Where Have Your Built? – Matthew 7: 21 - 29
Intro: Nick spared no expense in building his beautiful, big ranch-style home covered in limestone. – Built over a mine shaft – caved in – for lack of planning.
I. Verse 21 – “not everyone who says Lord, Lord, . . .”
A. Lord = KURIOS – Rabbi, My Great One – could mean anything from SIR to a mystical incantation.
B. USED religion to their own benefit, crooks who turned religion into a racket. Outward appearance only – do nothing Christians. – “but only he who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
C. My Fair Lady song – If You’re In Love, Show Me”
II. Jesus was a carpenter by trade. He knew about building good houses. VERSES 24 – 25.
A. Wise man – built adobe house on a rock foundation.
B. NOT JUST HOW YOU BUILD; BUT WHERE –Summer – dry land / winter – raging stream – prepared, built on solid rock, wise, thoughtful, planned ahead.
C. Wise builder / person is the one who lives their faith – these are according to Jesus the “doers of God’s will.”
III. The fool builds for appearance VERSES 26 – 27.
A. Foolish man – built adobe house without laying a foundation.
B. Without a foundation, when the storms came it was washed away because it had nothing to “Hold onto”
C. Foolish builder / person with a “fluff faith” – all emotion, makes you feel good, entertained / no depth.
Conclu: Wise and Foolish builders have one thing in common. – The storm comes to both of them. – Each house is tested – no life escapes – where have you built? Will your house of faith stand or will you be washed away?
VERSE 21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
