The Sermon on the Mount
Daily Bible Studies for October 6-11, 2008
Learn what we believe and how we are to behave!
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29 MOT & NLT
[Jesus said], 24Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them, shall be compared to a prudent man, who built his house on the rock. 25And the rain came down and the rivers came, and the winds blew and fell against that house, and it did not fall; for it had been founded upon the rock. 26And all of the ones hearing these words of mine and does not do them, shall be compared to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. 27And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and the fall of it was great!”
28And it came to pass when Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astounded at His teaching. 29For he was teaching them as one having authority (the right to speak), and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:24-29 MOT
24“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matthew 7:24-29 NLT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to be wise and prudent. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may DO the things that Jesus has said throughout the Sermon on the Mount, and in doing them let me lead others to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
[Jesus said], 24Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and does them, shall be compared to a prudent man, who built his house on the rock. MOT
24“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. NLT
What is the significance of “building” our “house” on a “rock”?
What specific actions does this statement call us to do?
Today’s Challenge: I will listen to Jesus’ words today, and live them in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Again I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may both hear and do Your will as Jesus presents it in the Sermon on the Mount. Empower me to remember His words throughout the day, and to live them in every situation. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
25Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. MOT
25Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. NLT
What three things are you going to do today to make certain that your house doesn’t collapse?
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Today’s Challenge: I will stand strong in the power of Jesus’ words as I go about this day!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, the last thing I want to be is a foolish person, so keep me ever mindful of Jesus’ words, and empower me by Your Spirit to live with wisdom and faithfulness today and always. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
26And all of the ones hearing these words of mine and does not do them, shall be compared to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. MOT
26But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. NLT
What is the significance of “building” our “house” on the “sand”?
What specific actions does this statement call us to do?
Today’s Challenge: I will make wise choices today by building my actions on Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, The worst thing that could happen would be that my “house” would come crashing down, because of failing to listen to Your instructions. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may both remember Your words and live them. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
27And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and the fall of it was great!” MOT
27When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
What is the result of failing to follow Jesus’ teachings?
What will you do today to see that this result doesn’t happen to you?
Today’s Challenge: I will put Jesus’ first, so I may overcome the temptation to ignore His teaching at great loss to me and others!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to teach us how to live Your way, and for dying on the cross to provide the new life that we could not provide for ourselves, no matter how many teachings we have from You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
28And it came to pass when Jesus finished these words, the crowds were astounded at His teaching. MOT
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, NLT
Why do you suppose that at the end of the teaching “crowds” had gathered, when at the beginning, it was just Jesus’ disciples?
Why were the crowds amazed at Jesus’ teaching?
Today’s Challenge: I will not only be amazed by Jesus’ teaching, but I will live it in the power of the Holy Spirit, so others may be amazed at Jesus’ power in my life and be drawn to Him!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Of all the teachers in the history of the world, Jesus’ is the one whose words ALWAYS have authority. May I live out those words today and always and bring glory to You! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
29For he was teaching them as one having authority (the right to speak), and not as their scribes. MOT
29for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. NLT
What is the significance of Jesus’ words having “authority” unlike the scribes/ teachers of religious law?
What is the most important lesson you have learned from this week’s reading?
Today’s Challenge: I will listen to Jesus’ words, and live them faithfully today!