Church of the Nazarene East Rock
Questions Jesus Asked
Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what i say?
Today we continue in our 4-part teaching series “Questions Jesus Asked”
Often, we are quite content to ask questions of Jesus. Who are you? Where are you? Do you hear me? How could you let that happen? What do you want me to do?
We often ask questions of Jesus, but do we pause to hear the questions he asks of us?
Today we hear Jesus ask “Why Do You Call Me ‘Lord Lord’ and Not Do What I Say?”
Luke 6:46-49
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
The Christian life is essentially composed of two fundamental responses – proclaiming and acting.
Part 1 is about our declaration – proclaiming Jesus rightly.
Part 2 is about our resulting action – obedience.
Both are required in a life of faith.
Imagine Jesus sitting down beside you this morning and asking you a question like this:
Why do you call me Lord, then lash out in anger at those who have crossed you or those who voted differently than you?
Why do you call me Lord here in this place, but you don’t ever call me Lord out there- at work or at school? Why?
Why do you call me Lord, but yet you continue to choose sin? Why?
Why do you call me Lord of our life, but you yet we always do what you want, and never what I say, or what I desire?
Why do you call me Lord, but don’t do what I say? Am I really Lord of your life?
How would you answer him?
Would that encounter make you nervous today? Does a knot come in your stomach at the thought of it?
Perhaps today Jesus is calling you to live differently, to live obediently to his word.
Within this story we can see two key perspectives on the necessity of obedience.
Jesus shows within this parable that obedience to his teaching is the only sure foundation that we can build our lives on.
He also shows that it is obedience to His word that will withstand God’s final judgement.
How will you respond to Jesus’ question today?
Independence- a decision to continue to do things our way
OR
Dependance on Grace- a decision to obey and follow Christ.