Standing on Solid Ground
Romans 1:8-17; Matthew 7:21-28
On a vacation a few years back, our family went on a fascinating tour of the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, Canada. We saw early forms of currency, then more modern ones using colorful paper for bills and various metals for coins. The tour guide was excellent, as were the displays. Just when I thought we were wrapping up, we rounded the corner and were shown many examples of counterfeit bills and coins. It takes skill, time, and a lot of money to make fake currency. You need specific paper and ink colors - also, a way to duplicate meticulous designs. The final hurdle is to replicate sophisticated, high-tech features. Despite these tremendous barriers, a huge amount of counterfeit money ends up in circulation.
Do you know that there are two ways stores and other businesses can detect fake bills? The easiest is a special yellow marker that tests authenticity; another option is to use an ultraviolet light. Anyone looking to pass counterfeit money usually gets caught when these tools are used.
Jesus wrapped up his Sermon on the Mount with a serious word of caution for his newly-chosen disciples: Be alert for fake followers, counterfeit believers... they will be among you. Is that something we think about very much as a church? It doesn’t seem so to me. Nevertheless, here it is put before us. Do we know of people who were sincere in their initial commitment to God, confessed Christ as their Savior, but never went on to develop a relationship with Jesus as their Lord? A heart connection was missing. Or do we know people who joined the church, affirmed their belief in Scriptures, but never open a Bible if they aren’t in church? Some people join but only return on Christmas & Easter or to have their children or grandchildren baptized. Yet if asked, each of these people would say they’re Christians, and you can look on the membership rolls and see for yourself.
Jesus grieves when this is the case. It was certainly on His mind as he began his ministry. He knew that some portion of his once-committed followers would drift away. Temptations would pull them elsewhere and all manner of self-focused priorities would matter most.
What does all of this mean for us who are in church? I think Jesus wants his most faithful followers to remain at the center of ministry and His Church and be aware that others don’t belong there. Some who follow him will just be putting up a good front. Nowadays it may be someone who shows up on Sunday, sitting toward the back. They can recite the prayers and will sing the hymns; they’ll occasionally volunteer to help and usually put some bucks in the plate on their way out. They feel pretty O.K. about their occasional appearances. In between these hit-or-miss visits, they honestly don’t think about God.
There are also people who have a veneer of Christianity, who may actively harm a church. When they show up, they may prefer to sit in a prominent place, and will probably make time to talk to key people in the congregation. They may be easy to talk to and have a winning smile, or they can more be low-key and prone to scowl. One common thread is that they’re often interested in power of some sort, like becoming chair of a committee or put in charge of a large project. They like having authority and influence. If anyone questions them, or does anything to interfere with their agenda, they know how to fix things behind the scenes and generally have little to no concern if they offend others.
I’ve just described two sorts of counterfeit Christians. Pay attention to such people, Jesus says. Some who sit in our pews are passive; they come on occasion out of a sense of duty or habit. The hour passes and nothing has really impacted them. Their heart isn’t connected in a living way with Jesus. And they never have exposure to Christianity in between the times we see them. No times of prayer, interest in Scripture, or listening to Christian music, and no one in their family or circle of friends is a Christian.
The second scenario is someone whose faith usually is non-existent, but they can tell you the year they joined. Their membership has opened doors for them to get done things done that they think need fixing. It will never have a spiritual focus or be people-centered; it’s almost always an agenda that relates to the church’s money and investments or its buildings and grounds. They will expect to be in charge, or in a position of power. They may be an unpopular figure or be seen in a favorable light.
Can you think of people who fit one of these descriptions? If you really can’t - “Praise God!” But counterfeit Christians are common enough. As someone who’s come to know people in several congregations, I’ve encountered a good number. Most people say, “What can we do - it’s just the way they are!” Would Jesus ignore someone on the fringe who had a small bit of lukewarm faith? I doubt he’d pass them by. Somehow, he’d find a way to connect, spend time with them, and have conversations that led to them consider a living, life-changing relationship with God.
What about the in-charge type, with little to no faith in God? How often do you think church folks say: “We can’t step on their toes because we need them in leadership, or we depend on their money!” While we count the cost, would Jesus come alongside them, despite their arrogance or irritability, and spend time coming to know them? He knows every life is shaped by past experiences, not all of them good. Haven’t you changed for the better since Jesus was in your life? The relentless love of God pursues all of us. When we’re ready to trust God, releasing our will, what a tremendous difference there is in our choices and relationships. Until God gets hold of us, we’ll do things our way, because it’s all we’ve ever known.
