The next set of verses are very difficult for some to not only understand, but also to accept that they may apply to them.  There are some who call Jesus their Lord, prophesy in his name, cast out demons, and even perform miracles who will not enter into God’s kingdom.  Jesus warns us that the bottom line is that we must do the will of his Father.  Everyone who hears this sermon and does them is like the wise man who properly prepares himself like a builder who prepares his house for a storm. Such a house is built upon a solid foundation that will not give way in a storm.  The one who did not build his house properly loses everything because the foundation is destroyed by the flood waters bringing down the house along with it.

We should not simply gloss over these verses like they don’t affect us. The gospel of Jesus is not simply that he died for our sins, but it is the complete teaching of Jesus. He is telling us here that a true believer begins with this truth—Jesus is Lord!  Everything is built upon this truth.  We do not lay a foundation of works nor one of half-truths.  We begin with the belief that Jesus is truth and everything else is built upon that foundation.

How do we feel when we hear the Sermon on the Mount?  Are we willing to listen to what Jesus is telling us or are we satisfied with a Hallmark version of it where its sting is removed so as not to offend anyone?  Are these simply nice words to repeat like poetry or are they words to live by?  Jesus seems to feel that we must live by them if we are to be the wise man in this parable.  I agree.