*Illustration:

- The house that stood up to a tornado becomes a marvel. 
- The person that survived years of torture becomes a leader.
- The person that exuded hope despite great tragedy/challenge becomes a messenger.   

When a life storm comes will you stand or fall? 

Storms reveal the reality of what our life is truly built on and what we are building with.

Read Matthew 7:24-27

A recipe for life falling apart.  Matthew 7:26-27

• A disregard of Jesus in daily living.
  • Lack of intention to connect his principles to life’s challenges.
  • Not convinced that his principles do apply to daily life.
  • Greater confidence in “I’ve got this.”
• A dismissal of Jesus’ way being worth it.
  
  
• An aloof approach to life where I apply my faith only when it becomes necessary.

Faith that will help you stand in the storm.  Matthew 7:24-25

• Listen to Jesus.
  • You must know where and how to go forward.
  • Discern and listen to the right voices.

• Apply what Jesus has taught.
  • In applying what you are taught, wisdom and strength will grow.
  • Application is connected to obedience and submission which will align you with your Lord.
• Listening and doing is a faith that is alive.

James 2:17 “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

• An applied faith will lead to a deeper knowledge of Jesus.
  1 John 2:3-4 ³ We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
• Philippians 3:8-10a ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ…”
• 2 Peter 1:5-8 ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Applying the Sermon on the Mount

1. Discover and experience what it means to be poor in spirit.
   
   
2. Yearn for the righteousness that only Christ can provide.
   
   
3. Care more for the condition of your heart than the appearance of having your stuff together.
   
   
4. Stay rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ alone, for your life depends on it.
   
   
5. Embrace being the salt and light of Jesus to others around you.

Benediction

Matthew 7:21 “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.”

Discussion Guide

1. Read 1 John 2:3-4. Why is it that obedience to Christ will lead to a more intimate knowledge of him?
2. Considering Philippians 3:8-10, why would Paul say that knowing Christ is most important to a vibrant faith? How is faith and knowledge ultimately connected? 
3. According to Matthew 7:24-27, applying what we know from Christ will help us stand when the storms of life come. How have you seen this to be true?  Give an example.   Have you seen in your own life or in someone you know well where you/they did not apply the truths Jesus teaches and as a result the storms of life caused you/them to crumble?  If so, please share (keeping names out of it if not you). 
4. In Jesus’ words of the Sermon on the Mount, what are some key applications that require some immediate adjustments in your life?
5. Take time to pray and commit to Jesus that you will apply these areas to your life.