Two Houses in Katrina

Matthew 7:24-27

Intro:

Video: Matthew 7:24-27

What I want to say: God has designed the visible world so that it gives us clues to understanding the invisible world. Sportscasters tell the action of a ball game in two parts: One does play-by-play and the other does “color”. Parables provide the “color” commentary on spiritual truths. Our study of Jesus’ parables will help us to understand and apply spiritual concepts to life.

I. A parable uses a simple story to communicate deep truths.

A. A parable is an illustration

1. Gr. “parabole” – a placing beside; a comparison

2. The parables are used to contrast man’s thinking with God’s thinking

a) They often compare two different ways of viewing a situation or people

3. The parables are also used to illustrate or explain something that man cannot know - such as the parables of the Kingdom.

4. Some have said that a parable is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

B. We must understand how to interpret parables

1. Parables must be understood in context

a) Never attempt to understand a parable without reading its context.

2. Seek the one big truth

a) Jesus gives the meaning of some (cp. The parable of the Sower) but not others.

b) Avoiding bogging down in details

3. Parables are illustrations not teachings

a) Parables should not be stretched to fit every detail.

b) You do not build doctrine on parables but you understand doctrine through them

II. Jesus used parables both to reveal and hide spiritual knowledge (Matthew 13:10-17)

A. Parables are powerful teaching tools

1. Jesus told parables because some people are spiritually dull and do not understand what is plainly said.

a) A story puts facts in a form that speaks to both heart and intellect

2. There are 38 parables in the New Testament

3. There are 58 parables in the Old Testament

4. About 1/3 of Jesus’ teaching is in parables.

5. Some NT parables are as short as one verse – others are much longer

6. All the NT parables are in the first 3 gospels with the possible exception of the Good Shepherd in John 10

B. (:11-12) The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom is not given to everyone

1. Why don’t all people have this knowledge?

a) the Spirit alone reveals spiritual truth

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. …But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him”—

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:6-12 ESV

b) So that without the Holy Spirit, it is only possible to perceive the surface information but not the deep things.

E.g. it is like my knowledge of chemistry – I understand that mixing water with concrete and sand produces a rock-like substance but I only have a little grasp of how a crystal structure is formed within the concrete.

c) To reveal spiritual truth to those who desire it

d) To hide spiritual truth from those who reject it.

2. (:12) deeper spiritual knowledge is available to those who are born again but those who have rejected Jesus Christ will lose the little understanding they have.

3. (:13) Without faith, even hearing the truth is not enough

a) Seeing, they do not see

E.g. optical illusion

b) Hearing the sound of words does not mean that you comprehend the meaning of them

E.g. a foreign language

4. (:14-15) Isaiah’s description of spiritual disability

a) The reason: a spiritual callous on their “hearts”

b) Someone who continually rejects the invitation of the Spirit will progressively lose the ability to respond

5. Never undervalue your faith as the means by which you comprehend spiritual truth and the source of your clearer understanding of life.

a) If you are a Christian, you understand things that no unbeliever can understand.

III. Jesus used three parables to anchor the Sermon on the Mount in people’s minds (Matthew 7:20-27)

A. The theme of the sermon: How good do you have to be to go to heaven?

1. Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes which contrast the values of God’s kingdom with the values of earth.

2. He continues to tell them that as God’s chosen people they are the salt and light of the earth. (these are metaphors)

3. He then defined His mission: to fulfill the Law of God.

a) This probably shocked the people because they knew the Law and they knew that it is impossible to keep the 10 Commandments let alone all the other over 600 commands.

b) Jesus would keep all of the Law and His righteousness would meet the standard of God.

c) But what about all the rest of us? How can we get into God’s kingdom?

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 NASB95

4. Point by point Jesus shows how God’s standard is perfection and man’s best efforts come short of God’s perfection:

a) Adultery, Divorce, Oaths, Retribution, Loving enemies, Giving to the poor

b) Prayer, Fasting, Treasures in heaven, Worry, Judging others

c) The golden rule (7:12)

5. Only by having a righteousness from God can man enter God’s kingdom.

B. Choose the narrow or the wide gate (7:13-14; Luke 13:24)

1. Two ways are contrasted:

a) One way leads to life, the other to death

b) One way is broad and therefore easy to travel, the other way is narrow and difficult

c) One gate is wide and will accommodate anyone; the other gate is narrow and will limit access

2. From the beginning of Scripture these two ways and gates are detailed:

a) God’s restriction and Satan’s deceptive promise

b) Abel’s way, Cain’s way

c) The way Noah followed and the way of all mankind that led to a worldwide flood

d) The way of Israel among nations and the way of the Canaanites

e) The drug dealer says, “This is the way to the easy life.” But he sells slavery.

f) The gang member says, “I’ll stand with you through everything.” But he leads you into the way of death.

g) The social experimenter says, “This is just an alternative lifestyle. It is safe.” And those who follow die twenty years earlier than most others.

h) The religious guru promises eternal bliss by good works and pushes his followers down the wide path through the wide gate.

3. Two philosophies of life are contrasted: One is God’s way, the other is man’s

4. This parable tells us the ratio of those saved to those lost:

a) that many will enter through the wide gate to destruction

b) but few through the narrow gate

5. Jesus answers the question: “How can you enter God’s kingdom?” Only through the narrow gate – God’s way

C. Fruit reveals character (7:15-23)

1. False prophets are:

a) Wolves in sheep’s clothing – outwardly they appear tame and docile but they are really ferocious and lethal as wolves

b) These are those who teach man’s way as God’s way and so condemn people to hell with their teaching.

c) This is why the apostle Paul opposed the legalists so strongly in the book of Galatians

As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:9 ESV

2. The end result of the teaching of false prophets reveals that they are bad trees and their teaching is bad fruit (:16-20)

a) It is evident to everyone that a tree can only produce fruit that is consistent with its nature. A thistle can only produce thistles and a pear tree can only produce pears. It is their nature.

3. Today we have an entertainment system that distributes the false philosophy that the best way to have security in this life is to have a lot of stuff and to look cool and that spiritual things are not really important. We call it MTV.

4. (:21-23) There are terrible consequences to following a false philosophy taught by false prophets. Some will even think they are Christians because of the teaching of false religious leaders.

5. What life philosophy will lead to eternal life? Only God’s word as found in the Bible.

D. Give thought before you build (:24-29)

1. Life is full of storms of different degrees of intensity. These storms test the integrity of our buildings.

ILLUS> (slides) When hurricane Katrina struck August, 2005, few were fully prepared for the ferocity of the storm. Homes that had withstood other hurricanes fell before Katrina. The devastation was unprecedented. Over 1,800 people died. But careful preparation might have avoided damage and even death for some. Even more foolish are the houses I saw on the Outer Banks of North Carolina – million dollar houses built on sand. When hurricane Isabel tore through in 2003, they fell.

2. Jesus is warning people to prepare for life on earth and in heaven by building, not on speculation, myth or rumor but on God’s word alone.

3. This parable describes two ways to live life: man’s way and God’s way.

4. Man’s way is foolish when seen in the light of its consequences.

a) Not only are the preparations costly and time consuming, they are ultimately not only worthless but lethal.

b) Why spend your life energy on that which will certainly fail you?

5. Paul expanded on this parable in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

6. The key here is not only hearing God’s word but putting it into practice. What foundation are you building your life on? Will it stand the test?

Concl:

In these parables Jesus shows us a false philosophy of life; false teachers of that philosophy and the devastating consequences of following that philosophy.
What is your philosophy of life – God’s way or man’s way?
Can your life stand in the storms of life?