February 13th, 2024
by Jongseung Park
by Jongseung Park
Matthew 7:21-29
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
OBSERVATION
⬆️ Genuine Faith Rooted in Action: Jesus emphasizes that true faith goes beyond mere words and requires action that aligns with God's will (v. 21). Faith must be demonstrated through deeds that reflect God's character and love.
⬇️ Hypocrisy : However, people often twist faith to conform to their desires and interpretations ignoring God's will. This tendency isn't new. Even in Jesus' time, the Pharisees and religious leaders prioritized their own superficial religious practices, neglecting the law's true purpose: serving God and their neighbors(22).
⬆️ Misguided Faith: Jesus warns against misguided faith that focuses on religious rituals and outward appearances, rather than genuine love for God and others (v. 22). (Jesus continually addresses the issue of hypocrisy in the context of this teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.) The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus' time exemplify this, prioritizing their own agendas over God's will.
⬆️Consequences of False Faith: Jesus highlights the consequences of false faith, emphasizing that it ultimately leads to disobedience and separation from God (v. 22-23). This false faith is a form of lawlessness that contradicts God's commands.
⬆️ Building on Solid Ground: Jesus teaches that true faith is built on the foundation of God's word and obedience to His will (v. 24-25). This faith is resilient and can withstand any storm or trial that comes its way.
⬆️ Foolishness of Ignoring Christ's Teachings: Jesus warns against the foolishness of ignoring His teachings and choosing to live according to one's own desires (v. 26-27). Such a faith is unstable and will crumble when faced with challenges.
APPLICATION
➡️ In today's scripture, Jesus challenges my understanding of faith. He urges me to move beyond mere words and rituals, and instead embody my faith through actions that align with God's will. We see this starkly contrasted by the Pharisees, who prioritized their own agendas and outward appearances, neglecting the true essence of faith: love for God and service to others.
Am I serving my own desires, or am I striving to live following God's will based on his scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Do I prioritize outward appearances over genuine love and compassion in action?
I confess that I have often justified and glorified myself because I studied theology, because I am a pastor, and because I have a little more theological knowledge than others. I repent of my wrongdoing of trying to justify my faith with what I know. I also repent of my complacency in my faith life, simply practicing repetitive religious acts. I commit to living a faith life that is in accordance with God's will, being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit based on His Word.
PRAYER
50 20 20 20 20 20 all Recent
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHT
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.
22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’
23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
OBSERVATION
⬆️ Genuine Faith Rooted in Action: Jesus emphasizes that true faith goes beyond mere words and requires action that aligns with God's will (v. 21). Faith must be demonstrated through deeds that reflect God's character and love.
⬇️ Hypocrisy : However, people often twist faith to conform to their desires and interpretations ignoring God's will. This tendency isn't new. Even in Jesus' time, the Pharisees and religious leaders prioritized their own superficial religious practices, neglecting the law's true purpose: serving God and their neighbors(22).
⬆️ Misguided Faith: Jesus warns against misguided faith that focuses on religious rituals and outward appearances, rather than genuine love for God and others (v. 22). (Jesus continually addresses the issue of hypocrisy in the context of this teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.) The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus' time exemplify this, prioritizing their own agendas over God's will.
⬆️Consequences of False Faith: Jesus highlights the consequences of false faith, emphasizing that it ultimately leads to disobedience and separation from God (v. 22-23). This false faith is a form of lawlessness that contradicts God's commands.
⬆️ Building on Solid Ground: Jesus teaches that true faith is built on the foundation of God's word and obedience to His will (v. 24-25). This faith is resilient and can withstand any storm or trial that comes its way.
⬆️ Foolishness of Ignoring Christ's Teachings: Jesus warns against the foolishness of ignoring His teachings and choosing to live according to one's own desires (v. 26-27). Such a faith is unstable and will crumble when faced with challenges.
APPLICATION
➡️ In today's scripture, Jesus challenges my understanding of faith. He urges me to move beyond mere words and rituals, and instead embody my faith through actions that align with God's will. We see this starkly contrasted by the Pharisees, who prioritized their own agendas and outward appearances, neglecting the true essence of faith: love for God and service to others.
