Discipleship: actions, not just words.

In Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus gives his famous Sermon on the Mount. It’s a stunning supply of very challenging teachings. At the end of the sermon, Jesus concludes by saying this: “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.” (Matthew 7:24) 

What is he saying? We are to know what Jesus teaches AND practice what he teaches, because it will make you a wise person. You will be ready when life hits you with difficult issues. The issues are described in the following verses as “the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.” Everyone gets challenged by life’s difficulties (rain, streams, and wind). But in order to be prepared as a wise follower of Jesus, it is imperative that we practice what he preaches.

Go search out the Sermon on the Mount and pick just one aspect to practice for this week. Try it out in your Small Group or in your family. Try taking on a non-judgmental attitude as Jesus alludes to in Matthew 7:1-2. Try out Matthew 7:7-12 and ask, seek, and knock. Then pray and ask Jesus to increase your understanding about how he perfectly achieved all of the sermon on the Mount for you.

Blessings to you this week,
Pastor Al