Put our Bibles today to the book of Matthew and
the seventh chapter At a recent meeting a group
of people was asked How they would feel if Jesus
were to come personally and physically to their
homes The responses were interesting. One person
said, I would fix it up. Somebody else said,
I would have to change my priorities if Jesus
came to my house. Another, there would be more
respect for one another in our family. Someone
said, I would be overwhelmed with awe. Another
person said, the members of our family would
be helpful to each other. saying fewer harsh
words, having less rivalry. Another person said,
it would change the way that I come home from
work. Another said, I would be self -conscious
of my material possessions and some items in
my home would embarrass me. I don't know what
your answers would be, but they might be similar
to these. At least we can all identify with some
of the responses given recently. But it would
be wonderful for us to understand that the main
benefit of such a personal visit of our Lord
would be simply the pleasure of His company in
our homes. Getting to know Him, receiving His
counsel, and feeling the sense of security with
Him there. Wouldn't His being there provide a
marvelous assurance of protection and stability,
especially in the crises which all of us face?
Is there anything which He would be unable to
handle, to work through with us? I'd like for
us to read a parable today which teaches us that
we can face crises without our lives collapsing.
It's found in Matthew 7, beginning in verse 24.
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of
mine, said Jesus, and acts upon them, may be
compared to a wise man who built his house upon
the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and burst against that
house. Yet it did not fall, for it had been founded
upon the rock. And everyone who hears these words
of mine and does not act upon them will be like
a foolish man who built his house upon the sand.
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and burst against that house.
And it fell, and great was its fall." There are
three very simple lessons for us to observe in
this story which Jesus told as he drew the Sermon
on the Mount to its conclusion. The first one
is this, that life is like a house which we build.
You say, how so? The structure of our houses,
our lives, is the sum total of all of our relationships,
our work, our pleasure, our dreams, our accomplishments,
our failures, our influences. You draw the line
under all of those and add it up and that becomes
the house in which we are dwelling. That is our
life. Our life is like a house and we're building
that house every day that we live. The work of
constructing goes on really until death. The
better we plan, the more order and beauty there
will tend to be in this house that we are building
as we live daily. A second lesson that I see
in the story is this, that storms will inevitably
assault us. It is safe to say that every person
here is either in a storm this morning or has
one on either of the horizons. That is, either
you've just gone through one or you're about
to go through one. You see, storms assault all
of us. That is inevitably so. Now it is true
that not all of them may be severe. Some of them
may only be drizzles. But some storms will be
severe in life. I would identify these as the
crises that we face. You say, what is a crisis?
Well, I think a crisis could be defined as anything
that shakes our security, that threatens our
sense of well -being. That is a crisis. For someone
it may be the loss of a loved one. For another
it could be an illness that cannot be easily
cured. For someone else it may be the loss of
a job. All of us face crises in our lives. We
should not make a crisis out of every trouble
because every trouble doesn't deserve that. And
really we need to do what we can to reduce the
stress and the tensions in the troubles that
we face so they don't become crises. We should
not allow a cloudy day to become a tornado if
we can help it. But the fact is that all of us
In the course of our lives, we'll face some severe
times. All people face storms, whether they be
good or bad, rich or poor, young or old, Christian
or non -Christian. Yes, even Christians have
their trials and storms. You see, Christ's presence
does not preclude the possibility of a storm,
a crisis in one's life. You see, the real question
is, will my life, or to apply it to our theme
for these weeks, will my home stand through the
storm that I face? That brings us really to the
third thing that we observe in the story that
Jesus told, and that is that the most important
part of the house is the foundation upon which
it is built. That foundation is crucial. I would
have you notice that in the story that we read,
there are two parts of the parable that have
similarities. That is, the two parts of the parable
have similarities to them. In the first place,
each of the men mentioned built a house, and
each of the men mentioned experienced a storm
of rains and floods and wind that blew against
the house. That's what we've talked about thus
far by way of application. But there was an important
