Communion Sunday, February 3, 2008

“Rock Solid Decisions”

There are Pretenders among us; geniuses – in a way. They have the ability to do many things. They have the ability to be things; that they are not. Sometimes, these Pretenders, claim to be Christians.

In Matthew 7, as part of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about, following Him, and relying on the Rock of our salvation.

Jesus speaks;
“Not everyone who says to me, or calls out to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven - will enter.

“Not all people who sound religious, are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue, (the deciding factor), is whether they obey my Father in heaven.


Many will say to me - on that day; On Judgment Day, many will tell me 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied - in your name, and cast out demons - in your name, and performed many miracles - in your name.’


Then, I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you - who break God’s laws.’

And, I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized'


For those who follow, what Jesus says, are True Disciples.

And, how can we distinguish between those who are, and those who Pretend to be?

We simply watch what they do; we look closely at the conclusions they make; we examine their decision-making processes.

What do they compare and judge their decisions against?
Do they have a guideline, a standard of practice, or a criterion to which they parallel?

Is there a beacon, sign, guide, something to steer them, something that points or shows the way?

What do they have, to aid them in the decisions they make and the things that they do?

Pretenders don’t have such guideposts, but Christians can ask themselves a series of questions, that will help them make good, godly choices.

Jesus continues to identify The Wise and Foolish Builders

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine, anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it, and puts them into practice, is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Anyone who listens to my teaching, and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid 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.

Though the rain comes in torrents, and the floodwaters rise, and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.


But, everyone who hears these words of mine, anyone who hears my teaching, and does not put them into practice, and doesn’t obey it, is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

But, anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it, is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.



When the rains and floods come, and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew, and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."


The mighty and great crash, is the difference between the foolish man not listening to the warnings of Jesus, and those Building on a Solid Foundation

Verses 21 to 23 are a warning for those people who ‘talk the talk,’ but don’t ‘walk the walk;’ those people who don’t live up to their words; those people who say one thing, but do something, totally different. These verses highlight the many false people there are – hypocrites.

Now, a hypocrite is deceiver, a charlatan, a faker, a con & a phony. They say and do things that are false, They’re swindlers, imposters, mis-representations of the truth. They sneak around, plagiarize, don’t play by the rules; they only pretend to love God and appear to follow Christ’s teachings.

Let me assure you of this, Christians who slip-and-fall, those who try so hard, and simply have a bad day – they are not hypocrites, they are simply struggling, and need help and encouragement.

But, there are Pretenders among us; geniuses – in a way. They have the ability to do many things. They have the ability to be things; that they are not. Sometimes, these Pretenders claim to be Christians.

So, what is my protection against such people, and how do I safeguard against becoming a Pretender?

Like I said before; Pretenders don’t have guideposts to which they can - or will – use as points of reference, referral or guidance.

But, Christians can ask themselves a series of questions, that will aid them make good, godly choices.

We all make hundreds of decisions and choices every single day. Most of these decisions, have no right or wrong value attached to them; such as what color shirt we choose to wear, whether we will eat tomato or vegetable soup for dinner.

But there are choices and decisions, that we must make, that carry more weight; and do have certain repercussions or consequences.

Bottom-line is that most Christians don’t want to do wrong, and they don’t want to cause others to do wrong; and that’s where these series of questions, come in – and act as guideposts. The Apostle, Paul offers these suggestions.

Anytime you are facing a tough and important decision, ask yourself Paul’s questions;

1. Does it help my witness for Christ?

1 Corinthians 9:22;
“When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression, so that I might bring them to Christ.”

Here, Paul is search for common ground, with everyone, so that he can be a better witness for Christ. Finding and sharing common ground is very important in witnessing to anyone.

So, does it help your witness for Christ?

2. Am I motivated by a desire to help others know Christ?

1 Corinthians 9:23;
“I do all this, to spread the Good News, and in doing so, I enjoy its blessings.”

Is what you are doing, helping lead others to know Christ? Are you helping spread the Word and the truth? Will, what you do, hinder or block the image of Christ?

