Wise and Foolish Builders

Matt. 7:24–27

I. Introduction

A. All through the Sermon on the Mount Jesus used vivid illustrations to capture the imagination of his listeners.

1. salt of the earth and light of the world

2. a city on a hill and the lamp on a stand

3. birds of the air and lilies of the field

4. speck of dust and beam or log in the eye

5. father giving gifts to his children

6. narrow and wide gates

7. good and bad fruit

B. Here at the end of the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus closes with a parable.

1. A parable is a story that is used to make a comparison.

2. Parables are usually longer and more detailed than other illustrations.

3. Jesus took his parables from everyday life and used them to make his teaching come alive by illustrating spiritual concepts with stories that the people could understand.

4. Jesus often used parables to arouse curiosity in his listeners.

5. Jesus also used parables to lead his listeners to a decision.

6. Jesus was certainly able to heal people that were sick, drive out demons, and calm a storm; but Jesus could also use a simple story taken from everyday life to get people’s attention and teach them lessons about spiritual truths.

II. The parable

A. Jesus ended the Sermon on the Mount with a story of two builders.

1. One was a wise man who built his house on the rock and the other was a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

2. Jesus was a carpenter and so this was not a hypothetical example. It was based on practical experience.

3. Those who hear Jesus telling the story were also familiar with the situation.

B. Choosing the right building site is important, especially in that region.

1. A wise builder had to look ahead.

2. A site may be smooth and level during the dry season, and become a raging torrent during a flash flood.

3. A house built in a safe place could withstand the rain and wind, but the other house that was built in an unsafe place could not.

C. When the storm came, only one house remained.

1. The wise man took the time to carefully choose the site and build the house on a sound foundation.

2. The foolish man failed to do this and his house was destroyed by the storm.

III. The meaning of the parable

A. This parable is one of Jesus' strongest statements on the need for obedience.

1. In our world there are many people who feel that all religions are the same. There are others who feel that no religion at all is acceptable.

2. This was not Jesus' message.

B. Jesus demanded two things.

1. To listen and know the words of Jesus.

2. To follow the words of Jesus.

3. W. Barclay commented: "Knowledge must become action; theory must become practice; theology must become life...If we are to be in any sense followers of Jesus we must hear and do." (Matthew, pp. 291-292)

C. Some people may hear, but not obey.

1. Some people may want to put it off.

a. They aren't interested in the future; there is always tomorrow.

b. The wise man planned ahead and built his house to withstand the storms. The foolish man did not, and his house was destroyed.

2. Some people do not want to be inconvenienced.

a. Being a disciple of Jesus is not convenient. It is more often demanding and at times difficult.

b. Some people aren't wiling to put in the effort if it is not convenient for them.

3. Some people simply want to "do their own thing."

a. One of the main reasons that people reject Christianity is because they do not want to be responsible for their actions.

b. This was the problem of the foolish man. He did not choose the building site carefully and put the house where he wanted it.

D. There will be a time of testing.

1. In the parable it was the rain, wind, and flooding.

2. In life it may be illness, financial difficulties, family problems, or others challenges.

3. For those who have not built their house on firm ground, there is bound to be trouble. Only those who have built their house on a solid foundation will be able to withstand life's storms.

E. The most important lesson of all from this parable is that individuals need to build their lives on the right foundation for eternity.

IV. Conclusion

A. We have taken several lessons from the Sermon on the Mount.

1. We have certainly not exhausted the study of this important passage.

2. I do hope that that through this study we have come to know more about the Sermon on the Mount and what Jesus was teaching there.

B. As we noticed at the very beginning of our study, Jesus' teachings are not easy.

1. The Sermon on the Mount is very demanding.

2. Perhaps it is best to look at the Sermon on the Mount as "ideals' for those who follow Jesus.

C. It is very unlikely that we will ever be able to follow each and every precept in the Sermon on the Mount.

1. That should not stop us from trying.

2. If anything, Jesus' teachings the Sermon on the Mount should serve as "goals" for anyone who wants to be a disciple of Jesus.

D. Finally, I want to close to remind you one last time that the key to understanding the Sermon on the Mount is the word "different."

1. Jesus' disciples are to be different from those around them.

2. Most of us do not like to stand out in the crowd, but if we are following Jesus, we will not be able to help it because we will be "different."