difference between the two men. The one used
a rock as his foundation. The other simply used
sand. Now Jesus does not leave us to question
and wonder regarding the meaning of that. He
tells us clearly, the one who built upon a rock
is the one who heard Jesus' words and acted upon
them. The one who built upon the sand is the
one who also heard Jesus' words but did not act
upon them. Now the application is obvious, it
seems to me. We are told here to build our lives,
to build our homes, if you please, upon the foundation
of obedience to Christ's teachings. We are warned
not to build upon a faulty foundation by disobeying
or neglecting what Jesus taught. For several
weeks many of us have read scriptures related
to crisis, to suffering, and hardship. This morning
in our journal we read about the crucifixion
of the Lord Jesus Christ. and the crisis he was
willing to endure for our sakes as he laid down
his life for us. But our text today points to
the foundational principle, if you please. It
is this, that acting on Christ's teaching prevents
collapse under the pressure and stress of the
crises which inevitably come to us. Acting upon
his teaching. is the foundation that lasts. Well,
you say, what teaching is that? What teaching
is in view when the Lord Jesus says this? Well,
obviously, we have to go back to the context
to determine that. Again, I point out that this
is at the end of what is called the Sermon on
the Mount. Three chapters in Matthew. When the
writer records for us one of the great sermons
the lengthy discourses which Jesus gave This
occurred on the side of a mountain to a great
multitude Jesus is saying those who hear my teachings
and act upon them will build their lives upon
a rock Obviously the teachings he has most primarily
in mind are the teachings that have come just
before his giving this parable. That is the teachings
in the Sermon on the Mount. I'd like to divide
those teachings very simply and somewhat superficially
into two parts. First, consider with me this
morning his words regarding personal salvation.
Now it must be quickly pointed out that the Sermon
on the Mount is not primarily about personal
salvation. But that theme is brought to the surface
in Jesus' sermon. It's found, in fact, in this
very chapter, just a few verses before our text.
It is not in verse 12 where Jesus says, Therefore,
however you want people to treat you, so treat
them, for this is the law in the prophets. That's
often called the what? Sure, the golden rule.
And there are people who sincerely think that
by keeping the golden rule, they will gain personal
salvation. Their idea is, if I'm a nice enough
person, and I live and treat others like I expect
them to live and treat me, surely that is enough
to please God. And though I may do some bad things,
when I get to heaven, God's going to say, well
you did pretty good, you tried hard, and you
lived according to the golden rule, come on in.
But verse 12 is not about personal salvation,
but verse 13, verse 14, they are. Jesus says,
enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide
and the way is broad that leads to destruction,
and many are those who enter by it. For the gate
is small and the way is narrow that leads to
life and few. few are those who find it. Jesus
points out in this very simple story, or actually
a parable, that there are two gates and two ways.
One gate is said to be the wide gate, and it
leads to the broad way. The other gate is said
to be small, and it opens to the narrow way.
Do you notice that? He tells us that most people,
many, are those who enter in at the broad gate
and walk on that road. And then in comparison
there are but a few who enter the narrow gate,
the small gate, and walk the narrow road. He
furthermore tells us that there are two destinations.
These roads do not go in the same direction.
He says that the broad road leads to destruction.
That is the popular way. It leads to ruin. It
causes one to perish in the end. But he says
the narrow road leads to life. Now what is Jesus
saying here? Jesus was warning the religious
people of his nation, the Jews, people who sincerely
followed the way of the Pharisees, that they
were on the broad way, the popular way. It was
the way and still is today of self -righteousness.
The ones who are on the Broadway believe that
everything is right with God if in fact they
can live up to their own standards. These are
external standards, not internal. And if they
can live up to those standards that they have
for themselves, surely God will be pleased. In
other words, it is a thought that one can get
to heaven by his own works. by doing his own
thing. You've heard it said, and so have I. Well,
there are many ways that lead to God. That is
not true. But there are many ideas, many philosophies,
and many religions that all converge on the broad
way. They all move in the same direction, but
it's not to God, and it's not to life. The writer
of Proverbs says there is a way which seems right
to a man. That is, it seems logical. It's only
reasonable that it must be this way. But he goes
on to say, the end thereof are the ways of death.
