The Two foundations

Matthew 7:24–29 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Introduction:

Jesus is concluding His sermon on the mount by drawing His hearers to a decision. As Lord, He declares that there are two classes of people who hear this sermon. We will examine both options today.

“These sayings of mine”

He is speaking of the sermon on the mount as a whole.

Chapter 5: The Transformed life. 1-12: Beatitudes. 13-16: Salt and Light 17-20: The Word of God 21-26: Hatred and murder. 27-32: Adultery, Divorce, Lust, and Sexual purity. 33-37: Oaths. 38-42: An eye for an eye 44-48: Love your enemies Chapter 6: Religious sacrifice for the Kingdom.

1-4: Giving 5-15: Prayer 16-18: Fasting 19-24: Earthly treasure and heavenly treasure. 25-34: Seek first the Kingdom.

Chapter 7: Judgment.

1-6: Fair judgement and restoration. 7-12: Prayer/ The Golden Law 13-23: False prophets/ Fruit of truth. 24-27: The two choices.

1. Build upon the rock: Hear and obey!

Matthew 7:24–25 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

The importance of hearing!

Romans 10:17 KJV 1900

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Proverbs 28:9 KJV 1900

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer shall be abomination.

The importance of doing! James 1:19-27

James 1:19–27 KJV 1900

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Built his house- Planning, labor, and sacrifice! Luke 14:25-33

Luke 14:25–33 KJV 1900

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

The rain will come and challenge your faith. (Verse 25)

2. Build upon the sand: hear and disobey!

Matthew 7:26–27 KJV 1900

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

“Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

Only fools ignore truth when it is clearly taught.

Proverbs 1:7 KJV 1900

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Man’s way is hard. God’s way is right.

Proverbs 13:15 KJV 1900

Good understanding giveth favour: But the way of transgressors is hard.

Proverbs 14:12 KJV 1900

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.

Judges 17:6 KJV 1900

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

The rain will come and challenge both foundations. But only one will stand.

Conclusion: 1. The people heard the doctrine of Jesus, and were amazed!

Matthew 7:28 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

2. The doctrine of Jesus has Heaven’s Authority!

Matthew 7:29 KJV 1900

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

3. What is your foundation?

Ephesians 2:18–22 KJV 1900

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.