Luke 7a: HG Bishop Youssef

Love Your EnemiesOutline

01:2000:00

• 1-10: Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant
• 11-17: Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain
• 18-35: John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus
• 36-50: A Sinful Woman Forgiven

Jesus Heals a Centurion's Servant

00:56

^27 1 Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. ² And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. ³ So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. ⁴ And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, ⁵ “Butfor he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.”

⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to youone, who‘Go,’ hear:and Lovehe yourgoes; enemies, do goodand to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” ¹⁰ And those who hatewere you, ²⁸ blesssent, thosereturning to the house, found the servant well who cursehad you,been and pray for those who spitefully use you. sick.

• I When sayHe toconcluded youall whoHis hearsayings - the sayings of Chapter 6
• The Centurion
  • TheseA commandmentsCenturion areis givena Roman Officer who commanded 100 men (prefix cent-)
  • Roman soldiers were stationed all over Israel including Galilee, Samaria and Judea in order to allmaintain order
  • This Centurion appears to be a devout, humble man despite being a Gentile Roman Soldier
    • As a Roman soldier, he is an instrument in the hand of usthe Roman Government to oppress Jews
    • As a Gentile, he would not be able to enter beyond the Court of Gentiles in the Temple, but he could attend Sabbath services in the synagogue.
    • He financed the building of a synagogue in Capernaum - allshowing whohis hearlove for the Jews
    • Under Roman Law, a master has the right to kill his servant and payit attentionwas expected to whatdo isso said;if allthe whoservant arebecame activelyill listeningor injured to the wordpoint that he cannot work... but this Centurion was a godly man who, when his servant was sick, he heard about Christ and teachingsent the elders of the Lord; all who diligently hearkenJews to Christ; who feel that what the Lord is saying is worth their time
  • Love your enemies
    • This is a radically new teaching
    • In the Old Testament it was said "love your neighbor and hate your enemy" - we never heard before the Lord Jesus Christ that anyone said "love your enemies"
    • It is a very simple command to understand, but very difficult to obey - unless you receive grace from the Holy Spirit
    • Love is not emotion (warm fuzzy feeling)
      • We don't control our emotions
      • If we wait for our emotions or feelings, we may never love them
    • I need to make the decision that I will love my enemy and do good for them - 
      • He is speaking about acts of love.
      • "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink" (Romans 12:20)
      • When God sees me doing this, then this love will be processed by the Holy Spirit from the mind and will and intellect to the heart and emotionsHim
  • Enemies? Why did he send elders and friends instead of going himself?
    • The Lord had become very famous as a Jewish teacher... so the Centurion, perceiving himself as unworthy and unfit to go ask a favor from a great Teacher like the Lord Jesus Christ, sent elders of the Jews and his friends, instead
      • The elders of the Jews went and told the Lord that this man, despite being a Gentile and a soldier, is worthy - "for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue"
      • Even later, he sends his friends to the Lord to explain why he did not come himself
    • These conversations in the Gospel of St Matthew are said to be done by the Centurion, himself - but St Matthew was simply summarizing those parts of the story.
    • "He the Centurion was feeling unworthy, but he showed himself worthy of Christ entering - not within his roof, but within heart." - St Augustine
  • The Centurion understood authority and chain of command
  • The Lord marvels at him and at the Israelites
    • The Jews asked to touch the Lord Jesus Christ to be healed
    • This man believed that even without a touch, just at the spoken word of the Lord, his servant would be healed
    • The Lord marvels at the man's faith, but also at the unbelief of Israel
  • The servant is healed
    • The Lord recognizesanswered the Centurion's unselfish request and proved that weHe willhas the authority that the Centurion trusted Him to have enemies.- without seeing him, touching him, speaking to him... He spoke and the sick was cured.

  Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain

  15:12

  ¹¹ Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. ¹² And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” ¹⁴ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” ¹⁵ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

  ¹⁶ Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” ¹⁷ And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

  • This story is only mentioned in the Gospel of St Luke
  • Nain is a city near Tabor in Galilee
  • A dead man was being carried out of the city
    • They used to not bury inside the city
    • All funerals are tragedies... but enemiesthis areone thoseis whoa hatespecial us,loss
      • At that time, women did not thosework... who
      we
      • Since hate.she's Wea respondwidow, her son is now taking care of her and now her son is dead. So there is noone to themsupport her.
      • Losing a son or daughter is one of the most difficult tragedies... more so than losing a parent or other relative
      • A large crowd followed in love,order trustingto thatgive God will protect our cause.sympathy
      • Many
      times we are concerned lest when we show love, people will take advantage of us... but if we trust in God, He will protect our cause
  • How toThe loveLord enemies:had compassion on her
    • DoIn goodthis instance, as in so many others, the miracle of the Lord is not from a distinct purpose to thosegive whoHimself hatecredentials you- but came from His own compassion on human suffering.
    • BlessWhen thoseHe whosaw cursethe youwidow
      crying
      • Weand mustweeping, speakHe wellshowed ofdivine thosecompassion whofor speakthe illhuman of ussuffering
    • Pray forTouching the Coffin
      • According to the Jewish Law, a coffin is impure and if you touched it you became ritually impure. 
      • The Lord touched the open coffin and those who spitefullycarried useit stood still.
        • They marveled that Jesus, who was known as a teacher, would touch the coffin which most Rabbis would call impure
    • He presented him to his mother to make it clear "I raised you to take care of your mother"
    • Jesus showed here the greatness of His power, but also the truth of His mission - so the people gave thanks to God and glorified Him
    • This report went to all Judea and the surrounding region
    • The Lord's Authority over Death
      • The Daughter of Jairus
      • The Son of the Widow of Nain
      • Lazarus
      • "As the Lord had mercy on the body, He also has mercy on our souls. These three miracles are illustrations of Christ's divine power and love in raising our souls that are dead in trespasses and sin. Whether the soul be dead but not yet carried out like the Daughter of Jairus; or dead and carried out but not buried like the son of the widow; or dead, carried out and buried like Lazarus. He who raised Himself on the third day can raise all of us from the death of sin. Therefore, let no one despair." - St Augustine

    John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus

    25:18

    ¹⁸ Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.

    • We have three passages about the relationship between the Lord Jesus to St John
      • 18-23
      • 24-30
      • 31-35
    • We can conclude some facts about the disciples of John:
      • The disciples of John were present when the Lord performed these miracles and they heard His teachings
      • Although John was imprisoned, his disciples were allowed free access to him
      • St Luke likely heard this account from one of the disciples of St John

    ^29 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

    To^{20 him}When whothe strikesmen had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” ²¹ And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

    ²² Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you onhave the seen and heard: that onethe blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the cheek,deaf hear, the dead offerare raised, the poor have the othergospel also. Andpreached fromto him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. ^31 23 And justblessed asis he who youis wantnot offended menbecause toof do to you, you also do to them likewise.Me.”

    • IfWe someonehave strikesseen youbefore onthat John knew clearly that the cheek,Lord offeris the otherMessiah... alsoso
      why
      • is Wehe aresending peacemakers.these disciples?
        • WeNowadays mustsome acceptsay certainit's evilsbecause committedJohn againstdoubted us.that Jesus is the Messiah since he was in prison and hadn't been delivered... This is not outin ofline weakness,with buthis bycharacter ouror freewhat willthe Lord says about him.
        • ItThe isFathers easyof the Church teach us that he sent his disciples to repayremove evilall withdoubt evil
        from
        • Wetheir chooseheart, toand repaynot evilfor withhis goodown becausepersonal we are peacemakerssatisfaction.
      • In Practicalresponse Waysto ofthose Lovedisciples, in that very hour, Jesus cured many and then answered them to "Go and tell John the things that you have seen and heard"
        • When struck onIn the cheek,Gospel resistof andSt bearMatthew, it;St ifMatthew wesays respondthe Lord simply sent a verbal message. But St Luke gives more detail that the Lord did miracles in liketheir manner,presence then we become like himfirst.
        • That very hour:
          • "who,He knew what John's design was in sending to Him. He knew that in this very moment, those two disciples would come. He put it into his heart to send at that very time when HeHe, Himself, was reviled,working didmany notmiracles revilewhich inwere return;the whentrue He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himselfanswer to Himthe whoquestion." judges- righteously"St (1Cyril Peterof 2:23)Alexandria
        • The Acceptpoor Certainhave Evilsthe Againstgospel Uspreached to them
          • DoesThe poor in spirit, and those who do not meantrust in the riches of the world
          • Those who are gratified by temporal things are too satisfied or too busy to acceptpay attention to the evilword of sin or bad actions or false doctrine - those that we opposeGod
          • The
          evil man is a victim of Satan, and we need to bear their weakness, praying for him
      • ThereBlessed wasis a manhe who wasis demonnot possessedoffended and they took him to see an elder hermit that God had graced with the power to cast out demons. The demon caused the man to slap the hermit... the hermit turned the other cheek and the demon immediately left the man. The demon cried out "I must leave - I cannot stay any longer. The commandmentbecause of Christ is casting me out." Nothing puts down the pride of the devil as humility and obedience to the commandment of God.
      • In Egypt, one of the Sheikhs was making fun of Christianity and the Bible all over the media and insulting and slandering us for many many years. He got very sick and was taken to a hospital in London. HH Pope Shenouda III sent him a delegation of bishops to check on him in the hospital. He could not believe that after all he did to Christians, they are asking about him... this practical love changed him completely. And when he got back to Egypt he went straight from the airport to the Cathedral to thank HH Pope Shenouda. From that moment until he died, he never again spoke against Christianity. This is the power of love and forgiveness.
    • If someone takes your cloak, give him your tunic tooMe
      • GivingObviously willinglythis andmessage outis not for St John the Baptist, because he is not offended by Him
      • Some people had a preconceived idea about Jesus - as a man, or as less than any prophet (e.g. people in Nazareth, Pharisees, those who perceived the Lord as a temporal deliverer of loveIsrael)
      • By doing this, you don't disturb the calm of your own spirit with arguments, disputes, and debates
    • Give to everyoneThose who asks of you, and do not asktake themoffense backat
      Jesus
      • Whetherfor Jewwhat orthey Gentile,think friendHe orshould enemy,be, believerbut orwho unbeliever,recognize goodHis ortrue bad, worthy or unworthy, deserving or not
      • Give from your alms - food or money
      • Give freely, readily, cheerfully, according to your ability, abundantly, andidentity as the necessitySon of theGod, objectand requires
      accepted
      • "ItHis ismiracles moreas blessedsigns of His authority, and believe in His mission to giveannounce thanthe toKingdom receive"- (ActsThese 20:35)
      are
      the
    • Treat others as you want to be treated
      • The Golden Rule
      • Put yourself in his place and ask yourself how would I want to be treated?
      • Reciprocity
    • This sums up all moral and ethical requirementschildren of menGod; who live in society asthe citizens of the Kingdom of God
      • Christianity demands a standard that surpasses what is normally expected
      • We have the grace of the Holy Spirit - so we are expected to behave in a behavior which surpasses the normal
      • The Lord urges us to pursue a lifestyle that demonstrates God's mercy to everyone
      • If we are grounded in God's love, trusting fully in the Holy Spirit, it will be easy for us to live in this wayGod.

    ^32 24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “ButWhat ifdid you lovego out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ²⁵ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who loveare you,gorgeously whatappareled creditand islive thatin toluxury you?are Forin evenkings’ sinners love those who love them.courts. ^33 26 AndBut ifwhat did you dogo goodout to thosesee? whoA doprophet? goodYes, I say to you, whatand creditmore isthan thata to you? For even sinners do the same.prophet. ^34 27 AndThis if you lend is to thosehe fromof whom youit hopeis written:

    ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
    Who will prepare Your way before You.’

    ²⁸ For I say to receiveyou, back,among whatthose creditborn of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothingleast in return;the and your reward will be great, and you will be sonskingdom of the Most High. For HeGod is kindgreater tothan the unthankful and evil. ³⁶ Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.he.”

