This past Sunday in morning message, I talked about Jesus’ famous parable of the wise and foolish builders as recorded in the New Testament Gospels of both Matthew and Luke.
Matthew (7:24-27) states:
24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Luke’s version (6:46-49) puts it this way:
46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48They 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. 49But 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.”
As the parable plainly illustrates, each and everyone of us will inevitably face the storms of life. And when these storms come our way, we will each be tested. For this reason, it is essential that we each have a well-grounded faith.
Dr. Jim Denison, of the “Denison Forum”, wrote an article this past Friday (o2/05/2016), that illustrates the truth of this. In his article titled ‘The Blind Side’ Player's Surprising Road to the Super Bowl, he writes:
Most of us remember Michael Oher as the subject of The Blind Side. The inspirational movie told the story of his childhood poverty, adoption by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, and eventual career as an offensive tackle in the NFL. Now Michael Oher is playing in the Super Bowl for the Carolina Panthers, protecting quarterback Cam Newton from Denver's defense, the best in the NFL.
But only because Newton asked him to. Here's their remarkable story.
Oher played several years for the Baltimore Ravens, then was signed by his home state Tennessee Titans. His season there was disastrous—he allowed six sacks and twenty-six quarterback hurries in eleven games during a 2–14 season. The Titans later cut him. What he didn't tell anyone was that he was playing with a torn bicep and an injured toe.
Cam Newton's brother had played with Oher in Baltimore and thought Michael could help protect the Carolina quarterback. So he notified Newton, who texted Oher to say he needed his help. The Panthers then signed Oher to a two-year contract that was widely criticized. But Oher had an outstanding season for the team that is widely favored to win the NFL championship.
You're familiar with the story of Peter walking to Jesus on the stormy Sea of Galilee. Here's a part of the story I had not noticed before today: After Jesus rescued his drowning disciple, "they got into the boat" (Matthew 14:32a).
Peter needed the boat, but Jesus clearly did not. He got into their boat to provide the comfort and security his disciples needed. Then "the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (v. 32–33).
Wherever you face a storm today, you'll find Jesus there. He may call you out of the boat or join you in it. Either way, when you worship him you'll find his power and peace. And others in the storm will be drawn to your Savior. Whatever his providence allows, his grace redeems.
What does Michael Oher want us to think about when we see The Blind Side? Leigh Anne Tuohy answers the question: "Talk about the message of the movie. Talk about that there's Michael Ohers in every city in the United States, and if we all turned around and did one simple random act of kindness, it would change the world. Talk about how there's 145,000 kids, adoptable kids, in foster care right now that will age out in the next ninety days and that there's 250,000 faith-based churches and if one church took one kid, we would wipe out the need for foster care.
"Talk about that and the reflection of what the movie gives off. That's what he wants." I would say that's what God wants as well.
Well said, Dr. Denison. Of course, all of these thoughts raise questions for you and me. If we ourselves are currently in a storm, is our faith grounded in the One Who is the Rock, Who controls such storms, and Who is capable of overcoming them on our behalf? If not, should it be?
Similarly, who else do we know that may even now be in the midst of some storm? And do they need a little help? If so, should not we who have solid foundation on the rock seek to provide it? Will we?
SOURCE: http://www.denisonforum.org/cultural-commentary/2273-the-blind-side-player-s-surprising-road-to-the-super-bowl.
SCRIPTURE SOURCES: Found at: http://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/7.htm and http://biblehub.com/niv/luke/6.htm.
Matthew (7:24-27) states:
24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Luke’s version (6:46-49) puts it this way:
46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48They 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. 49But 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.”
As the parable plainly illustrates, each and everyone of us will inevitably face the storms of life. And when these storms come our way, we will each be tested. For this reason, it is essential that we each have a well-grounded faith.
Dr. Jim Denison, of the “Denison Forum”, wrote an article this past Friday (o2/05/2016), that illustrates the truth of this. In his article titled ‘The Blind Side’ Player's Surprising Road to the Super Bowl, he writes:
Most of us remember Michael Oher as the subject of The Blind Side. The inspirational movie told the story of his childhood poverty, adoption by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, and eventual career as an offensive tackle in the NFL. Now Michael Oher is playing in the Super Bowl for the Carolina Panthers, protecting quarterback Cam Newton from Denver's defense, the best in the NFL.
But only because Newton asked him to. Here's their remarkable story.
Oher played several years for the Baltimore Ravens, then was signed by his home state Tennessee Titans. His season there was disastrous—he allowed six sacks and twenty-six quarterback hurries in eleven games during a 2–14 season. The Titans later cut him. What he didn't tell anyone was that he was playing with a torn bicep and an injured toe.
Cam Newton's brother had played with Oher in Baltimore and thought Michael could help protect the Carolina quarterback. So he notified Newton, who texted Oher to say he needed his help. The Panthers then signed Oher to a two-year contract that was widely criticized. But Oher had an outstanding season for the team that is widely favored to win the NFL championship.
You're familiar with the story of Peter walking to Jesus on the stormy Sea of Galilee. Here's a part of the story I had not noticed before today: After Jesus rescued his drowning disciple, "they got into the boat" (Matthew 14:32a).
Peter needed the boat, but Jesus clearly did not. He got into their boat to provide the comfort and security his disciples needed. Then "the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (v. 32–33).
Wherever you face a storm today, you'll find Jesus there. He may call you out of the boat or join you in it. Either way, when you worship him you'll find his power and peace. And others in the storm will be drawn to your Savior. Whatever his providence allows, his grace redeems.
What does Michael Oher want us to think about when we see The Blind Side? Leigh Anne Tuohy answers the question: "Talk about the message of the movie. Talk about that there's Michael Ohers in every city in the United States, and if we all turned around and did one simple random act of kindness, it would change the world. Talk about how there's 145,000 kids, adoptable kids, in foster care right now that will age out in the next ninety days and that there's 250,000 faith-based churches and if one church took one kid, we would wipe out the need for foster care.
"Talk about that and the reflection of what the movie gives off. That's what he wants." I would say that's what God wants as well.
Well said, Dr. Denison. Of course, all of these thoughts raise questions for you and me. If we ourselves are currently in a storm, is our faith grounded in the One Who is the Rock, Who controls such storms, and Who is capable of overcoming them on our behalf? If not, should it be?
Similarly, who else do we know that may even now be in the midst of some storm? And do they need a little help? If so, should not we who have solid foundation on the rock seek to provide it? Will we?
SOURCE: http://www.denisonforum.org/cultural-commentary/2273-the-blind-side-player-s-surprising-road-to-the-super-bowl.
SCRIPTURE SOURCES: Found at: http://biblehub.com/niv/matthew/7.htm and http://biblehub.com/niv/luke/6.htm.