Exegetical Idea: Only the obedient will enter God's Kingdom, therefore put Jesus' words into practice.
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
Doing the Father's will takes more than simply calling Jesus "Lord"!
Supernatural performance is not proof of a relationship with Jesus.
Only doing the Father's will and knowing Jesus count with him.
The only way to ultimately enter God's Kingdom is to consistently practice what Jesus says.
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Yes - look at the sometimes spectacular failures of some popular nationally known ministries.
I'm no longer impressed by public performance.
The gifted who have failed need to open up about their failures.
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Homiletical Idea:
Purpose: For the saints to understand the scope of obedience that God requires and adjust their lifestyles accordingly.
Breakdown
Present the passage
Story
Sir Edward William Elgar (1857 - 1934) composed a series of 5 musical pieces.
Title from Act III of Shakespeare's Othello
"Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!".[1]
1901 (October) - First piece premiered in Liverpool
1902 "Land Of Hope and Glory" section of Coronation Ode for King Edward VII (great-grandfather of Elizabeth)
1905 (June 28) Professor Samuel Sanford invited Elgar to receive an honorary doctorate at Yale.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, College Choir, Glee club, music faculty members, and New York musicians performed Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 as the graduates and officials marched out.
The tune is now a standard at American graduations.
Mat 7:21-23 depicts the ultimate graduation.
My MIT Graduation
Final assembly
Names called for last minute fees, library books, etc.
Checkers every dozen yards or so.
Most received diplomas.
Some received diploma frames with explanatory notes
How will you do at graduation?
How you do then is determined by what you do now!
Some things that we thought would count won't!
Some things we thought wouldn't count will!
Graduating takes more than wearing school clothing.
Being a star athlete or working for the school newspaper are not proof that you understand your field of study.
Only completing your degree requirements counts.
The only way to graduate is to do your homework.
Mat 7:24-27 is about your lifestyle
The house standing or falling reflects graduating or not graduating.
Standing through the storm (i.e. graduating) requires obedience.
A building's foundations are not random and neither is obedience.
Analogies for Mat 7:21-23 vs. Mat 7:24-27
Graduation vs. homework
Planning for a lifestyle of obedience
We sow a thought and reap an act; We sow an act and reap a habit; We sow a habit and reap a character; We sow a character and reap a destiny.
Attributed to Charles Reade
Scope of obedience
Practicing Jesus' words means more than just going to church.
Produce fruit for God's Kingdom!
Jesus wants you to make disciples.
All of the rest of the sermon on the mount is spoken in this context - to disciples who are being trained to make disciples.
Church helps you discover where the rock is, but it doesn't sink the foundations for you.
"No my brother - you have to buy your own!"
Describe sinking of pilings.
Pilings must underlie the entire structure being constructed.
You must examine your entire life to ensure that every facet has its foundation on rock.
You can't do this by yourself - you need a team!
You and your team
American culture is individualistic
"I'll do it myself!"
"I did it my way!"
We bring our own cultural baggage when we interpret scripture.
Jesus built a team and expected his disciples to do the same.
Jesus used metaphors that involved teams:
Harvest - a team activity
Fishing - a team activity (when done to make a living)
Building Houses - a team activity
Immaturity
Pursues spiritual growth individualistically
Focuses on things that don't require a team
accumulating spiritual information
emulating church behavior
Maturity
Pursues spiritual growth as part of a team
Focuses on developing a spiritual lifestyle
Sees a team as essential to doing God's will
Will find a team or build one.
Pays attention to character more than to gifts.
Teams play to win
Much of the behavior we settle for should be our preparation.
You have to do more than practice.
You have to do more than drills.
You have to do more than exhibition games.
You have to take a risk and play a game and make mistakes.
How will you do at graduation?
How you do then is determined by what you do now!
Some things that we thought would count won't!
Some things we thought wouldn't count will!
Doing God's will takes more than simply calling Jesus "Lord"!
Signs and wonders are not proof of a relationship with Jesus.
Only doing the Father's will and knowing Jesus count with him.
The only way to ultimately enter God's Kingdom is to consistently practice what Jesus says.
God has a big Kingdom - You should have a big goal:
More than scoring points
More than winning a single game
More than winning a division title
More than winning the national championship
Set your sights on the hall of fame as part of the greatest team in history!
New Material
Preparation
Expository Preaching
Expository preaching is the communication of a biblical concept, derived from and transmitted through a historical, grammatical, and literary study of a passage in its context, which the Holy Spirit first applies to the personality and experience of the preacher, then through the preacher, applies to the hearers.
Select the Passage
Study the Passage
NIV
Hebrew Study Bible
KJV
The Message
NASB
RSV
Discover the Exegetical Idea
Subject
Tools: How, Who, What, When, Where, Why
Complement
Analyze the Exegetical Idea
Explain It: What does this mean?
Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
Formulate the Homiletical Idea
Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
Make it plain
Use accessible language and modern parables
Make sure people do something with the word God gives you for them.
Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
Outline the Sermon
A Mother's Faith
Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
Scripture References: 2Kings 4:8-37; Rom 12:9-13; Philip 4:12-13
Describe ways that you have practiced hospitality or benefited from someone else’s hospitality.
Are you currently, or have you ever been passionate about God’s Word and God’s Kingdom? If your zeal has diminished, what are you doing about it?
Has God ever answered “no” or “wait” in response to a request that you have made? Describe. Have you learned to be content in the circumstances you are in?
Describe things you dream of doing, having or achieving. Do you believe that God has indicated that now is the time to pursue any of these dreams? If so, how has this been confirmed? Under these circumstances, have you moved forward in pursuing your dreams? If not, why not?
What difficulties have you encountered in pursuing dreams that you believe God has approved? What are you doing to overcome these obstacles?
What areas of self-discipline have you excelled or improved in? What areas need more work?
Witnessing Activities For This Week's Life Group Meetings
Make sure that everyone knows about the next Life Church 101 class:
Sunday June 8, 2008 - 2 P.M. - 6 P.M.
Other witnessing / works activities as determined by your life group leader.
