Matthew 7:24-27 | "It Did Not Fall" [The Life]
[Sermon on the Mount] Living the New Life! • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 39:13
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· 634 viewsSunday, March 21, 2021. Matthew 7:24-27 | "It Did Not Fall" [The Life]. Everyone hears, but not everyone does. This is the lesson Jesus reinforces at the end of The Sermon on the Mount using a parable of two builders. How does your life align with the the parable? *Take heed to the warning at the beginning of this sermon. It may be in your best interest to STOP listening!!
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Illustrative Warning
Illustrative Warning
Several years ago, I was in Brooklyn, NY, completing a requirement of my master’s degree.
A friend and I had some rare free time on a Sunday morning. The church we were partnering with was a church plant, and met in the evening.
I had wanted to visit the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and this was the time to go.
We took the subway, found the building and were welcomed in to the auditorium. And the service began.
The choir and musicians were impressive. It was a paired down version of their choir, maybe 150 people? But they produced a wall of sound in worship! People with such talent, from all walks of life, It was very moving!
At the pointed time, the Pastor, Jim Cymbala walked on the platform to speak and welcome the worshipers.
I was eager to hear him. I had read his book, Fresh Wind Fresh Fire, how he and that congregation had experienced the power of God through prayer.
Jim Cymbala welcomed everyone to the service of worship. He was very gracious in doing so. He knew there were many guests every week. I could tell what he was saying, he had said many times before.
He welcomed everyone and said something like this, as I remember it —
“Thank you for being with us today. You are welcome, and we are glad you are here. But if you will do this one thing for us in return. If you are here today, to hear the choir and music - we are grateful to share those blessings with you. We will even play one more song in a moment for you. Please stay, and listen.
But then, after that song, we kindly ask that you would stand up and exit the auditorium.
Please don’t take offense to this request. It’s just that, we need your seat. There are people waiting outside that couldn’t get in, and they want to hear God’s Word.
So please stay and hear the choir one more time. But after that, we will not judge you, but please stand and leave with our blessing, and thank you for coming and making room for someone to hear the Word.”
Church, there are two great invitations. An invitation to “Come” and an invitation to “Leave.”
We place great emphasis on our invitation to come.
To the world — “Come.” To the lost — “Come.” “Come and Hear.” “Come to Jesus.” Welcome, Come!
Perhaps we should not neglect the invitation to leave.
To say at this portion of our worship service:
“Dear friends, thank you for coming today. It is our joy to minister to you. We pray that you would see Jesus and know Him through every song and prayer and proclamation.
But dear friend, if you came to hear the music, or to fellowship with others — and that is all, now is your invitation to leave.
Don’t take offense at this. We invite you to leave because we love you. We will not judge you. Please come again next week.
But you can stand and walk out now, there is the door. You can turn this online stream off and watch something else on a different device.
Because if you stay, and hear God’s Word proclaimed today, if I rightly divide the word of truth in your hearing, and preach this word of God to you — you become responsible for what you hear!
And if you do not receive it and obey it, then you receive it to your own condemnation. The Word will become a witness against you!
Because you heard, but you did not hear. You saw, but you did not see. You knew what to do, but did not do it.
You refused to obey.
If you hear with a hardened heart, your heart will only grow harder. The word of God will do a work either way — to build you up to to harden you further.
Jesus said:
13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “ ‘ “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
I am going to pray. If, during this prayer, you need to leave, then leave now, and leave quickly. And know that we love you, and have a deep concern for your soul.
But if you should stay, know that God will require of you whatever you hear.
Pray
I. Reading of Scripture
I. Reading of Scripture
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.
25 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.
26 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.
27 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.”
II. Introduction
II. Introduction
These are the last words of Jesus’ teaching in The Sermon on the Mount.
This is his closing statement.
This last teaching concludes a triad of themes that John summarizes for us in —
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus has spoken about the way that leads to life. It corresponds to the narrow gate. Few find it.
So the command is “Enter by the narrow gate” (Matt 7:13a).
For Jesus says, “I am the way.”
Jesus spoke about the truth. The truth is difficult to discern, because the enemy is a masterful liar. False prophets are ravenous wolves, come to destroy viscously, but they dress up in sheep’s clothing. They blend in among the flock.
This is why the Apostle Paul would say at the end of his ministry to the Ephesians, to the elders gathered at Miletus —
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
So pay attention! The command of Jesus is to “Beware of false prophets.” You will recognize them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
What is said is recognized by what is done.
Jesus “I am the truth.” And Jesus did what He said. Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. He is the true Prophet, by whom we measure all truth.
And now, Jesus speaks about one’s life.
And in speaking about life, Jesus speaks with a parable. The first parable of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Brown).
A parable is a story that takes something from ordinary life, something we are familiar with, and compares it to an aspect or action of God and His Kingdom (Brown).
III. Exposition
III. Exposition
The first word of this parable is a connecting word. “Everyone.”
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.
Jesus is still speaking TO his disciples, but he is speaking ABOUT Everyone.
Everyone who meets a certain condition.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them.”
The word “Everyone” and “do” are the links to the previous teaching.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
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.
In verse 21 the contrast is between those who SAY and those who DO. In verse 24, the contrast is between those who HEAR and those who DO (Stott).
It is essential that we hear what Jesus says, and that we ALSO do what Jesus tells us.
“Doing” is the final “AMEN” to solidify what we hear.
We SAY “Amen” with our mouths. But that is meaningless, if we do not DO the “Amen” with our lives.
If we dial a phone number, that’s hearing. Pressing the call button — that’s doing. It solidifies what we have heard.
If we turn on the car, that’s hearing. If we press the gas, that’s doing.
If we add items to our shopping cart online, that’s hearing. When we press “Checkout” that’s doing. That’s solidifying what we’ve heard.
Why do we treat God’s Word like an Amazon shopping cart? We add to our cart all that we hear.
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
I’ll buy that. Add to cart.
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
I’ll buy that. Add to cart.
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
I’ll buy that. Add to cart.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I’ll buy that. Add to cart.
20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
I’ll buy that. Add to cart.
OK. We’ve heard. Now, it’s time to review my cart.
Review My Cart
Wow! I’ve heard a lot of things! It’s time to make the purchase. Let’s review.
Let see —
Romans 5:20 — That speaks of amazing grace. I need that. Oh look — that one’s free, if I use promo code “AMZNGRACE21.” Let me plug that in.
God is very generous and gracious. That won’t cost me anything. Let’s keep that.
What about Romans 8:28 —
That says all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. Well, of course I love God. I sang about that a few Sunday’s ago — “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you...” That was easy. And being called of God — well, that’s another freebee because God does that. So — I’ll purchase that.
Next up —
Matthew 5:44. Love your enemies. Ouch.
You know, upon further reflection, I really need to be wise with my money. I don’t think I can afford that one. That price is pretty high! Plus, I just got the free grace, let’s remove that from my cart. Better yet — let me check “Save for Later.” Perhaps I’ll get around to it?
Let’s see, two more things to review —
2 Corinthians 9:6-7, that talks about sowing and reaping, and giving cheerfully to God.
Wow, this is just asking too much of me. I’m really very busy after all. I can’t “DO” everything! This price is too high. I don’t really need to do that.
I go to church on Sundays, that only takes about and hour and a half if the preacher preaches long!
Of course, someone else is paying for the light bill. Someone else is paying for the air conditioning. Someone else is sacrificing for the Children’s ministry. Someone else will care for that Pastor’s family. God provides! If we just have faith, all of this will just magically appear and take care of itself.
I just come to church for the music, and frankly, don’t like it all that much. I’ll Save this for Later.
Maybe I’ll give if I like the way things are going or if I can get more return on my investment.
Plus, I’ve got a lot of other things to pay for. I’m on a fixed income. I’ve got a lot of medical bills. Hey! I’ve already tithed on this money when I was working, and now I’m drawing it in my retirement so I don’t need to give from this.
It’s time for others to pay their dues. This isn’t something I’ll do right now. Remove from cart.
One last item —
A Hebrews 10:25. Don’t neglect assembling together as is the habit of some.
Upon further review, I’m really too busy. I don’t have time for this. I love God, and God loves me. I know God and God knows me. He is Lord. We have an arrangement. This one seems unnecessary. Let’s just remove this one too.
OK, what’s left?
Two items SAVED. Three items REMOVED.
I’ll get a free grace that is amazing, and a “God works all things for good” because I love him.
Price for you — $0. Jesus paid it all. If confirmed, Swipe right to —
CHECKOUT
Church — this happens, more than you know.
MANY do this.
If you’ve ever had children, you understand what “Selective Hearing” is. That’s when a child will “hear” what they want to hear. And “not hear” what they don’t want to hear.
Selective hearing is foreign to the Bible.
Everyone hears.
The wise man hears, and the foolish man hears.
Not everyone does.
It is SELECTIVE DOING that is the problem. And that is what is in view here.
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.
25 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.
26 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.
27 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.”
When Jesus is speaking about a house, he is speaking about a LIFE.
And everything in life. Our bodies, the place we live, our marriages, our families. These are parts of the house of our life.
Everyone has a life. Both men built a house. And what your house looks like is not in view here.
Jesus said nothing about what that house looked like.
