Built to Last! Mt 7:24-27 "Therefore whoever hears these

sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it

did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who

built his house on the sand: "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew

and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

If one of us was going to build a house, should we be concerned as

to the durability of it?▪What if we were going to buy a house,

would the quality make any difference in our decision?▪The reality is that all of us are building

as it were “spiritual houses!”▸We are either building them wisely (build

to last) or we are building them foolishly (ready to crumble!)

In our text tonight we find several “pairs” (Mt. 7:24-

27)▪As we consider these pairs, we are able to learn many lessons from the text!▪May each of us take seriously the

houses that we are building, and build wisely!▪I invite you to join me on a journey as

we examine these pairs and the lessons they teach us for our lives!

I. 1st Pair: Two Men!One wise and one foolish!

▪We should notice that both men of which Jesus spoke “heard the Word!” ▸This reminds we of the parable of “the

sower, the seed and the soils” (Mt. 13:1-23)–All heard the Word, but only one

responded accordingly!▪So then we ask? “What made the wise man

wise?” Answer: He was a doer of the Word and not a hearer only!

Being a doer of the Word and not hearer only!

▪Joh 13:17 "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

▪Jas 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

▪Jas 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

▪He didn’t just hear, he heeded what was heard!

What made the foolish man foolish?▪He let it go in one ear and out the

other!▸Js 1:23-24 For if anyone is a hearer of the

word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

▪It does no good for us to learn the right words if we are unwilling to do the right works!

II. 2nd Pair: Two Houses!One built on the rock, one on the sand!▪The Purpose!▸Buildings are constructed differently according

to the purpose for which they are intended!▸We noticed this in our lesson this morning!

–2 Cor. 5:1-7 “Tent vs. Building!”▸One will build their life according to what they

perceive is the purpose of life!–What is more important to me? My money of

my Master? (Mt. 6:24, 19:16-26)

The Plan!▪I have often learned the hard way that when it

comes to building “plans are very important!”▪The BIBLE▸Basic▸Instruction/information ▸Before▸Leaving▸Earth▪We hold in our hands the blue print we need,

but we must build accordingly!

The Priority!▪One thing I learned early on when building

houses is that, certain components of a building play a bigger part than others when it comes to the building enduring storms!▸Primarily there are wants and needs!▸Most important is the foundation!

–1 Cor. 3:11▸The walls, roof, electric must be up to code!▸The painting, fixtures and many other things

are simply a judgment!

III. 3rd Pair: Two Results!One stands and one slams!

▪I believe one of the most important questions to ask in this text is, “what is the storm Jesus is referring to?”▸The Bible doesn’t use the word “storm” but

rather “rain, floods and winds!”▸I believe this includes everything life will

throw at us, both good and bad!▪God only gives good gifts (Js. 1:17) and

God sends the rain! (Mt. 5:45; Deut. 11:14)

In context Jesus may simply be dealing with the final judgment!

▪Consider with me what follows in the passage we looked at this morning!▸2 Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before

the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

▪Some people’s lives will hold up at the judgment and others will crumble! (Mt. 25)

Conclusion:▪Upon what are we building our houses?▪When we hear the Word, how do we

respond? Do we learn to live and act accordingly, do we get busy!

▪Will our house endure the test of time, will we be found wanting?

▪Is Jesus your Rock and Shelter tonight?▪If not, them come to Jesus tonight, be

ready to face the storms of life!

Which one will we be?