In contrast to the broad way, there is the narrow
way and the small gate. Actually, in the Gospel
of John, Jesus gives us a good commentary on
what that gate is all about. When he says regarding
himself, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father but by me. What is
that narrow gate? It is faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, which causes one to enter into the narrow
way. It is sometimes constricting. It is not
popular. But in the end, it is the way which
leads to life. The Lord Jesus really is saying
that the one who enters that narrow gate and
walks in that way to life is like the wise man
who built his house upon a rock. Because you
see an application of this concluding parable
in verses 24 to 27 is this. That one who builds
his life upon the Lord Jesus Christ, personal
faith in him, is one whose life will stand. He
will be saved. He will enter into heaven. The
one who enters the narrow gate that leads to
life is like the wise man who built his house
upon the rock. I may be talking to someone today
who has been very sincere in your religion. You
have worked hard at it. You have believed sincerely
that by doing good things or going through this
ritual or accomplishing these certain religious
ideals that God will ultimately be pleased with
you. May I warn you that that is the broad way
upon which many walk. which does not go where
you want it to. The narrow gate is Jesus Christ.
The firm foundation, the rock, is Jesus Christ.
And I urge you today to place your faith not
in yourself or your own works, but in Him and
in His work for you at the cross, when He died
and shed His blood for your sins, and then was
raised from the dead three days later. Place
your faith in Him who will lead you to life and
who will provide the firm foundation for the
house you're building. There is another important
aspect to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the
Mount. Jesus says the one who builds upon the
rock is the one who hears and who acts upon what
Jesus has said. He not only taught regarding
personal salvation, but he taught even more broadly
in his sermon regarding righteous living. How
to live in a way that pleases our King. These
principles of the kingdom in chapters 5, 6, and
7 are quite applicable to the child of God today.
We need to see what Jesus says in these verses.
and understand that they can apply to our lives,
that we have instruction here. Those of us who've
entered in that small gate, who are walking on
that narrow way, the Lord Jesus gives us here
instruction as to how to live in such a way that
pleases Him. The teachings include in this sermon
ideas like these. Don't kill, but more than that,
don't even be angry. with your brother. Jesus
said here don't commit adultery but more than
that don't even think lustful thoughts. He said
love your neighbor but more than that love your
enemy also. His teachings include don't lay up
treasures for yourselves here on earth. But do
start laying up treasures in heaven where thieves
don't steal and moths and rust don't do their
damage. In this sermon he says to us, don't try
to serve two masters, God and mammon. Realize
you can serve but one of them. He says, don't
be worried about what you're going to eat or
wear, but seek first Christ's kingdom and then
expect God to provide these things for you. His
teachings include, don't concentrate on the speck
in your brother's eye, but do look after the
beam in your own. He says, don't expect to find
good produce on bad vines or trees, but do be
concerned that your life bears good fruit and
so on. Those are some of Jesus' teachings regarding
righteous living in this chapter. For every one
of these challenges and teachings which Jesus
makes, we need to ask ourselves some questions.
Do I tend to stay angry at my brother? Do I insult
him, calling him a fool? Do I bring an offering
to the Lord without first reconciling a relationship
with someone? Do I think and dwell upon lustful
thoughts? Do I consider initiating divorce proceedings
against my mate? Do I keep my word? Do I help
those in need? What is the real fruit of my life?
Jesus says, those who hear my words and act upon
them, those are the ones who build on a rock.
Hearing and agreeing with what Jesus says is
insufficient. Hearing this sermon and admiring
his words is not enough. Hearing what Jesus says
and even quoting them will not make it, folks.
What Jesus says is, listen to my words and act
upon them. None of us can claim to live perfectly
up to Jesus' teachings here. Indeed, we all fall
far short of them. We do. But you know what?
We can choose at least one area. we're falling
short, and begin focusing upon that area. And
in that area, by the grace of God, we will begin
acting upon what Jesus has said. When we do that,
then we will build a life that will stand the
storms. When we begin to act upon what Jesus
said, it will be insurance against the storms
of life that are sure to come. So when the tempest
hits, your control of anger, your ability to
hold your tongue, your strong friendships, your
loving partner's help, your good marriage ties,
your honesty, your generous spirit, or any of
the other character qualities, that are taught
in this sermon, these will likely serve you very
well. Now do you see the point of Jesus' teaching?
He said, if you hear My words and act upon them,
then the life that you're building, because of
the character that's there, will stand the storms.
