Rock or Sand?

2002009

Subject: sermon on the mount; self evaluation

Introduction:

A. Last week discussed similarities & dissimilarities b/t two men in 7:24-27.

1. Their houses were alike and were in the same place.

2. But…they different in that one was foolish & the other wise.

3. The difference in the houses they built was in the foundation.

B. We might compare foolish builder w/the nominal Christian.

1. He does not consult plans – is not a careful Bible student.

2. Not really interested in the message preached.

3. Picks out passages/subjects which are appealing.

a) love of God – not his wrath

b) grace, but not obedience.

c) This is the person who builds his foundation on the sand.

C. We must understand Jesus has called for an obedience to His word which is profound & all-encompassing.

1. Those who build their life on the rock say 2 things:

a) they determined to keep the word of Christ at all costs.

b) They trust His redemptive blood for mercy upon their failures.

2. Here, Jesus asks us for simple obedience.

a) This never the sole means of justification…but…

b) A way to express our faith & love.

D. It is imperative that we build our lives around Jesus & His word!

1. imperative that we be as the wise man in 7:24-27

2. Today we wish to answer some simple questions…

E. How can I know whether I am a wise or foolish person? How is my work going to be tested?

I. Foolish or Wise?

A. A wise person…

1. will apply what has been taught. (Don’t pat preacher on back – then walk out of door – forget what said.)

2. He will put God’s teaching into practice – ALL OF IT!

B. A wise person will seek the whole counsel of God!

1. Not just the parts that please him.

2. He will study God’s word to see where improvement must be made.

3. 2 Cor. 13:5 – examinations are necessary.

C. A wise person will actively seek to change his life for the better.

1. Are you significantly different from what you were 1 year ago?

2. Progress must be made! Scriptures full of these kinds of exhortations.

D. Js. 1:22; 2:14; Jesus – Jhn. 14:15; John – 1 Jhn. 1:6; 2:4

E. 7:24 – Jesus is talking about our being a true disciple!

1. Put on the beatitudes – meek/poor in spirit – let power of God’s word change him into conforming to the beatitudes.

2. True disciple will have supreme desire to be like Jesus! To live the sermon on the mount!

3. True disciple must hunger for a holiness in his life- to know Jesus & to walk w/Him here & now!

F. Don’t be foolish!

1. Some always want to build on sand & call it rock.

2. Search for quick/easy solution to problems & achieve false righteousness & peace.

3. some content to dull gospel into a lifeless; spineless; nothing.

4. There are no shortcuts when it comes to building life’s spiritual house!

II. There’s a test coming…

A. Here again we are reminded of judgment.

1. everything will be subjected to tests.

a) what we are building will be subjected to tests.

b) What we are relying upon will be tested.

c) Our view & philosophy of life will be tested.

2. 2 Tim. 3:12 – Jesus has nowhere indicated that becoming a Christian will end our troubles/trails.

B. What exactly mean by rains/floods/winds?

1. “rains” could represent

a) illness/loss/disappointment/something wrong in life.

b) Banking on something – suddenly collapses.

c) Forsaken by friends/family.

d) Grief or bereavement.

2. “floods”

a) this could refer to the “world” – in a biblical sense.

b) No doubt world can swallow us up by enticement/persecution.

3. “winds” could represent attacks made on us by Satan.

a) Satan is real!

b) Attacks us indirectly/directly. Hurls doubts/denials at us.

1) bombards us w/evil thoughts – searches for our weakest points.

2) 1 Pet. 5:8

c) Note Paul’s admonition – Eph. 6:11-12

C. How can we stand up to this?

1. How to face disappointment? Disease? Depression? Death? Despair?

2. Is your way of life NOW preparing you for this?

a) will you able to find God when you need Him?

b) Will you know He is there?

c) Am I agitated? Alarmed? Afraid? Filled w/doubt?

d) How do I react to thought of death? Judgment?

III. Build on the rock!

A. Look at these Scriptures. Following these will help us to build on the rock!

1. Psa. 37:37; 112:7; 91:1-6

2. Look at Paul’s life- 2 Cor. 4:8-11; 16-17

3. 2 Tim. 4:6-8

B. Ultimately, we must look forward to judgment. Heb. 9:27 – bible has a lot to say about this day!

C. Rev. 20:11-15

IV. 7:26-27 - Great will be the fall of those who reject God.

A. Jesus’ last words are somber – speaking of ultimate ruin & disaster of unthinkable proportion.

1. Becomes crystal clear that not all will be saved!

2. This why we must see Jesus’ message as urgent & grave!

B. Earnhart: The prospect of divine rejection threads its way through the whole sermon. For those who refuse to do His Fathers will from the heart, Jesus promises not merely the loss of all heavenly reward, but severe judgment – judgment that is without mercy. The Lord describes the disobedient as traveling the road to “destruction” and in danger of “hell fire.”

C. The “great” ruin & the “great” fall will be:

1. a knowing & unending alienation from all that God is!

2. the chosen destiny of those who turn from God’s way of love to spend eternity w/all that is evil!

3. The depth of the moral darkness; and the intensity of such a spiritual fire cannot be described!

D. Friends…we need to awake from our religious routines through which we sleepwalk our way.

1. Jesus is calling us to a vital relationship w/the Father!

2. A relationship that is truly alive – permeating our thoughts/actions/character & personality!

3. is this the kind of relationship you desire? Are you working on it now?

E. We are to be children of the living God. Are you His child?

F. What foundation are you building on?

Conclusion:

A. Are you really applying these principles to your life?

B. Guard against the danger of self delusion!

C. Give yourself to Jesus today!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Rock or Sand? 2002009 Subject: sermon on the mount; self evaluation Introduction: A. Last week discussed similarities & dissimilarities b/t two men in 7:24-27. 1. Their houses were alike and were in the same place. 2. But…they different in that one was foolish & the other wise. 3. The difference in the houses they built was in the foundation. B. We might compare foolish builder w/the nominal Christian. 1. He does not consult plans – is not a careful Bible student. 2. Not really interested in the message preached. 3. Picks out passages/subjects which are appealing. a) love of God – not his wrath b) grace, but not obedience. c) This is the person who builds his foundation on the sand. C. We must understand Jesus has called for an obedience to His word which is profound & all-encompassing. 1. Those who build their life on the rock say 2 things: a) they determined to keep the word of Christ at all costs. b) They trust His redemptive blood for mercy upon their failures. 2. Here, Jesus asks us for simple obedience. a) This never the sole means of justification…but… b) A way to express our faith & love. D. It is imperative that we build our lives around Jesus & His word! 1. imperative that we be as the wise man in 7:24-27 2. Today we wish to answer some simple questions… E. How can I know whether I am a wise or foolish person? How is my work going to be tested? I. Foolish or Wise? A. A wise person… 1. will apply what has been taught. (Don’t pat preacher on back – then walk out of door – forget what said.) 2. He will put God’s teaching into practice – ALL OF IT! B. A wise person will seek the whole counsel of God! 1. Not just the parts that please him. 2. He will study God’s word to see where improvement must be made. 3. 2 Cor. 13:5 – examinations are necessary. C. A wise person will actively seek to change his life for the better. 1. Are you significantly different from what you were 1 year ago? 2. Progress must be made! Scriptures full of these kinds of exhortations. D. Js. 1:22; 2:14; Jesus – Jhn. 14:15; John – 1 Jhn. 1:6; 2:4 E. 7:24 – Jesus is talking about our being a true disciple! 1. Put on the beatitudes – meek/poor in spirit – let power of God’s word change him into conforming to the beatitudes. 2. True disciple will have supreme desire to be like Jesus! To live the sermon on the mount! 3. True disciple must hunger for a holiness in his life- to know Jesus & to walk w/Him here & now! F. Don’t be foolish! 1. Some always want to build on sand & call it rock. 2. Search for quick/easy solution to problems & achieve false righteousness & peace. 3. some content to dull gospel into a lifeless; spineless; nothing. 4. There are no shortcuts when it comes to building life’s spiritual house! II. There’s a test coming… A. Here again we are reminded of judgment. 1. everything will be subjected to tests. a) what we are building will be subjected to tests. b) What we are relying upon will be tested. c) Our view & philosophy of life will be tested. 2. 2 Tim. 3:12 – Jesus has nowhere indicated that becoming a Christian will end our troubles/trails. B. What exactly mean by rains/floods/winds? 1. “rains” could represent a) illness/loss/disappointment/something wrong in life. b) Banking on something – suddenly collapses. c) Forsaken by friends/family. d) Grief or bereavement. 2. “floods” a) this could refer to the “world” – in a biblical sense. b) No doubt world can swallow us up by enticement/persecution. 3. “winds” could represent attacks made on us by Satan. a) Satan is real! b) Attacks us indirectly/directly. Hurls doubts/denials at us. 1) bombards us w/evil thoughts – searches for our weakest points. 2) 1 Pet. 5:8 c) Note Paul’s admonition – Eph. 6:11-12 C. How can we stand up to this? 1. How to face disappointment? Disease? Depression? Death? Despair? 2. Is your way of life NOW preparing you for this? a) will you able to find God when you need Him? b) Will you know He is there? c) Am I agitated? Alarmed? Afraid? Filled w/doubt? d) How do I react to thought of death? Judgment? III. Build on the rock! A. Look at these Scriptures. Following these will help us to build on the rock! 1. Psa. 37:37; 112:7; 91:1-6 2. Look at Paul’s life- 2 Cor. 4:8-11; 16-17 3. 2 Tim. 4:6-8 B. Ultimately, we must look forward to judgment. Heb. 9:27 – bible has a lot to say about this day! C. Rev. 20:11-15 IV. 7:26-27 - Great will be the fall of those who reject God. A. Jesus’ last words are somber – speaking of ultimate ruin & disaster of unthinkable proportion. 1. Becomes crystal clear that not all will be saved! 2. This why we must see Jesus’ message as urgent & grave! B. Earnhart: The prospect of divine rejection threads its way through the whole sermon. For those who refuse to do His Fathers will from the heart, Jesus promises not merely the loss of all heavenly reward, but severe judgment – judgment that is without mercy. The Lord describes the disobedient as traveling the road to “destruction” and in danger of “hell fire.” C. The “great” ruin & the “great” fall will be: 1. a knowing & unending alienation from all that God is! 2. the chosen destiny of those who turn from God’s way of love to spend eternity w/all that is evil! 3. The depth of the moral darkness; and the intensity of such a spiritual fire cannot be described! D. Friends…we need to awake from our religious routines through which we sleepwalk our way. 1. Jesus is calling us to a vital relationship w/the Father! 2. A relationship that is truly alive – permeating our thoughts/actions/character & personality! 3. is this the kind of relationship you desire? Are you working on it now? E. We are to be children of the living God. Are you His child? F. What foundation are you building on? Conclusion: A. Are you really applying these principles to your life? B. Guard against the danger of self delusion! C. Give yourself to Jesus today! D. I N V I T A T I O N