Matthew 7:24-27 The Wise and the Foolish Builder
Matthew 7:24-27 The Lord Compares His Kingdom to a
Wise and Foolish Builder
Beloved Congregation. The Lord Jesus is just coming to the end of His Sermon on the Mount. He had been instructing his disciples and the multitude with the truth concerning His Kingdom. And as the Lord did so, the people were just amazed at the wisdom with which He spake as well as His doctrine. For, as the end of our Scripture reading tells us, He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. And so, when we consider the words of our text, we must realize that the Savior is speaking to a people who are interested in the gospel, who have been listening intently to what the Lord has to say. The Lord is not teaching enemies and slanderers of the truth, but those who have some interest in the truth. And, in a similar way the words of our text are directed this morning also to you and to me, to people of the church.
Well now, let us consider the words of our text this morning simply under the following theme, THE LORD JESUS COMPARES HIS KINGDOM TO A WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDER. In the first place let us consider Two Different Houses, Though Similar in Appearance. In the second place let us regard Two Kinds of Results, Through a Similar Trial.
In the first place let us consider Two Different Houses, Though Similar in Appearance. As we have already noted, the Lord Jesus speaks this parable about two builders as He comes to the end of His rather extensive teaching of the multitude from the mount. Especially at the end of His sermon, the Lord Jesus seems to emphasize the necessity of knowing with certainty the truth concerning His Kingdom. In verse 13 He speaks of entering in at the straight and narrow gate. Verse 15 speaks of being aware of false prophets and the following verses refer to the importance of seeing good fruit upon the tree of one’s life. And then in verse 21 the Lord gives one further warning before He tells the parable of our text, Not everyone that saith Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Yes, there will be many who will claim to have done this and done that, from prophesying to even casting out devils in the name of the Lord and He will say to them, I never knew you, depart from Me ye workers of iniquity. And then come the final words of Christ’s sermon as they are found in our text.
At the outset of our text, the Lord Jesus again re-emphasizes the importance of not only hearing what He has been teaching, but also performing it. From that point of view the Lord Jesus rounds off His teaching with this parable of the two builders. This was necessary especially in light of the fact that the religious Jews were caught in the net of the Scribes and Pharisees which emphasized that some external adherence to the Law of God was sufficient. This false teaching that declared a righteousness which is of the Law needed to be broken down. A superficial reading of the Law would not be sufficient to meet God with. And so the Lord Jesus sought to bring the demands of the Law to man’s heart. Therefore He ends His sermon with our text saying, Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. When we turn to Luke 6:48 we see that this Gospel writer adds that the first builder, dug deeply in the earth and laid the foundation of his house on a rock. And so, in this parable the Lord Jesus uses an example which will be well known to His hearers. For remember, He is standing on the mount at that very moment.
And so with a few words he sketches how that an individual built his house as it were on the slope of a mount. Yes, we are given the impression that the first builder goes to quite some pains to construct his house. He first digs through various layers of earth until he finally hits rock. Rocks of course are very bountiful in Israel, especially on the side of a mountain. The Lord calls this man prudent, or wise. The same word is used by the Lord concerning the unjust steward who lowered rents so that he would have friends when he was dismissed from his lord. Moreover, it is also used with reference to the five virgins who had taken an extra supply of oil with them when they waited for the bridegroom. The term “wise, here, literally means to be prudent, to prepare with wisdom in light of the future. And so it can be seen as meaning the opposite to short sightedness. And so what this means, congregation, is that this first builder was concerned about possible forces which might affect his home.
Now the question is, why did this man occupy himself with taking such pains in building his house? Why all this digging down deeply into the sand? Well, congregation, this man was not satisfied until his shovel hit as it were solid rock. That is what this man looked for. He was not satisfied until he was sure that he was building upon a solid immovable foundation. Now, this man is compared to those people who not only hear the Lord’s teaching but also take it to heart and seek the performance of those things which the Lord requires. And so this builder takes the Lord’s instruction seriously.
But let us now consider the second builder described by the Lord. This man’s activity is revealed by the Lord in only a few words. He is called a foolish builder because he built his house upon the sand. Oh yes, this man may have leveled out the ground but he did not bother to lay a foundation in the depths of the soil of the earth. He merely ensured that everything was quite level and began to build his structure. He cannot be bothered to make such a fuss about ensuring that he has a solid foundation. That is much too laborious and time consuming. Because he really does not think ahead or very deeply, he also does not dig deeply into the soil. To dig down into the depths is just too much work. This second builder is a “fair weather” man. In all probability these two builders are laboring during the dry season and the sooner the second builder gets his structure up, the better it will be. We can imagine this man building the walls of his house and then working on the roof when finally the wise builder has only dug down to the rock. Sometime later this second builder is already sitting comfortably in his home while the first is still busy with the building the structure of his new home. But finally, sometime later the wise builder has also completed his home. Looking at the two houses from the outside, really, there is not much difference to be seen. Both houses seem to give adequate room to live; they both give shade in the heat of the day and protection from the cool nights. Indeed, both homes give comfort to their owners. Externally speaking, nothing seems to be very different from one to the other. Both builders have built a comfortable home to dwell in.
But, for what purpose is the Lord Jesus actually telling this parable? For that’s what it really is. Why is the Lord speaking about two builders? Well, congregation, as the Lord Jesus often did in the early part of His ministry especially, He would emphasize that there are two types of lives, two ways in which man lives his life, either in unity with the Lord, or against Him. He is either a true disciple or not. Every disciple as it were builds a house. Just as mankind builds his family life and society its structure, the Lord Jesus speaks of a spiritual house in a similar way using the parable of our text. This spiritual life of Christ’s followers has to do with their personal relationship unto God as well as the manner in which their faith comes to expression to the outside world. This is what the Lord Jesus sketches before the eyes of His hearers and us this morning in the parable of the two builders.
Now, when our spiritual house is built upon a solid foundation, then those spiritual exercises will extend to the center of one’s existence, to your and my heart. If things are right, then your spiritual house will be built upon the rock of ages, Jesus Christ. Yes, that house can be compared to the one which is built upon a rock. But when our religiosity is nothing more than form and is not based upon vital convictions in one’s heart, then it is nothing more than formality. Then you are a Christian in name only and therefore your life must be compared to the second builder who built his house upon the sand without a solid foundation.
Let us try to examine the two cases a little more closely. Both sorts of “followers” of the Lord have in common the fact that they hear the words of Christ. This hearing means that one does not just hear information superficially and then immediately forgets it again, no; but, when one hears the teaching of the Lord, then he receives it, speaks about it and confesses it so that his outward life is brought into conformity with it. Externally speaking there is no difference to be seen in the two types of “builders”. For both spiritual houses seem to be built in accordance to the truth of God. Consequently, both builders are followers of the Lord. They both confess the Lord Jesus’ teaching. Their outward life bears semblance of being a Christian life. They direct their lives in a fitting way, in accordance to Gospel directives. Both confession and walk bear the stamp of being in accordance to the Lord’s will.
But, what then is the difference between to these two builders? Outwardly speaking there seems to be little or no difference as far as their creed is concerned, and even in their outward walk of life. Well, congregation, what are we to say about this? For one thing, very often, the spiritual house of the one who really does not have any depth to his life seems to develop much more quickly, just like the house of the foolish builder. Very often his confession of the truth sounds more sure, is more persuasive and convincing. He is so sure of himself! Consequently his Christian development evolves much more quickly. The Christian house of his existence rises quickly. It makes one think of the amazing gourd which grew for the Prophet Jona’s sake. A short time ago still unconverted and in a matter of days and weeks it seems they have become a self assured disciple of the Lord Jesus. In a short time he is even ready to teach others and soon he will have everything in his life completely under control.
And yet there is a great difference between such a hearer and the other who can be compared to the wise builder. This second builder of who we just spake builds his spiritual house just for the eyes of his fellowman. But the first builder who dug down deeply until he hit rock is to be compared to those who “build” their spiritual house as in the sight of God. And therefore his inner life, that which no one else knows about or sees, is of first importance to him. Just as a house is dependent upon its foundation and its durability is related to that, the well being of your and my spiritual house, congregation, is dependent upon the hidden exercises of your heart. For it is there, beloved, that the union between the Lord and one’s soul takes place by which communion with the one and only rock of ages Jesus Christ is experienced.
