BUILT TO LAST

Matthew 7:24-27

"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 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."

INTRODUCTION:

1. Matthew 7:24-27.

2. Text mentions several "pairs". When we consider these pairs, we are able to glean several lessons from the text.

DISCUSSION:

I. Two men, one wise and one foolish.

A. Notice that both men of which Jesus spoke heard his (Christ’s) teachings.

B. What made the wise man wise? He was a doer, not a hearer only (, John 13:17, James 1:22-25).

C. What made the foolish man foolish? He was not a doer, but a hearer only (James 1:23-24).

II. Two houses, one built on rock and one built on sand. When considering parallels between a house that is built to last and a life that will withstand the storms, consider the similarities.

A. Purpose. Buildings are constructed differently according to the purpose for which they are intended. A person will build his life according to what he perceives is his purpose in life. Consider Ephesians 3:21.

B. Plan. Before a building is constructed, there must be a plan, a depiction of the finished product.

C. Priorities. Certain components of a building play a bigger part than others in ensuring that the building will endure the storms. Consider Matthew 6:33.

III. Two results. One house withstood the storms while the other house fell.

A. The storms to which Jesus referred could include the difficulties and disappointments we encounter in life.

B. Considering the context, they more likely represent the final judgment. Consider II Corinthians 5:10 along with Hebrews 9:27.

C. Some people’s lives will "hold up" at the judgment while others will not. Consider Matthew 25:46.

CONCLUSION:

1. Upon what are you building your house?

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