Parable of two foundations

Parable of two foundations - Lesson 19 (Mt7:24-27; Lk6:46-49) 3/13/24

Introduction:

Because of the language, the comparison, the analogy this is being looked at as a parable. It is a teaching from Jesus with spiritual application (parabolic language throughout).

Key phrase: “Compared to” in the Greek it is, is like, liken, i will compare to.

The teachings, the illustrations, the comparisons, the parables that Jesus uses throughout the gospels are all used to help make His message clear.

This is a very strong message, illustration that should not be discounted in any way when we look at the role of Christ in our lives. It speaks to knowing your foundation and making sure you are on a firm foundation in obeying Christ’s words

Insert Mt7:24-27, then turn to Lk6:46-49 (Ask usual questions)

Matthew 7:24–27 NASB95

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. 25 “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. 26 “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

have everyone turn to Lk6:46-49

Luke 6:46–49 NASB95

46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Background

This is a part of the Sermon on the Mount that was delivered in view of the Sea of Galilee. It is believed it could have been two locations on on the mount northwest of Capernaum, or else the peak just west of the Sea of Galilee and between Tiberius and Capernaum.

In a place where it was acoustically good for the sound to travel and to be heard.

The placement of this is at the end of the teaching on the Sermon directly following the importance of entering by the narrow gate (Mt7:13-14) and the tree and it’s fruits (Mt7:15-23) so this goes right along with it very well, for knowledge, understanding, application (obedience)

Jesus claim is about obedience in this entire section of the sermon, and how you respond to the teaching, for you either hear and obey, or hear and do not obey.

William Barclay: “In this parable Jesus is making a staggering claim in effect He is saying that obedience to His teaching is the only safe foundation for life.” (and Jesus said, pg.218)

Explaining the text

We see in this text there are two very distinct actions. Hearing, and doing.

Everyone who hears in the Greek gives to “whosoever hears.” it means to hear with understanding

And does them, well that is the application, the end of the act of hearing is applying.

We see the comparison of the wise man and the foolish man.

Wise - sensible, thoughtful, prudent.

Foolish - foolish, stupid, our word moron comes from this Greek word

Purpose and application

It the purpose to drive home the point, be wise and enter through the narrow gate? It could be to reinforce the teaching there. Hear and obey! Do not be a fool, a moron.

There are many similarities in the parable

Both heard the word - then compares what they did with the word

Both saw the necessity of building

Next, both did put into action, they both built -went from thinking (seeing the need) and acting (filling the need)

Both were exposed to the storms - - as Christians we will not be able to avoid the storms of this life

Fifth, each of them were secure with their structures.

Barclay: “It should be pointed out that there is no indication that one house (or life) is better than the other. It is the foundation (or quality of faith) that really mattered.”

There were a few things that were not similar

Personal qualifications differed, one was a wise man, the other a fool

One professed to know God (Lk6:46); the other did not

Different foundations, one was built on the rock, the other on sand

Different results, one house stood, the other fell

Purposes

One, Jesus wanted the hearers to know the importance of what he had to say, to teach them. You can read the next two verses and see what the people thought of Jesus teaching at this time (read Mt7:28-29)

Jesus wanted to impress the importance of obedience, it is not enough to just hear, your need to do what He says. This was a vital part of Jesus teaching, consider (Jn14:15, 21, 23) Womack “True faith is demonstrated when it is put into practice.”

Learning to live the parable

Billy Joel would sing “honesty, is seldom ever heard,” and I think you can say this this world not only do people not like truth, they do not like to be told to be obedient. People want to do things their own way if it makes them feel good and is convenient.

This parable is about obedience, the importance of obedience. Womack gives four concepts from this parabolic teaching to put into practice.

One, there is continual need for self-examination. Asking ourselves such questions as

Why am I doing the things that Jesus commanded? Am I doing it because they seem right to me, or it is that because Jesus said for us to do them? - - - scripture in several places tells us to “examine ourselves.” We need to be people who look in the mirror at ourselves and not the magnifying glass in looking at others.

Second, it is more important to do all we know than to know more but do not do it.

Knowledge can puff up, make one prideful and arrogant when not doing anything with it.

We should spend time knowing and meditating on God’s word, God’s instructions to us. Then put it into action. For, obedience is central to the will of God.

Third, The test of a sermon is found in the people’s lives, not in what the preacher says. Hearing the best convicting, heart-warming sermon avail nothing until they are translated into the lives of the people.

Fourth, the wise man was concerned with the inner strength (he dug down). - - - Womack: “The growth of the church must begin in the heart and life of each individual Christian.”

What role does God play in your life, is he your master, your teacher, your lord, your savior in whom you have placed your trust and your trust is proven by your actions?

Do not let yourself get caught up in hearing only; heard and do what Jesus has commanded.