Sermon On The Mount (Part 33, Conclusion)

And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as One having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 7:28-29 (NKJV)

Prepare the way,
Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.

Isaiah 57:14 (NKJV)

Go through,
Go through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people;
Build up,
Build up the highway!
Take out the stones,
Lift up a banner for the peoples!

Isaiah 62:10 (NKJV)

Our Teacher’s sweeping Sermon on the Mount concludes with jaw-dropping astonishment. His message is revolutionary, and His crowd was appropriately wowed!

Every Word He spoke revolves around love: His for us, us for Him, and for others.

God’s Son (as a Man) led by example. He told His disciples to follow Him.* Two thousand years later, how is that done?

We’ve arrived in the age of media: a worldwide web masses choose to enter. 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2) is a world-class spinner. ‘The father of lies’ weaves glistening lines. 

As we glide around, it seems fun and free. But dangers abound and surfers get stuck--like helpless victims in a spider's web.*

Should people be compared to flies and bugs? (It’s an insulting, but valid question!)

  • Jesus calls Satan 'Beelzebub' (Matthew 12:24), which means 'Lord of the flies.' (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

  • He also calls him 'The ruler of this world' (John 12:31)--a predator, 'Seeking someone to devour' (1 Peter 5:8).

Consider it from another angle: Satan is the DEFEATED king of Earth, awaiting imminent deportation. Until then, he remains king of the lost--hoping to lead them down his sticky path.

But his prey’s not aware of the danger.

  • They believe Satan is a fairy tale, and Jesus is just a myth for the weak.

Praise God! 'The Captain of [our] Salvation' (Hebrews 2:10) has cast His Own net: 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19).**

It's a casting call to actors, models, and talent for Christ: a spiritual church without a roof, starring preachers without a pulpit.

His rising stars don't stick to Satan’s web. They sail through it and reach out to the lost– as their Captain did. They grab attention, and then they grab hands… pulling fans up into God’s lovely boat.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: ‘Go through, go through the gates…' of Hollywood, and understand it as your mission field. Speak like THE One having authority– and not as the current authorities. 

Take the high way and clear it for others– by the power of your bright performance.

This game is for life–specifically, the lives of others.

Sermon On The Mount: Your Treasure Chest (Part 33, Conclusion)

** I don’t believe in coincidences. Consider where masses of people spend masses of time: the WWW, the worldwide “web” the internet (as in “enter net”)

* Jesus' Command for us to follow Him is throughout the Gospels: http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=follow+me&searchtype=all&version1=50&language1=en&bookset=4&resultspp=250

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban