Building On The Rock Or On The Sand

Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount with a spiritual soil sample. You and I are slowly fashioning a character that will never die. We are building a life that will last forever. If we build our life on Jesus’ teaching, our life will stand the tests of time and eternity. If we build it on anything else the end result, is Hell. The parable of the two: two builders: wise and foolish. Two soils: rock or sand. Two results: standing or falling.

We are like these men in several ways:

I. We Have a Foundation to Choose

1. We are all building a life, a character.

a. Personality that will survive death.

b. The question is, what kind of life?

c. The answer is found in our choice of foundation.

2. In the beliefs and principles upon which our choices are made, our character is formed.

a. The foundation that Jesus offers is to hear and to do his word.

b. Character of those who follow God.

3. This means two things: trust and obedience.

a. Trust in the character of Christ.

b. Obedience to the commands of Christ.

4. Principle number one is faith in Christ as to who he is.

a. Isaiah 28:16

b. Both Peter, 1 Peter 2:6, and Paul, Romans 9:33, say this foundation is Christ.

c. We trust him as our teacher. Matthew 7:28. he gives us the command to follow him.

5. Principle number two is obedience to His commands.

a. There is no safety or solution without obedience.

b. 1 John 2:3-4

6. Some groups say following Jesus is optional, but Jesus makes it foundational.

7. This obedience is from the heart.

8. Take your personal, spiritual soil sample.

a. Do you have faith in the divine son of God?

b. Do you have a burning determination to serve him?

9. We have a foundation to choose.

II. We Have a House to Build

1. Once the foundation is chosen, the life is built.

2. There are some likenesses and differences between those who build on the sand and those who build on the rock.

3. Similar means likeness.

a. Both of these builders built close to the river.

b. Once the building is done no one can see any difference in their houses. Only when the storms come.

4. Both see the need for shelter and turn to the church.

a. Both have building skills.

b. Both are very involved.

5. Both come to the place where they feel safe.

a. It is so easy to be a counterfeit Christian.

b. It is all external.

6. It’s easier to build upon the sand.

a. Digging down to rock into rock is hard work.

b. No doubt it looked like the man building on the sandy site was way ahead.

c. 2 Timothy 2:3; Luke 6:48

7. The sandy soil keeps shifting, causing cracks and leaks. It must always keep patching up your life.

III. We Have a Testing to Face

1. The life and faith of every one of us will be tested. The strength or weakness of our foundation will be revealed.

2. In the test of life.

a. Our days on earth are stormy.

b. Troubles come like rain.

c. Our bodies ache with pain.

d. Our businesses fail.

3. Trials will come and only those on the rock will stand.

4. The test of death.

a. In the hour of death, can we face it.

b. Will we be unashamed and unafraid?

5. The test of judgment.

a. The judgment day of God will be our greatest test.

b. All will stand alone

IV. We Have a Destiny to Receive

1. The character, built on faith and obedience, will stand the test of time and the judgment and will be forever in heaven with God.

2. The character built on human lies, excuses, faith in self, pretense, wickedness, will have a great fall.

3. The old saying is right:

a. Sow an act and you reap a habit.

b. Sow a habit and you reap a character.

c. Sow a character and you reap a destiny.