August 14, 2012 Popular Truth

Popular Truth Matthew 8:1 When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. JESUS’ sermon is done. He has come down the mountain from the “Sermon on the Mount”. He must have said some really popular things—“You’re all good! Live as you like. Don’t let a thing called sin get in the way of your happiness. Be yourself!” After all, “large crowds followed him”. The thing is, the Sermon on the Mount is one of history’s most compelling calls to live into Kingdom truth. Consider such radical commands as, “Turn the other cheek. Do not judge, or you, too, will be judged. Do to others what you would have them do to you. Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock.” Jesus has spoken into the culture to tell them in effect, “You are not good. You are in danger of perishing in the storms of sin. You must change to the ways of God and build your lives on God’s eternal truths. You must do these words, or you will perish.” Jesus spoke the truth, and large crowds were followed him. In the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s Kingdom work was done on earth as it is done in heaven. Do you desire the church of Jesus Christ to grow? Do you desire people to be saved in his truth? Then pray for the compelling Kingdom truth to be spoken in the church. Large crowds will come to the truth. It’s True! People long for the truth.