And that is why the Word of God takes such a different course in the first builder than it does in the second who seemingly has come to faith. The Word of God does not just merely penetrate his ears or seem to find its way to his hands so that he is suddenly zealous for the Lord. But after hearing the Gospel, it first of all sinks down into his heart. By the grace of the Holy Spirit that individual learns to understand that the building of a spiritual house must begin in the depths of one’s soul founded upon the one and only rock of ages, Jesus Christ. And that is why he digs deeply into his own heart, examining whether there is anything that may lie between him and the Lord. At the same time the prayer is raised time and again, Oh that I might know where to find Him whom my soul has learned yearn for, that I might know the power of His resurrection in my heart and life. Yes, the teaching of the Lord Jesus sinks down deeply into his heart and brings a real heart-felt change in his life. This teaching discovers the remaining pride of his heart, the poverty of his own life as well as his sin. And as a result he becomes poor in spirit and mourns. Yes, he begins to thirst after righteousness. And as the light of God’s truth begins to shine more brightly in his heart and life, the darkness of sin and of unbelief begin to recede. As one who needs forgiveness, he too becomes forgiving in spirit. Since he has learned himself to be an enemy of God, and yet endeared by Him, he learns to love his enemies. Yes, a hidden life known only to the Lord becomes the desire of his heart; that becomes the greatest and most important aspect of life. The external manifestations of God’s grace falls to the background and really does not mean so very much to him. Nothing can compare to the inner testimony of the Spirit’s grace in his heart and life. That provides true comfort and hope in the soul.
But to come back to the second builder, this follower of Christ also hears the teaching of the Lord. But it seems that this instruction goes immediately from his ears to his mouth from which an audible confession comes forth. And very soon the hands and feet are engaged, ready to perform the Lord’s calling and will. But, the message of the gospel does not penetrate the heart. It remains unaffected and remains as it is, obdurate and evil and even unchristian. Oh yes, the second builder of his spiritual house is very industrious, even as the builder of Christ’s parable, full of activity. But real reform in his life extends only to what his fellowman can see. He is not moved to bestow his alms in secret. He does not know of a hidden life of prayer. And that is why his whole Christianity is built upon his own activities which, however, may make a good impression to others. And yet, in spite of all this, the heart remains unaffected and unmoved. The change of this disciple’s life is not due to a real change of heart, no. And therefore such a spiritual edifice is like a house with no foundation. The ground work of heart involvement is missing. And so this disciple’s new manner of life does not really come from a renewed heart. Consequently, the spiritual edifice of the second builder can also not be called a spiritual temple in which God is pleased to dwell, no. But it remains but a seemingly spiritual edifice of which the central part really remains an instrument of evil. And that’s a very serious defect. For then you lack everything, congregation.
And so we have two houses which have been built in the same style, congregation, that from all outward appearances are not very different from one another. And yet, they are vastly different on account of the foundation upon which each of these two houses have been built. The one has become a God-serving house with the Lord at its center while the other has the shell of religion but still is without the Lord’s power and presence and therefore is without God. Only the hour of testing will really reveal what sort of a spiritual house it is. Which brings us to our second thought, Two Kinds of Results, Through a Similar Trial.
Well now, in verses 25 and 27 we read about the great trial or testing which came upon both houses which had been built. The Lord tells us that the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon the houses of both builders. But oh, what a great difference when we regard the aftermath. Of the first we read that it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. Of the second we read, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. Let us look at this development and try to discern why there was this difference between the two houses that looked so much the same.
Well now, the time of testing came with the coming of a storm by which the strength of the two houses would be tried. Down pours the rain upon and against both houses as it is wind swept as great sheets of water. Cloudburst upon cloudburst breaks open. The small creek beds no longer remain dry. Small rivulets become rushing streams. Rivers become raging flood waters. The waters rush by the houses and around the walls taking the sand with them. Deeper and deeper becomes the gaping hole until the foundation becomes exposed. For the first house that is not so bad. For the waters can do no more damage because the foundation sits upon a rock. But, when we look at the second house, the waters keep drawing more and more sand away, even from underneath the walls of the house. And finally we read of that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. But of the first we read nothing of the kind. The floods came and the wind blew and beat upon that house as well and it fell not. For…it was founded upon a rock.
