Thursday, February 09, 2006
Wisdom Driven
Matt.7:
24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
The wise man will slow down and consider the merits of his thoughts and will subject himself to scrutiny. He will seek advice and admit his ignorance for education. He will not be driven by his emotions or feelings.
Prov. 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov. 2:1-7
1. My son, if you will receive my sayings,
And treasure my commandments within you,
2. Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3. For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4. If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5. Then you will discern the fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.
6. For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Prov. 8:11
11. "For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things can not compare with her.
24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.
27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
The wise man will slow down and consider the merits of his thoughts and will subject himself to scrutiny. He will seek advice and admit his ignorance for education. He will not be driven by his emotions or feelings.
Prov. 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prov. 2:1-7
1. My son, if you will receive my sayings,
And treasure my commandments within you,
2. Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3. For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4. If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5. Then you will discern the fear of the Lord,
And discover the knowledge of God.
6. For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Prov. 8:11
11. "For wisdom is better than jewels;
And all desirable things can not compare with her.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Do It Yourself Truth
Matt. 7:
24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
We return to the components of the parable as a whole to see the religion of two men. After all, religion is what one believes to be true and will stake his eternity on it. These words are not spoken to those who have no interest whatsoever. These are the hearers of Jesus words and we see two examples of how they are applied to one’s life under that profession.
Being a parable that is teaching spiritual truths by physical examples, we must carefully examine the components. The similarities are that both men desired to build a house for the natural use of it; family protection and comfort. These also built in the same general area that was confronted with the same weather and geography. The houses appeared identical from a “drive by” observation. However, the purpose of this parable is to show their dissimilarities as fundamental differences.
We are looking at the true Christian and the pseudo-Christian which proves to be a difficult venture to tell the difference. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount we are told to beware of subtleties; wolves in sheep’s clothing, false prophets; it is difficult to differentiate the real from the fake. What we need is a good flood and torrents to separate the wheat from the chaff.
The foolish builder is in a hurry and takes the easy way out and the wise does the opposite knowing that he will benefit in the time of difficulty. The foolish builder is in too big of a hurry to think things through or take instruction from wiser souls. He considers it unnecessary by his superior opinion. He will not think things through because he has no forethought. He is not interested in what the Bible says so he is left to design his own truth.
24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock.
25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
We return to the components of the parable as a whole to see the religion of two men. After all, religion is what one believes to be true and will stake his eternity on it. These words are not spoken to those who have no interest whatsoever. These are the hearers of Jesus words and we see two examples of how they are applied to one’s life under that profession.
Being a parable that is teaching spiritual truths by physical examples, we must carefully examine the components. The similarities are that both men desired to build a house for the natural use of it; family protection and comfort. These also built in the same general area that was confronted with the same weather and geography. The houses appeared identical from a “drive by” observation. However, the purpose of this parable is to show their dissimilarities as fundamental differences.
We are looking at the true Christian and the pseudo-Christian which proves to be a difficult venture to tell the difference. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount we are told to beware of subtleties; wolves in sheep’s clothing, false prophets; it is difficult to differentiate the real from the fake. What we need is a good flood and torrents to separate the wheat from the chaff.
The foolish builder is in a hurry and takes the easy way out and the wise does the opposite knowing that he will benefit in the time of difficulty. The foolish builder is in too big of a hurry to think things through or take instruction from wiser souls. He considers it unnecessary by his superior opinion. He will not think things through because he has no forethought. He is not interested in what the Bible says so he is left to design his own truth.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Palestinian Topography
Matt. 7:
27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
49b. and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
William Barclay gives us some insight into the terrain that these two builders would have available as they would select a choice home site to build upon. But before we look into his geography we must understand that the word flood that Matthew uses and the word torrent that Luke uses to describe the flowing waters has the meaning of river or stream. Barclay writes: “To get the real picture behind this parable we have to read Matthew's version of it as well. (Matt.7:24-27.) In Luke's version the river does not seem to make sense; that is because Luke was not a native of Palestine and had not a clear picture of the circumstances in his own mind; whereas Matthew did belong to Palestine and knew just what the picture was. In summer many of the rivers dried up altogether and left a sandy bed empty of water. But in winter, after the September rains had come, the empty river bed became a raging torrent. Many a man, looking for a site for a house, found an inviting stretch of sand and butt there, only to discover when the winter came, that he had built his house in the middle of a raging river which swept it away. The wise man searched for rock, where it was much more difficult to build and where it was hard labour to cut out the foundations. When the wild winter weather came, his toil was amply repaid, for his house stood strong and firm and secure.
In either form the parable teaches the importance of laying the right foundation for life; the only true foundation is obedience to the teaching of Jesus.”
