Authority Acknowledged
Matthew 7:15–29
Fruit (15–20)
Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount in chapter 7 by warning His listeners about judging others. God is the ultimate Judge.
There is always a tendency to see the faults (the speck) in someone else’s eye while excusing or ignoring the plank in our own eye. Most of us don’t want justice; we want grace.
Following that section, Jesus encourages us to keep on asking, keep on seeking and keep on knocking. What follows next is a discussion of the broad way that leads to destruction and the narrow path that leads to life.
Next, Jesus warns His followers about false prophets. This is such a relevant teaching for us today.
We are continually bombarded with extrabiblical teaching. Jesus exhorts us to check out the fruit of a person’s teachings and ministry. Good fruit does not come from a bad tree.
In John 15, Jesus encourages us to abide in Him. If we do, we will produce good fruit. If there is no fruit in your life, perhaps you need to revisit your surrender to Jesus Christ.
Obedience (21–23)
These verses are a concerning warning. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
This section is about giving more than lip service. Only those who obey the will of God will be welcomed into heaven. There is a big difference between knowing about Jesus and Jesus knowing you! I have some Joe Montana 49ers memorabilia. I can talk extensively about his achievements and Super Bowl wins. But the truth is this: Joe Montana doesn’t know me.
It’s possible to join a church but not be joined to Jesus. True disciples obey the Lord and His commands. If someone accused you of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?
Wisdom (24–29)
This is perhaps one of the most well-known stories in the Gospels. Jesus contrasts the wise and foolish builders. The building represents our life. Our lives are built on a foundation. The depth of the foundation determines how high the building can be built.
There are several common descriptions in this story. Both men are building a house. Both houses face a storm. They are assaulted by the rain from above and battered by the winds and the floods rising up. The survival of the house is determined by its foundation.
The foolish man builds his house upon the sand. Sand has been described as “disorganized concrete.” It is easier to dig in the sand, but it is unstable as a foundation. The house built on the sand does not survive. In contrast, the wise builder builds his house upon the rock. The preparation is harder, but his house withstands the storm because of its stable foundation. Jesus said the wise builder is the one who hears His words and obeys them. The foolish builder hears the same words but does not obey.
What is the foundation of your life? Are you building on the sand or on the solid Rock — Jesus Christ and His Word?
By Don Fugate
Senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California
