BUILD YOUR LIFE ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION (Outline)
June 10, 2007 -
PENTECOST 2 -
Matthew 7:21-29
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INTRO: Today’s text reminds us not to be overtaken by the signs of the times. All around, as it is constantly reported, there seems to be only turmoil, trouble, and terror. Many people in America are scared to death of what might or might not happen to them. There foundation is built on this world. It is foundation built on shifting sand. This world and its opinions change often and change much. The words of Jesus here are quite familiar. These words of Jesus remind us that every believer has a solid foundation for life. Our firm foundation is built on Christ. "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God"(1 JOHN 5:4,5). Be encouraged and comforted as Jesus reminds that our faith does indeed overcome the world and its preaching of turmoil, trouble, and terror.
BUILD YOUR LIFE ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION.
Jesus reminds us how to build on the firm foundation. I. Hear Jesus’ words -- not mans
II. Follow God’s will -- not yours.
I. HEAR JESUS’ WORDS -- NOT MANS
A. These verses at the end of chapter 7 of Matthew are the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
1. Jesus’ sermon is recorded for us in Matthew, chapters 5-7 (Please read these chapters).
2. Jesus gave provided the people great wisdom and divine guidance in these three chapters.
B. Verse 28. Jesus finished and the people were utterly amazed. They were shocked out of themselves.
1. The people were shocked because he taught as one with great authority, verse 29.
2. Jesus as God’s Son brought the crowds God’s word -- not mans. Jesus’ had authority.
C. The authority and power of God’s word would provide comfort and strength for wise believers.
1. Verse 24. The wise builder digs down to find rock for his foundation.
2. Verse 25. No matter the storms – this house stands. The solid foundation gives strength.
3. Those believers listening to Jesus’ words and putting them into practice had the foundation.
D. This is still the very same, vital key for the faith of believers today. Simply put, the Bible is God’s word. Nothing has changed over the centuries of being provided the word of life in the Bible. True, some today still attack what the Bible has to say. Some feel that there are mistakes in God’s word. Some do not consider the Bible to be the word of God. All attacks against the truth of the Bible as being God’s inerrant word are false. "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe"(1 THESSALONIANS 2:13). This is the believers’ firm foundation.
E. As Jesus showed us in the example of the wise builder, a firm foundation is vitally important for any building. The firm foundation is vitally important for each and every one of us -- as believers. In our lives on earth the rain will come, waters rise, and beat against our house. But our faith built on Christ will not fall. We are told that even hell itself will not overcome the church. "So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ’See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed’"(ISAIAH 28:16). With the firm foundation we are not dismayed.
F. Sadly not everyone builds on the foundation that has stood and will always stand the very test of time. Very sadly, there are some who masquerade as church leaders who try to build on their own foundation. You know them – they write books and are now experts. Rather than try to tell what Christ says they try to sell you what their book says. Others build grand and glorious structures to glorify themselves rather than God. Even all these wolves in sheep’s clothing cannot destroy those who have built their life on the firm foundation. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ"(1 CORINTHIANS 3:11). True some try – but they soon disappear.
BUILD YOUR LIFE ON THE FIRM FOUNDATION. Listen closely to Jesus’ words -- not mans.
II. FOLLOW GOD’S WILL -- NOT YOURS
A. Jesus told of the wise builder. You would think everyone would want to be a wise builder.
1. Not so, Jesus now tells of the foolish (original – moron) builder, verse 26. He builds on sand.
2. It is sand of disobedience. There is only one result. Verse 27, the house falls with a great crash. Such is the result for any who would act foolish (as morons) with no firm foundation.
B. It happens. Many did not listen to Jesus. Therefore many did not follow God’s will.
1. After all, Jesus came from Nazareth. Jesus was the son of Joseph and Mary.
2. How could Jesus be God’s Son? But Jesus was (and still is) God’s Son.
C. Our text began with words of severe judgment in verse 21. These people were fooling themselves.
1. Verse 22 continues Jesus’ judgment. Notice the emphasis these people place on themselves.
2. Verse 23 reveals their final judgment. False prophets really were never doing God’s ever.
D. What we need to be clear about is God’s will. What is God’s will? What does God’s will mean for me? First, there is the general or universal will of our gracious God and Father. Universally speaking, God our Father wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. This is meant for all of mankind. Certainly God does not ever want to see anyone end up in eternal punishment in hell. What does this universal of God mean for you and me? Jesus clearly states what the will of God is for each and every believer. The crowds wondered. "Then they asked him, ’What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ’The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent’"(JOHN 6:28,29). God’s will for us as believers is to believe. There is nothing more and nothing less to do.
E. It is very important to remember that our eternal salvation is the most important thing God wants for us. Our eternal is so vitally important that the Lord our God does not entrust this to our sinful nature. We are born into this world as enemies of God. Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world and still they sinned. Do we have any chance at all to save ourselves as enemies of God who live in such a sinful world? Hardly. God loves us so much that he takes care of our guaranteeing our eternal salvation. "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy"(TITUS 3:4,5a). Thank God, our salvation does not depend our good works.
F. As believers our lives are different in this life and this world. Chapter 6 of 1 Timothy reminds every believer to be wary of wealth. The love of money is the root of all evil. Wealth, riches, and prosperity can easily and quickly lead one astray. All the things and stuff of this life is only a foundation of sand. With the firm foundation of faith we can now live lives as examples of Christian love. God speaks to the rich in this verse. You and I know how very, very rich (or blessed) we are: especially in comparison to the peoples of other countries. "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life"(1 TIMOTHY 6:18,19). By faith believers are moved to be generous and willing to share. This attitude happens from faith and the firm foundation.
CONC.: A house built on a rock stands up the turmoil, trouble, and terror of this life. A house built on the sand falls with a great crash. Wise or foolish. It seems easy to know the answer. Yet, still today, thoughtless thousands take the broad path that leads only to destruction. No matter the attack or the ridicule, followers of Jesus build their life on the firm foundation. The hard work has already been done for us. Christ our Savior has already accomplished the digging of the foundation. Today we continue to build on the bedrock of our faith, Christ. "Consequently, you are...fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone"(EPHESIANS 2:19b, 20). Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
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PENTECOST 2 readings:
1 KINGS 8:22-23, 41-43; GALATIANS 1:1-10; LUKE 7:1-10
