IS THE SERMON DONE?
Opening Prayer
Father, you have given me your Word to bless me and enable me to prosper. Thank you and enable me to do what it says. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Read LUKE 6:43-49
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—my whole life one long, obedient response’ (Psalm 119:34, The Message).The story has been told of a man who came late to church one Sunday. Slipping in at the back, he asked the usher, ‘Is the sermon done?’ She replied, ‘No, the sermon was preached; it is yet to be done!’
As he concludes his sermon on the plain, Jesus impresses on his listeners the importance of doing the sermon (v 46). The crowds had frequently marveled at Jesus’ sermons and signs (Luke 4:15,22,32,36; 5:26). But amazement isn’t action and Jesus is preaching for a response: ‘Work [my] words into your life’ (v 48, The Message). This entails digging beneath the surface and never settling for the superficial: ‘These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words…’ (v 47, The Message). This is hard but necessary work for those seeking everlasting life.
Connected with this image of foundation words is the metaphor of the good tree (vs 43–45). As the builder must dig deep to reach bedrock, a tree must put down deep roots before it can yield good fruit. A faithful and fruitful connection to Jesus is one that allows his words to ‘remain’ in us, directing how we live and love (John 15:5-10).
Apply
‘You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well-constructed upon him … Now do what you’ve been taught’ (Colossians 2:6,7, The Message).
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, as I study Scripture, convict me in those places where I need to change. Help my head knowledge become heart knowledge—knowledge that I put into practice, knowledge that will make a difference.
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