The Listening Life - Built to Last

Matthew 7:24–29 (NLT)

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,

29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

INTRODUCTION:

In this particular parable, Jesus confronts us with the simple truth that each of us is building a life, and its soundness is based on hearing God’s voice and acting on it.

Jesus was not attempting to produce another “good sermon”; nor was he laying out a new philosophical discourse for the professors of his day (or ours) to debate. He was laying out definitive and authoritative spiritual truths that are meant to give godly instructions for real-life issues. Verse 29 of our text states, “he (Jesus) taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.”

Listening to God and obeying Him is the only constructive method that will enable us to survive the storms of our contemporary world. Staying alert for and responsive to His voice provides the only rock-solid foundation that will hold in spite of every tempest, temptation and trial that will come our way. It is imperative that we each build a listening life if our life is to be a well-built life.

Building a listening life means more than casually listening to sermons, Bible studies, religious broadcasts or passively reading Christian books and publications. In fact to do so is hazardous. The Jesus tells us that it is foolish to hear and not act upon the godly truths we are exposed to. We will each be held accountable for every spiritual truth we have heard.

TS: When it comes to building a listening life, there are three truths we find in our text.

I- THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR A LIFE THAT IS BUILT TO LAST. (Matthew 7:24a)

Matthew 7:24a (NLT)

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

A- We must hear God’s word.

1- We must hear God’s word Because it comes from Him. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2- We must hear God’s word because it has a positive purpose for our lives. (Psalm 19:7-8)

Psalm 19:7–8 (NLT)

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.

B- We Must obey God’s word.

1- We must obey God’s word because it is God’s pathway to successfully living the Christian life. (Joshua 1:7-8)

Joshua 1:7–8 (NLT)

7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

2- We must obey God’s word by giving careful attention to the principles of scripture. (Colossians 3:16)

Colossians 3:16 (NLT)

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

(Psalm 119:1-2, 24, 33-34, 71-72, 165)

Psalm 119:1–2 (NLT)

1 Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.

2 Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.

Psalm 119:24 (NLT)

24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

Psalm 119:33–34 (NLT)

33 Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.

Psalm 119:71–72 (NLT)

71 My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

72 Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

Psalm 119:165 (NLT)

165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

(Luke 11:27-28)

Luke 11:27–28 (NLT)

27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!”

28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

II- THERE ARE REASONS WE SHOULD SEEK TO BUILD A LIFE THAT WILL LAST. (Matthew 7:24b-25)

Matthew 7:24b–25 (NLT)

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

A- Because of the inevitability of storms in life. (Matthew 7:27)

Matthew 7:27 (NLT)

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

καὶ κατέβη ἡ βροχὴ καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ποταμοὶ καὶ ἔπνευσαν οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ προσέκοψαν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἔπεσεν, καὶ ἦν ἡ πτῶσις αὐτῆς μεγάλη.

1- The text says “when,” not “if” the storms come.

B- Because the storms of life are uncontrollable. (Matthew 7:25)

Matthew 7:25 (NLT)

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

25 καὶ κατέβη ἡ βροχὴ καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ποταμοὶ καὶ ἔπνευσαν οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ προσέπεσαν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ οὐκ ἔπεσεν, τεθεμελίωτο γὰρ ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν.

1- We have no control over the storms that come our way.

C- Because a life that is well-built is comprised of enduring materials that will last. (Matthew 7:25c)

Matthew 7:25c (NLT)

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

(Isaiah 40:8)

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

8 The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

(1 Corinthians 3:11-13)

1 Corinthians 3:11–13 (NLT)

11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.

13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.

III- THERE ARE REWARDS FOR SEEKING TO BUILD A LIFE THAT WILL LAST. (Matthew 7:26-27)

Matthew 7:26–27 (NLT)

26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

A- We will avoid the consequences of a poorly built life. (Matthew 7:27)

Matthew 7:27 (NLT)

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

καὶ κατέβη ἡ βροχὴ καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ποταμοὶ καὶ ἔπνευσαν οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ προσέκοψαν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ ἔπεσεν, καὶ ἦν ἡ πτῶσις αὐτῆς μεγάλη.

1- Refusing to build life God’s way leads to collapse (emotionally, spiritually).

Example of Sampson (Judges 13-16)

2- Building our lives wisely by listening to and obeying God will help us escape this collapse.

B- We will endure the storms of life victoriously. (Matthew 7:25)

Matthew 7:25 (NLT)

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

25 καὶ κατέβη ἡ βροχὴ καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ποταμοὶ καὶ ἔπνευσαν οἱ ἄνεμοι καὶ προσέπεσαν τῇ οἰκίᾳ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ οὐκ ἔπεσεν, τεθεμελίωτο γὰρ ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν.

1- When (not if) the storms of life come, the life that is built upon listening to and obeying God’s word will stand victoriously.

CONCLUSION:

A- Example of Elijah (1 Kings 17-2 Kings 2)

1- God Speaks to Elijah in his time of distress. (1 Kings 19:11-18)

1 Kings 19:11–18 (NLT)

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.

16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.

17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!

18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”