Pastor Dale Benson
This has been a summer of looking at "being and doing." Who are the people of God? What does it look like to live in the Kingdom of God? While these are two very different questions, they cannot be separated.
Matthew 7:15-20 (NLT)
- What is inside of us will be what comes out of us. The attitudes of the kingdom are different, and the people of the Kingdom need to look different.
- We are to be "salt" and "light." This means this kingdom is not just about the "inner being." It must be lived out for others to see so that our lives season their lives and that they can see the light.
- What is going on inside of us will shape how we live.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny." - Lao-Tsu, Frank Outlaw - Late President of Bi-lo, Ralph Waldo Emerson
So, He teaches us how to pray. Jesus tells us that our actions and how we live are extremely important.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT)
- Most of us long to receive forgiveness. For some of us, it is difficult to admit that we need forgiveness. For some of us, it is difficult to accept the forgiveness of Christ. It is easier to accept the forgiveness that Christ offers for our sins. It is much more difficult to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
- Jesus did not call us to be converts. He called us to be disciples.
I do not care to "convert you to my religion." I have a God who has created me in His image. And He desires that I live out that image. My job is to help point you to the one you were made to look like. The best way to tell you that is to live that out in front of you and ask you to fix your eyes on Jesus and follow Him.
Why? The answer is in this last section, where Jesus talks about building your house on the sand versus building your house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)
- You do not get to choose whether you face storms in this life. But you do get to choose how you will weather them.
- “Never confuse the law of consequences with the judgement of God.” -Ray Bevan
Jesus looks at us and says, "I am telling you ahead of time how to live your lives in a way that will enable you to face the storms of this life in a strong and secure manner." It is too late to prepare for the storm once it has hit. God allows His reign to fall on both the just and the unjust.
People don't fear change. People fear loss.
Matthew 16:25-26 (NLT)
