The Greatest Place to Stand

https://youtu.be/z_bJqwLsWWg

The Greatest Place to Stand

“On the Rock”

-Jesus as our foundation

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a WISE man who built his house on the rock. 25 The 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. 26 But 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, [What did they mean? Style or Substance?] and not as their teachers of the law.”

 -Matthew 7:24-29 

Sometimes we stand on the rock

*Alone

*WITH ANOTHER PERSON

Easier or Harder?

*WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE

Easier or Harder?

Sometimes standing on a rock is

*Is very easy and safe/stable.

*May seem like it is pushing limits/on the edge

It is always true that if it is Jesus that we are standing on,

we are in transition to a better place/Bridge

The Devil will try to scare us with other rocks that threaten us.

But they can’t touch us if we are standing on the Rock [Foundation] of Jesus.

[See video for sermon images]

Acts 4

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

The beginning of the persecution of “The Church”

 (The Priests, the Captain of the temple guard, the Sadducees, the Rulers, the Elders, the Teachers of the Law, Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family.)

All Star Team   vs.  Jesus (Team Jesus)

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, [not fear] said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ [Psalm 118:22] 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. [Not denying is not the same as Accepting] 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” [Conviction] 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over 40 years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” [Ps. 2:1,2] Note: Using Scripture in their prayer. 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

When we build on SAND,

we will be secure as long as life goes OUR way.

 When we build on ROCK,

we will be safe and secure even when life FALLS apart.