God’s Abundant Word
06/01/08
Time after Pentecost- Lectionary 9
Det. 11:18-21, 26-28, Mt. 7:21-29
I. Intro.
Summer, season of abundance. Looking for God’s abundance in the lessons. Last week, God’s abundant provision. God provides for the birds of the air, clothes the lilies of the field, how much more will God provide for us, the crowning glory of creation? Last week, middle of the famous sermon on the mount. This week it’s at the very conclusion of that sermon. From that lesson I want to speak about God’s Abundant Word.
II. Body
As I read this lesson this week, particularly the second part about the house on rock, house on sand, the storms that took down the house on sand, couldn’t help but think about the devastating tornadoes that hit Hugo last Sunday afternoon. Describe our story, going down 35E passing through probably 5 minutes before the tornado touched down in Hugo. Continue to pray for the victims and relief effort.
When Jesus was talking about the two houses, one built on rock and the other sand, he was talking about something that would have been quite familiar to his listeners. It’s something he also knew about, a carpenter by trade and his family may have been in the construction business.
The people there, listening to Jesus’ teaching, understood well the significance of building upon rock verses sand. But very few people in ancient Palestine wanted to live in the rocks. It meant grading the side of a slope and hauling up materials. Living in the hills made for more difficult travel. Water had to be toted and winter winds were colder. Most people followed the path of least resistance and built along the riverbeds. The scenery more pleasant, the water more conveniently located, and the house was sheltered from the cold winds of winter. And though flooding was a danger, most of the year the streams trickled pleasantly down the hillsides into the river nearby.
But on rare occasions, perhaps only once a generation, the 100-year flood would come. Now this reminds me of what happened in southeast Minnesota last summer, where the towns built along the river beds in the valleys got flooded out. A torrential downpour resulting in a vicious flashflood which swept away everything in its path. Entire hamlets washed away. House after house gone and great would be the fall.
That’s the image drawn here in Matthew 7. It comes from the life of these people gathered around Jesus on that day he delivered this sermon.
What are the points that Jesus is making to them and to us?
First, we’re all involved in building our lives, and we need to build them on something solid. That solid, anchored, rock foundation is Christ himself and the words that he speaks. When houses are built today, they are supposed to be built according to a certain code for home building. I know in Hugo there has been some concern that some of those homes were not built to code, not that any home could withstand a direct hit from a tornado. But that’s being looked at. I also know that there are many different codes, interpreted by thousands of builders, manufacturers, architects, engineers, fire marshalls and inspectors. To complicate matters there is no common language, no uniform building code in the United States that acts as a common guide. Some communities develop a unique code while others don't have a building code at all.
But in the church, we do have a common code, a common language, if you will, upon which to build our lives. Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” It’s Jesus, and his words, which is that code. They are most clearly revealed in this building manual we call the Bible. This is our primary language of faith.
There are many places to turn in scripture to build the foundation. But if you don’t know where to begin, take a look at Christ’s sermon on the mount, Matthew 5, 6, and 7. That will give you a good start on your foundation.
It contains the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Golden Rule. It deals with murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, revenge, and worry. It gives instructions on prayer, giving to the poor, fasting, judging others, and proper use of money.
Here are some phrases from that sermon: Blessed are the poor in Spirit, You Are the Salt of the earth, You are the light of the world, If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also, Love your enemies, Our Father, which art in heaven…, Where your treasure is there your heart will be also, You cannot serve God and mammon, Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you, Do not judge, or you too will be judged, Do to others what you would have them do to you. Is it any wonder that when Jesus finished saying these things that Matthew says, “the crowds were amazed at his teaching?” The wise person, says Jesus, of the one who anchors his life on the words of Christ, the solid foundation.
Now why is this foundation so important? Because one day the storms will come and our lives will be tested. The renowned English historian Allister McCook once evaluated Henry VIII by saying: “He was at his best when things were going well.” Well, couldn’t that be said of all of us? Who isn’t at his best when things are going well? The test is how we hold up during the storms of life.
Interestingly, Jesus made it clear that the storms came to both houses. Neither was sparred. Here is a truth that cannot be repeated too often, because there are so many who still cling to the ancient fallacy that Christianity represents a kind of divine insurance policy against trouble. Yet, the storm in Jesus’ parable, you will note, was no discriminator.
I don’t have to convince most of you of the reality of Jesus’ words at this point, because you have been there. You know what it is like to have one of life’s storms smash against you and leave you breathless. Whether it is sickness, or the loss of a loved one, or a family problem, or a marital relationship, or troubles at work, or financial problems--most of you have been there. You know how frightening and shattering the storms can be.
