A Foundation that Stands

Matthew 7:24-29

February 9, 2003

 

The crowd that listened to Jesus' Sermon was amazed when He finished. Dumbfounded by His authority, they realized that He did not follow the "parroting" method of the scribes nor did He speak as the prophets who declared, "Thus says the Lord." But Jesus spoke on His own authority - given to Him by the Father - and unhesitatingly said, "You have heard that it was said by the ancients, but I say unto you." The picture in the closing verses depicts the multitude feverishly talking and debating with each other about what they had heard. Though they were astonished, we are not told if they followed and obeyed. It is one thing to admire the teaching of Jesus Christ and yet another to truly follow. I have talked with Hindu and Muslim adherents that admire much of the moral teaching of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount but they obviously have not understood what He taught. 

 

But there are also many admirers of the teaching of Christ within the scope of Christianity. Some totally discount the doctrinal instruction of Paul but gladly embrace what they perceive Christ is teaching. Their perspective on the Sermon is purely in the moral realm as though Jesus Christ has given a packaged set of moral rules and regulations for all men to follow. But they have failed at the very beginning. It is only those with poverty of spirit, those that have recognized their own spiritual bankruptcy and have looked to Christ for righteousness that understand the Sermon as a commentary on the moral effects of justification and the ongoing work of sanctification. Here we find the beauty of law for those that have known saving grace. Christ sets forth that which is impossible and even frustrating for the nominal Christian or non-Christian but which is the norm for kingdom citizens. Every precept, command, and warning serves as meat and drink for the follower of Christ, while those piddling at the Christian faith find Christ's Sermon objectionable. 

 

We've journeyed the past few months through the Sermon on the Mount. Like the first audience we often find ourselves awed and overcome by Christ's words. Simplicity combined with power permeates each phrase. From the first Beatitude to the last parable, the words have been driven like an arrow into our hearts, crushing pride, taking inventory of motives, uprooting legalism, convicting of sin, opening new direction, and giving renewed hope. We have studied the Sermon on the Mount so that we might live in it each day. If we simply walk away from it with the satisfaction that we've studied it but without radically applying its message to our lives, then we deceive ourselves.

 

It is fitting that the Sermon ends with four lively admonitions that zero in on the most important warning ever given to religious mankind. We can be traveling along in life with so many others and miss the narrow way that leads to God. We can hear appealing preaching and teaching without realizing the message to be deficient of the truth. We can ably serve in Jesus' name yet never truly know Him. And finally, we can give every appearance of spiritual readiness and yet, when the vexing pressures of trials, tragedies, or even death comes, we discover that our lives were not built upon Christ.

 

Can there be anything more important for us that to contemplate these things? Only when our lives are built upon the Christ of Scripture can we endure to the end and into eternity. Has Christ been made for you the "sure foundation"?

 

I. An exclusive premise

 

The buzzword of the academy and public realm is "inclusiveness." So anytime that someone mentions exclusive premises he is labeled a bigot or intolerant. There are certainly areas of life that demand inclusiveness. We must accept people of other races and cultures, while at the same time appreciating the distinctions that belong to each of us. Christianity does not belong to white-skinned Americans. It is inclusive of people "from every tongue, tribe, people, and nation." Heaven will be the most heterogeneous gathering that mankind has ever known! But while Christianity is racially and culturally inclusive it is exclusive in terms of its message and foundation. Everyone's opinion of how to know God is excluded. Every culture's slant on what constitutes forgiveness and salvation is excluded. Every other religious teaching beside that of Holy Scripture is excluded.

 

So as we analyze our text and likewise evaluate our own lives before God, we must approach it with an understanding that there is a solitary way to God - the way of the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus has already described this when He declared, "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." Now He approaches that same truth by the parabolic teaching of two foundations. Only one foundation will stand before the judgment of God - and that is the foundation laid in Jesus Christ.

