1 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:03,660 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:05,500 --> 00:00:09,300 Speaker 2: Hi, from the Salvation Army, you're listening to Words of Life. 3 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:30,670 Speaker 3: Welcome back to Words of Life. We are continuing our 4 00:00:30,730 --> 00:00:33,479 Speaker 3: series on the parables of Jesus with Major Cam Henderson. 5 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 3: This series began last week as we focused on the 6 00:00:36,760 --> 00:00:40,879 Speaker 3: parable of a farmer scattering seed. Today, we're studying the 7 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:44,519 Speaker 3: parable of two people building two houses facing the same storm, 8 00:00:44,909 --> 00:00:48,310 Speaker 3: but with very different results. Check out the show notes 9 00:00:48,370 --> 00:00:52,070 Speaker 3: throughout this series for some links to related devotionals and 10 00:00:52,170 --> 00:00:52,710 Speaker 3: further study. 11 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:22,850 Speaker 1: Well, hello, and welcome back for the conversation about the parables. 12 00:01:22,910 --> 00:01:26,390 Speaker 1: This series on the parables is a fun one. Today 13 00:01:26,410 --> 00:01:28,670 Speaker 1: is going to be one that we're somewhat familiar with. 14 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: And I'm calling it Lip Service and Sandcastles. And it's 15 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:40,660 Speaker 1: from Matthew chapter 7. This parable, it comes to us 16 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. I've 17 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: had the privilege of standing near the Sea of Galilee 18 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,560 Speaker 1: where Jesus preached this message. We think we have an 19 00:01:49,580 --> 00:01:53,590 Speaker 1: approximation of where it was and it fits. You're looking 20 00:01:53,750 --> 00:01:57,530 Speaker 1: on these rolling hillsides. The Sea of Galilee is right there. 21 00:01:57,630 --> 00:01:59,940 Speaker 1: You can see across to the other sides of it 22 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,919 Speaker 1: as well. And you see all the activity, people moving 23 00:02:02,980 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 1: around all over the place. It's quite rocky in some 24 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:11,020 Speaker 1: areas and then grassy areas in others, but it is busy. 25 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,290 Speaker 1: Jesus wasn't afraid to go near the crowds to share 26 00:02:14,310 --> 00:02:17,269 Speaker 1: his teaching. Through his Sermon on the Mount, he's spoken 27 00:02:17,330 --> 00:02:22,370 Speaker 1: about many different topics from prayer and giving and fasting 28 00:02:22,530 --> 00:02:27,440 Speaker 1: and worry and judgment and forgiveness, loving your enemies, seeking 29 00:02:27,500 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: God's kingdom first. But as it comes to the end, 30 00:02:31,180 --> 00:02:35,560 Speaker 1: Jesus leaves his listeners with a choice. Every sermon demands 31 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:40,030 Speaker 1: a response. Every encounter with Christ requires a decision. And 32 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:44,510 Speaker 1: Jesus ends with two pictures, two kinds of disciples and 33 00:02:44,570 --> 00:02:48,970 Speaker 1: two kinds of builders. Well, let's start first of all 34 00:02:49,169 --> 00:02:57,440 Speaker 1: with Matthew 7, starting in verse 21. Not everyone who 35 00:02:57,490 --> 00:03:00,270 Speaker 1: calls out to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom 36 00:03:00,310 --> 00:03:03,270 Speaker 1: of heaven. Only those who actually do the will of 37 00:03:03,310 --> 00:03:06,530 Speaker 1: my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day, many 38 00:03:06,550 --> 00:03:09,429 Speaker 1: will say to me, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your 39 00:03:09,470 --> 00:03:12,109 Speaker 1: name and we casted out demons in your name and 40 00:03:12,169 --> 00:03:16,870 Speaker 1: performed many miracles in your name. But I'll reply, I 41 00:03:16,910 --> 00:03:19,990 Speaker 1: never knew you. Get away from me. you who break 42 00:03:20,090 --> 00:03:28,750 Speaker 1: God's laws. Wow. I'm using the New Living Translation as 43 00:03:28,810 --> 00:03:32,019 Speaker 1: I read scriptures. There are many different translations that are 44 00:03:32,100 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 1: very trustworthy, so you may know it from all different ways, 45 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:38,779 Speaker 1: but I'm using the New Living Translation just to let 46 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: you know where I'm at. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, 47 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 1: will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only the ones who 48 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:48,369 Speaker 1: do my Father's will who is in heaven Those are 49 00:03:48,470 --> 00:03:52,470 Speaker 1: sobering words. Jesus says there'll be people who call him Lord. 50 00:03:53,330 --> 00:03:57,590 Speaker 1: They profess faith. They speak the right language. They even 51 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:02,900 Speaker 1: point to very impressive religious accomplishments. Do we prophesy in 52 00:04:02,940 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: your names, Lord? We cast out demons in your name. 53 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: We perform many miracles in your name. As if unimpressed, 54 00:04:11,220 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 1: Jesus says, I never knew you. Away from me. He 55 