Sermon: 28th October 2007

	DATE CHURCH SUBJECT PREACHER BIBLE REF. 28.10.07 All Saints Church Doers of the Word Rev. Tony Higton Matt 7:15-29   The other week my wife and I made what for me was a nostalgic journey to a seaside resort I hadn’t been to for some 55 years. You can keep your world cruises and your holidays in the Bahamas. I went to one of England’s premier resorts – Mablethorpe on the Lincolnshire coast!  I remember our family caravan holidays there.  One of the things which fascinated me about Mablethorpe beach as a child was the bombing range. We used to wander onto it amidst the remains of bombs and shells!  I asked a local person if the range was still there and she said it was, but bombs were not actually dropped from the planes.  Also on the bombing range, in those days, were two large concrete buildings. Being built on sand, they had sunk at alarming angles – about 30 degrees from vertical.  Jesus warned against building your house on the beach! What he meant was that the only firm foundation for life is obedience to his word – scripture. Everything else is like building on sand. A FALSE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN PROFESSION  Jesus said (verse 21) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  We go to church and sing all the hymns. We say the set prayers. We recite the creed  But this can be merely words, words, words  Jesus added that even Christian ministry: leading services, preaching, reading, leading intercessions can be  merely words, words, words. He said (verses 22-23): “Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”  Think of this: people could speak publicly in his name, perform exorcisms and miracles but be rejected because they are not “doers of the word” – obedient to Scripture.  Allowing for a little deliberate exaggeration to make the point, Jesus words are still a solemn warning. What matters is not just ministry or church work or church attendance. What matters is trusting Christ and showing that trust by obeying him. A FALSE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE  It is important to read the Bible and to become familiar with its teaching.  But Bible knowledge and theological knowledge can be damning, if it is not accompanied by obedience to the word of Christ.  As Jesus put it (verse 26-27) “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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”   I have felt it important to warn some of my more Evangelical friends, who have a high view and extensive knowledge of Scripture, that Judgment Day won’t be a Scripture exam!  It will be a day examining whether we have shown our faith in Jesus by obeying his word.  Jesus’ positive message was (verses 24-25): "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. 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.”  Is your life built on the rock of obedience to God’s word?  Here is a simple check list to see if we are doers of God’s word or hearers only:  We call Jesus Lord – but is he?  Does he govern our thoughts, feelings, words deeds? Do we ask what would Jesus think – say – do?  We say we love God – but do we?  Is he in first place in our lives? Do we spend time praying and reading Scripture?  We say we love our neighbour – but do we?  Are we selfish and materialistic? Are we arrogant, conceited, self-righteous? Do we resent, hate or feel bitterness towards anyone? Is there someone we haven’t forgiven? Are we ever violent, cruel, bullying? Do we fall into sexual sin e.g. lust, pornography, adultery? Are we disloyal and unfaithful? Are we financially dishonest: fraud, stealing? Are we two-faced? Do we slander others? Are we judgmental? Do we tell lies or misrepresent people or facts? Are we miserable so-and-sos? Are we impatient, irritable, angry? Are we harsh and hurtful?  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”  Tony Higton

Website Development by The Church Website Design Project

Copyright ©2007 churchinthewoottons.net