Are You Ready... For The Word?
Are You Ready? - For The Word • Sermon • Submitted
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Luke 6:46–49 (NASB95)
46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on 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 on the rock; and when a flood occurred, 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 on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”
For years I played my saxophone freely and trying improve my improvisational skills. Since I was in HS, I’ve claimed and been OK learning to play by ear. It wasn’t until 2020 and 2021 that my ear really began to improve. How? Because I began practicing or transcribing what I was hearing.
Lordship demands obedience
Jesus is at the end of one his most famous sermons, the one on the mount. He gives a thorough conclusion, that addresses everyone, disciples and non-disciples alike. But I believe it more so points to those claiming to be his disciples. All of us must take to heart that Jesus is not some regular old dude. Not the average teacher or prophet. Call him Lord, most appropriate. Double down on it, and it meant an even firmer admission that one viewed him as their ruler. But for some people, this is just a means of flattery. Because Jesus charges them with not doing what he says.
Reference: Mal 1:6 “6 “ ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’”
The point Jesus is making is that his Lordship demands obedience.
Application: I want everyone to strongly consider the question. It is dishonorable. It is disrespectful. It is flat out mockery to address Christ as Lord, but not do what he says. That discounts our words. The question is “why?” Attempt to appear be down with him? Our own agenda? Have our cake and eat it too?
Obedience = A secure life
As Jesus likes to do to help simple minds understand the truth, he draws a verbal picture. The intent is to help all understand the cruciality of obedience to his word. This first picture applies to one who keeps coming to, hearing, and acting or obeying what Jesus says. That person has the same characteristics and results as one who is in progress of building a house. But did the hard task of digging deeper and deeper to find solid rock. Then built the structure. When, not if, but when flood waters came, it couldn’t faze it.
Application: A secure life isn’t about the lavishness of the house. Rather all about the firm foundation. That foundation is the Word of Christ, moreover obedience to his word. Life will have it’s floods. This ol house will get beat on by life’s torrents. But at the end of the day, because my life rests on the Word of Jesus, I’m still standing. The good part, each action is present, meaning it’s those of us who keep coming, keep hearing, and continue acting on it. We understand Jesus has a word for this and that area of my life. I will stand the test of the ages, because I’m standing on the firmest foundation.
Lack of obedience = An insecure life
But it’s important too to hear the opposite. Especially for those who are in the category of his question. The opposite is tragic, because that person hears indeed, but there’s a lack of action toward Jesus’ word. That picture is like one who has completed a house on the top soil of the earth, with no foundation. When torrents hit, it is easily moved and quickly destroyed.
Application: Insecurity breeds fear. Life or death storms come, and for one who has lacked the appropriate regard and action for Christ’s word, easily shaken by life and death’s challenges. GOD said I lay in Zion a Stone, a tried Stone!!! There’s nothing about Jesus that hasn’t been tried!! That meaning his words are secure and assurance. If we don’t take proper heed to his words, as boastful or mouthy we may be, ultimately our lives are insecure.
Listen to the word of GOD through the prophet Ezekiel
Ezekiel 33:30-33 “30 “But as for you, son of man, your fellow citizens who talk about you by the walls and in the doorways of the houses, speak to one another, each to his brother, saying, ‘Come now and hear what the message is which comes forth from the Lord.’ 31 “They come to you as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. 32 “Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not practice them. 33 “So when it comes to pass—as surely it will—then they will know that a prophet has been in their midst.””
Are you ready… For the Word? A word from the Lord. Because he is the Lord, his status demands obedience. OBedience leads to a secure life. A lack of obedience leads to an insecure life. Readiness for the Word is a readiness to obey what’s said!!