The Wise and Foolish Builders Keep Standing Richard Brown 3 rd May 2015
The Wise and Foolish Builders Matthew 7:21-27 (NLT) 21 Not everyone who calls out to me, Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. 23 But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God s laws. 24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won t collapse because it is built on rock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. 2
The Wise and Foolish Builders Matthew 7:21-27 (MSG) 21 "Knowing the correct password saying 'Master, Master,' for instance isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience doing what my Father wills. 22 I can see it now at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' 23 And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.' 3
The Wise and Foolish Builders Matthew 7:21-27 (MSG) 24 "These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. 26 "But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. 27 When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." 4
The Wise and Foolish Builders 1. It s OK to build a nice house 2. You get what you pay for 3. Through the storm and still standing 5
6 It s OK to build a nice house
It s OK to build a nice house PUT GOD S WORD INTO PRACTICE 7
It s OK to build a nice house IGNORE GOD S WORD 8
It s OK to build a nice house Psalm 139: 16 (NLT) 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 9
You get what you pay for Matthew 7:13-14 (NLT) 13 You can enter God s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. 10
You get what you pay for Psalm 127:1 (NIV) Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. The Lord is building New Life Church Bristol, and we are his labourers. 11
Through the storm and still standing James 1:2-4 (NLT) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 12
Through the storm and still standing Isaiah 7:9 (NIV) 9 If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. Ephesians 6:13 (NLT) 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 13
Summary Build your house, but build it on the rock by submitting your life in total obedience to God. Don t take the easy option you get what you pay for Thank God when your faith is tested He is helping you to stand, not trying to cause you to fall. 14