During the first 3 parts of this series, ( see Defining the Sabbath, the Gathering of the Twelve and the Sermon on the Mount, Sermon on the Mount 2, and Sermon on the Mount 3), we learned about the Beatitudes, how to apply His gospel and remain in godly character.

            We also received Jesus’ evolution of some Old Testament Scriptures into their highest applications. Then, we listened as Christ taught us how to please God, how to pray, and where to direct our spiritual focus.

         Today, we are going to finish Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, beginning with an admonition against judgement.

            (Remember that earlier in this sermon, Jesus had already warned us against being angry with others (Mt. 5:22). For you to be angry with anyone, you must have first judged them):

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Mt. 7:1 – 5. NLT

            He gives an illustration:

“Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch?” Lk. 6:39 NLT

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will come back against you. Forgive others and you will be forgiven.” Lk. 6:37 NLT

            Jesus says that we should judge no one. There are a couple of exceptions, e.g., for personal safety reasons or should we have to serve jury duty, where even then, we are to strive to apply the fairness and mercy that God extends to us. We can also judge the sin, but not the sinner.

            When judgment and anger manifests, we need to stop and consider their roots, because many times they reflect something inside of us that we don’t like about ourselves. Stop and ask God for His mercy – letting it flow to you and through you…

         Part of God’s plan for us is to make His word the foundation of our lives and to actively share His gospel with everyone to advance His Kingdom, by helping Him fill it with living souls.

            Some will willingly accept it, some won’t. Others will aggressively rebuke you because they are being convicted in their hearts, for their stubborn clinging to the ways of the ungodly.

            You, are only responsible for delivering God’s message of salvation through Christ, and expound upon it if they are willing to listen:

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.  2 Tim. 4:2 NLT

            If they are not, their outcome does not bode well for them:

“If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on judgment day.” Mt. 10:14,15. NLT

            Jesus advises us about others who mock the gospel and would try to diminish our faith:

“Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw you pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” Mt. 7:6 NLT

So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. Pr. 9:8 NLT

         Christ shifts His teaching to that regarding the rewards we gain, when make the word of God our foundation:

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Mt. 7:7, 8. NLT (see also Lk. 18:1-6).

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. Eph. 6:18 AMP

            We ‘knock’ by staying persistent in prayer – faithfully confident that if our prayers are in alignment with His will, our petitions will be granted.

         When the word of God is our foundation, it will be expressed in our behavior as well:

“So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.” Mt. 7:12 AMP

            This Scripture is commonly referred to as the ‘Golden Rule.’ Later, Jesus would refer to it again as the ‘second greatest commandment,’ restated as:

‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ Mt. 22:39 AMP

            God is love. Thus, if God is our foundation, so is love. Make your path the God path. Jesus says that path is clearly marked if you persist in your search:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Mt. 7:13, 14. NLT

         Standing in faith on our God-foundation, is a constant imperative because the world will repeatedly attack us for having it. Even well-intentioned people want to show us their mistaken perception of the ‘better attributes’ of the ‘wide gate.’ Jesus warns us of this very thing:

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, of figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit.

So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Mt. 7:15 – 20. NLT

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Tim. 4:1 – 5. NLT

         Our task is to be one with our foundation – to live out the will of God for us, to its entirety, to the best of our ability. Jesus knows who are His, as well as those who are only going through ‘religious motions’ to puff themselves up in the eyes of others. They will be sifted out at the end of time:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in your name?’

And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’ Mt. 7:21 – 23. AMP

         Jesus finishes His Sermon on the Mountby describing our outcomes in life, depending upon how well we adhere to and act upon His words:

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the flood waters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey 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.” Mt. 7;24 – 27. NLT

…prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize it’s meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]…But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it…he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]. Jas 1:22 & 25. AMP

            The crowd was astonished by Christ’s preaching. Time for us to stand on that Rock…

            Next week, the further adventures of our Savior.

Goodnight and God bless.