Rock Solid Building
02/15/09 PM
Text: Matthew 7:24-25
Introduction
In our lesson this morning we examined the last parable of thie Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 7, the parable of the wise and foolish builders.
Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
Whether a person is building a life, a character, a family, a career or a congregation, the Godly principle is to build wisely!
1.Everyone is building the house in which they live; consciously or unconsciously (non-decisions.)
a.What distinguishes the builders is the foundation they choose to build on!
b.The foundation of a person’s life is what they have chosen to believe in, what doctrine to obey, what truth in which they put their faith.
c.That foundation will determine how you weather the storms of life.
d.Building our house on a rock foundation requires we give heed to Jesus.
2.Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
a.Rock Solid Building is found in Jesus
b.Paul was an example of Rock Solid Building:
Philippians 1:21 - 22 (NASB) ”For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.”
This evening we will examine some keys to Rock Solid Building.
I For Rock Solid Building, our mindset matters
A. Our priorities must change:
1.Philippians 2:3-8 Let this mind be in you...
2.John 6:38 "For I have come down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent Me."
3.John 13:15 "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."
4.Romans 12:3a, For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think;
v16 - not be haughty in mind… Do not be wise in your own estimation.
B. Our focus must change:
1.Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17 Set your minds on the things above…
2.1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
3.Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
For Rock Solid Building, our mindset matters!
II For Rock Solid Building, our words matter
A. Our words are important
1.Colossians 4:5-6 "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you will know ho you should respond to each person."
2.Ephesians 4:29 (NASB) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
B. Our words reveal our character and matter in judgment!
1.Matthew 12:33 - 37 (NASB) “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
For Rock Solid Building, our words matter!
III For Rock Solid Building, our actions matter
A. Philippians 1:27 let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ,
1. Matthew 7:12 "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
2. Jesus even told us to do better than the usual:
Matthew 5:39--"turn the other cheek."
Matthew 5:41--"go the second mile."
Matthew 5:44--"love your enemies."
Matthew 18:22 (NASB) Jesus said* to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
B. Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
a.Not hearers only but doers of the word.
b.James 1:22 (NASB) But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
c.John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Conclusion
For Rock Solid Building: Our Mindset, Our Words, and Our Actions matter.
Invitation
