Week Five: Dig Down Deep

Lent 2012: Week FIVE

Dig Down Deep

Luke 6:46-49

Objective: To motivate followers of Christ to "dig down deep" during the process of relationship-building with Christ.

Just last week, we began self-examination in the process of "shifting from fellowship to followship". What we discovered is that our believing in Christ does not automatically qualify us a "disciples," but we must decide to develop a true relationship with Christ and become a follower. As we continue on this daily shift from fellowship to followship, we must be mindful of what Jesus says about those who hear His word but does not DO His word!

Breakdown of the Scripture:

In order to magnify the importance of Jesus' sermon, He concludes it with verses 46-49:

(verse 46) We should not call Jesus our "Lord" (ruler, master, God, one who has power and authority over us) if we are not willing to actually do what He tells us to do. Jesus says "why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say". This suggests that Jesus is declaring to us that the two do not match--calling Jesus our Lord and not following Jesus' example is an oxymoronic in nature.

(verse 47) Jesus desires for us to hear His word and "put it into practice". When we do, this is what we are like:

(verse 48) When we DO the word of the Lord, then we are like a wise builder who chose to build his/her house on a foundation. The result is the house survives the most violent types of storms.

(verse 49) If we do not DO the word of the Lord, then we are like a builder who simply lays their home on top of the ground without digging a foundation. When the storm comes, the house is COMPLETELY destroyed.

APPLICATION: Jesus urges us to "dig down deep"!!! There is no room for wandering or confusion--if we want to survive life's storms and trials....if we want our relationship with Christ to last....if we want our faith to withstand the most challenging circumstances...We MUST DIG DOWN DEEP! As followers of Christ, we recognize the need to not simply show up in the crowd and listen to the word of God. We see in these last verses that compile Jesus' sermon that there is a reward for doing God's word. When we DO God's Word, then we place a foundation underneath the faith that we profess. When we DO God's Word, then we place a foundation underneath the love that we are compelled to show towards others. It's time to DIG DOWN DEEP!

CHALLENGE: I challenge us as individuals who strive to serve Christ as true followers to DIG DOWN DEEP this week and DO the word of the Lord. Re-read Luke's account of Jesus' sermon (Luke 6:20-45) then DO IT!!! We need to examine ourselves and whether or not Jesus is pleased with the things we say...the things we think...the things we do...Each of us should DIG DOWN DEEP this week. So that our relationship with Christ and our faith in Christ will withstand any torrent that may come our way. Come on...let's put our faith on top of a full basement!!!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, your mercy is truly new every morning. We can never say thank you enough for the ways your forgive us and make ways for us over and over again. We acknowledge on this week that we have fallen short as Christians and often are simply fellowshipping with You-we want to be followers! Help us to do what You have instruct us to do...to live and love the way You instruct us to...Help us to dig down deep and place a solid rock foundation underneath our faith in You and our relationship with You. We thank You for the ability to seek this aspect of wholeness in Christ Jesus' name, Amen.