Faith paramount as Chapel pastor probes Sermon on the Mount

Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow

It seemed fitting that Brian Kruckenberg, New City Church lead pastor, emphasized the final words of Sermon on the Mount – this fall’s theme – at Monday Chapel as the fall semester enters its final weeks.

Kruckenberg compared what Jesus told His disciples about building their house on rock as opposed to sand.

Paraphrasing Matthew 7:24-27, Kruckenberg repeats Jesus’ words: “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man or wise woman who built his or her house on the rock. And the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock.”

Conversely, “And everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them well will be like a foolish man who will build their house on the sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell.”

Kruckenberg draws an analogy to a child listening to their parents but not carrying out their instructions, such as not making their bed, or having the engine light on their car flash after being told to check their oil before leaving for college, or asking for more money after not heeding budgeting advice.

“Hearing is important, but hearing does no good if you don’t do,” Kruckenberg said.

That includes the Golden Rule of “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.”

Just because a roommate makes a late-night trip to Chick-fil-A but does not bring you food does not mean you stiff them when making a similar venture.

Nor do you gossip or make fun of people who are teasing you.

“Jesus says you do that, you’re building your house on sand,” Kruckenberg said.

And do not be judgmental.

“I know you have a speck in your eye, but maybe consider you have a log in your eye,” Kruckenberg said. “… If you want to build your life on the rock, you will first examine yourself.”

Anxiety is “almost as if we wear it with a badge of honor,” Kruckenberg said. “Jesus said, we get caught up in anxiety. Will I pass this test? Will I get accepted into this program. Will I get that ring this spring?

“Here’s the truth. Being overcome with anxiety is like building your house on the sand. If you feel overcome with anxiety, do you feel stable in those moments? I don’t. Do you feel secure in those moments, or do you feel you’re sinking into sand?”

Kruckenberg also referenced Matthew 5 to highlight some of Jesus’ teachings:

“If you promise somebody you’re going to do something, show up and do it,” Kruckenberg said. “Be reliable. Let your word mean something. That’s how you build on a rock.”

Kruckenberg concluded Monday’s service by imploring those to be genuine about fulfilling their faith.

“We think more prayer, more study, Bible reading, and I’m here to tell you reading your Bible more is good, praying more is good, serving your local church – all of those are good things,” Kruckenberg said. “But those are words, if we’re not careful, we’re going to use those out of our own power and not through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Kruckenberg adds it is easy to be spiritual when things are going well, such as getting admitted to the school of your choice.

“But what about when the rains are coming, the wind is flowing and the flood waters are rising in your life?” Kruckenberg said. “That is when you will understand it takes faith.

“To really build your house on the rock, you have to do it by faith. … I want to tell you if you’re facing tough times, if the winds are blowing and rains are falling, I don’t want you to white knuckle it through it. I want you to let go and have faith.”

By possessing faith, we can be the things Jesus wants us to be, Kruckenberg said. That’s making the choice of love over anger and self-control over lust.

“All these things, it is through faith,” Kruckenberg said. “It is the rock on which we stand.”

Kruckenberg stresses that Jesus built His church on a rock on a foundation so firm that the gates of hell do not prevail against Him, leaving crowds of followers amazed because He taught with authority.

Those who want to build their house on the rock are told to follow the path that led them to become a Christian – by faith.

“As you’re living your life on campus, my prayer for you is that anger would not overcome you, lust won’t overcome you,” Kruckenberg said. “Yet, you turn to these words, to God, and when you’re struggling, don’t think, ‘I got to try harder.’ Think, ‘I need more of Jesus in this to help me.’”

Next Chapel: It will be online on Nov. 25. Link

***

Related content:

GCU News: Love your enemy regardless of election outcome, speaker stresses

GCU News: Hold a hunger for God, Nick Ely preaches