You will endure through the storms of life. I
may be talking to someone who today is in a storm,
and you're wondering if your house is going to
stand. Well, my friend, it depends upon the foundation
upon which you've built. I may be talking to
someone who says, my house has collapsed and
I don't know what to do. Well, the answer is
to find the right foundation and start building
again on it. so that when the next storm comes
your house won't fall. The foundation of life
is Jesus Christ and his teaching. I want to ask
you, if you today will receive the Lord Jesus
Christ as your Savior, if you will enter in at
that narrow gate and way that leads to life,
which few find, Will you be one of the few? One
of the few? And if you are on that narrow way
today, will you today begin obeying Him as Lord
in that area of your life where you feel such
a failure? Where there has been such a struggle?
Where sin has come at you with all of its fierceness?
Will you today acknowledge your failure to the
Lord and say, Today I want to begin to build
upon a foundation that will last in this area
of my life. I acknowledge your lordship and by
your grace I will begin obeying you in that area
of my life. You can endure the storms of life
by claiming Jesus Christ as your Savior and by
living with Him as your Lord. George Beverly
Shea sings a song that I like a great deal. The
chorus of it simply says this, he's the Christ
of every crisis. And he's just the same today.
He will solve your every problem if you only
let him have his way. Let's pray together. My
friend, what is Jesus' way? What is it that he
wants you to do today? He will solve your every
problem if you let him have his way. What is
the storm that is assaulting your life? What's
your foundation? Will you today Make that decision
that is essential if your house is going to stand.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your words. Thank you
for the assurance that we can endure through
the storms of life. There are some very wonderful
and dear people here who are experiencing right
now a storm and a tempest that threatens them.
The crisis is so very real that they feel almost
overwhelmed. I pray that you will give to each
of those ones whom you love the courage and the
grace and the faith to respond right now as they
should. With our heads bowed and our eyes closed,
I wonder if there's someone here who would say,
Pastor Call, I know that I need to enter into
that small gate a narrow way. I've stood outside
the gate, I've thought about it, I've looked
at it, I've examined it, but I've never entered
in that gate. I wonder if you by the uplifted
hand would say right now, I am today receiving
Jesus Christ as my Savior. I have not done this
before, but today I am making that decision.
I know the Spirit of God is telling me in my
heart that today I need to trust Him in a way
that I have never done it before. I need Him
as my Savior. Will you lift your hand and put
it down? Now the lifting of the hand isn't going
to save you, but what I'm asking you to do is
to indicate the attitude of your heart. That's
what saves. Right now just lift it up and put
it down. Is there one? I don't want to miss your
hand, so leave it up long enough for me to see
it. Is there one? Who would say today I will
enter that narrow gate and walk on the narrow
way? I wonder if there's some Christian here
who would say, Pastor Call, I am under the storm.
It is beating over my head. And today I'm confused.
Or you may say today I'm frightened. I'm uncertain.
I wish you'd pray for me. Would you lift your
hand and put it down? God knows your storm. Yes,
many hands. God knows your storm, child of His.
Remember the foundation you're building on. Heavenly
Father, I pray for these who have lifted their
hands. I thank you that you have perfect knowledge
of the circumstances in each of the storms and
that the storm is not purposed to overwhelm,
but it's purposed for good. I pray that you will
bring that confidence and faith to each one.
And I pray that as the storm passes by that each
one will be able to look up to you and give thanks
to you for what they have learned during this
experience. But in the meantime, give faith and
courage. to stand the test because you're with
them and you're their foundation. In Jesus name,
amen. I'd like us to open our hymnals and sing
in closing number 344. It says, is there a heart
or bound by sorrow? Is there a life weighed down
by care? Maybe that's the crisis you're going
through. Well, we're invited in the hymn, all
your anxiety, bring it to the mercy seat, leave
it there. If we can pray with you or help you
today, it may be that you need someone to touch
base with, or you have some questions that you'd
like to ask. We're going to have an invitation
this morning that's public, and we invite you
to slip out from wherever you are and come, if
today the Spirit of God is urging you to do that.
or there may be some decision that you need to
make public this morning in your walk with Christ.
Let's stand together as we sing 344. I'll be
standing here at the front and waiting on you.