The Foundation of The True Disciple

Matthew 7:24–29 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

As we get started tonight, let’s start with a couple reminders. One, this passage is part of the sermon on the mount that Jesus is giving to the disciples that have chosen to follow Him. He is teaching these disciples how to behave in the Christian life. Because it is recorded and preserved in the Bible for us to read, God desires the same for the true disciples today. Jesus wants those who have taken Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour to know how they should behave as they follow Christ and live in our sinful world.

Also, Matthew 7 is full of the number two. We have already seen the judger and the judged, the good father and the evil father, the two ways, the two teachers, and now the two foundations.

Introduction

One of the most famous landmarks in all the world is the leaning Tower of Pisa. Though this tower draws tourists from all over the world, it is actually an embarrassing display of the ramifications of a faulty foundation. Construction of the tower began in 1173. It was built in soft marshy soil and was given a foundation that was less than ten feet deep. Even before its completion in 1372, its infamous tilt was noticeable to the naked eye. The inadequate foundation was too unstable to support such a large structure.

From 1990 to 2001, the tower was closed to the public while a $25 million project was conducted to stabilize the structure and reduce it’s lean. But even after those 11 years of reconstruction, the lean was only able to be reduced by 6 inches.

Millions of people make their way to the Tower of Pisa and gaze in awe at the phenomenon of such a structure. But we know of souls whose structures are weak because of a poor foundation.

A Christian has the advantage, however, to build their life on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. The Hymn, “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” states, “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

The amazing thing about many Christians lives is that we have mastered the art of giving the illusion of success, all the while ignoring the foundation that is designed by God to support the structure of our lives. It is possible to have the appearance of growing in Christ but have a crumbling foundation.

It does not matter how much effort is put into constructing a successful life. If we only take care of the outside and do not put effort into the part that on one else sees - the foundation - our fall will eventually become obvious.

Let’s look at two thoughts tonight about the foundation of our lives.

The Foundation of the Faithful

Matthew 7:24–25 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Christ is coming to a close of His long sermon to the true disciple, but before He does, He draws the comparison of the wise and foolish builder. The wise man builds his house on a rock and the foolish builds on the sand like the foolish builders of the tower of Pisa.

Christ isn’t teaching the disciple how build a physical building. But how to build the structure of the lives. Because what is physical will fade away but what is spiritual will last forever. The things you have in life will not last forever. Like by the time I get a new iphone it is already out of date. But the life we lead will either last in eternal life with Christ or will burn up in hell.

But that all depends on the foundation you are on.

Ephesians 2:19–22 KJV 1900

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Christ is pointing to the fact that He is the Rock in this passage. He is that corner stone, He is the foundation. And if we are going to build our lives that matter in eternity, it begins with a relationship with Christ.

Begins with Relationship

Matthew 7:24 KJV 1900

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

How we start a relationship with anyone, should always begin with trusting that person. Megan and I didn’t decide we were going to get married the day we met. It took building a relationship by trusting each other.

The same goes with Christ. The thing is Jesus is perfect and always, always has our best insist in mind. He always wants whats best for us.

When we place our trust in Christ we call that Salvation, because He has saved us from an eternity in hell by forgiving us of our sins and gives us a home in heaven.

Salvation gives us the most wonderful relationship of life. When someone receives Christ as Saviour, new life is birthed within them. It can never be taken away or lost. It is a relationship that changes our eternity, but it also has the potential to change the course of our lives completely.

Salvation makes Christ our corner stone, or rock. The very foundation we place our whole lives on. He gives us, new purpose, new plans, and new life in Him.

But only if we allow it. Their are many who have trusted in Christ as their Saviour and just stopped there in their relationship with Him.

John 15:5 KJV 1900

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Without the vine, the branches will die and no longer bare fruit. So our relationship with Christ will only continue if we stay close to Him. This doesn’t mean we can lost our Salvation, but it does mean our growth will stop.

Continues with Nearness

Matthew 7:25 KJV 1900

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

We get excited at the announcement of a newborn baby. Ladies, in particular, like to know all the details like: How much did the baby weigh? How long is the baby? We want to see pictures and share in the awe of this new life.

But six months down the road, if the same baby still looked the same, weighed the same, and was just as helpless and needy as a newborn, we would be concerned. That is not natural. It goes against the cycle of a maturing life.

Our faith ought to likewise develop. Salvation - being born again - is an exciting moment. But we should not stay in that infant stage. Our faith should grow.

The maturing of our faith takes place as we build upon and stay near Christ.

Someone once said, “Nearness is likeness.”

The reality is young people, if you show me the lives of the ones you are closest to, I will tell you the life you lead. Simply put, you are who your friends are.

Far too many Christians stay spiritual babies because they never develop their relationship with Christ. There is a says that says, “kids spell love time.” That’s not just for kids. That is a true way to know if you love something or someone, you spend time with them.

Time won’t allow me to spend much time talking through the full thought of verse 25 but know this, when we go through life, storms will come. Things will happen that seem to take the breathe right out of us, maybe loss of a job, or a sudden death, or simply having to work with people who are difficult. You can only get through all the storms of life, if your foundation is on the Rock that is Christ.

The Foundation of the Foolish

Matthew 7:26–27 KJV 1900

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The flip side of the wise man is the foolish. He builds his life on the sand and it falls apart. But something that is important to note. This man is foolish because he knows the truth.

He hears the sayings, he hears the teachings of Christ and chooses not the listen. He has received the Word through being in church, or hearing their parents try to guide them in a right life. The foolish then, has part in the hearing of the truth of the gospel, but chooses not the listen. The difference in hearing and listening is obedience.

The foolish is in a most dangerous position. He knows how to build his life, but he chooses not the build according to the instructions.

Proverbs 11:28 KJV 1900

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: But the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

the foolish person builds his life on a job or and education, or their own thoughts and not the truth that they already know in God’s Word. Imagine a the builders of the tower of Pisa. Surely they had some knowledge in building or they would not have been tasked to build in the first place. But they willing chose to ignore what they knew was true.

Conclusion

The same is true if you leave here tonight knowing that you have not trusted in Christ as your saviour, you are the foolish man who is building your life on things will wash away in the storms.

If you have trusted in Christ remember nearness is likeness. How close are you to Him?

Remember the words of James.

James 1:22–25 KJV 1900

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

The Christian is not only read God’s Word, Praying, and in Church but is actively applying the truth to their lives.

The true Disciple of Christ listens to Him; they hear and obey. Will you listen to Him?