 

1. Two people

 

What we must realize in this story is how very much the two people and their two houses resembled each other. Only slight differences are found in verses 24-25 and 26-27. That is intentional. Christ is not painting the picture of the pagan man that shakes his fist in the face of God, and swears that he will not have anything to do with Jesus Christ. Instead, two men are building their houses, presumably right near each other in sight of the same river. One is wise; the other is foolish. We know that because Christ has given us the commentary on the scene. Otherwise, we would have thought that two men, equally interested in building houses, successfully built their houses near each other. They may have had the same type floor plan, same chimney, same roofline, and same landscape around their houses. From all appearances, there's no difference between the two houses - at least on initial inspection. Even both of the houses are subjected to the same kind of storms but with dramatically different endings. What are these people like?

 

"Therefore 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.... Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." These are both religious men, or to use the intended picture, these are both professing Christian men. They may attend the same church and serve on the same committee. Their children play together on the same sports teams and attend the same school. Both profess to be Christians but only one really is. How do you analyze the differences between these two people?

 

One takes seriously the building of his house so that he "dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock," as Luke records, while the other "built a house on the ground without any foundation" (Luke 6:48-49). It was a lot more trouble to dig down to the rock while his neighbor hurriedly put up his house. One built for the moment, the other for eternity. Herein is a clear distinction. The Christian begins with the right foundation. "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Cor 3:11). Rather than trying to quickly put up a structure, however appealing to the eye, the man that is Christian agonizes with the gospel and its message of the bloody death of Christ until he knows that he is firmly anchored upon it. His hope rests in the foundation, which "we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast" (Heb 6:19). He listens with seriousness to the message of the gospel. He admits his own hopelessness apart from Christ alone. He finds no merits of sacrifice and service to offer to God but that of the merits of Christ alone. His foundation is in the revelation of Christ as the God-man as His substitute before God at the cross, and as His faithful Prophet, Priest, and King.

 

Is this not the area of greatest problem among evangelicals? We are so accustomed to instant gratification that we think that the only thing standing between us and heaven is reciting a little prayer after a glossed over talk about Jesus. But how many have trusted in a prayer but have never anchored their hope upon the solid foundation of Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead?

 

Perhaps that is the appropriate picture for the other man in this scene. He decides that it is not necessary to go to the trouble of building a foundation for his house. He really wants a house. It is important to him. And he wants it now. His concern is for the moment, quite obviously, because any builder will tell you that a house without a foundation cannot last very long. In spite of this truth, he builds anyway upon the sand. His house is lovely, appealing, but it will not last. And he will not know that it will not last until it is too late.

 

How can we contrast these two men? One man desires to be good. He's been taught that it is important and right to be good, so he works hard at being friendly and treating others well. The other man desires to be like Christ. He knows that he falls woefully short, but his passionate desire and greatest ambition is for Christ to be formed in him (Gal 4:19).

 

One man wants to be well thought of by his peers. He wants people in the church to value him. The other man desires more than anything to be pleasing to God (II Cor 5:9).

 

One man wants to make good decisions with his business, his family, his finances, and his relationships. He is really admirable in this sense because he shows restraint rather than just plowing through life. The other man, while wanting to make wise decisions, has a more overriding desire. He wants to obey the Lord. Just like his Lord, he finds that his meat and drink is to do the will of God as revealed in the Scripture (John 4:34). Obedience is not an option for him but the passion of his life.

 

One man desires to be happy through the relationships in the church. That is certainly admirable. He wants to be a friend to others and to be known as a kind person in relationships. The other man, while certainly valuing his relationships in the church in an extraordinary way, finds his happiness in his relationship to Christ. In this, no person or situation can rob him of his joy (Phil 1:21; 4:4).

 

One man desires to be moral. Certainly we need more of his in our day, and yet mere morality is not adequate before God. The other man desires to be holy, and knows that the holiness is found in union with Christ and the work of the Spirit (I Pet 1:14-16).

 

One man enjoys hearing Bible teaching. Yet that is no indicator of true spirituality since even Herod enjoyed hearing John the Baptist, and the crowds enjoyed hearing Jesus Christ. The other man delights in hearing the Word, and desires to understand and apply the Scripture to his life (James 1:22). He is not only a hearer but also a doer of the Word. Which of these descriptions resembles you?

 

2. Two foundations

 

There is a distinction in the foundations that Christ describes. The wise man "built his house on the rock." The foolish man "built his house on the sand." The first is immoveable before the onslaught of rain, floods, and winds. The other shifts and twists and washes away before the beating of the storm. One lasts while the other does not.