Keep this all before you: the importance of seeing people in our midst and on the fringes, who are connected to the church but not to the abundant life Christ offers. We’re called to build one another up in the faith, but to do that, we must know others and be known by them. We’re not meant to be on a solitary path but joined with others in communal life and discipleship.
If we who are strong in the faith can do these things, imagine what it could be like at church. People whose names are on the rolls would show up, making our parking lot and pews fill up. Decisions made by leaders would happen in an open and healthy atmosphere. This place and this people would experience great joy and experience even broader ministry and mission! I love the sound of that, don’t you?
There is more that Jesus teaches in this sermon... the next part is jarring. He fast-forwards to the day when everyone will stand before Him. Jesus has all power and authority on earth and in Heaven; before him nothing is hidden. He alone knows those who are His true sons and daughters.
Others will come forward, face to face with Christ and his nail-scarred hands. All will be laid bare; no deception is possible. Counterfeits will confess, every fake will be found out. There is no leverage. No excuse or pleading will work. They had free will; God never forces anyone to believe in Him.
Our allegiance today will seal our eternal destiny. Can you imagine standing before Jesus? Is He your Lord and your Savior? Have you obeyed God, staying on the narrow path as His disciple? If you have, Jesus will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and usher you into Heaven's glory.
Jesus looked at the crowd long ago and told them this painful truth: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will be recognized by Me. I will say to some: 'I never knew you, depart from Me.'" “Depart from Me” are the saddest and most devastating words I’ve ever read in the Bible. Jesus will likewise know who’s pledged allegiance to Him and run their race with faith to the very end. Heaven will be their new and eternal home.
God is real and heaven can be ours. Jesus wants to be our Lord and Savior and change our lives in extraordinary ways. Some people hear and receive this gift - others reject it and live for self. They do what they please and don’t want to hear how it breaks God’s teachings, and especially His heart. And anyone who denies or ignores God’s grace and truth of their own free will heads toward a terrible destination: an eternal future spent in hell. It’s a place of torment, loneliness, and darkness as real as heaven’s promise of light, love, and joy.
This brings us to Jesus’ parable about a wise and foolish builder. Both houses are similar in every way, except for their foundations. While hidden from sight their strength is revealed during a fierce storm. People whose lives are built on the sand will one day collapse. But those who build their life on Jesus Christ, the solid rock, who listen to God’s word and put it into practice, will not fall. They shall stand! Amen.
Do you know that there are two ways stores and other businesses can detect fake bills? The easiest is a special yellow marker that tests authenticity; another option is to use an ultraviolet light. Anyone looking to pass counterfeit money usually gets caught when these tools are used.
Jesus wrapped up his Sermon on the Mount with a serious word of caution for his newly-chosen disciples: Be alert for fake followers, counterfeit believers... they will be among you. Is that something we think about very much as a church? It doesn’t seem so to me. Nevertheless, here it is put before us. Do we know of people who were sincere in their initial commitment to God, confessed Christ as their Savior, but never went on to develop a relationship with Jesus as their Lord? A heart connection was missing. Or do we know people who joined the church, affirmed their belief in Scriptures, but never open a Bible if they aren’t in church? Some people join but only return on Christmas & Easter or to have their children or grandchildren baptized. Yet if asked, each of these people would say they’re Christians, and you can look on the membership rolls and see for yourself.
Jesus grieves when this is the case. It was certainly on His mind as he began his ministry. He knew that some portion of his once-committed followers would drift away. Temptations would pull them elsewhere and all manner of self-focused priorities would matter most.
What does all of this mean for us who are in church? I think Jesus wants his most faithful followers to remain at the center of ministry and His Church and be aware that others don’t belong there. Some who follow him will just be putting up a good front. Nowadays it may be someone who shows up on Sunday, sitting toward the back. They can recite the prayers and will sing the hymns; they’ll occasionally volunteer to help and usually put some bucks in the plate on their way out. They feel pretty O.K. about their occasional appearances. In between these hit-or-miss visits, they honestly don’t think about God.
There are also people who have a veneer of Christianity, who may actively harm a church. When they show up, they may prefer to sit in a prominent place, and will probably make time to talk to key people in the congregation. They may be easy to talk to and have a winning smile, or they can more be low-key and prone to scowl. One common thread is that they’re often interested in power of some sort, like becoming chair of a committee or put in charge of a large project. They like having authority and influence. If anyone questions them, or does anything to interfere with their agenda, they know how to fix things behind the scenes and generally have little to no concern if they offend others.
