Hay everyone :) I actually wanted to share this message a long time ago, but I kept putting off posting it. But now I have. And maybe it comes at the perfect time in your life.
Pastor Jeff is my pastor at Harvest San Diego and his messages really rely on the Word of God. I'm not saying that they are without fault (sometimes I disagree with what he is saying), but I encourage you guys to look at the Scripture and test and approve what my pastor is saying in this message [Hopefully I'll be able to post the recording too].
This specific message was very convicting to me. It's a message that I have heard time and again, but it was a great reminder and came at a really good time at the beginning of our school year. As you read through my notes, I encourage you to question yourself and where you are at this moment your life. Are you merely a hearer of the Word, or do you do what God says? I think it's a danger to gain all this head knowledge about who God is and what He commands us to do, and yet, stand idly by while the world passes away and while we are running out of time. Be a good steward of what God has given you! Don't waste this life! When you build your life on Christ and you are put to the test, you will endure! Praise God that He is the Solid Rock!
The Wise and Foolish Builder
(Matthew 7:24-27)
* Matthew 5:29-30~ there are radical steps to removing temptation
Galations 6:7~ a man reaps what he sows, receives the consequences of his actions
- and the root of our problems is a failure to act upon Christ's teaching
similarities between the wise man and the foolish man:
1. both heard the Word of Christ
- "everyone who hears these words of mine" (v. 24, 26)
2. both built themselves a house
- "built his house" (v. 24, 26)
--> symbol for man's life. 'build a life'
3. each of their houses would be put to the test
- "the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house"
(v. 25, 27)
--> storms of life. godly men/wise men & ungodly/unwise men would experience difficulties
~ tests from God to refine him
~ tests from Devil to destroy him
~ tests from man himself; consequences of his actions
* Job 5:7 -- "man is born for trouble"
differences between the wise man and the foolish man:
1. wise man acts on Word of Jesus, foolish man does not
2. wise built house on rock, foolish did not
- "on the rock" vs. "on the sand" (v. 24, 26)
--> rock symbolizes strength, security, something that will stand the test of time = Christ and
the teachings of Christ
--> sand symbolizes uncertainty, instability, something that is always shifting/moving =
everything outside of Christ, human philosophy & wisdom
~ ie. emotionalism, science
3. wise endured trials of life, foolish did not
- "did not fall" vs. "fell with great crash" (v. 25, 27)
So, which one are you? Are you the wise or foolish builder? Are you acting on the Word of Jesus or not? Have you built your life on Christ and his teaching, or on something that shifts like sand? Are you enduring the trials of this life, or are you struggling?