27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
49b. and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
William Barclay gives us some insight into the terrain that these two builders would have available as they would select a choice home site to build upon. But before we look into his geography we must understand that the word flood that Matthew uses and the word torrent that Luke uses to describe the flowing waters has the meaning of river or stream. Barclay writes: “To get the real picture behind this parable we have to read Matthew's version of it as well. (Matt.7:24-27.) In Luke's version the river does not seem to make sense; that is because Luke was not a native of Palestine and had not a clear picture of the circumstances in his own mind; whereas Matthew did belong to Palestine and knew just what the picture was. In summer many of the rivers dried up altogether and left a sandy bed empty of water. But in winter, after the September rains had come, the empty river bed became a raging torrent. Many a man, looking for a site for a house, found an inviting stretch of sand and butt there, only to discover when the winter came, that he had built his house in the middle of a raging river which swept it away. The wise man searched for rock, where it was much more difficult to build and where it was hard labour to cut out the foundations. When the wild winter weather came, his toil was amply repaid, for his house stood strong and firm and secure.
In either form the parable teaches the importance of laying the right foundation for life; the only true foundation is obedience to the teaching of Jesus.”
Monday, February 06, 2006
Day Tripper Yeah?
Matt. 7:
26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
This sounds pretty good so far but there is another kind of hearer who is described as everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act upon them. Luke calls these the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly.
Let me interject some things to consider and review at this point. The first thing is that we see this preacher, Jesus, present a sermon that ends with a blessing for those pay careful attention to doing that which is blessed or the Beatitudes which verifies kingdom citizenship. On the other hand the woes to those who focus their lives only upon what the world has to offer (Sec. 65). He tells the kingdom citizen that he is the salt of the earth as a preservative for mankind. Consider this: all Christians are raptured and man is without any moral opposition to his natural lusts and is free to go as he pleases.
Jesus teaches the Law as it was meant to be understood without the religious filters or biased perversion countering the scribes and Pharisees (sec. 68). He teaches proper prayer as opposed to the praying of the hypocrites (sec. 69). He shows the comfort of being a child of God and how senseless anxiety is, along with careful self-examination (sec. 70).
The conclusion begins with asking your Father in heaven to supply your needs and expect the finest, and treat others similarly. Then we come to the narrow and broad gate which requires a conscious decision on our behalf. This decision will determine if you hear, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.”
We now return to the parable and find that those who disregard the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount are like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. Luke tells us that he is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation. This builder takes the easy way out, and on the surface it appears as any house but the test of time and physical elements will take their toll and reveal the quality of this man’s work.
26. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. 27. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."
Luke 6:
49. "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
This sounds pretty good so far but there is another kind of hearer who is described as everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act upon them. Luke calls these the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly.
Let me interject some things to consider and review at this point. The first thing is that we see this preacher, Jesus, present a sermon that ends with a blessing for those pay careful attention to doing that which is blessed or the Beatitudes which verifies kingdom citizenship. On the other hand the woes to those who focus their lives only upon what the world has to offer (Sec. 65). He tells the kingdom citizen that he is the salt of the earth as a preservative for mankind. Consider this: all Christians are raptured and man is without any moral opposition to his natural lusts and is free to go as he pleases.
Jesus teaches the Law as it was meant to be understood without the religious filters or biased perversion countering the scribes and Pharisees (sec. 68). He teaches proper prayer as opposed to the praying of the hypocrites (sec. 69). He shows the comfort of being a child of God and how senseless anxiety is, along with careful self-examination (sec. 70).
The conclusion begins with asking your Father in heaven to supply your needs and expect the finest, and treat others similarly. Then we come to the narrow and broad gate which requires a conscious decision on our behalf. This decision will determine if you hear, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.”
We now return to the parable and find that those who disregard the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount are like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. Luke tells us that he is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation. This builder takes the easy way out, and on the surface it appears as any house but the test of time and physical elements will take their toll and reveal the quality of this man’s work.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
The Wise Builder
Matt.7: 24."Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. 25. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
Luke 6:47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: 48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
Our text is known as a parable – parabole – para – along side and bole – to place. The parable was Jesus means of teaching spiritual truths by means of placing them beside of physical examples. The premise is stated by Luke: "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words [the Sermon on the Mount], and acts upon them [does lit.], I will show you whom he is like.” Matthew’s parallel passage says.” Everyone who hears these words of Mine [the Sermon on the Mount], and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man.
The wise man is a builder; he is a wise builder who Luke describes: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock. Matthew agrees: a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. The wise builder does not cut corners or take the easy way out; he dug deep and laid a solid foundation upon the rock. This is because he knows that his building will be tested in the future by physical elements that will pose great difficulty to his work. The next passages tell us the outcome of his project. The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. Luke testifies that, “When a flood rose, the torrent [river lit.] burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
Luke 6:47. "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: 48. he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
Our text is known as a parable – parabole – para – along side and bole – to place. The parable was Jesus means of teaching spiritual truths by means of placing them beside of physical examples. The premise is stated by Luke: "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words [the Sermon on the Mount], and acts upon them [does lit.], I will show you whom he is like.” Matthew’s parallel passage says.” Everyone who hears these words of Mine [the Sermon on the Mount], and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man.
The wise man is a builder; he is a wise builder who Luke describes: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock. Matthew agrees: a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. The wise builder does not cut corners or take the easy way out; he dug deep and laid a solid foundation upon the rock. This is because he knows that his building will be tested in the future by physical elements that will pose great difficulty to his work. The next passages tell us the outcome of his project. The rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. Luke testifies that, “When a flood rose, the torrent [river lit.] burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
