The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (109)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on March 20, 2012
Topic: The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (4): Adversity and Christianity
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we looked at the illustration the Lord used to liken those who were listening to Him. He likened the person who hears His word and acts on it, to a wise builder who built his house on a ‘rocky’ foundation (that is, Christ); and the person who hears His word and does not act on it, He likened to a foolish builder, who built his house on sand (more or less, without a foundation).
We noted that we are all building our lives in this world; and whether or not we are wise builders, will depend on the foundation we have built our lives on. We saw that the Lord equated a person who hears and acts on His teachings as contained in the bible, to a person who has built his life on Him, the Rock; while, the person who hears and does not act on His teachings is a person who has built his life on human wisdom and tradition, society and culture, personal desires and ambition, etc. We saw that it is not how quickly a person builds, but how ‘deep’ he ‘digs’ to get to the stratum that will hold the ‘building’, that matters; because, adversity is a part of life, and when it does come, it is only the life that is founded or established on the rock that will endure.
We described adversity as a condition which is contrary to ones expectations or a condition which is just not going your way. Thus, we paraphrased the scripture in Proverbs 24:10 thus: “If when things are contrary to you, you do not practice the word of God, you have not built you life on the foundation of Christ.” or “If when things are not going your way, you seek alternatives other than God, you have built your life on human wisdom, tradition, societal values, culture, personal desires, personal ambition, etc., but not on Christ.”
We noted that adversity tests the measure/depth of our dependence on or faith in God, and, reveals our strength of character, and the resolve of our faith in God. Hence, we saw that the superficiality of the ‘stony’ heart in the parable of the sower, which lacked depth, was exposed when adversity struck. The Christian walk is about overcoming adversity; overcoming adversity is a mark of spiritual maturity; hearers and doers are spiritually mature; therefore, hearers and doers of the word of God always overcome adversity. The messages of the teachings on the Mount we observed are: (a) the teachings/doctrines of Christ, when acted upon, enable you, the Christian, to overcome adversity; and (b) the purpose of bible study is to get the believer in Christ to be firmly rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, and in his trust in God, so that he will be unshaken, in times of adversity.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:24-27
Tonight, we continue with our study on the Lord’s illustration of hearers and doers, as we look deeper into the buildings and adversity. May the Holy Spirit continue with us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
When adversity struck, represented by the rain, wind, and flood, certain things came to light. These are the things we want to look at tonight.
Job 1:13-22; 2:7-10; Genesis 6:11-22; 7:1-12; Matthew 24:37-39; Luke 17:28-29; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 4:1-2; Proverbs 1:20-33; Psalm 112:6-8: Luke 15:11-24; Hosea 6:1.
Conclusion
We have seen tonight that adversity can come in torrents or waves of contrary conditions. Regardless of how intense adversity is, it is the life that is built on Christ’s teachings that will remain standing when the adverse condition is over. We have also seen that even though the foolish builder may have already been enjoying his life, while the wise builder was still digging and building, ultimately, it was the wise builder who ended up enjoying after adversity was over. Another important observation we have made is that adverse conditions do not come to a believer in Christ until his ‘building’ is complete. The true believer will encounter adversity which is equivalent to the level he is expected to have attained in Christ, not necessarily the level he has attained. This means that you have to build your life on Christ, as and when He directs you. Not doing so, would mean that you are not growing at the pace expected of you; and when adversity strikes, which is equal to the level you ought to have attained, you would be unable to stand!
The Christian is considered wise only because his life is founded and established on Christ. This established life in Christ, is the result of years of digging and building on Christ’s teachings. As we hear and act on Christ’s teachings, we are taking roots downward, and will definitely bear fruit upward. The fruit does not appear instantaneously, but it does manifest once a life is persistently rooted and grounded in Christ’s love! And when adversity strikes, the Christian whose life is established on Christ will be unmoved.
One major lesson we can take away with us tonight is this: adversity can become the basis for bringing the foolish builder to his senses, so that he can repent, and return to the Lord. Tonight, this opportunity is extended to those of us who may have been building our lives on things and values other than Christ, the Rock.
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