Matthew chapter 7
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow Way
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because[a] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Build on the Rock
24 “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: 25 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.
26 “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: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Thoughts:
So we have come to the end of this sermon on the mount. Jesus spoke about many things. He really wanted to look into our hearts, minds, body, souls. He is interested in every part of us. He spoke about living a life that is completely focused on Jesus. These scriptures begin with a reminder to seek after him. Jesus said that even an earthly father knows how to give good gifts to his children. Our heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, he is the creator of the entire universe. How much more can he do for us. Here Jesus is speaking about the goodness of the heavenly Father. He is calling on his creation, people to seek after God. He explains that there is a way that is prepared. It is a way many will not choose. But it is the only way to the Father. He, himself, is the door. Only through him, can we enter the ultimate relationship He has planned.
We are to build a firm, spiritual foundation that is based on the rock Jesus. A firm foundation placed in the word of God, in the faith and hope of given by Jesus will sustain us, keep us and hold us up through all circumstances. An incomplete foundation will not allow a building to stand. The same goes for our spirit. A foundation not completed, or wavering with every wind of doctrine, or every slight wind of trouble, will only lead to our spiritual fall. Isaiah 28:6 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
Jesus is the firm foundation. 1Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
I also want to note that these teachings from Jesus were astonishing to those listening. He taught is a way no one else had. He had authority. We are reading those same words they heard. I want to respond with astonishment to the word of the Lord. I think when we read the word of God, our response should be one of astonishment. Our spirit should react, respond, ignite, change, etc. We should recognize the authority of the word of the Lord so much that we are changed, challenged, and recognize our mighty Savior and what we need to do in response to that Authority.
Questions:
Do I still feel a need to seek, knock and ask?
What have I placed as my foundation?
Is Jesus my only foundation or do I sway when storms come?
Do I still feel the astonishment when I hear the words of Jesus spoken?
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