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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.Ivor J.W.Oakley (29-10-2000 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
We have now reached the end of the Sermon on the Mount.
We have seen how Jesus set before his followers a new life which he wants them
to enjoy through him. He explains what that new life is like, the resources for
it, and how radically different it is from the way in which men and women of the
world live their lives. It is a life which turns them inside out. It completely
reverses their outlook. They have an entirely new centre to life.
At the same time, throughout the
sermon he has been speaking of himself and saying who he is. We cannot divorce
the teaching from the teacher. When we belong to the teacher, we are under his
authority and we know his grace in life. We live according to his teaching.
Throughout the sermon Jesus
keeps challenging his hearers. Make up your mind. There is a choice to make –
one way or the other. The world’s way or God’s way. Eternal consequences –
end in life or destruction.
Now at the end of the sermon he
challenges us again. He offers two foundations for life. We can build on one,
and get something which will last and can withstand all pressures of life and
death. Or we can build on the other – and collapse.
As the sermon ends, the crowds are astonished at Jesus’ authority. Christ and his authority over our life are to be our theme. It is a choice every one of us must make.
This sermon is addressed to his disciples, but ends with
mention of the crowds on the fringe of the circle. Every eye was on Jesus.
Everyone was fixed on him, spellbound. They do not want to miss a word. He spoke
of new life for those who belong to him. It was essentially a life where God was
at the centre, and not self. God’s character is reproduced in this new life.
God is glorified. His will is done. He does not just affect the externals, but
touches the heart, the inner man and the motives.
But it is totally impossible to
live this new life on your own. You can struggle and strive all you like, but
you are not going to get anywhere. God’s resources are available, if only we
humble ourselves and cast ourselves on him, and ask him for this new life. He
will work a miracle. We are utterly dependent on him.
This is the only hope for the
world – the people who have this new life. The world is in darkness – they
are the only light. The world is corrupt – they are the salt. But it is a
costly life. It leads to persecution. In this world, self is at the centre, men
trust in themselves and their own power and ability. Money, fame and
self-importance rule. No time for those who belong to God, who live in humble
dependence on him and live for his will.
So Jesus teaches, illustrates,
challenges, and warns, like any true teacher. And at the same time he is
preaching about himself – He is the Son of God, he is the Judge of the world,
through him God’s grace and power enter lives.
The crowds hear the sermon and
weigh up the preacher. They have never heard anything like it before. Heard
plenty of preachers in lifetime, the teachers of the law and the scribes, some
very learned and erudite, but they lacked authority. Always quoting someone
else. Afraid to speak with confidence. So dreary and monotonous and life-less
and boring. In contrast, here is the young carpenter of Nazareth speaking.
Speaking of life they never thought was possible. Making it plain he was much
more than a carpenter. He was the Lord, the Son of God. He said “I came”
from God to earth, he fulfils and reinterprets sacred books, and speaks with the
authority of God: “I say to you”. He will be Judge at the end of the world.
He will decide men’s fate. He explains the importance of being rightly related
to him. He knows men, and invites them into a personal relationship with him. He
is the Lord to be obeyed.
So like the perfect teacher,
Jesus talks with knowledge about life after death. Speaks with confidence and
assurance. Never hesitates or apologies, never ventures to suggest. He knows
what he is talking about. Sovereign over men’s consciences and wills. They are
astounded, lost for words. exeplhssonto means
dumbfounded. Who on earth is this?
The Lord Jesus Christ still
confronts men. The old question comes yet again – “What do you think of
Christ?” “What will you do with Christ?” If we are honest people, we must
be prepared to face facts and make up mind about him. Who is this Jesus?
Trilemma – we have three options. He was either completely out of his mind, a
victim of extreme megalomania. Or was he the biggest deceiver and liar world has
ever known. Could it be that the highest ethical teaching in the world is all
from the mind of unscrupulous liar? Then option number three is that his claims
are true, he is what he says he is. A lunatic, a liar, or Lord? A mad man, a bad
man, or the God-man?
He presents himself to us here
as the Son of God, Lord of all, Judge at the end. By his Cross he is the saving
Redeemer, the Saviour of the World. Absolutely unique. We can’t classify him
as good, better or best, for he is in a class all of his own. As you hear these
claims, he puts you into a corner. What are you going to do about it? It will
make all the difference to your life how you respond to his claims.
One thing is certain – and his enemies allow this – if he were taken seriously, this confused and chaotic world would at a stroke be totally changed for the better. Till that happens, the situation will deteriorate. Need for politicians, leaders, and for you to turn away from all else and listen and obey when he says “I say to you”.
