The Life That Stands Through a Storm

A. Jesus was the great illustrator. He described the fate of those who are religious but lost. Now he tells of two men who illustrate false and true faith.

B. Two builders represent all people.

1. The wise man heard the Word of God and obeyed it.

2. The foolish man heard the Word of God and ignored it.

matt 7.24-27

Matthew 7:24–27 NKJV

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

The Wise Man Built His House on a Rock (v. 24)

Matthew 7:24 NKJV

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

A. The rock provided a solid foundation

1. The Lord is our rock ()

Psalm 28:1 NKJV

1 To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

2. He is our only sure rock (, )

Psalm 62:2 NKJV

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Psalm 62:6–7 NKJV

6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.

B. Christ is our firm foundation

1. No other foundation will stand ()

1 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

2. This foundation is secure ()

2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

C. Are you building your life on this foundation

1. Have you trusted Christ as your savior?

2. Are you building your life on His Word?

D. Then came a fierce storm that challenged the structure of the house.

E. The house of the wise man stood firm in the storm.

The Foolish Man Built His House on the Sand (v. 26)

Matthew 7:26 NKJV

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

A. He heard the Word of God but ignored it.

B. There are many choices for life’s foundations.

1. Some choose to build on wealth

2. Some choose to build on pleasure

3. Some choose to build on the praises of people

C. On what are you building your life?

D. Will your life hold up when the storm comes?

E. The storm collapsed the house of the foolish man.

What Made the Difference?

A. The devastating storms in this parable were the same.

1. The rain descended, and the floods came

2. The winds blew and beat on these two houses

B. The difference was in the foundations.

1. The house built on the rock stood firm.

2. The house built on the sand collapsed.

C. Examine the foundation of your life.

D. Will your life stand when the storms arrive?

Conclusion:

A. Storms come to all.

B. Let’s build our lives on Christ and His Word.