A Few Facts for Focus from the Sermon on the Mount - Part Two
“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying…” Matthew 5:1-2 (KJV)
Last week, I concluded our blog with a summary statement which I hoped would help us submit our heart to our Lord’s heart of Holy living. As a review, Jesus calls us to be: fixed in a lifestyle that is faithful and focused on pleasing God and Free from hypocrisy, full of the Spirit, fixed in truth, and full of love, grace, wisdom and discernment.
For this week’s blog, we will fix our minds, eyes and heart on Matthew 7:12-29 as I invite you to consider with me six points of focus that the Lord gave us in order to see His expectations and will exercised in our lives.
FOCUS ON THE GOLDEN RULE
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (KJV)
When the Holy Spirit is on the throne of our hearts, He tells us and teaches us how to treat others.
FOCUS ON LEADERS
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:13-15 (KJV)
The Scriptures warn of false teachers who are ferocious wolves pretending to be sheep as they boldly promote the “broad way” to people. We must beware because walking the “broad way” leads to destruction.
FOCUS ON THE FRUIT
“Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:16-20 (KJV)
The Scriptures also give us an outline of false prophets, describing them as prideful and self-righteous while promoting a man-centered message versus a Master-centered message. Ultimately, the content of their teaching encourages carnality and are effective in energizing and entertaining the flesh. In their own lives, they display an insatiable desire for a luxurious and lavish lifestyle while their teaching produces people that purpose on pleasing themselves versus pleasing the Lord.
FOCUS ON FALSE LORDSHIP
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23 (KJV)
Jesus Christ continues by stating that confession does not always translate to a true conversion. People may extraordinarily express tongues of angels but have the testimony of devils. An emphasis on the external always neglects the internal. These people knew a lot about Jesus, but Jesus never knew them. They were lacking in true relationship.
FOCUS ON A FAULTY FOUNDATION FACING LIFE’S STORMS
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)
When we are resolute in our obedience to God’s Word we will be resilient in life’s storms. Conversely when we reject and repel God’s Word, life’s storms will relentlessly reward us with ruin.
FOCUS ON THE SOURCE OF HIS TEACHING
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29 (KJV)
Jesus Christ taught with authority because He is the absolute and final authority on what kingdom living and its citizens look like.
In closing, when we commit a contrite conscious to be captured with Christ’s words, we clearly see His will for kingdom living with the lenses of the Lord.
Not a Sermon But a Thought,
PBKSR