If you have never had any storms come in your life, my deepest congratulations. But Jesus warned not to build your house for fair weather only. You will not be spared, for no one in life, good or bad, is spared. The storm came and it beat against both houses.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed thousands of homes in South Florida. Yet in an area where the wreckage looked like a war zone, one house remained standing, still firmly anchored to its foundation. When a reporter asked the homeowner why his house had not been blown away, he replied, "I built this house myself. I also built it according to the maximum standards of the Florida state building code. When the code called for 2" x 6" roof trusses, I used 2" x 6" roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane-- and it did."
How has your house weathered the storms? Every house is tested. The difference is not in the weather; it is in the foundation upon which the house is anchored. I seen many people who are in the midst of crisis run back to the church and attempt to get religion, suddenly find strength and hope. But my friends it is not that easy. It is a foolish person who thinks they can begin constructing a proper foundation when they are in the midst of the storm and the floodwaters. When life is rushing upon us; it is then too late. The time to build is in the time of calm, during ordinary day-to-day living.
C. S. Lewis, one of the preeminent theologians and writers of our lifetime discovered the truth of that. He tells of the great storm that came in his life when his wife died in his book A GRIEF OBSERVED. He experienced loneliness the likes of which he had never known. He tried to reason to himself that he had been happy before he had been married and that he could once again reclaim that. But then a memory would flash through his mind and the pain would resurge once again.
It was in his hour of grief that C. S. Lewis turned to God and used those inner resources that God had been equipping him with for so many years. He wrote: “You never know how much you believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death to you. I realized that if my house collapsed with this one mighty blow, it was indeed a house of cards.” Well, C. S. Lewis’ house did not collapse. It endured the storm because he had built his house upon the rock of God’s word.
God has given us an abundant Word, found first and foremost in the scriptures. Our denomination has recently begun a study initiative called “The Book of Faith,” in which all 10500 congregations are being encouraged to learn and study scripture. I just picked up the first resource at our synod assembly on Friday, titles, “Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study.” I look forward to looking at and studying these resources with you. They will help us all build that strong foundation on the Word of God, able to withstand the storms of life. Amen
With thanks to Brett Blair and staff at esermons.com for some of the ideas
Det. 11:18-21, 26-28, Mt. 7:21-29
I. Intro.
Summer, season of abundance. Looking for God’s abundance in the lessons. Last week, God’s abundant provision. God provides for the birds of the air, clothes the lilies of the field, how much more will God provide for us, the crowning glory of creation? Last week, middle of the famous sermon on the mount. This week it’s at the very conclusion of that sermon. From that lesson I want to speak about God’s Abundant Word.
II. Body
As I read this lesson this week, particularly the second part about the house on rock, house on sand, the storms that took down the house on sand, couldn’t help but think about the devastating tornadoes that hit Hugo last Sunday afternoon. Describe our story, going down 35E passing through probably 5 minutes before the tornado touched down in Hugo. Continue to pray for the victims and relief effort.
When Jesus was talking about the two houses, one built on rock and the other sand, he was talking about something that would have been quite familiar to his listeners. It’s something he also knew about, a carpenter by trade and his family may have been in the construction business.
The people there, listening to Jesus’ teaching, understood well the significance of building upon rock verses sand. But very few people in ancient Palestine wanted to live in the rocks. It meant grading the side of a slope and hauling up materials. Living in the hills made for more difficult travel. Water had to be toted and winter winds were colder. Most people followed the path of least resistance and built along the riverbeds. The scenery more pleasant, the water more conveniently located, and the house was sheltered from the cold winds of winter. And though flooding was a danger, most of the year the streams trickled pleasantly down the hillsides into the river nearby.
But on rare occasions, perhaps only once a generation, the 100-year flood would come. Now this reminds me of what happened in southeast Minnesota last summer, where the towns built along the river beds in the valleys got flooded out. A torrential downpour resulting in a vicious flashflood which swept away everything in its path. Entire hamlets washed away. House after house gone and great would be the fall.
That’s the image drawn here in Matthew 7. It comes from the life of these people gathered around Jesus on that day he delivered this sermon.
What are the points that Jesus is making to them and to us?
