Compass for the Journey…
Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
INTRODUCTION
You Have to “Dig Deeper” to Stay Grounded. Hudson Taylor once said, “At the timberline where the storms strike with the most fury, the sturdiest trees are found.”They must, right? They have to dig deep to stay grounded. The same is true for us. When storms strike, we must dig deep, and where it is that we dig, matters.
The passage we have before us is about two builders who built two houses on two different types of foundations with two different results. In this “Tale of Two Builders” Jesus teaches us that the foundation upon which we build the house of our lives is of the utmost importance. I want to point out some elements of this parable that show us why the foundation of your life matters:
I. CONSIDER THE COMPARISONS
This short parable appears to speak of two very different types of people. The two people Jesus pictures here have several important characteristics in common. Let me point them out.
• Both Heard the Words of Christ – They both heard the Gospel and each one had a reaction to it.
• Both Built Houses – Each of these people built a house based on their understanding of what Jesus said. The house in this parable is a picture of life. That is, each man built a life based on how they interpreted the message of Jesus.
• Both Built in the Same Location – Verse 27 describes a very severe storm. This storm affected both houses, so they must have been built near one another.
• Both Built Similar Houses – Nothing is said about their houses being different. They used similar materials, and most likely, a similar design.
II. CONSIDER THE CONTRASTS
While there are several similarities, there are some very major differences between these two types of people. Those differences are worth noting.
• One Man Built His House on the Sand – In this context, building on the sand speaks of people who hear the Gospel, but instead of believing the Gospel and coming to faith in Jesus, they believe they can build their lives on the shifting sands of human philosophy, wisdom, opinion, and religious achievement, rather than faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
• One Man Built His House on the Rock – The rock does not move. It is unchanging and stable. Rock offers a good foundation for a house. Building on the rock speaks of people who hear the Gospel and believe it to the point that they build their lives on it.
III. CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES
The parable tells us that the rain came, the floods followed, and the winds of destruction blew. This image is not just about some storm in life. This is the image of judgment. In the end, both houses were subjected to a terrible storm of judgment. One house stood, the other was destroyed.
• The house that was built on the sand could not face the withering judgment of God, and it collapsed. Jesus said, “and it fell with a great crash.” This means that the house was destroyed. This is a picture of what will happen to every person who builds their life on anything but Jesus Christ and the Gospel.
• The house that was built on the rock experienced the same storm. This house stood because it was built on the Word of God and the Gospel of grace. This house stood because the builder dug deep and built it on something greater than himself. This builder built his house on the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This builder believed the Gospel. This builder understood that Jesus died for his sin, rose from the dead, and had the power to save anyone who would believe on Him. This person built his life on Jesus, and he was accepted by God.
CONCLUSION
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross wrote, “the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”No, they don’t. The most beautiful people dig deep and grow toward the nutrients found within the firm foundation of Christ. Yes, they dig deep because they must. Survival is at stake, but it’s not the only thing that compels them. Their faithfulness and love of Christ compel them to “Dig Deeper” for a firm foundation on Jesus Christ! Amen!
Pastor John N. Punni, II