Title: Building the Right Foundation
Theme:
Text: Matthew 7:24-27
Matthew 7:24 "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."
Introduction
Matthew chapters 5 - 7 is called the sermon on the mount. It is the most extensive teaching of Jesus found in one place. It was probably not one day but over many days as Jesus was teaching his disciples and those who followed him the truths of the scripture. What you find is some challenging scriptures that show the practical side of Christianity. You have the spiritual side, which is very important but you also have the practical side. It is awesome when you balance the two.
As we come to chapter 7 Jesus is closing out this teaching. Now understand he has been teaching this for days. But he makes a very important statement.
Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,
Notice there is more than just hearing them but there is a doing.
James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!
Later on Jesus teaching us an important principle about what happens when he shares the word. Or we could say what happens when people hear the word or when they read the word.
Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: "Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 "And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 "Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 "But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 "And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 "But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
Matthew 13:18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Yet notice that there is an important correlation between hearing the word and doing it.
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."
Notice that storms come
Thought 1. All kinds of rain and storms come. There are storms of...
• sickness
• sorrow
• nervous stress
• neglect
• loneliness
• sin
• suffering
• disappointment
• disease
• emotions
• tension
• poverty
• pain
• rejection • accidents
• handicaps
• complaints
• mistreatment
• pressure
• misunderstanding
• doubt
• gossip
• hospitalization
• temptations
• failure
• loss
• abuse
• death
Even when Jesus in the boat.
Jesus Calms the Storm
Mark 4:36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Here a couple of things to remember when building a house for the Lord. Remember the Bible teaches us that we are
1. Hearing instructions.
This is critical, for a person must heed the instructions in order to know how to build the house.
a. A person must hear and follow (obey) the instructions.
b. A person must hear and build upon what he hears, ever learning the very best materials and methods for construction. Builders must always be "laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come...." (1 Tim. 6:19).
2. It is the foundation that makes the difference
Notice that you could build a house 1) without a foundation or 2) with the wrong foundation. And it will work for a while. The problem is when the storms come.
Example building
The building was built for a hurricane. When is the last time this area has seen a hurricane. It has been along long time. So in other words what was put into the building was built for what could or could not ever happen.
Yet it was still built strong.
In our lives we build foundations not based on who we are now but what we will be able to handle in the future.
Every person has a house—a life—to build. How he builds his life determines his destiny, not just for this life but for eternity. How he builds his life makes all the difference...
• between success and failure
• between life and death
• between reward and loss
• between acceptance and rejection
• between standing and falling
3. Selecting the foundation.
This is also critical, for selecting the site and material determine the future of the house.
a. A person must build upon a solid foundation. There is only one foundation upon which to build: the rock (1 Cor. 3:11).
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. (15) If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
b. A person must make sure of his call and choice to build (2 Peter 1:10).
2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
c. A person must know that building upon rock takes time and skill.
There is only one Foundation for every life: Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:11). He is the Rock upon which both individuals and churches are to build (Matthew 16:18).
Everyone either builds his life upon this world or upon Christ
(heaven itself). Jesus teaches that there are two kinds of builders.
a. A wise builder: hears the instructions and obeys them (Matthew 7:24-25).
b. A foolish builder: hears the instructions and does not obey them (Matthew 7:26-27).
4. Counting the cost.
This, too, is critical: it is brought out by Christ in another passage. Beginning and not finishing the house brings mockery and shame Luke 14:28-30.