First, we’re all involved in building our lives, and we need to build them on something solid. That solid, anchored, rock foundation is Christ himself and the words that he speaks. When houses are built today, they are supposed to be built according to a certain code for home building. I know in Hugo there has been some concern that some of those homes were not built to code, not that any home could withstand a direct hit from a tornado. But that’s being looked at. I also know that there are many different codes, interpreted by thousands of builders, manufacturers, architects, engineers, fire marshalls and inspectors. To complicate matters there is no common language, no uniform building code in the United States that acts as a common guide. Some communities develop a unique code while others don't have a building code at all.
But in the church, we do have a common code, a common language, if you will, upon which to build our lives. Jesus says, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” It’s Jesus, and his words, which is that code. They are most clearly revealed in this building manual we call the Bible. This is our primary language of faith.
There are many places to turn in scripture to build the foundation. But if you don’t know where to begin, take a look at Christ’s sermon on the mount, Matthew 5, 6, and 7. That will give you a good start on your foundation.
It contains the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Golden Rule. It deals with murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, revenge, and worry. It gives instructions on prayer, giving to the poor, fasting, judging others, and proper use of money.
Here are some phrases from that sermon: Blessed are the poor in Spirit, You Are the Salt of the earth, You are the light of the world, If someone strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other also, Love your enemies, Our Father, which art in heaven…, Where your treasure is there your heart will be also, You cannot serve God and mammon, Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given to you, Do not judge, or you too will be judged, Do to others what you would have them do to you. Is it any wonder that when Jesus finished saying these things that Matthew says, “the crowds were amazed at his teaching?” The wise person, says Jesus, of the one who anchors his life on the words of Christ, the solid foundation.
Now why is this foundation so important? Because one day the storms will come and our lives will be tested. The renowned English historian Allister McCook once evaluated Henry VIII by saying: “He was at his best when things were going well.” Well, couldn’t that be said of all of us? Who isn’t at his best when things are going well? The test is how we hold up during the storms of life.
Interestingly, Jesus made it clear that the storms came to both houses. Neither was sparred. Here is a truth that cannot be repeated too often, because there are so many who still cling to the ancient fallacy that Christianity represents a kind of divine insurance policy against trouble. Yet, the storm in Jesus’ parable, you will note, was no discriminator.
I don’t have to convince most of you of the reality of Jesus’ words at this point, because you have been there. You know what it is like to have one of life’s storms smash against you and leave you breathless. Whether it is sickness, or the loss of a loved one, or a family problem, or a marital relationship, or troubles at work, or financial problems--most of you have been there. You know how frightening and shattering the storms can be.
If you have never had any storms come in your life, my deepest congratulations. But Jesus warned not to build your house for fair weather only. You will not be spared, for no one in life, good or bad, is spared. The storm came and it beat against both houses.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed thousands of homes in South Florida. Yet in an area where the wreckage looked like a war zone, one house remained standing, still firmly anchored to its foundation. When a reporter asked the homeowner why his house had not been blown away, he replied, "I built this house myself. I also built it according to the maximum standards of the Florida state building code. When the code called for 2" x 6" roof trusses, I used 2" x 6" roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane-- and it did."
How has your house weathered the storms? Every house is tested. The difference is not in the weather; it is in the foundation upon which the house is anchored. I seen many people who are in the midst of crisis run back to the church and attempt to get religion, suddenly find strength and hope. But my friends it is not that easy. It is a foolish person who thinks they can begin constructing a proper foundation when they are in the midst of the storm and the floodwaters. When life is rushing upon us; it is then too late. The time to build is in the time of calm, during ordinary day-to-day living.
C. S. Lewis, one of the preeminent theologians and writers of our lifetime discovered the truth of that. He tells of the great storm that came in his life when his wife died in his book A GRIEF OBSERVED. He experienced loneliness the likes of which he had never known. He tried to reason to himself that he had been happy before he had been married and that he could once again reclaim that. But then a memory would flash through his mind and the pain would resurge once again.
It was in his hour of grief that C. S. Lewis turned to God and used those inner resources that God had been equipping him with for so many years. He wrote: “You never know how much you believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death to you. I realized that if my house collapsed with this one mighty blow, it was indeed a house of cards.” Well, C. S. Lewis’ house did not collapse. It endured the storm because he had built his house upon the rock of God’s word.
God has given us an abundant Word, found first and foremost in the scriptures. Our denomination has recently begun a study initiative called “The Book of Faith,” in which all 10500 congregations are being encouraged to learn and study scripture. I just picked up the first resource at our synod assembly on Friday, titles, “Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study.” I look forward to looking at and studying these resources with you. They will help us all build that strong foundation on the Word of God, able to withstand the storms of life. Amen
With thanks to Brett Blair and staff at esermons.com for some of the ideas