1/22/2017 – Building for Eternity – Pastor Steve Blayer

1 Cor 3:12-15

> You can build – even upon a foundation in Christ — with worthless materials!

> Temporary materials which grow from the earth = wisdom and ideas which originate from the earth

> OR materials which have been purified by fire, or formed with fire and pressure

> Sometimes, it’s God’s mercy that he tears down the old house to build something new SLIDES

Matthew 26:1-28

1-4 The Pharisees (and others) seek a sign: SHOW GOD TO US IN THE WAY WE WANT HIM TO APPEAR

> A sign from heaven – You mean apart from all the miracles he has already done?

> Seeking A God who is at YOUR beck and call…who responds to YOU?

> You cannot discern the signs of the times: because you will not change your understanding. It’s got to be predictable, and just like we expect it!

5-12 Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Mark 7:6-9 You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition

> Valuing their traditions over the revealed word of God: “wisdom” flowing from having God “figured out”

> They stopped learning, and tried to remake God in THEIR image, instead of letting God remake them.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN CANNOT BE BUILT UPON THE PRECEPTS AND TRADITIONS OF MEN!

13-20 upon this rock I will build My church

> THE ROCK = revelation and response to the voice of the Father! Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you

> Peter rejected the voice of his generation and accepted a heavenly revelation which no one else had yet declared

21-23 you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.

> Nothing will interfere with God’s work in and through us more than this

> We want to do it “our way” – but God ALWAYS has a better way in mind. AND HE’S IN NO RUSH

24-28 whoever loses his life for My sake will find it

THE CROSS IS GOD’S TOOL FOR REMOVING THOSE THINGS WHICH WILL JUST BURN UP AT THE LAST DAY ANYWAY

> It’s merciful for Him to tear up all we’ve built out of wood, hay & straw NOW…so that we can learn to build with those precious materials for the remainder of the time we have.