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Gospel of Matthew - Chapter 7 - Foundations

by Paul George  
4/14/2008 / Bible Studies


Matthew 7:24-27

"Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn't fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn't do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell--and great was its fall." (WEB).

The word "therefore" is a key word; it either points to what has happened or what has been spoken or it points forward to something that will happen. When Jesus uses the word 'therefore" He points us back to what He has said about the blessed, the disciple's responsibility, why He came to earth, the comparison between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, the practice of kingdom life compared to the practice of the scribes and Pharisees, judging, prayer, and the disciple's relation to others. He points out the need to choose between right and wrong. He warns the disciples about false prophets and the judgment that will come upon false prophets. In the conclusion of the teachings we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives us the reason why everyone who hears the words He has spoken should do what He has told us to do in this Sermon on the Mount.

We must entrust our eternal destiny to Jesus Christ based on His word and His work. Beyond this, we must continue to endeavor to apply His teaching in our everyday lives.

Note what Jesus said about those who hear His words and does them. He compares them to a wise man who built his house on the rock. He compares those who ignore His words as a foolish man who builds his house on sand. Note if you will there is no problem with the houses, the problem is the foundations, one was built upon rock, the solid rock, our Lord Jesus. This is what Jesus told Peter when He said, "I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18- WEB). Jesus was telling Peter that He would build His church on the answer to the question who do you say I am (Matthew 16:15-16).

James tells us we are to, "be doers of the word, and not only hearers" (James 1:22 WEB).

The apostle wrote in his letter to the Romans, "it isn't the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified" (Romans 2:13).

The sad fact of life is that men and women are building their entire lives and staking their eternal destiny, not upon the Word of God, but on their own pre-conceived notions and preferences. Here is the bottom line. Here is what distinguishes true Christianity from every other religion, its foundation, its ultimate source of authority.

The foundation many professing Christians are building their lives on is not the solid rock, the words of Jesus, but the shifting sands on the words of man. This is why when tests and difficult situations enter their lives they fall like a house built on an unstable foundation. When we build our houses on the stable foundation, our Lord Jesus Christ, our house will not fall when we face tests and difficult times.

In the closing of His teachings on the mount Jesus makes it very clear there are two gates, there are two paths, there are two guides, and there are two foundations. If we enter the narrow gate we enter the narrow path. On the narrow path there is room for just two. There is an old fashion, outdated song we once sang and in the song it is written, "On the Jericho road there is room for just two, just Jesus and you, no more or no less." On the narrow path Jesus is our guide. If we listen and follow His instructions we will dwell in the place He has prepared for us in His Father's house. If on the other hand, we enter the wide gate and walk the wide path and follow his instructions he will lead us down that smooth paved road and we will dwell in the house that has been prepared for the prince of the power of the air, the god of the world.

Our Lord did not leave us this sermon to satisfy our curiosities. What He taught demands decision. His Word points out the way of salvation. It also exposes false guides who would lead us astray. Finally, it provides us with a sure foundation on which to build our lives.

Have you passed through that narrow gate? Have you trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as the door of salvation? Do you believe in Him as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6)? Is the Word of God your foundation and your guide?

Someday we must all stand before the One Who uttered these words and give account to Him as the God and Judge of the universe. May it be that He shall say, "Well done, good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Master" (Matthew 25:21).

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

Sermons and Bible studies preached and taught by author

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