| Life throws at us many situations which could knock | | | | positively - setting the pace - showing the example |
| us over or even cause us to fall. What happens | | | | for others to follow. |
| when we are knocked? It all depends upon the type | | | | There is a brief note of humour as Jesus comments |
| of foundation we take time to lay! | | | | on a man with a 2 by 4 beam in his eye and he is |
| In Luke Chapter 6 and at verse 37, Jesus Christ, the | | | | not aware of it, but he is determined to deal with |
| Son of God, is cautioning us against judging and | | | | the tiny speck of dust in someone else's life. Funny? |
| condemning. We have to be able to examine a tree, | | | | Well, there is a lot more of that around than some |
| and know whether it will produce good fruit or bad | | | | may think! |
| fruit. If we could not do this we could never write a | | | | Verses 46 to 49. Imagine calling Jesus, LORD, and |
| reference. We have to very wise regarding the | | | | not doing what HE says. Words are important, but it |
| practical implications of these verses. And of course, | | | | has got to be more than words. When Jesus |
| when it comes to writing references, we must be | | | | commands these men, He expects that to be done. |
| honest. | | | | They learned. Normally, Jesus does not come Himself |
| I am told that some employers virtually ignore | | | | and ask us to do something. HE sends someone else. |
| references that come from ministers and pastors | | | | O, if Jesus came to me Himself that would be so |
| because they will be too positive and not sufficiently | | | | different! His practice is to send a pastor, or elder, or |
| objective. I have said to people who have asked for | | | | teacher, or prophet. It is then that sometimes one |
| a reference, "Now, I am prepared to write a | | | | can witness the rebel spirit rise. |
| reference, but what I write may not get you a job!" | | | | Jesus goes on to speak about foundations. I have |
| I want to be a good tree, because, bad trees cannot | | | | taught this in schools and it is so vitally important. |
| bear good fruit! What is inside will come out. | | | | Jesus speaks about two men and two houses. They |
| It is like having a glass of water, knocked. If the | | | | look alike. You couldn't tell which is which. Jesus says, |
| water in the glass is clean and pure then that is what | | | | I will show you who is who. Jesus was brought up in |
| will spill over when knocked. But if it is a glass of dirty | | | | the building trade in Nazareth and He knew what he |
| and mucky water that is what will spill out when it is | | | | was talking about. |
| knocked. Whatever is in you will come out, and be | | | | One man is building a house - digging down deep - he |
| certain about this - you will be confronted by many | | | | kept on digging - until he came to the rock. It is |
| knocks. What spills out of your mouth and from your | | | | COSTLY to EXCAVATE, in time and money, but are |
| life when you are knocked? | | | | we are going to build something which is going to last |
| Verse 38. Having spoken about forgiving, Jesus now | | | | and ride out the storms? The second man just |
| speaks about giving. Love gives. Jesus uses the | | | | throws up a house, with no adequate foundations. |
| illustration of a farmer and his cart returning from the | | | | These houses are built on the same site. They look |
| fields. The sheaves are pressed down, and shaken | | | | alike, until a crisis arises. There is a flood - a mighty |
| together as the farmer tried to get the whole | | | | storm and rain beat down upon these houses. One |
| harvest onto his cart - but there is so much, it is | | | | stood and the other collapsed. |
| running over. That is how God wants to give and | | | | When you are digging, there may not be much to |
| how He wants to bless us. | | | | show for your work for a time and yes, there are |
| Again note the order. Forgive, then give! SOW first. | | | | higher costs initially. |
| What ever it is you need SOW first! This applies to | | | | There was an immense excavation work going on at |
| every area of life - love - care - smiles - money! God | | | | what was to become the NASA launch pad. |
| takes the measure we use to give to us! Let me put | | | | Someone asked, "Where are you going? We are |
| it in very practical terms. Imagine that God wants to | | | | going to the moon! Is that not the wrong direction! |
| bless you ten times what you have sown. If you | | | | No." |
| have sown in £10 notes that is the ladle He | | | | Remove everything which separates you from the |
| will use to reward you. If you have sown in | | | | rock - all the rubbish - the soft sand - everything that |
| £50 notes that will be the ladle He will pick up | | | | wastes our time, and may cause our life to be |
| to reward you. Now, I am not into 'prosperity' | | | | unstable. It is a wise man who digs deep and pays |
| teaching, but that is just what Jesus teaches here. If | | | | attention to what Jesus Christ says and teaches. Are |
| you need love, sow love. If you need people to | | | | you WISE or FOOLISH? It is NOT the winds that |
| smile, smile at them first. If you need money, sow | | | | blow people over. It is NOT the pressures that make |
| money. I did say 'need' rather than want! | | | | people disappear from service in the Kingdom of God. |
| You can almost imagine these disciples sitting there | | | | It is the lack of foundations. |
| listening in blind unbelief - so Jesus tells a parable. Can | | | | Be committed to the Christ of The Bible. That may |
| you imagine two blind men? One leading the other | | | | appear a strange thing to say, but we meet people |
| and they are trying to cross a busy road. Look, if | | | | who have their own idea of Jesus. That is not good |
| you are my disciples have your eyes open. Know | | | | enough. Be committed to the JESUS of the Bible. |
| where you are going, if you are going to lead others | | | | Do what He says, and Jesus will regard you as a |
| - and know what is going on! | | | | wise man. When the storm and conflicts come you |
| Jesus saw the leadership of the church of the day - | | | | will then be able to stand, and what may spill from |
| spiritually blind - leading people astray. Leaders have | | | | your life will be faithfulness and grace and strength |
| to have their eyes opened. Leaders have to be able | | | | and love - and perhaps a lot lot more. |
| to see further along the road then others. Leading | | | | |