 

If you've ever observed how houses are built on the Gulf Coast, you know that no builder is going to construct a house directly on the sand; to do so would not only defy building codes but would ensure the destruction of the house. I remember asking a contractor on an occasion what is the most important part of building. He did not hesitate: "the foundation." We certainly know this to be true in the structural realm. But it is equally true, according to the teaching of Christ, in the spiritual realm.

 

The Bible uses this imagery of a foundation to describe Jesus Christ as the basis for all of life and eternity. Isaiah declares, "the government will rest upon His shoulders" (9:6). So the exercise of divine sovereignty in governing the universe rests upon Jesus Christ. Another image is used in describing Jesus as the Cornerstone, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed" (Isa 28:16). Peter borrows this same language in describing Jesus Christ as "a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God." He is "the stone which the builders rejected," but "this became the very corner stone, and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" (I Pet 2:4-8). The foundation for the Christian is despised by the masses but "choice and precious in the sight of God." Religious people sneer at the Incarnation and the crucifixion and bodily resurrection of Christ. But that is our foundation - the Rock that will not be moved.

 

While that is a biblical verity, it is also true that Jesus Christ uses the "rock" imagery in this case as a parallel with obedience to His words. He is emphatic when speaking of what He has taught and how important it is for us to obey: "Therefore everyone who hears these words - My words - and continues to do them shall be compared to the wise thinking man." The truth is that we cannot and must not separate Jesus Christ from His words. His commands are not options for those building their lives upon Him. To build your life upon Jesus Christ is to have a foundation of obedient submission and delight in His teachings.

 

That is the great distinction between the two foundations. One may very well acknowledge Jesus Christ and the claims of His life but he does not look to Christ as Lord - which is demonstrated by obedience. He may sing Christian hymns and even recite orthodox confessions but the fact that obedience to Christ is really not a priority for him shows that he is all talk and no substance. To build your life upon the foundation of the Solid Rock - Jesus Christ - is to gladly follow Him as Lord by obedience to His words.

 

3. Two destinies

 

Both of the houses - and men - have destinies. One stands and the other falls. The pictures are quite simple, intending us to grasp something of the serious nature of the foundation of our lives. First we see that both of these houses endured similar tests by the elements. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house," it says of both houses. Often, the metaphor of storms pictures divine judgment (e.g., Eze 13:8-16). We also find these elements picturing the varied trials and tragedies of life (e.g., Isa 43:2). The point is that whether in this life or at the end of this life, we will face sufficient trial or judgment to test the foundation of our lives. It will happen; there is no escaping that time of revelation about our lives in relationship to God. And there are ultimately only two destinies: one stands, the other falls.

 

But what does Jesus mean about standing or falling? After the storm beats against the house founded on the rock, Jesus said, "And yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock." It is interesting that He puts this negatively. Instead of saying, "The storm slammed against this house and it stood," our Lord declares, "It did not fall." I think the implication is that considering the intensity of the storms of judgment and even the storms of life, it seems that no one will stand. Certainly life has incredibly difficult trials and tragedies that are dished out to all mankind. But as harsh as the trials of life, and even the dark valley of death may be, they pall in comparison to the judgment of God. Every thought, every deed, every action, every detail of life is exposed to the all-seeing, righteous eye of the Lord. No one escapes judgment. But the person that has believed the promise of God in the gospel, and who clings to the merits of Jesus Christ alone does not fall. As one anchored in the Eternal Rock, he is characterized as one "who hears these words of Mine and acts on them," or more literally, "keeps doing them." We have no merit to offer before God but that of Christ alone in His death and resurrection. What our Lord clarifies is that obedience to Him always accompanies our faith in Him. The gospel knows nothing of mere decisions without corresponding transformation of life.

 

But the other picture shows just the opposite. The storms of life and judgment slammed against the house, "and it fell - and great was its fall." The house did not intend to fall nor did it want to fall. This was no sick-minded fellow that wanted to spend eternity in hell. He built a house with all of the appearance of enduring qualities but he did not anchor his life in Jesus Christ alone. What he thought would last forever came to a crashing, wretched end - "great was its fall."

