Sermon 071998

Matt. 7:24-27                            Building on a Firm Foundation                                        7/19/98

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.    Introduction                                                                                                                      629

q      Jesus has been teaching about life for the believer in the kingdom of God (ch. 5-6)

q      He is now exhorting His listeners to action – they must do something with regard to what they have heard.  Godly teaching is to obeyed, not admired – DOERS of the word!

q      Two commands:  Enter by the narrow gate (v. 13a) – “go in, come in, arise” = command & invitation

      Beware of false prophets (v. 15a) – “hold your mind away from” = command & warning

q      Jesus then gives reasons why you should obey the gospel.  The Christian faith is reasonable & defendable – it is based on facts & not fiction.  We can give our friends & relatives reasons why they should believe this gospel…

q      Deception:  2 gates, paths, trees, kinds of fruit, men, houses, foundations, destinies

q      Today we are considering this analogy of two men who each build a house

II.    The Similarities

A.     Both men apparently have similar desires & plans – to build a house

B.      Both houses appear to be similar in obvious ways – walls, roof, even interior

C.      Both houses appear to be built in the same vicinity – same weather patterns

D.     Both houses meet the needs of the builder in good weather

E.      Both houses are exposed to the same kind of strong stormy weather

III.   The Differences

A.     One man is called wise (v. 24c) & the other foolish (v. 26c)

B.      One house is built on the rock (v. 24d) & the other on sand (v. 26d)

Building on a Firm Foundation, pg. 2

C.      One builds carefully & follows instructions, the other carelessly disregarding instructions

D.     One house stands firm in the storm (v. 25) & the other is destroyed (v. 27)

IV.  Spiritual Meaning and Application

A.     Everyone who listens to the gospel has similar desires – security, provision, guilt

B.      Everyone who listens to the gospel is building for the future storms in life

C.      Everyone who listens to the gospel will encounter real trials & tragedies (v. 25,27)

D.     Only those who obey the gospel will persevere in life’s tragedies & judgment (v. 24-25)

E.      Those who don’t obey the gospel will be destroyed by life’s tragedies & judgment (v. 26-27

F.      The trials of life will prove who is a true Christian (Matt. 13:20-21)

G.     Who is the foolish listener to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The man, woman, boy, girl that attends church, wants to go to heaven, wants security & assurance, says that they believe in Christ; you don’t curse…a nice person – but your foundation is not firm because you have not been converted & placed your trust in Christ alone!  Your storm is coming – health, finances, affliction…

H.     Who is the wise man in this story?  The man, woman, boy, girl who has listened to the gospel & has been converted inwardly – thoughts, actions…loss of heath, job, tragedies, persecutions do not destroy their foundation!  The  wise man starts with a firm foundation & then he builds his life – family, career, etc. = will of God

Which one are you?  The fact is that you are either one or the other – there is no other choice.  Have you truly heard the good news that God has prepared the way for your sins to be forgiven?  Have you heard the good news that Jesus Christ…?  If you know these things and have not believed, why not?  Don’t hesitate, don’t wait another moment – turn to Jesus now!  Will your foundation withstand the coming storms in your life?  For those who have built on the Rock, Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:31-39)!