearing.
● Practice: to act on, to make, bring forth to bear.
● Foolish: dull, stupid, foolish – moron in English.

We need a strong foundation if we are to withstand the storms of life!

James 1:22-25 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

● The perfect law – continue living out a gospel centered life.

What keeps us from building on the rock?

1. The pressures and distractions of this world.

Matthew 13:18-23 (NIV) “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

● Seek understanding; ways to make the Word of God stick.
● Creating roots/foundation requires abiding.
● Worries and the grand illusions of wealth will choke out God’s Word in your life.
● We will produce fruit when we hear the Word, understand it and act upon it.

2. Our own cravings and desires.

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

● If you make the things of this world your main focus, your greatest love or passion, then you will not have the foundation and stability you need to survive the storms of life.

3. Not being a student/learner of what Jesus says.

Luke 6:40 (ESV) A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

● The predominant and most influential voice in our lives should be the voice of God through Scripture.

Three ways to build on the “Rock”:

1. Abide – build a daily, vital relationship with Jesus.

John 15:5 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

● Start with prayer and reading His Word.
● Spend time meditating on His truth to combat lies and emotions.
● Abiding is life long, with ups and downs. Stay the course!

2. Join a biblical community.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV) See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

● Finding support and encouragement, being exhorted and receiving Godly counsel is God’s plan for your life.
● Mature Biblical relationships matter!

3. Develop a Historical Biblical WorldView.

A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world.

● Someone with a biblical worldview believes his or her primary reason for existence is to love God, serving Him and others the way the bible instructs us.
● Remember the gospel – we are saved by grace and not works. We are, however, instructed to put into practice a gospel centered life.

Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV) Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Questions:
● What is keeping you from building your spiritual house on the rock?
● What do you need to change to intentionally strengthen the foundation of your life?
● What will you do to have a Biblical WorldView?