Am I serving my own desires, or am I striving to live following God's will based on his scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Do I prioritize outward appearances over genuine love and compassion in action?
I confess that I have often justified and glorified myself because I studied theology, because I am a pastor, and because I have a little more theological knowledge than others. I repent of my wrongdoing of trying to justify my faith with what I know. I also repent of my complacency in my faith life, simply practicing repetitive religious acts. I commit to living a faith life that is in accordance with God's will, being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit based on His Word.
PRAYER
28. John 11:28-44 Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
March 29th, 2025
27. John 11:1-27 Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life
March 28th, 2025
26. John 10:22-42 Jesus, One with the Father
March 27th, 2025
25. John 10:1-21 Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the Door
March 26th, 2025
24. John 9:24-41 Jesus, the just judge of the world
March 25th, 2025
Archive
2025
March
Reading Plan : The Gospel of John Reading Plan1. John 1:1-18-Jesus, the Word Made Flesh(The Incarnation)2. John 1:19-28 - John the Baptist: The Forerunner of Christ3. John 1:29-34 Jesus, the Lamb of God Who Takes Away Sin4. John 1:35-51 Jesus Calls His First Disciples5. John 2:1-12 Jesus Turns Water into Wine6. John 2:13-25 Jesus, the True Temple of God7. John 3:1-21 Jesus, the Giver of Eternal Life8. John 3:22-36 Believe in Jesus, Receive Eternal Life9. John 4:1-19 Jesus, the Giver of Living Water10. John 4:20-26 Jesus Teaches True Worship11. John 4:27-42 Jesus Calls Workers for the Harvest of Souls12. John 4:43-54 Jesus Heals an Official’s Son13. John 5:1-18 Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda14. John 5:19-29 Jesus, the Son Who Shares the Father’s Authority15. John 5:30-47 Jesus, The Fulfillment of Scripture16. John 6:1-21 Jesus, the Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15)17. John 6:22-59 Jesus, the Bread of Life (Exodus 16:4, 14-15)18. John 6:41-71 Jesus, the Source of Eternal Life19. John 7:1-24 Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles20. John 7:25-52 Jesus, the Messiah rejected by the World21. John 8:1-30 Jesus, the Light of the World22. John 8:31-59 Jesus Declares Freedom23. John 9:1-23 Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind24. John 9:24-41 Jesus, the just judge of the world25. John 10:1-21 Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the Door26. John 10:22-42 Jesus, One with the Father27. John 11:1-27 Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life28. John 11:28-44 Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
2024
February
Day 5: February 1Day 6: February 2Day 7: February 3Day 8: February 4Day 9: February 5Day 10: February 6Day 11: February 7Day 12: February 8Day 13: February 9Day 14: February 10Day 15: February 11Day 16: February 12Day 17: February 13Day 18: February 14Day 19: February 15Day 20: February 16Day 21: February 17Day 22: February 18Day 23: February 19Day 24: February 20Day 25: February 21Day 26: February 22Day 27: February 23Day 28: February 24Day 29: February 25Day 30: February 26Day 31: February 27Day 32: February 28Day 33: February 29
March
Day 34: March 1Day 35: March 2Day 36: March 3Day 37: March 4Day 38: March 5Day 39: March 6Day 40: March 7Day 41: March 8Day 43: March 10Day 44: March 11Day 45: March 12Day 46: March 13Day 47: March 14Day 48: March 15Day 49: March 16Day 50: March 17Day 51: March 18Day 52: March 19Day 53: March 20Day 54: March 21Day 55: March 22Day 57: March 24Day 58: March 25Day 59: March 26Day 60: March 27Day 61: March 28Day 62: March 29Day 63: March 30Day 64: March 31
September
0. Background: The Social and Cultural Context in Romans1. Romans 1:1-7 - Introduction and the Gospel2. Romans 1:8-17 - Paul’s Thanksgiving and The Power of the Gospel. The righteous shall live by faith? - Roman 1:17 3: Romans 1:18-23 - The Revelation of God’s Wrath and Human IdolatryUnderstanding the Indictment of Homosexual Conduct in Romans 1:24-284. Romans 1:24-32 - Human Sin and Degradation 5. Romans 2:1-11 - God’s Impartial Judgment
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