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?”
b. There are a couple things to examine as we attempt to answer that question.
c. The first thing, that Jesus stresses regarding the wise builder is they are a person that hears the Word of God and then acts upon what they hear.
d. How many times have you run into someone that says they are going to do something and never do it?
e. That can be really frustrating!
D. Do what it says
a. We cannot just hear the Word, cheer and applaud when we hear the Word and not do what it says.
b. The bible tells us in James 1:22-25 NKJV22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
c. The bible further says in Romans 2:13 NKJV 13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
d. The Word of God is a Rock and those who hear the Word and obey are equated to building on a Rock.
e. William Barclay, in his commentary on Matthew said, “There is little point in going to a doctor, unless we are prepared to do the things we hear him say to us. There is little point in going to an expert, unless we are prepared to act upon his advice. And yet there are thousands of people who listen to the teaching of Jesus Christ every Sunday, and who have a very good knowledge of what Jesus taught, and who yet make little or no deliberate attempt to put it into practice. If we are to be in any sense followers of Jesus we must hear and do.”
E. Choosing the right foundation
a. The second good decision that the wise builder made was that they were intentional of choosing the correct foundation.
b. Let’s face it, we all face decisions every day that will impact our lives. We touched on this last week a bit.
c. Sometimes those decisions are made in a split second while others are premeditated.
d. The premeditated decision that we can make is to: completely following the Lord.
e. The bible says in 1 John 2:4-5 NKJV4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
f. When you obey Jesus, you essentially are showing Him that you love Him.
II. Benefits of the wise builder
A. There are benefits
a. There are a tremendous amount of benefits to being a wise builder.
b. The word picture that Jesus is painting here is really powerful. During the time period of this teaching, there were many sudden storms that would arise. These storms would tremendously impact the homes in the area.
c. One immense storm had the power to take out entire homes and communities.
d. They didn’t have insurance like we have now and so people could literally lose everything that they ever worked for. Complete devastation!
B. Using gold and silver
a. Not only is the foundation important in construction but so are the materials, the Apostle Paul talked about using the proper materials for our building in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15(NKJV) 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. Jesus Words in Matthew 7 was more than just being a wise and unwise builder in the way that we live our lives.
c. Jesus was showing us the difference between having a life that is full of joy and peace versus a life of shame and misery.
d. Jesus was showing us that when we put His Words into practice that our faith will be strong enough to endure the storms of life.
C. Benefits
a. The benefits of having Christ in our lives, is well, out of this world!
b. These benefits include: having our sins forgiven, having eternal life, having a peace that cannot be purchased.
c. Having a joy that is our strength, having a heart of compassion for others in need. Having a sense of purpose and fulfillment of that purpose.
d. Not having to worry about our future knowing that God has it in His hands, Having a sense of identity and the ability to overcome life’s challenges. Knowing the truth about life and God.
e. Most importantly, feeling the very Presence of the Creator and His love.
III. The foolish builder
A. Looking at the unwise builder
a. Now that we took a peek at our first builder, let’s look at our second builder. Turn with me back to Matthew 7:2626 “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.”
b. The first thing that stands out about our foolish builder in our story is that they hear the Word, but don’t really hear. If you know what I mean.
c. Their hearing is perfectly fine from a physical standpoint, but it is like they are not paying any attention to what they are hearing.
d. Have you ever talked to someone that is present with you and they hear you, but they are distracted with other things going on.
e. This lack of concentration seems totally evident to everyone, but the foolish builder.
B. Following God on their terms.
a. Also, the foolish builder is a person that is fickle and short sighted. In other words, they change their mind with the wind. One minute they are all gun ho about something and the next minute they are like blah!
b. At the core, the foolish builder is really only concerned about one person and that is themselves.
c. They may even choose to follow God for a moment if it is beneficial for them at the time and when they do this they solely follow God based on their own terms.
d. King Saul was a great example of this. He wanted to follow God, but only when it was beneficial to him. King Saul was always very much concerned about what the people thought of him verses what God instructed him to do. He was 99 percent obedient in his life which from God’s perspective means he was 100 percent disobedient.
e. The apostle Paul warned Timothy about these types of people in 2 Timothy 3:5(NKJV) 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
f. We are called to follow Jesus 100 percent based on His terms and not our own.
C. Storms of test
a. Storms have a way of testing both the wise and foolish builder but the foolish builder caves in when the storms come.
b. The result of this is a great fall.
c. That is why it is crucial that we build our faith upon the rock and not just one area of our lives but all the areas of our lives.
d. Whether it be our marriage, our finances, our relationships, etc.
D. Look the same
a. The sad thing about these two houses are the fact that they totally look the same in all superficial aspects.
b. The only difference between the two will be revealed by the resulting storm damages.
c. As a matter of fact, tribulation will often reveal whether a person’s faith is genuine or not.
d. Once the devastation is complete it is much too late to make any changes. The only thing left is to pick up all the pieces.
Closing:
As we close here this morning, I want to share just one more story about another building.
In the year of 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: A separately standing bell tower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa. The tower was to 186 feet tall. There was just one "little" problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had originally anticipated, (the soil consisted of sand, shells and clay) and the foundation was far too shallow (5 feet deep) to adequately hold the size of the structure! And sure enough, before long the whole structure had begun to tilt. It took around 176 years to build the Tower of Pisa and during that time many things were done to attempt to compensate for it’s lean. Foundations were shored up; the upper levels were even built at an angle to try to make the top of the tower look straight. Nothing worked. The tower has stood for over 800 years, but it leans 18 feet away from where it should be. One day, experts say, it will fall. All because it wasn’t built on the right foundation. The Word of God calls us to build our lives based on its principles. Those who choose to build their lives on the shifting sand of human opinion instead of the solid rock of Jesus Christ and His word will ultimately fail. So I close with this question: Where are you building your house? Are you laying a shallow foundation for your life or are you digging deep to make sure that your foundation is anchored to the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ!
