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(Sermon)

Following is an excerpt of "Storm Warning (12 of 12)" by Keith Krell added on 10/23/2009.
This content is part of a series.
Storm Warning (12 of 12)
Series: Counter-Cultural Christianity
Keith Krell
Matthew 7:24-29

I want you to stop and think about the house that you live in. If I asked you to describe your house to me, you would most likely tell me about the location, the color, the design, the square footage, the size of the lot, and the number of bedrooms. But you probably wouldn't tell me about the foundation. Perhaps you don't know anything about your foundation. Yet, it is the foundation of your house that makes all the difference. Prov 24:3 states, "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established." This is true not only of your house; it is also true of your life.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus tells a parable that compares and contrasts two builders: one wise and one foolish. He emphasizes how critical it is to have a strong foundation. The use of a building metaphor should not surprise us; Jesus was a carpenter. As part of the firm of Joseph and Sons in Nazareth, He had built the furniture that people put into their homes and He had probably built some of the homes as well. Jesus knew the difference between a solid house and a shoddy one. However, this story is not just for architects, carpenters, and contractors. It is for you and me. Building a house is simply an analogy for building a life. The point is this: You are building a life and the foundation you choose is the most important feature of your life. In the verses that follow, Jesus provides two options for building your life.

1. Build your life on the strong foundation (7:24-25). Jesus says, "The only way to build a strong foundation is by obeying His words." He begins His parable in 7:24 with the word "therefore," which looks back to the entire Sermon on the Mount. In light of His teachings, Jesus says, "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock." By using the word "everyone" (cf. 7:26), Jesus reveals that His words are intended for all people for all time. He begins by stating that you must "hear" His words. In order to do so you must expose yourself to the truth. You can do this by reading the Bible, by reading Christian books, by attending worship, by getting involved in classes and small groups, and by meeting with Christian friends who can teach you. While this may sound daunting and tedious, this is what you do in every other area of your life, right? If you want to learn a skill or profession you must seek out the necessary information. An athlete listens to coaches and more experienced players. A craftsman becomes an apprentice to learn from those who are more experienced. A student teacher learns from a teacher in a classroom environment. In each of these cases, it is essential to not just hear the truth but to listen to the truth. Anyone who is married knows that there is a difference. Anyone who has a teenager knows that there is a difference between hearing and listening ...

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