Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who doesthe will of my Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)

Matthew 7:24-27“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (ESV)

Luke 6:48-49Wise man: “dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.”

Foolish man: “built a house on the ground without a foundation.”

The two builders had some similarities

The Point•The point is obvious—a proper foundation is absolutely essential.

John R.W. Stott•“Both read the Bible, go to church, listen to sermons and buy Christian literature. The reason you often cannot tell the difference between them is that the deep foundations of their lives are hidden from view. The real question is not whether they hear Christ’s teaching (nor even whether they respect or believe it), but whether they do what they hear. Only a storm will reveal the truth.”

In their ATTITUDE toward life

Luke 6:48-49“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock … But the [other]

one … built a house on the ground without a foundation.” (ESV)

Declaration of Independence•“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Galatians 3:28“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

In their ACTIONS in life

Matthew 7:24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (ESV)

Matthew 5:16“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)

Matthew 7:21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who doesthe will of my Father who is in heaven.” (ESV)

James 1:22“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (ESV)

1 John 2:3-6“And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (ESV)

The Beatitudes•Poverty of spirit (5:3)

•Mournfulness of sin (5:4)

•Humility and meekness (5:5)

•A hunger for righteousness (5:6)

•Mercy (5:7)

•Purity of heart (5:8)

•Seeking Godly peace (5:9)

•Standing for righteousness (5:10)

Other Teaching•Anger (5:21-26)

•Lust & adultery (5:27-30)

•Swearing & oath taking (5:33-37)

•Loving our enemies (5:43-48)

•Helping others (6:1-4)

•Praying (6:5-14)

•Storing up treasures in heaven (6:19-24)

•Not being anxious (6:25-34)

•Not judging others, but showing discernment (7:1-6)

•Treating others as you want to be treated (7:15-20)

In their AWARENESS of the future

Proverbs 10:25; 12:7; 14:11“When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever ... The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand ... The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.” (ESV)

2 Timothy 4:7-8“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (ESV)

It is all about the foundation

1 Timothy 6:17-19“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

(ESV)

2 Timothy 2:19“But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’” (ESV)

Isaiah 28:16“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone … a sure foundation: Whoever believes will not be in haste.’” (ESV)

Acts 4:11-12“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (ESV)

Matthew 7:28-29“And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” (ESV)

What foundation are you building upon?