"what You're Building On Will Be Made Known"

Sermon: “What You’re Building on Will be Known.” Scripture: Mt. 7:24-29

Type: Expos/Fireside Chat #2 Where: GNBC 3-29-20/RW 9-17-23

Intro: In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous/infamous structure: “The Leaning Tower of Pisa”. The problem, as we now know, what that the builders quickly discovered the soil was not as firm as needed. Before long the tower began to lean. Try as they might, neither architect nor builders were able to do anything to correct the tilt. The tower took an amazing 176 years to build! During which time many different attempts to shore up the structure were employed. Nothing worked. So for the last 800+ years the tower has stood with a list of about 20 feet. Experts agree that one day it will fall…all because not enough care was made in securing a sure foundation. Pastor Brian Bill has said: “The builders were in such a hurry to go up that they didn’t take the time to go down.” The foundations that a lot of Americans have built their lives upon have been found to be pretty flimsy these past two weeks: work, retirement/investment portfolios, sports, entertainment, travel, even our health…much has been taken away. Maybe we haven’t built on the sure foundation.

Prop: In Mt. 7:24-29 Jesus makes 4 Important Comparisons that are Applicable to each of our lives.

BG: 1. Jesus teaches this parable at the end of the greatest sermon ever preached: SOM. Parable was a summary or application of the entire message that had gone on before. “If you have heard what I have said, apply them.” Is essentially what Jesus is saying. 2. IN this section Jesus is teaching on the definition of what is “true faith”.

Prop: In Mt. 7:24-29 Xst makes 4 important Comparisons applicable to each of our lives.

I. 1st Comparison: Two Builders are Compared.

A. In this parable Jesus points out the fact that there were two builders employed in their task.

1. Jesus introduces us to these two imaginary, yet universally representative men. For all we know these men looked similar. Used the same tools. Maybe went to same school or apprenticed under same individual. Both were committed to their trade. Used the same materials, both had the same goal in mind: build a house.

2. Notice however, that Jesus makes a distinction between two men.

a. from the get go: v.24 – “wise” and v. 26 “foolish”. Interesting. Not “talented” or “smart”, but “wise and foolish”. To be ‘wise” means to have understanding and demonstrate prudence. The Gk word for “foolish” is “moros”, from which we get the term “moron”. Obviously not a complimentary term. Why did Jesus call this man a moron? What did he do or didn’t he do? We’ll see later, because how we act and how we prepare comes out in the storms and pressures of life.

b. Illust: In v.21, Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” What is Jesus saying here? He is saying that “True faith is more than simply an orthodox profession of faith.” I know of a couple of men in this church that lived life as “God fearers”, for many years. If individuals would have looked at their lives they would have assumed they were Christians. Most likely they themselves assumed they were Christians. Would have agreed with the Apostle’s Creed, or some other doctrinal test. However, they weren’t truly saved. Then one day, in each of their lives, the Holy Spirit, using the Word of God, quickened their souls, imparting new life from that which was spiritual death.

B. Are lives can be compared to these two builders.

1. This passage applies to all of us. Everyone in life is building something. In our childhood and youth we are attempting to build skills and knowledge that will help us as we grow older. We build friendships and relationships, some are focused on building their careers and influence and power, some their fortunes, others their marriages and families. Over time, a structure begins to rise in one’s life. Illust: A year or twos ago we had the opportunity to go visit our grandchildren in Texas. Leaving IC we drove by the new I-80/380 interchange that was being built. Massive cranes and steel girders, concrete. Came back a week and a half later and another section had been added. Over time the structure is rising. Very few buildings and structures are built over night. Neither is a life of faith.

2. Illust: On May 28 of this past summer, at approximately 5pm, the apartment complex known as “The Davenport”, partially collapsed in Davenport, Iowa. On that day three men lost their lives, several more were injured. Being quoted in the Quad Cities Times, Ryan Shaffer, co-owner of R. A. Masonry, told of how in February he was working near the structure when approached by the apartment’s owner. Shaffer said the owner asked him to supply a quote for work on the nearby apartment building. When he did, he said, the bid was rejected because it was too high. “He wanted to cut the cost by cutting out the shoring and supporting of the building," Shaffer said. Shoring is done to prop up a building when the structure is deemed unsafe, Shaffer explained. The bid for that work alone came in at about $50,000. “I said, ‘If we don’t do it this way exactly, I’m not putting my guys in there. Somebody is going to die.” I believe it’s a lot easier for us to be convinced of the need for a sure foundation in the physical world, but what about in the spiritual realm? We all to a man or woman will line up to cast dispersion upon the owner of that property for his alleged negligence. However, which one of us takes any better care or concern for the foundation of his or her soul?