Trust God Enough to Obey Him

Matthew 7:24–27

Matthew 7:24–27 NASB95

“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. “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. “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. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

The only true comparison for your life is God’s word.

Here we have a contrast of two builders: one wise one foolish.

We have two houses being built simultaneously on two different types of foundations.

We have one, violent storm.

We have two different outcomes: one stands, one is destroyed in a total loss.

Both builders heard the words of Jesus Christ.

Your response to God’s word means everything.

“Faith comes by hearing from a God called and sent preacher.”—– Paul (Romans 10)

A preacher of the gospel is a messenger with a mandate.

Isaiah the prophet was called and sent by God. In Romans 10, Paul references Isaiah’s ministry.

Isaiah 6:9–12

Isaiah 6:9–12 NASB95

He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered, “Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate, “The Lord has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.

Summary: Preach until there’s no one to preach to because the judgment foretold has come.

Paul’s conclusion: Romans 10:16–17

Romans 10:16–17 NASB95

However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Jesus’ contrast of the two builders was there response to “His Words”.

What has been your response to the words of Christ?

You must trust God enough to obey Him.

Knowledge of the Bible is great. You can’t just know the Bible; you have to live the Bible.

In everything you must ask, How much do I trust God?

The analogy of the two builders is found in the context of the sermon on the mount, the great discourse which includes, what has come to be known as, the beatitudes.

The beatitudes include promises of blessings from God contingent upon certain conditions.

The conditions require obedience. Obedience requires trust.

When you trust God enough to obey Him your life is transformed.

Faith in God enables you to tear down the shack of a wretched life, and permits God to work in you for the building up of a glorious house, a glorious life, capable of withstanding the strongest storms that life can throw your way. A life that will give way to an eternal glory indescribable by man.—You must trust God enough to obey Him.

God’s commands are for your good.

When he commands “do not” you must trust Him enough to abstain despite what you want or how you feel.

When he commands to “do this” you must trust Him enough to deny yourself and to do what He commands.

Sin is disobedience. Disobedience is the absence of faith.

What commands are you not obeying?

If you will trust God enough to obey Him, He can give you the power to transform your life!

Repent and believe the gospel! If you love Me, you will keep my commandments!—Jesus Christ.

In the contrast of the builders there was only one storm.

The children of God are not immune to the storms of life. Not even the severe storms like the one described in our text.

The difference lies in the outcome.

However, the storm described here is one of judgment. In the final judgment, those who trusted God enough to obey Him will endure judgment and live life eternal.

Those who did not trust and obey God will not withstand the judgment, and great will be there demise.

1 Peter 2:6

1 Peter 2:6 NASB95

For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”