SF066 - HOW STAND FIRM IN THE STORMS (Matthew 7 24-27)

SF066

HOW STAND FIRM IN THE STORMS

Matthew 7:24-27

INTRODUCTION

Major Problem...

Drop out Disciples

Many are fine until the storm comes.

Jesus has just with how we enter the Kingdom...

He has told us how to “start the life of faith” - Two ways

He has told us what we are to “produce in the life of faith” - Two trees

He now tells us how to be “secure in our faith” - Two foundations

Three lessons I want us to learn...

1A.       BE SURE YOU HAVE SECURE STRUCTURE (24, 26)

1B.       Two Builders

Same Purpose - Build a house

Same Place - Faced the same storm

Same Plan - Built similar houses

We are all basically the same...

2B.       Two Foundations (24,25)

James 1:22-25

The sandy foundation

Superficial - hear only

Sentimental - emotional

Symbolic - short lived

Sinister  - deceiving

The solid foundation

Singular

(1 Corinthians 3:11)  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Secure

(Luke 6:48)  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Certain - James 2:14-26

“While we are saved by faith alone, the faith that saves is never alone.”

2A.       BE CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL FACE SEVERE  STORMS (25,27)

1B.       Storms are inevitable

Everyone faces storms

Three types of people

Those facing the storm

Those in the storm

Those coming out of the storm

(Job 14:1)  "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.

2B.       Storms are Irreversible

You can never go back and re-live a single day

(Ecclesiastes 11:3)... Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.

3B.       Storms are Indicators

Test your faith

A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted!

Try your foundation

Peter and Judas - Everyone thought that Judas had the best house - they could not see their foundation.

3A.       BE SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR SOUL’S SITUATION

1B.       Your Foundation Will Determine Your Association!

(1 John 2:19)  They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

2B.       Your Foundation Will Determine Your Destination! (27)

(Hebrews 9:27)  Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

APPLICATION

Will your house stand?