Jesus is clear that there are only two responses. Not a
third. Two ways, two masters, two destinations, two foundations. You are offered
new life. Only God can give you that life by his power, if you will give self to
Christ. Hear all that Jesus says in sermon and of course throughout the New
Testament. He invites you to come under his authority, receive forgiveness of
sins because of his death, and enjoy new life. It is yours if you respond by
turning to him in repentance and faith and obedience.
If you do so, you are like the
wise man building house on the rock. petra, and
not petros. Not just a boulder, but
massive rock formation. Something solid, immeasurable, reliable, trustworthy,
permanent.
Or other option – hear, and
even admire, what Jesus says, but just do nothing about it – or postpone it.
The man who acts like that is a fool, because his house is built on sand.
In Palestine a builder (and
Jesus as a carpenter would know all about this) had to think ahead. Many a
gulley in summer is a pleasant, sandy hollow. But in winter it is turned into
raging torrent. To build house in a dry gulley in summer is utter madness. So to
refuse teaching of Jesus and his person is the work of a fool. You may be clever
at school or work, an acute business man, smart politician, good friend or
caring parent – but in spiritual things you are a fool if you build your house
on sand, if you live life without reference to Christ and his teaching and
authority. May not do anything wicked in everyday life, or evil or criminal, but
simply to do nothing when confronted with Christ and his claims is the work of a
fool.
Everything depends on foundation
on which we build. Two houses. Very close. Outward appearances can be very
alike. But in reality totally different because of the unseen factor of
foundation. Consequences can be catastrophic if the house is on the wrong
foundation. Likewise you can have two people from same church, family, job, or
appearance – but in reality totally different because of unseen inner factor
– building life on two different foundations. In spiritual and eternal terms,
the difference is absolutely fundamental.
So the Lord presents us with the
challenge – two choices, and two alone. Submit to me, heed my teaching, let me
be in centre of life, receive my revolutionary new life. Or you do not, and just
carry on in your own way. Have to do nothing to be lost. But must take vital
fundamental step if to be saved. So the Lord does what ought to be done in every
sermon – he preaches for a verdict.
Lord Nelson had reputation for being courteous to defeated enemies. On one occasion, a defeated captain came on to Nelson’s quarterdeck as a prisoner, and knowing Nelson’s reputation, held out his hand expecting to be received by Nelson. But Nelson spoke one sentence: “Your sword first, sir, and then your hand”. Submit first, and then know my friendship and help and blessing. So with Christ, your sword first. Lord to be totally accepted and surrendered to. Or else, be rejected. Acceptance brings security. Rejection brings disaster.
Test of security and safety of house is not revealed on
a sunny pleasant summer’s day. The test is in the depth of winter, when wind
howls and storms rage. Test of lives and whether we are building on right
foundation is not when we are young, in the best of health, prospects bright,
and no cloud on the horizon. The test is when rain is on the roof, the river is
flooding the foundations, and the wind is beating on the walls.
Tests and trials and strains
come to all of us in life - adversities, sickness, sorrow, disappointments,
bereavements, heartbreaks, betrayal, misunderstandings, doubt, and collapse of
what we are depending and banking on. People can have to go through the most
dark and most critical hours of life which threaten to overwhelm them. They can
experience times of severe temptation, allurement of the world, and Satanic
attacks. These are things which show what we are made of. These are the times
when the foundation of life is revealed.
Then there is supreme test of
all – hour of death, whether it is sudden or gradual. That moment will come
when we will part company from familiar scenes and faces, never to return, and
go to place beyond the veil with all its unknowns. What use will the worldly
empty godless life be then? This is the most tremendous fact of all. We will be
shaken to very core of being. This will be our greatest hour of need. Can we
stand up to this? Finally seeing God face to face. Our hour of judgement.
Eternal destiny is decided. Final decision, and irreversible. Will he own us as
his own, saved through Christ, heart which is changed into Godward direction? Consider
the blameless, observe the upright: there is a future for the man of peace (Psalm
37:37).
This is the ultimate test of our
foundations. What have you got? What resources? What answer to fear? What
confidence can you show? On whom can you rely? We shall know then whether we
have been wise or foolish. Then the foundations of life will be laid bare.
Do these facts disturb you, so
that you choose not to think about them? Wake up. Face reality. Build on the
right foundation before it is too late. Oh the folly of the empty worldly life
whose centre is self. The awfulness of being without hope and without God. How
precious it is to know Christ, his salvation, submission to him, new life from
the father. To be able to look at life, death and eternity without fear and with
confidence. What have you got if you suddenly lost health, possessions,
disfigured by disease? What would you rest on? What have you got? Are your sins
forgiven? Is God at centre of life? Drop arrogance and rebellion. Call on God to
move and change heart. Seek him for forgiveness. Let him take complete
possession of you.
There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He means all he says and will do all he has promised, both in judgement on those who reject him, and in salvation to those who accept him. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6).
