The lecture explains that the Lord Jesus Christ distinguishes between the wise person and the foolish person not in terms of intellectual intelligence, but in terms of behavior and deeds. Intelligence is a mental gift, but wisdom is a practical life that walks according to God’s commandment. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that a person may be very intelligent yet walk in error, while the true wise person is the one who turns the word of God into a practical life.
The lecture also confirms that wisdom is connected with obedience, humility, and accepting advice and rebuke, because the wise person hears counsel and acts according to it, while the foolish person thinks that his way is right in his own eyes. Wisdom according to the Holy Bible appears in good conduct, meekness, purity, and love of goodness.
The lecture explains the example of the man who built his house on the rock and the man who built his house on the sand, and that the rock symbolizes deep faith, true love for God, acting according to the commandment, and the correct understanding of the word of God. But building on sand is a life without a firm spiritual foundation.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III also explains that merely hearing sermons or knowing spiritual information is not enough, because many hear but do not act. What is required is that the word becomes life and practical application, because the Lord Jesus Christ said: “Whoever hears My words and acts upon them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
The lecture also points out that trials come upon everyone, whether righteous or sinners, but the person whose life is founded upon the rock remains steadfast before winds, rains, and trials because he is rooted in God and in the love of goodness. But the one who builds on sand falls quickly during temptation.
The lecture also confirms that spiritual service requires wisdom, and that the wise servant is the one who builds his children upon sound teaching based on the Holy Bible and the sayings of the Fathers, not upon personal emotions or private opinions. True service is based on the salvation of souls and caring for the flock with love and faithfulness.
The lecture calls every person to ask himself honestly: Why do I not act according to what I hear? And what prevents me from carrying out God’s commandments? Because the problem is not in the words, but in the heart that may be hindered by lusts, sins, or the love of the world.
In the end, the lecture confirms that true wisdom is in acting according to God’s commandment, responding to the work of grace and the Holy Spirit, and building the spiritual life upon a firm foundation of faith, love, and obedience, so that the person may stand firm before every trial and gain eternal life.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”
The Sermon on the Mount – The Wise Man and the Foolish Man Who Built His House
The lecture explains that the Lord Jesus Christ distinguishes between the wise person and the foolish person not in terms of intellectual intelligence, but in terms of behavior and deeds. Intelligence is a mental gift, but wisdom is a practical life that walks according to God’s commandment. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that a person may be very intelligent yet walk in error, while the true wise person is the one who turns the word of God into a practical life.
The lecture also confirms that wisdom is connected with obedience, humility, and accepting advice and rebuke, because the wise person hears counsel and acts according to it, while the foolish person thinks that his way is right in his own eyes. Wisdom according to the Holy Bible appears in good conduct, meekness, purity, and love of goodness.
The lecture explains the example of the man who built his house on the rock and the man who built his house on the sand, and that the rock symbolizes deep faith, true love for God, acting according to the commandment, and the correct understanding of the word of God. But building on sand is a life without a firm spiritual foundation.
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III also explains that merely hearing sermons or knowing spiritual information is not enough, because many hear but do not act. What is required is that the word becomes life and practical application, because the Lord Jesus Christ said: “Whoever hears My words and acts upon them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
The lecture also points out that trials come upon everyone, whether righteous or sinners, but the person whose life is founded upon the rock remains steadfast before winds, rains, and trials because he is rooted in God and in the love of goodness. But the one who builds on sand falls quickly during temptation.
The lecture also confirms that spiritual service requires wisdom, and that the wise servant is the one who builds his children upon sound teaching based on the Holy Bible and the sayings of the Fathers, not upon personal emotions or private opinions. True service is based on the salvation of souls and caring for the flock with love and faithfulness.
The lecture calls every person to ask himself honestly: Why do I not act according to what I hear? And what prevents me from carrying out God’s commandments? Because the problem is not in the words, but in the heart that may be hindered by lusts, sins, or the love of the world.
In the end, the lecture confirms that true wisdom is in acting according to God’s commandment, responding to the work of grace and the Holy Spirit, and building the spiritual life upon a firm foundation of faith, love, and obedience, so that the person may stand firm before every trial and gain eternal life.
“For better translation support, please contact the center.”