How to Build a House
In our 2025 Bible Reading Plan, we are in one of the best weeks: the Sermon on the Mount week (well, Monday-Wednesday…so today’s the last day of it!). It’s Jesus’ most famous teaching about what the Kingdom of God is like, what the character of God’s people is meant to be, and how we’re called to live ‘up’ to it.
And it is not easy.
In many ways, the values and character of the Kingdom of God is upside-down from what we’re used to. The first are last and the last first. The bare minimum is only the starting point. Things that we are made to think are valuable in our world have no value in this Kingdom.
And what matters is – as I said on Sunday in a different way – now what we think, what we feel, or even what we believe – but what we put into practice.
What matters is what we do.
This is the point of how Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with the parable of the two houses. The difference between the house the stands and the house that falls is that the builder of the house that stands “hears these words of mine and acts on them”, whereas the builder of the house that falls hears Jesus’ words but “does not act on them”.
What matters is what we do, and the Sermon on the Mount gives us the shape of what – and how – we’re to do what we do.
But sometimes, Jesus’ words can be a little hard to understand – and easily misunderstood. So if you’re reading the Sermon on the Mount with us this week – or if you’re curious about how to understand it – check out these ‘visual commentaries’ from the Bible Project. They really are just so helpful.
Have you ever heard someone say something like “well, we’re not supposed to judge others” as an excuse for allowing bad behavior to go unchecked and felt uncomfortable about it? Check out this video.
Have you ever wondered what the ‘pearl before swine’ saying is really all about? This video will help.
Should we really gouge our eyes out or cut off our hands? Check this one out.
Check out their resources for the readings – they’re really helpful!
And most importantly, take something of what Jesus says – and put it into practice today. Maybe it’s how you face your sin. Maybe it’s how you treat your enemy. Maybe it’s what you do with your anger. Maybe it’s how you pray. Maybe it’s how you judge.