TWO HOUSES

Stafford Greer, Bearspaw Lead Site Pastor

I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a household that loved Jesus, that used their gifts to love others, that did their best to put into practice the things that scripture taught. I went to church, youth group, and Christian summer camps. My faith wasn’t always “up and to the right” - there were and are moments of doubt and stagnation; moments of rebellion and tuning God out. Even as a pastor, I have to work to cultivate my faith and to abide in Jesus, and there are seasons of dormancy and seasons of growth. One of those ‘growth’ seasons happened just as we waded into the first few weeks of COVID-19.

We had planned a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, and I had begun to read in earnest for preaching through this series. The Sermon on the Mount is only three chapters long (Matthew 5-7) and it seems to resemble Jesus’ ‘greatest hits’ or parables.

But as the world began to feel like it was falling apart after Easter 2020, I was met with Jesus’ words in that sermon in fresh ways. It was a balm to my soul and a fresh filling of hope and love for Jesus. That sermon series ended up being 20-weeks long and was transformational in my faith.

During that time, I discovered a richness in the radical teachings of Jesus: love your enemy, bless those who curse you, examine your heart and actions, don’t judge, trust in God’s provision, and so much more. As the world around me got even more polarized on almost everything, I was given the opportunity to put these things into practice in my own life.

I became more aware of my own flaws, which granted me the lesson of humility (I’m still learning that one), and grew in compassion for people with whom I disagreed. It didn’t make that season easier per se, but I was able to find a foundation on which to build a faith that would survive the troubles of the world.

Jesus uses the analogy of two builders as he wraps up his teaching on the mount:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

Notice what separates the two builders: it isn’t belief, or even agreement with Jesus teaching. It is about putting them into practice.

Often times, churches and pastors like me can put the emphasis on the wrong thing: belief. We stress belief. We extol belief. We celebrate and pride ourselves on our belief. I don’t mean to take anything away from belief - it is a core element of faith in Jesus and vital to salvation (just see Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”) - but if belief is not paired with obedience to the teachings of Jesus, we end up with a house built on the sand that cannot withstand the storms of our lives.

As I watch the news these days, I can find myself getting agitated, and admittedly kinda scared. Our world is changing rapidly - and not always for the better. When I start getting scared, I know that I have taken my eyes (and practices) off of Jesus and placed them on the issues around me; I have begun to build a house for myself on sand and the wind, rain, and streams threaten my house on sand.

For me, this is a reminder that I need to go back to some of those core elements Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount and begin to put them into practice. Am I cursing those I disagree with? Is there hate in my heart towards anyone? Am I practicing my righteousness for others to see? Am I judging my neighbour while ignoring my own faults? Where is my treasure? What am I worried about?

I’m not the wisest man, but by Jesus’ grace, he calls me wise when I begin to not just believe his teachings, but also practice them. When I do, I find that my inner world begins to reflect the peace that Jesus promised. It also positions me to receive from Jesus during times of uncertainty and distress.

Let’s continue to be a church that remains focused on Jesus, and obedient to his teaching as we gather, grow, give, and go together. May you encounter the peace and blessing that Jesus offers of living a life built on him.

Grace and Peace to you!

Stafford