Through this vivid illustration the Lord Jesus would emphasize to His hearers the importance of building their spiritual house upon a solid foundation. Let us seek to understand what that means for us today. As we have been trying to point out in our first point already, there are fair weather Christians who always seem to have the answer to everything, who give the semblance of being in control in living an exemplary Christian life. But, but when a time of trial and persecution comes suddenly they are not so self assured. The builder who was so vocal has no defences against the raging storms of life. His confession and walk of life were based upon external things, doing this and performing that. But this confession of the truth was not rooted in the depths of his heart. And so when a trial breaks loose upon his life he is quickly taken by surprise and loses his composure and is at his wit’s end. His Christian service depends upon fair weather and prosperity.
But this was not true of the first builder. This man was not content with a shallow understanding of the truth but wanted to be sure of a personal interest in it. And therefore he was not satisfied until he experienced its power in his heart. For only when he had a saving interest in the Lord Jesus’ work as the Lamb of God could he have peace and rest for his soul. And we can do with no less, congregation. We need to experience the power of Christ’s redeeming work through the Holy Spirit’s witness in our hearts will we be equipped to meet the storms of life. Yes, only then will you be able to say, Jehovah is my light, And my salvation near; Who shall my soul affright, Or cause my heart to fear? While God my strength, my life sustains, Secure from fear my soul remains. Oh, how blessed are they whose hope is upon the blessed Savior of sinners, who by His power have learned to follow after Him Who has gone before them. For only through that Rock of Ages who endured the cross, the suffering and shame when the wrath of God against sin was unleashed upon Him, can sinners experience real hope and a refuge for their souls. Except we know something of that blessed hope personally, beloved, we are not safe. We can find no rest outside of the one and only foundation, Jesus Christ, the only chief corner stone.
The Lord Jesus has told the parable of the wise and foolish builder. Why did He do so? To whom? Well, by these words He would warn against the Pharisees, for one thing. But realize well, congregation, that the Lord Jesus spake these words to His followers first of all, yes to those who were interested in His teaching. He wanted them to examine their own lives, and beware that they were not building their spiritual house upon the same false foundation of the Pharisees which was nothing than a man made edifice, a self made religion. And do you know where that has its origins, congregation? It has its beginnings in one’s own base heart which is nothing more than the bubbling up of pride. A ‘do this’ and ‘do that’ religion is nothing more than the throwing off of the yoke of Christ, saying, I will not have the Lord to rule over my life. Really.
You see, congregation, the fundamental error of Phariseeism is that it seeks to rationalize and humanize the things of God while bringing spiritual things to the level of externals. But that can never be. For then you cut out the work of God’s Spirit in man’s heart. Then Christian service circles around man and is no longer a work of God. Then it seeks for man’s happiness and contentedness rather than God’s honor and glory. Oh, beloved, how do you and I need to beware of this warning given by the Lord Jesus. For we are all inclined to glory in ourselves in one way or another. But as long as we have breath, the “I” and “me” of our life needs to be put to death. Oh yes I know, that can appear in such subtle forms, even in our so called Christian service in behalf of others. Forms of humble pride so easily bubble up in one’s life. But oh toexperience something of the exercises of the heart by which we learn what it is to be poor in spirit, to experience true contrition of heart, to hunger and thirst after righteousness. Yes, then alone do these words of Christ have true meaning. When these words, as we find them at the beginning of Christ’s sermon, resound in your heart, beloved, then, yes then you shall be comforted and become more assured of your salvation. Yes, also you trembling sinner who stands afar off, when you will have heard it from His own mouth. Amen.
The Lord Jesus Compares His Kingdom
to a Wise and Foolish Builder
(Sermon # 1 of a possible series on the Kingdom of Heaven)
Psalter 277:1, 3
Law of God
Psalter 428:1, 2
Matthew 7:13-29,
Text : 24-27
Psalter120: 1, 2, 3
Sermon
Psalter 384:1, 2, 3, 5
Psalter 71: 1, 2, 4, 5
Doxology 69:7
Sermon Written by Rev. L. Roth, Pompton Plains, N.J.
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