What color it was. What style it was. How many square feet it had. Or even what material it was made from.
Only two differences are given between the two houses: The type of MAN that built it, and the FOUNDATION upon which it was built.
Jesus use the word for “man” in this parable, but women this applies to you too.
In this parable, this man is described as being wise. He has wisdom, and understanding.
And the Wisdom literature of the Scriptures tell us where this wisdom comes from:
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of WISDOM!
The man, or woman, boy or girl who fears God is wise. And knows what foundation to build his or her life upon.
Because the foundation determines one thing about the house, and one thing alone — WILL IT LAST?
This parable makes use of a common ordinary example of building a house.
What do we know about a foolish builder?
He rushes the job. He’s in a hurry (MLJ). He doesn’t care that the concrete has set properly for the slab. He doesn’t mind if the foundation blocks are level with proper footings. For him, it’s all about building the house. It’s all about his life, his pride, his comfort, his next ambition.
So he builds the house, without giving a thought to what he is building upon! Sand!
And a common event happens that will happen to all.
Rain falls. Floods come (or rivers flow). Winds blow.
Like seasonal rains, these things will come!
And it is only THEN — that the foundation is revealed. Only a storm reveals the truth (Stott).
The storm that is coming is the judgment of Almighty God.
I was taught in my sermon, to include a “sermonic eschatonic.” Meaning, to remind my hearers of what is to come. The eschaton. The last things.
Jesus is doing that here. He has the coming judgment in view. He’s ending with a “sermonic eschatonic” and an emphatic one at that!
And just as the bad tree that bears bad fruit will be cut down and thrown into fire, the coming judgment of God will reveal the foundations of one’s life.
And you can be fooled your whole life in your pretty house.
But in the day of judgment, the foundation will determine whether it is left standing, or whether it collapses and collapses GREATLY.
Notice the emphasis upon the word “Great” at the end of verse 27:
27 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.”
That’s the emphasis here.
That house collapsed — and its fall was great. That house is carried away by the floods and is gone.
And that’s the house that was built upon hearing ONLY.
The foolish man who built upon sand.
Who was too lazy, or too busy, or too comfortable to actually DO what is heard.
Obeying God will require a lot out of us. Indeed, it defines our lives. It is a building process.
We start with the simple things. We obey what understanding we are given. And as we obey, as we solidify what we hear in our doing, we grow in wisdom and understanding, and we obey even more. And so we build upon the right foundation.
Start with what is clear.
If Jesus says:
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Then leave, first be reconciled with your brother, and then offer your gift.
If you instead, come to offer your gift at the altar, but ignore reconciliation, it is likened to removing one of the cinderblocks from under your house. Piece by piece, your disobedience reveals a sandy foundation.
If we do what we say, we will not be a hypocrite.
If we do what we hear, we will be revealed to be children of God.
IV. Conclusion
IV. Conclusion
So where does Jesus leave us, at the conclusion of His teaching?
What are we to do?
He doesn’t leave us with a list. For the list has already been given.
He instead, leaves us with a principle.
Hear first — and do what you hear.
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
...
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
How is it that you hear?
Through preaching.
Through the preaching of God’s Word.
God sends you preachers, so that you might come and hear — preaching.
Music strengthens your memory. It stirs your emotions. But preaching strengthens your faith!
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
A. Gospel Proclamation
A. Gospel Proclamation
Jesus came that we might build our life upon the foundation of His Word.
How do we build upon the foundation of His Word?
We are all born into sin. We are born screaming into this world. We want to hear our own voice rather than another.
Children demonstrate for us our own spiritual condition, when they disobey and don’t listen.
And we are like them.
Until — we are born again.
Until, by the blood of Jesus, our old house is washed away, and Jesus begins building on a new foundation, and makes it possible for us to truly live.
For Jesus is the LIFE!
He died for sin, he was buried in the grave, and he was raised to life, never to die again!
He offers eternal life! But only through Him. Only His way. Only by His life.
I don’t know about you, but I want to live His way! I want to live by HIs truth! I want to live by His life!
B. Exhortation & Application
B. Exhortation & Application
There are no more commands to be obeyed (CBC).
Jesus does not tell us here WHAT to DO.
He instead, tells us WHO we ARE!
We are either wise, or we are foolish.
The wise hear and do. That house Did Not Fall.
The foolish hear, and do not. That house fell, and great was the fall of it.
The end will tell the tale.
Don’t wait until then!
If God has given you ears to hear, then receive this word by faith. Receive the life Jesus died to give you today! And live that life, acting upon what you hear.
“I will build my life upon Your Word! It is a firm foundation! I will put my trust in you alone, and I will not be shaken! (Build My Life, with modification).
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear!