T h e W i s e M a n a n d t h e F o o l i s h M a n P a g e 1 THE WISE MAN AND THE FOOLISH MAN TEXT: Matthew 7: 24-28 PURPOSE: This admonition appeals to Jesus hearers (and readers) to heed the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, and to build their entire lives on them. i INTRODUCTION: I wonder how many times we have heard the words of instruction and we carried them out. Or perhaps you were putting something together and you read the instructions carefully and followed them. The project was completed! That was a wise person. I wonder how many times we have heard the words of instruction but never carried out the instruction. Or perhaps you were putting something together and you didn t read the instructions thoroughly and we cry out why won t this go together! That was a foolish person. Every person here today is a builder. Living means building! Our ambitions, thoughts, every spoken word, and every deed or act performed are building blocks. The issue before us is are we wise or foolish builders?.let us consider 1. THE BASIC INSTRUCTION [7: 24] A. 24 Therefore on the basis of the previous chapters and verses. These chapters five through seven present the Mosaic Law in summary for us. These chapters are the building bocks provided for us to be wise builders. B. everyone who hears these words of mine the verb hears means to have the ability to hear; to understand with the senses; to have perception; to consider what has been heard. The words of mine refer to the Source of these words being from Christ. That places tremendous importance and impact upon the mind. C. and puts them into practice this is a present tense verb implying continuous action; to be continually carrying out the words heard. This is basic discipleship! 2. THE WISE MAN [7:25] A. is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The person that hears the word of Christ and puts them into practice in their life becomes like a wise man. This verb is in the passive voice indicating that the Word of God is that which makes the individual wise. The rock foundation represented the Lord Himself and the truths He had been presenting, especially the truth concerning inner transformation. ii B. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, The violent storm comes as a flood of waters rise and the winds violently beat against the house. It stood firm!
T h e W i s e M a n a n d t h e F o o l i s h M a n P a g e 2 C. because it had its foundation on the rock. It was the bedrock of God s Word obeyed! The rock foundation represented the Lord Himself and the truths He had been presenting, especially the truth concerning inner transformation. iii D. To the believer it is an exhortation to walk the narrow way, to be wise enough to work for God s glory in this life in the assurance of an eternal reward if he does, and no reward if he does not. The believer is also advised to heed the warning against the several pitfalls which will interfere with his reward. iv 1. The tests of crisis will come! 2. These test come in various forms: trial (Gen. 22:1); Temptation (Gen. 39: 7-18); Bereavement (Gen. 42:36); death (Acts 7:59); and eventually the day of judgment. (Matt. 24: 43; 25:6; 1 Thess. 5:2) 3. THE FOOLISH MAN [7: 26,27] A. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice. the verb hears means to have the ability to hear; to understand with the senses; to have perception; to consider what has been heard. The words of mine refer to the Source of these words is from Christ. That places tremendous importance and impact upon the mind. B. is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.. denoting a loose foundation that of an empty profession and mere external services. v The sand spoke of Pharisaic righteousness which the people knew and on which many were basing their hopes. vi C. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. vii The violent storm comes as a flood of waters rise and the winds violently beat against the house. The house fell! The Greek and great was the fall of it! Oh the great loss of an eternity in heaven! 1. To the non-believer it is a warning to find the narrow gate and a warning against relying on false prophets. 2. He shows, by a plain argument, that an outward profession of religion, however remarkable, will not bring us to heaven, unless there be a correspondent conversation, v. 21 23. All judgment is committed to our Lord Jesus; the keys are put into his hand; he has power to prescribe new terms of life and death, and to judge men according to them: now this is a solemn declaration pursuant to that power. viii 3. It seems more fitting that Jesus conclusion would sum up the whole sermon, and not just the last short point He made. So our Lord drew the picture of a wasted life being swept away to remind us of the glorious opportunity we have of earning an eternal reward. Christian, He implores you for your own benefit; do not waste this opportunity. ix
T h e W i s e M a n a n d t h e F o o l i s h M a n P a g e 3 4. Oh the tragic end of the unbeliever! The loss of their very soul! An eternity in the Lake of Fire! 4. THE LISTENERS ASTONISHMENT [7:28] A. 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things; the crowds were amazed at his teaching, Amazed (exeplēssonto, lit., struck out ) means overwhelmed. It suggests a strong, sudden sense of being astounded, and is stronger than thaumazō ( to wonder or be amazed ). x B. 29 because he taught as one who had authority, The consciousness of divine authority, as Lawgiver, Expounder and Judge, so beamed through His teaching, xi The authority of Jesus is what amazed them, for He taught as a Spokesman from God xii C. and not as their teachers of the law. that the scribes teaching could not but appear quite insignificant and immature in such a light. xiii Not as the teachers of His time who were simply reflecting the authority of the Law. The contrast between Jesus and the religious leaders was most pronounced. xiv 1. This should be one major characteristic of every pastor s messages: speaking with authority. 2. Every pastor must preach the undiluted Word of God, solid exegesis and not mixed with any kind of misapplications of Scripture. 3. Every time we enter the Holy Scriptures we are amazed and in absolute wonderment of the Inspired Word of God and its substance. 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17. Transitional Sentence: How we need to Praise God for the Rock, the Lord Jesus and the Word of God that He provided for us! Oh the tragedy of building on the sand, anything other than the Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God preached with authority is awesome! Now let us consider the CONCLUSIONS: 1. The two builders represent two men in this life. They both use the same material and the same plans, and the world cannot tell the difference in their two houses. But when the storm comes the time of testing the house not founded on the rock crumbles and falls ( a mere professor of Christ) The true Christian is founded on the Rock, Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 3:11). Righteousness is not based on a church, a creed, or a good life but on Jesus Christ who died for the believer. A child of God is proven by lasting through the storms that test him or her. A true Christian is proven by obeying Christ. One is not merely a hearer of the Word, but is also a doer (James 1:22 25). xv 2. A life built on the Rock, the Lord Jesus will be preserved and able to stand when the storms come. That life will be free from the temptation to desert our Lord in the times
T h e W i s e M a n a n d t h e F o o l i s h M a n P a g e 4 of storms. Our strength will be renewed moment by moment. At our last encounter with the storm of impending death, we will be carried victoriously into the presence of our Rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Co. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8 3. Go through your Bible and note how false believers always fall away in the time of testing (built on the sand). The mixed multitude in Israel wanted to go back to Egypt when things became difficult in their journey. Many of the so-called Christians in Rome deserted Paul at his time of need (2 Tim. 4:9 18). Yet, note how the true believers stand regardless of the test. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and many others proved the reality of their faith by standing through the storm. They were built on the Rock! xvi When the storms came the house on the sand fell and there is not another opportunity to build another! When an unsaved man dies, he has no hope! Nothing left but shame and loss! 4. Make your calling and election sure. A mere profession does not mean that the individual possess Christ as Saviour and Lord. 5. You might wonder whether the test of the flood is appropriate to the believer. 1 Corinthians 3:10 15 confirms that it certainly is, for, by applying that instruction to this illustration, we learn that the believer who concerns himself with worldly values is foolish and has built his life on a sandy foundation (or, as I Corinthians puts it, has built with wood, straw, and stubble instead of gold, silver, and precious stones). Before Christ s judgment seat that believer will see his life s work swept away, though he himself will be saved (1 Cor 3:15). Please note this well: he is not eternally doomed; salvation and reward are two separate and unmixable truths; the Bible teaches that salvation is never in jeopardy, but this is not the case with rewards. xvii i Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Mt 7:24 8:1). Dallas, TX: 3E ii Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: iii Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: iv Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Mt 7:24 8:1). Dallas, TX: 3E v Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Mt 7:26). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
T h e W i s e M a n a n d t h e F o o l i s h M a n P a g e 5 vi Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: vii The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Mt 7:26 27). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. viii Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1646). Peabody: Hendrickson. ix Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Mt 7:24 8:1). Dallas, TX: 3E x Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 36). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. xi Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Mt 7:29). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. xii Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 36). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. xiii Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Mt 7:29). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. xiv Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 36). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. xv Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 36). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. xvi Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe s expository outlines on the New Testament (pp. 36 37). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. xvii Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Mt 7:24 8:1). Dallas, TX: 3E