Due to a problem with our audio recording, this week our message comes in written form. Below are the notes for the sermon, as well as the questions we took time to reflect on. The notes are mostly unedited, so I apologize for any typos, errors or difficulty reading. I trust you will be able to get the gist of the message, and can have a fruitful time of reflection.
Reflecting on what we’ve heard
June 6, 2022
Mat. 7:24-29
The last month we have heard the Lord speak a number of things to us through various people.
And the next 2 weeks we have Michelle and then Carmen, so we will hear more from God’s heart
So this week we just want to look back at what we’ve been hearing
We gather to encounter God and minister His life to each other
One important way that happens is through what God speaks to us through each other, its not the only way, but it is a way that we give a lot of our gathered time to
All those words are only helpful if they actually lead us into deeper conformity to the life of God
That happens when we hear the word of God, and our hearts say “Yes”
Not just “Yes, I agree with that” but “Yes, I want that truth of God to guide my life”
And that often happens through the two simple motions of putting on and taking off
As God word comes to us, we can respond with putting on, something we do, or keep doing, or increase
Or we can respond with something we take off – stop doing, keep far from or decrease
Often this is in reference to our thoughts, words or actions
Or its an encouragement to stay on the path we’ve been or to keep meditating on something we’ve already been thinking about
God doesn’t jerk us around, but slowly intentionally forms His way in us
Our job is to recognize and submit to what He’s doing
That’s the picture that we have in our parable for today
24 “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. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
The wise are those that hear and obey
The foolish are those that hear and do not obey
So what separates the wise from the foolish is not the knowledge of God or the Bible but those who obey
That’s why Jesus said the tax collectors and prostitutes were getting in ahead of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, because their hearts were humble and submissive to Jesus, while the hearts of the leaders were proud and hard
We are here because we want to not just hear, but obey
We gather because we know we will not obey on our own, at least not as much as we will together
To push through the pain of submitting every thought and attitude to Jesus, we need to be with others that have the same goal
But its also true that as we gather we need to keep our eyes on that goal – that each of us is bringing every thought, attitude, action under the Lordship of Christ
As leaders we are committed to being not only a place where we talk about nice concepts, but where we are actually growing in them together
Something in us is changing because of our journey with this group
This morning, I want to take some time to reflect in that vein
I have a list here with some of the things we have heard recently
I would like you to take a few minutes and sit with these, thinking specifically about the questions at the bottom:
Which of these did you sense God speaking to you the most?
What was/is your response to what God was speaking to you?
If none, why do you think that is?
Now a few disclaimers:
- As we’ve said we always have to be aware of falling into a performance mentality – I did something so I feel good, I didn’t so I feel bad; that mentality leads us deeper into ourselves not God; humility and honesty is what leads us deeper into God
- This is a pop quiz – you haven’t been thinking about these things; so if nothing has struck you or you didn’t respond in any way, just say that, and then say why you think that is
- When you think of response, think of those two things we talked about – putting on or taking off; do or stop doing, less or more, keep going
- These sharing times are not just nice discussion. If we are going to be the people of God, than we have to continue to increase our comfort in talking about our walk with Jesus to other. We are here to help each other on that journey, but you can’t help me and I can’t help you if you don’t know what Jesus is speaking to me
After a few minutes, I’ll invite you to gather with a few other people and simply share anything from your reflection, then we’ll have time to share in the big group as well.
Some things God has spoken to us over the last few weeks:
Lessons from Hannah (Lisa via George)
Trusting the Lord enough, both in joy and sorrow, to give up what is most precious to us and leave it in his hands, and the blessing for us and the larger community when we do that.
Being Still (Tim)
The importance and benefits of stillness, especially in our driven culture. We took time to practice silence together
The Power of Blessing (Sylvia)
The importance of the Biblical practice of blessing; speaking God’s words and desires over those we love, often accompanied by physical touch
All in Service:
- Parable of the Widow’s mite; if we offer what we have, no matter how small, God is delighted with our offering. (Lisa)
- Fresh Wind, Fresh fire; physical healing of pain in the eye (Cheryl)
- What is growing in the garden of my heart? (Carmen)
- Do not worry (Marianne)
- What do we need to take on or let go off so the seed of God’s life in our hearts is not choked out (Troy)
- Story of learning to love at work (Chad)
Experiencing and learning about God through studying His creation (Retreat at Camp Hebron)
Questions for Reflection:
- In which of the above did you sense God speaking to you the most?
- What was/is/will be your response to what God was speaking to you?
- If none, why do you think that is?