I’ve just described two sorts of counterfeit Christians. Pay attention to such people, Jesus says. Some who sit in our pews are passive; they come on occasion out of a sense of duty or habit. The hour passes and nothing has really impacted them. Their heart isn’t connected in a living way with Jesus. And they never have exposure to Christianity in between the times we see them. No times of prayer, interest in Scripture, or listening to Christian music, and no one in their family or circle of friends is a Christian.
The second scenario is someone whose faith usually is non-existent, but they can tell you the year they joined. Their membership has opened doors for them to get done things done that they think need fixing. It will never have a spiritual focus or be people-centered; it’s almost always an agenda that relates to the church’s money and investments or its buildings and grounds. They will expect to be in charge, or in a position of power. They may be an unpopular figure or be seen in a favorable light.
Can you think of people who fit one of these descriptions? If you really can’t - “Praise God!” But counterfeit Christians are common enough. As someone who’s come to know people in several congregations, I’ve encountered a good number. Most people say, “What can we do - it’s just the way they are!” Would Jesus ignore someone on the fringe who had a small bit of lukewarm faith? I doubt he’d pass them by. Somehow, he’d find a way to connect, spend time with them, and have conversations that led to them consider a living, life-changing relationship with God.
What about the in-charge type, with little to no faith in God? How often do you think church folks say: “We can’t step on their toes because we need them in leadership, or we depend on their money!” While we count the cost, would Jesus come alongside them, despite their arrogance or irritability, and spend time coming to know them? He knows every life is shaped by past experiences, not all of them good. Haven’t you changed for the better since Jesus was in your life? The relentless love of God pursues all of us. When we’re ready to trust God, releasing our will, what a tremendous difference there is in our choices and relationships. Until God gets hold of us, we’ll do things our way, because it’s all we’ve ever known.
Keep this all before you: the importance of seeing people in our midst and on the fringes, who are connected to the church but not to the abundant life Christ offers. We’re called to build one another up in the faith, but to do that, we must know others and be known by them. We’re not meant to be on a solitary path but joined with others in communal life and discipleship.
If we who are strong in the faith can do these things, imagine what it could be like at church. People whose names are on the rolls would show up, making our parking lot and pews fill up. Decisions made by leaders would happen in an open and healthy atmosphere. This place and this people would experience great joy and experience even broader ministry and mission! I love the sound of that, don’t you?
There is more that Jesus teaches in this sermon... the next part is jarring. He fast-forwards to the day when everyone will stand before Him. Jesus has all power and authority on earth and in Heaven; before him nothing is hidden. He alone knows those who are His true sons and daughters.
Others will come forward, face to face with Christ and his nail-scarred hands. All will be laid bare; no deception is possible. Counterfeits will confess, every fake will be found out. There is no leverage. No excuse or pleading will work. They had free will; God never forces anyone to believe in Him.
Our allegiance today will seal our eternal destiny. Can you imagine standing before Jesus? Is He your Lord and your Savior? Have you obeyed God, staying on the narrow path as His disciple? If you have, Jesus will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” and usher you into Heaven's glory.
Jesus looked at the crowd long ago and told them this painful truth: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will be recognized by Me. I will say to some: 'I never knew you, depart from Me.'" “Depart from Me” are the saddest and most devastating words I’ve ever read in the Bible. Jesus will likewise know who’s pledged allegiance to Him and run their race with faith to the very end. Heaven will be their new and eternal home.
God is real and heaven can be ours. Jesus wants to be our Lord and Savior and change our lives in extraordinary ways. Some people hear and receive this gift - others reject it and live for self. They do what they please and don’t want to hear how it breaks God’s teachings, and especially His heart. And anyone who denies or ignores God’s grace and truth of their own free will heads toward a terrible destination: an eternal future spent in hell. It’s a place of torment, loneliness, and darkness as real as heaven’s promise of light, love, and joy.
This brings us to Jesus’ parable about a wise and foolish builder. Both houses are similar in every way, except for their foundations. While hidden from sight their strength is revealed during a fierce storm. People whose lives are built on the sand will one day collapse. But those who build their life on Jesus Christ, the solid rock, who listen to God’s word and put it into practice, will not fall. They shall stand! Amen.