    • WhatWhy creditdid isthe thatLord towait you?until the two disciples departed before praising John? Why not praise him in their presence?
      • The Lord wantsrefrained usfrom praising John in their presence lest He be accused of flattery or hypocrisy
    • He praises John as a man of God
      • John did not live for his own comfort or the approval of others
      • John is steadfast, not shaken easily like a reed, but firm in his message of repentance
      • He was not like a reed swayed by the wind of secular society - people say this, so he follows them. He was stable.
      • He lived a disciplined life not a life of luxury. He wore coarse camel hair for his garment
    • He praises John as a prophet
      • John was a prophet - everyone knew that. John came after hundreds of years without a prophet - so many people came to imitatehear Himhim and be baptized by him.
      • AnyoneThe Lord says he was much more than a prophet because he came to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus Christ - the Forerunner. He saw the Messiah and baptized Him! So he was greater than any other prophet before him.
    • He praises John as one prophesied about
      • The Lord quotes from Malachi
      • Malachi 3:1 - "Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me."
      • Centuries ago, the mission of John the Baptist was foretold and described by the prophet Malachi
    • He praises John as the greatest among those born of women
      • This verse confuses many scholars
      • How is the least in the worldkingdom canof returnGod lovegreater forthan love,John? good
        for good, lend and expect back - and even sinners do the same. This
        • John is the ordinarygreatest ruleof forthe man.Old Covenant Prophets
        • SomeBut peopleJohn arethe evenBaptist worsedid sinnersnot see the coming of the Kingdom. He saw the Kingdom coming but did not see how the Kingdom of God was fulfilled through the Crucifixion and returnResurrection evilof forour goodLord -Jesus theseChrist. areThrough lessopening thanthe normal.gates Soof whatParadise aboutand returningtransferring goodthe forrighteous evil?from ThisHades to Paradise. John the Baptist, himself, went to Hades when he died.
        • The humblest child of the New Kingdom is divine.superior to the greatest prophet of the Old Testament.
        • Why?
          • Now we can be united with Christ through the Eucharist
          • When we give,die, it'swe notdon't withgo "stringsto attached"
          Hades,
          • Whenbut Ito help someone, I'm not helping him because he will help me back. I help him expecting nothing in returnParadise.
          • The LordHoly callsSpirit forwas worksnot thatyet demonstrategiven lovebecause Jesus was not yet glorified, but now you are the temple of God and goodthe deedsHoly Spirit abides in you.
          • Among those born of women, there is no greater than John the Baptist - but the members of the Church of Christ, who are born of water and spirit, are greater than John the Baptist
      • ThreeSt Commandments:John Chrysostom and St Augustine and some other fathers had difficulty in accepting this explanation
        • LoveThey yoursuggest enemiesthat "the least in the Kingdom of God" refers to the Lord Jesus Christ because He was younger than John the Baptist by six months and so "less" refers to Himself but in age.
        • DoThat good
        the
        • LendLord hopingwould forsay nothingthis inbecause return
        some
        • Thesepeople areesteemed notJohn simplythe recommendations or suggestions... these are commandments.
      • Blessings of earthly substance and also in heaven
      • Be merciful justBaptist as yourgreater Fatherthan also is merciful
        • Pardons others without being asked
        • Does not permit repeated returns of ingratitude to discourage him from doing good
        • Easily forgets any injury
          • Sometimes when someone hurts me, I can't forget it for years... because I am not merciful or compassionate.Him

      Do Not Judge

      26:35

      ³⁷ “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

      • Judge Not, Condemn Not, Forgive
        • Jesus warns us against passing judgment upon others because when we do so, we will be judged in a similar manner and with the same measure
        • This verse is very popular among people who don't know the Bible well...
        • When HGBY came to America, he heard "don't judge" and "it's not fair" frequently from the younger generation... as if God wants us to be blind without discernment... as if Christ, when He said don't judge, He's commanding a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching... 
          • The Lord Jesus Christ told us "you by their fruits you will know them" - so He wants us to make assessments... to discern between good and evil, between a Godly lifestyle and an evil lifestyle
          • Discerning between good and evil is a sign of maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14)
          • "Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Cor 15:33) - how will I know if company is evil?
          • If I tell someone "don't follow him he's bad company" or "he's a false teacher" and someone replies "don't judge" - this is a misinterpretation and misuse of this verse
        • Christians are called to unconditional love, but not unconditional approval
          • We can love people who do things that we don't approve, but we should not imitate, follow or accompany them for "there is no fellowship between light and darkness." (2 Cor 6:13)
        • Judgment is when you say "this person is a bad person" - Condemnation is when you say "this person deserves to go to the Lake of Fire" - as if you are God and deciding who goes to heaven and who doesn't
        • Rather than judging or condemning, forgive
      • Generosity
        • Measure of grain so pressed and shaken that it could hold no more and has started to run over
        • With the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you
        • It is a powerful motivation for us - if we want more from the Love of God and forgiveness and goodness, then give more to the others and you will receive
        • Disciples of Christ are known as givers rather than judges
        • We cannot out-give God - once you give, He will return to you more than you gave

      ³⁹ And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? ⁴⁰ A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. ⁴¹ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? ⁴² Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