3. Does it help me do my best?

1 Corinthians 9:25;
“All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it - to win a prize - that will fade away; but we do it for an eternal prize.”

So, simply a question. Is what you are doing, helping you to become the very best, good, and godly person you can be. Athletes training and sacrifice, and for a fleeting second, they hold in their hands a prize. For Christians, we sacrifice, we take the road less traveled, and we try and do our very best; and our prize is not fleeting, it is a wondrous goal – which we will have forever.

That goal, that prize is life eternal.

4. Is it against a specific command in Scripture, and would thus cause me to sin?

1 Corinthians 10:12, Paul warns us;
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin… Remember that the temptations, that come into your life, are no different from what others experience.”

Since Pretenders don’t have a guidepost to draw upon, temptations quickly become sinful acts. But, real Christians can go to the Bible for clarification.

At Mount Sinai, God gave the Israelites this message - through Moses;

“Now, if you will obey me, and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure, from among all nations of the earth… And, you will be to me, a Kingdom of Priests, My Holy Nation.”

On that day, Moses brought down from, high upon that mountain, The 10 Commandments. Id all else fails, compare your decision against this covenant.

5. Is it the best and most beneficial course of action?



1 Corinthians 10:33;
“I don’t just do what I like, or what is best for me, but what is best for them, so they may be saved.”

Often, the best course of action, is the farthest thing, from what is pleasing, or best for us. As servants of God, we must always be think of what is best for the other person. The best and most beneficial thing, for any person, is a right relationship with God.

6. Am I thinking only of myself, or do I truly care about the other person?

1 Corinthians 10:24;
“Don’t think only of your own good. Think of other Christians, and what is best for them.”

Here, Paul suggests that we be sensitive and gracious towards others. With ‘free-will’ comes a freedom in Christ to make our own decisions, but our freedom should not come at the expense of others. Christ cared about everyone He meet; even those who crucified Him. As He hung, dying on the cross, He pleaded with His Father in Heaven; “Forgive them, for they know, not, what they do!”

Do you care enough, about other people, that you would give up everything you have, and all you are – so that they would have it all?

7. Am I acting lovingly or selfishly?


1 Corinthians 13:3
“If I give everything I have to the poor, and even sacrificed my body (I could boost about it), but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value – whatsoever.”

Is what your doing, all for you, or are you really concerned about the welfare of others. Do you love yourself more than you brother or sister in Christ.

*** These last 2 questions, are most important; these form the foundation, of the guideposts.

8. Will it cause someone else to sin?

1 Corinthians 10:32;
“Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles, or the Church of God”

We should never do anything that offends the beliefs of someone else – if it can at all be helped. Sometimes our beliefs will clash with someone else’s beliefs; and there is no way to avoid it. But, with some planning and understanding, sensitivity can be shown. We must be willing to compromise first, but never let ourselves be taken advantage of.

Nothing we do, should cause another believer to stumble. We should never tempt another believer. If another person is weak, and gives into temptation easily, we should never lead that person into a situation where his/her integrity is threatened.

9. Does it glorify God?

1 Corinthians 10:31;
“Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.”

Our actions must be motivated by God’s love, so that, all we do, will be for His glory.
Keep asking yourself:
Is this action glorifying God?
Or; How can I honor God through this action?

If we truthfully answer that question, many of our actions can be halted, before they develop into problems. Glorifying God is the greatest and most important task we could ever do.

The Christian life involves both freedom and discipline; we are free to choose whatever we feel is best for us – but we must gauge those choices against a life, Christ-like.

Jesus says that obedience to Him, is the only sure foundation for life; and for making good, godly choices. Furthermore, it is His unfailing promise, that the life, that is founded on obedience to Him, and His Word, is safe; regardless of how vicious the storm, how menacing the winds, how high the floodwaters; and how hard a decision that must be made.

What is your life, based on? Fear and control, or, freedom and discipline?

Let’s pray;