Tale of Two Builders

The Sermon Notebook: New Testament Matthew 7:24–27

Intro: The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy is going to fall. Scientists travel to the town of Pisa every year to measure the building’s slow descent. They report that the 179-foot tower, which was built in 1173, moves about one-twentieth of an inch a year, and is now 17 feet out of plumb. Recent renovations may have saved the 810-year old tower and prevent it from collapsing. Quite significantly, the word “pisa” means “marshy land,” which gives some clue as to why the tower began to lean even before it was completed. Also, another issue is the fact that its foundation is only 10 feet deep! The reason the Leaning Tower of Pisa is leaning is because it is built on a faulty foundation.

Matthew 7:24–29 CSB

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

Comparison of the Two Builders

Both Heard the Word

Both Built Houses

Both Built in Same Location

Both Built similar houses

Contrasting the Two Builders

One Built His House on the Sand

One Built His House on the Rock

Consequences

House Built on the Sand Could Not Withstand the Storm

House Built on the Rock Overcame the Storm

The Sermon Notebook: New Testament Matthew 7:24–27

• You can join the church and still go to Hell.

• You can be baptized and still go to Hell.

• You can be a good person, at least in the eyes of other people and still go to Hell.

• You can build you house on religion and still go to Hell.

• You can build you house on atheism, human wisdom, human philosophies, and anything else you can name, and you will still die and go to Hell.

• But, if you build your life on faith in Jesus Christ, and on His death and resurrection, your house will stand and you will be saved.