A Wise Builder Series

Sermon on the Mountain - A wise builder – Sunday, March 26th

Opener:

Good morning church! We are so glad that you are here fellowshipping with us this morning! We are concluding a three week series on Nuggets from the sermon on the mountain. We are talking about life changing moments found in the book of Matthew chapter seven.

Our first week, as you may recall, we talked about the dangers of judging others. We learned how important it is not to look at others especially when we ourselves have our own issues. We talked about how there will be a day that we will be judged and that is by God.

Last week, we talked about the narrow gate and the narrow path. We learned about the importance of the choices we make in life and how we are called to walk on the narrow road.

This morning, we are shifting gears a bit and talking about a wise builder and well a not so wise builder. Speaking of buildings, I want to share about what is known as the eighth wonder of the world.

This is a building project that is world famous. Of coarse, I am talking about the Brooklyn Bridge which links two areas together Manhattan and Brooklyn. Since 1883, its granite towers and steel cables have provided safe passage for millions of commuters and tourists. The construction of this bridge took 14 years at a cost of $15 million at the time which would exceed well over $320 million in today’s dollar. During the construction of this bridge, it cost the lives of two dozen people. The engineer was John Roebling who was the great pioneer of steel suspension bridges. At the time, the Brooklyn bridge was the world’s longest suspension bridge which would span of over 1,600 feet from tower to tower. One the biggest challenges in designing the Bridge is preparing for inclement weather as strong winds can wreak havoc on a bridge along with the weight of the load of the bridge and vehicles. Just prior to the construction of the bridge, Roebling ended up passing away due to being injured while taking some compass readings for the bridge. His son then took over as the chief engineer. Workers on the bridge, many of whom were immigrants earned about $2.00 a day. Which now seems like a pittance compared to the dangerous work that they had to complete. More than 100 workers suffered from a painful disease know as caisson which caused joint pain, paralysis, numbness, and speech impediment. The bridge was unveiled on May 24th of 1883.

In our text this morning, we are talking about some builders that didn’t build a bridge but a house. Our text comes from Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

I. The wise builder

A. Two different workers

a. This morning, we are looking at two identical elements in the lives of two construction workers.

b. The two main characters are builders. They are building the same thing in two different areas. Two builders constructing two houses.

c. Like other parables, Jesus seems to like comparing two people together. While He is not talking about an actual building on a literal rock and sand, but about two different lives.

d. We are really talking about the values and determining priorities of lifestyles.

B. Identical elements

a. Once again we have identical elements in our story: The life situations of the two builders.

b. Each of these builders goes through a storm. Neither is able to escape it or ignore it. They both feel the down-pouring rain that increases to flood level and the sting of the wind that hits.

c. It is important to note that in our Parable, Jesus is not telling us how to find a safe, comfortable setting, an ideal atmosphere where life remains non-threatening and where the climate is wonderfully supportive.

d. His story is forcing us to face reality: Life can be very difficult and the storms of life can come when we least expect it.

e. The product of these storms can cause pain and discomfort when they happen.

C. A closer look

a. When reading our text, there is a question that pops out to me and that simply is: “What makes one a wise builder?”