      • "Can the blind lead the blind?"
        • This was a general proverb to signify that a man cannot teach what he is lacking
        • If I am lacking forgiveness, I cannot teach forgiveness
        • A man who is not illuminated from above, is incapable of judging spiritual things and wholly unfit to be a guide to others
        • Is it possible that a person who is covered with a thick darkness of hatred, unforgiveness, greediness, dare to judge the state of others? If I am blind, I cannot lead a blind person.
        • The Scribes and Pharisees were blind... can they lead blind people in the right way?
      • A disciple is not above his teacher, but will be like his teacher
        • If I have the mind of Christ, I will be like Him - holy, harmless, undefiled, above sin
        • We can imitate Him, but never be above Him, but I can become like Him
        • Those who put themselves under the direction of Christ will be like Him
        • By judging others, it is as if we are saying we are above our Master... our Master refrained from judging others
        • The followers of Christ cannot expect better treatment in the world than our Master... our Master was mistreated, so we cannot expect better treatment than Him
        • We should not aim for worldly magnificence or fame, because our Master did not have that
        • Live a life of labor and self-denial as our Master did
      • Speck/Plank
        • The Lord used an exaggerated image to make His message easier to understand and more memorable. We can have a speck in our eye, but not a plank... having a speck is highly irritating and causes the eye to turn red. So imagine a plank!
        • Those who are led by the standards and common opinions of the world, are blind, with a plank in their eyes
          • Many people now spend most of their time on Social Media - and the opinions that are on social media brainwash them... and become their Bible. And they are "following" certain "leaders" on Social Media. 
          • Following the multitude in evil is ignorance
          • Following the blind way that leads to destruction
          • We need to let our light shine, but without judging
        • The Lord is not saying it's wrong to help our brother with the speck in his eye... but before trying to do that, remove the plank from your own eye.

      A Tree is Known by Its Fruit

      45:00

      ⁴³ “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴ For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

      • In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord used this parable to discern between true and false prophets
        • In the Old Testament, there were true prophets (e.g. Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) and false prophets
        • In the time of Christ, there were true and false teachers
        • In the end of times, there will be true and false teachers
      • How can we recognize the true Child of God who is a guide to others?
        • We can assess by the quality of his deeds: the fruits
        • His compassion, mercy, charitable deeds to the poor, forgiving heart, etc.
      • A tree is known as good or bad by its fruits and a man is known to be good or bad by his words and deeds
        • If the fruit is good, you may conclude that the tree is good
        • You can never know what the heart looks like, but from the fruit you can tell to a major extent
        • "For the foolish person will speak foolishness" (Isaiah 32:6)
        • "Wickedness proceeds from the wicked." (1 Samuel 24:13)
      • The fruit is the inevitable result of who we are... the heart is the essence of a person for good or evil.

      Build on the Rock

      50:00

      ⁴⁶ “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? ⁴⁷ Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: ⁴⁸ He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. ⁴⁹ But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

      • If we call Him "Lord" then He is our Master and we should be obedient and compliant with His words
        • Those who go to church, fulfill some religious duties, but sin against God and man as anyone else in the world.
        • It's not enough to confess my relationship to Him as "Christian" or "His Servant" - but I have to consciously obey Him
        • We are deceiving and cheating ourselves
      • Three Steps
        • Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them:
        • Come
          • Come in submission and surrendering
        • Listen
          
          • Hear Him because we are His disciples
        • Obey
          
          • Because we are obedient
      • Build on the Rock
        • The two houses look exactly the same, but the foundation which is under the house is different - and it's the only thing that prevents the storm from destroying the house
        • If you come and hear but don't do, then you are building your house on the sand. If you are coming and hearing and doing, then your house is on the rock.
        • The wise man "dug deep" in toil and labor, as we fight the good fight to lay the good foundation
      • Assessing the strength of your foundation
        • How do you deal with adversity?
        • How do you deal with hardship?
        • It is good for our foundation to be tested now, rather than after we die and it's too late
      • The ruin of that house was great
        • Why is it great? It's just one person...
        • Every single person is so important to the Lord - the salvation of each individual causes the Lord's rejoicing and the ruin of just one causes sorrow
      • The Lord ends His sermon with these words to remind us not just to hear but to do, because if we don't take care of our foundation, then the ruin of that house will be great. And if I am a hypocrite, or inconsistent, or I am not doing... then that ruin will be my ruin.
      •