 

Here is the point that we must see. After the storm of judgment comes it is too late to correct the foundation. So many presume that time is on their side. But none of us knows when the day will come and the storm overtakes us. Unless our foundation is upon the Rock of Christ manifested by hearing and doing His words, then our fall will be great.

 

II. An enduring promise

 

This brings us to consider the enduring promise of Christ that the wise man will not fall before the storm of judgment like the foolish man. How do we distinguish the wise and the foolish as they are set forth for us?

 

1. The wise stand

 

What are the characteristics of the wise man? Jesus simplifies it: "Therefore 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." "He has one great desire," writes Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "and that is to build durably" [The Sermon on the Mount, II, 299]. He was not living for the moment but for eternity. He humbly admitted that he did not know how to build a life that would endure for eternity but Christ knows. So he listened to the words of Christ and submitted to His commands and followed after Christ. That, my friend, is a Christian. He hears the words of Christ and acts on them. That is his life and passion, to hear Christ and do what He says. Even the word "wise" implies practical wisdom or sensibly understanding and acting upon that understanding.

 

Keep in mind that we are looking at the matter of endurance or perseverance in this passage. We're thinking about the man that has heard the gospel and professed faith in Christ. But many make the same profession. Yet the truly Christian man is the one that upon believing in Christ seeks to walk in obedience to Him. Yes, he falters along the way for he is but a man. He sees his faults and sins, and loathes the very sight of them. He is far from perfect in his ways but he strives to follow Christ faithfully though he is never satisfied that he has lived the way that Christ lives, and so he clings to the merits of His Lord. He finds delight in hearing the words of Christ. He longs to do the will of His Redeemer. He makes decisions in life on the basis of his submission to Christ. He looks at his relationships in light of his relationship to Christ; as Christ has forgiven him he also forgives others. He loves the brethren even as Christ has loved him. He loves righteousness for Christ loves righteousness. He hates sin for Christ hates sin. He keeps hearing the words of Christ and grows in his understanding, and by the same token he grows in his obedience to Christ. That's the wise man that stands when the storms come. Does that describe you?

 

2. The foolish fall

 

What is the foolish man like? "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand." The word "foolish" is just the oppose of "wise." While the wise man is a man of understanding, the foolish man does not reflect upon what he hears, he makes decisions without proper knowledge or understanding. He does not think through upon the words of Christ. He thinks that he knows best. He thinks that he has the right to live however he desires, so though hearing the words of Christ, he lays them aside and pursues his own course. That is the foolish man. As I pondered this term I jotted a note, "Is this not the term to describe our generation?" We live in a generation of foolish men. Just look at the lack of virtue in personal and professional lives. Look at the scheming and destructiveness. Look at how the morals of church folks are no different than the world. Even though we have heard the words of Christ we have spurned them in our day.

 

Lloyd-Jones gives four characteristics of the foolish man that might help us better understand his dangerous ways. "The first is that he is in a hurry." He wants "to do everything at once... he is always interested in short cuts and quick results." He will not dig deeply into the Rock for a foundation. Second, "he does not trouble to listen to instruction; he does not pay any attention to the rules that govern the construction of a house... he wants a house; he cannot be bothered about rules and regulations." Third, he considers instructions or commands from Christ as unnecessary. "In his opinion, his ideas are best." Finally, he has "a mentality that never thinks things right through," he "never stops to envisage and consider the possibilities and eventualities" of his way [298-299]. That is the foolish man. He takes short cuts on spirituality. He wants the benefits but not the life of the Christian. He hears the preaching and teaching of God's Word but does not pay attention to the admonitions. He wants to govern his own life. And he really does not consider the end of his life. He lives for today. Does this describe your life? Then you are in the gravest danger. You may have professed Christ but such a profession is vain if it has not translated into obedience to Christ. The warning is for you to stop immediately and cry out to the Lord to give you the enduring foundation of a relationship to Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion

 

This story of Christ is so familiar that we may overlook it. But we must not do that. How do you know that your life has the right foundation? Jesus put it quite simply for us: you hear the words of Christ and continue doing them. Your Christianity is not a flash-in-the-pan decision but a steady life of hearing and obeying Christ. That kind of life does not fall in the storms of life and judgment.

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