Sand Castles

Sand Castles

May 17, 2009 Evening Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: When we base our lives on obeying Jesus, we can weather the hard times.

Focus Passage: Matthew 7:24-27

Supplemental Passage: But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22)

Introduction: When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning chasing votes (and no lunch) he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late afternoon and Herter was famished. As Herter moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his plate and turned to the next person in line.

I. Obedience: a foundation of stone

a. Proverbs 10:25 says that “when the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever!”

b. I Cor. 3:11: “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

c. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. (Isaiah 28:16)

d. Our relationship should go farther than just claiming His Name; it should be obedience.

e. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:15)

II. Disobedience: a foundation of sand

a. THE UNWISE ARE PEOPLE WHO REJECT THE LORD AND HIS WORD. THEY DON’T THINK THEY NEED GOD AND ATTEMPT TO BUILD THEIR LIVES ON THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD, CAREER, WEALTH, RELATIONSHIPS . IN OTHER WORDS THEY’VE BUILT ON SHIFTING SAND, AND WHEN THE STORMS COME AND THEY WILL COME GREAT WILL BE THEIR FALL!

b. Disobedience is simply admiring what Jesus says, but not following it.

c. Disobedience is calling yourself a Christian, but not acting like one.

d. Disobedience is coming to church on Sunday, but living like the devil Monday through Saturday.

Invitation: