Two weeks ago Pastor Josiah reminded us that we enter in through the narrow gate and continue on the narrow way. Then last week Pastor Josiah explained how good trees produce good fruit and that others will know you by your fruit. As pastor continues with the Red Letters, Jesus’ words, we learn more about Jesus, our Savior and Lord. His words and actions teach us how to live and why we follow His way.
The text this week is Matthew 7:21. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ’Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” (NLT) This verse has often been challenging since if people call Jesus Lord why wouldn’t He know them. Pastor cited,
“So He said to them,’When you pray, say: Our Father
in heaven. Hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom
come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’”
Luke 11:2 (NKJV)
The key phrase in this verse is “Your will.” Jesus reveals The Father’s will for all people.
Pastor Josiah also posed an action-provoking point. On earth, God’s will is not being done. Our society is not God-centered nor is our educational system or our business world. The enemy is running amok, and we Christ followers need to stand up and invoke His will to be done in our society, our elections, our schools, and our financial institutions and practices.
Another important point is evident in 2 Timothy 2:19.
“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with
this inscription:’The LORD knows those who are his,’ and
‘All who belong to the LORD must turn from evil.’”
2 Timothy 2:19 (NLT)
Jesus came to show us how to live. We are to turn from evil. When people encounter the Lord Jesus, the lame walk; the blind see; the deaf hear; the dead are raised to life. Matthew 11:5 When we choose Jesus as Savior, we are transformed. The broken are restored. That is His will!
Even further in this topic exploration, Pastor Josiah cited Mark 3:33-35.
‘But He answered them, saying,’Who is My mother, or My
brothers?’
And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about
Him, and said,’Here are My mother and My brothers!
For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My
sister and mother.’” (NKJV)
You can enter His family, but how do you do that? Do the will of God. Jesus displayed His total submission to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed so intensely, for He knew what his next hours would be. Yet Jesus prayed,”My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Matthew 26:39 (NLT) Jesus modeled submission to His Father in these words and in His actions as He endured illegal trials, beatings, and crucifixion on the cross. Three days later He arose from the grave and defeated death. Hallelujah. Consider who The Father is. He is the Creator of the universe. ”In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 (NIV) Jesus’ submission to the Heavenly Father prepares and provokes us to surrender to the Father as well.
When His will and your will clash, who wins? Pastor Josiah described a time when he was a youth pastor and Ashley had a government job. Ashley felt the LORD’s direction to quit her job, which provided 65% of their income, and to serve along side Pastor Josiah. She decided to obey the LORD and served with Pastor Josiah. As their savings dwindled and their rent was coming due, Ashley was in a fetal position on their kitchen floor crying. Pastor Josiah got on the floor and cried and comforted her. Then Spirit of the Lord gave him faith. He realized that the LORD was with them and told her He is not the kind of Father that puts His children in an impossible situation to watch them squirm. Ashley and Pastor Josiah accepted this word of faith. Soon after the LORD showered them with monetary gifts in the mail, found money, gifts which they saved. Then Pastor Josiah and Ashley accepted a job at FC for only $400 a month. That faith savings got them through the year. The LORD is faithful!
Jesus said,”My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” John 4:34 (NLT) As we do His will, may we also receive life-giving nourishment. We need an infrastructure that is strong enough to sustain fruit on our branches.
The Lord Jesus said,”If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 (NKJV) Let God’s love pierce your minds and hearts to strengthen you. Don’t stay in the pit.
Where’s your heart? Where are your mind and will? What fruit is hanging off the branches?
Do we have religiosity or a personal relationship? Jesus wants relationship with you. Have you yielded to Him?
Back to Matthew 7,
“On judgment day many will say to me, ’Lord! Lord! We prophesied
in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed
many miracles in your name.’
But I will reply,’I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break
God’s laws.’” Matthew 7:22-23 (NLT)
A demonstration of power doesn’t necessarily mean it’s sanctioned by God. And an affirmation of Jesus’ Lordship without following through in obedience is hollow.
Jesus followed up with this analogy.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise,
like a person who builds a house on solid rock.Though the
rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds
beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built
on bedrock.” Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT)
A house on the rock represents listening to His teaching and following it. A house on the rock hears and obeys.
The Paramount Point is “wisdom patterns our life after God’s will-modeled in everything Jesus said and did.” A rock solid foundation means a rock solid lifestyle. May we be people who truly know the LORD. Pastor Josiah prayed, “Chisel me to be the man of God you call me to live.” And to us he said,”Bear fruit in your life!”
Having a solid rock foundation takes time-dedication in reading His Word, sitting at His feet , and being in community. May we continue to have a rock solid lifestyle so that we can be salt and light in this dark world.
Calendar:
8/7-Midweek Encounter
8/10-Vic Patterson’s celebration of life at 10:00am with a reception immediately following. Please bring finger food for the reception.
8/16-LB potluck, worship, and MEET TO SWAP-with the funds going to a gift for Pastors Erick and Alyssa Aguilar.
Submitted by
Larry and Annette Linthicum
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