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:21,500 Speaker 1: doesn't commend their activity or their achievements. He doesn't commend 56 00:04:21,620 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: any religious resume, who they are, who they think they are. 57 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:31,589 Speaker 1: He's looking for one thing, obedience. These people were trying 58 00:04:31,650 --> 00:04:36,190 Speaker 1: to substitute their own works for God's will. In essence, 59 00:04:36,210 --> 00:04:38,630 Speaker 1: they're saying, look at the things we did for you, 60 00:04:39,250 --> 00:04:41,890 Speaker 1: Jesus says, but you did not do what I told 61 00:04:41,940 --> 00:04:44,580 Speaker 1: you to do. It's as if certain people might be 62 00:04:44,620 --> 00:04:47,880 Speaker 1: trying to create their own version of discipleship or their 63 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:52,049 Speaker 1: own version of following Jesus. My way of following Jesus, 64 00:04:52,130 --> 00:04:57,029 Speaker 1: my version of obedience, my definition of faithfulness. But Jesus 65 00:04:57,210 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 1: is Lord, and there's only one Lord, and I'm not him, 66 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: and neither are you. We don't get to decide how 67 00:05:04,779 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 1: he should be worshipped or what obedience looks like. We 68 00:05:09,260 --> 00:05:12,590 Speaker 1: don't rewrite his commands. We're blessed because we have His 69 00:05:12,670 --> 00:05:16,130 Speaker 1: words and we know what He desires. We've heard the 70 00:05:16,170 --> 00:05:19,480 Speaker 1: teaching of the King Himself. So the question is not 71 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 1: whether we admire what He says or whether we like 72 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,099 Speaker 1: what He's instructing us to do. The question is whether 73 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:30,190 Speaker 1: or not we obey Him and whether we obey His words. 74 00:05:42,940 --> 00:05:45,480 Speaker 1: So then Jesus gave us a second picture, and it's 75 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 1: the rest of that chapter of 7, starting at verse 24. 76 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 1: This second picture is the parable that I want to 77 00:05:53,760 --> 00:05:57,419 Speaker 1: mention that speaks to all of the rest. As if 78 00:05:57,500 --> 00:06:01,020 Speaker 1: finishing a sermon, he's saying, Did you hear what I said? 79 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: And are you going to obey what I said? So 80 00:06:05,170 --> 00:06:07,200 Speaker 1: here we are, Matthew 7, verse 24. Matthew 7, verse 81 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:15,270 Speaker 1: 24 Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it 82 00:06:15,390 --> 00:06:18,330 Speaker 1: is wise, like a person who builds a house on 83 00:06:18,410 --> 00:06:21,830 Speaker 1: solid rock. Although the rain comes in torrents and the 84 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 1: floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it 85 00:06:25,580 --> 00:06:30,540 Speaker 1: won't collapse because it's built on bedrock. But anyone who 86 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:35,270 Speaker 1: hears my teaching and doesn't obey is foolish, like a 87 00:06:35,310 --> 00:06:38,510 Speaker 1: person who builds a house on sand. When the rains 88 00:06:38,570 --> 00:06:41,250 Speaker 1: and floods come and the winds beat against that house, 89 00:06:41,910 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 1: It will collapse with a mighty crash. As Jesus spoke, 90 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:57,940 Speaker 1: perhaps there were builders nearby. Perhaps construction sounds echoed from 91 00:06:57,980 --> 00:07:01,100 Speaker 1: a distance. Maybe a house could be seen on a hillside. 92 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: Maybe they were still building it, and Jesus points to it. Remember, 93 00:07:04,700 --> 00:07:07,500 Speaker 1: Jesus himself worked as a carpenter and a builder, so 94 00:07:07,550 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 1: he knows something about this. And he says, everyone who 95 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: hears these words of mine and puts them to practice 96 00:07:13,900 --> 00:07:15,900 Speaker 1: is like a wise man who built his house on 97 00:07:15,940 --> 00:07:21,060 Speaker 1: the rock. Wisdom, according to Jesus, is not simply knowing 98 00:07:21,100 --> 00:07:25,460 Speaker 1: the truth. Wisdom is hearing the truth and obeying it. 99 00:07:26,770 --> 00:07:30,570 Speaker 1: The wise builder doesn't just admire this rock. He builds 100 00:07:30,670 --> 00:07:33,570 Speaker 1: on it. The wise builder doesn't move it out of 101 00:07:33,610 --> 00:07:36,590 Speaker 1: the way. He sees it as the thing he needs. 102 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:41,380 Speaker 1: But goodness, building on a rock is difficult. It might 103 00:07:41,420 --> 00:07:43,940 Speaker 1: be on higher ground, so you've got to get materials 104 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,540 Speaker 1: up to it that costs more and takes more labor. 105 00:07:47,180 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 1: You may have to cut into the rock to get 106 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 1: a flat surface, which to me, cutting into it or 107 00:07:52,340 --> 00:07:56,180 Speaker 1: breaking into the rock seems impossible. I guess people know 108 00:07:56,220 --> 00:07:58,250 Speaker 1: how to do it. I can't imagine what it was 109 00:07:58,310 --> 00:08:01,210 Speaker 1: like back in that day, especially not even this day. 110 00:08:01,630 --> 00:08:03,890 Speaker 1: It may take a very long time to get that 111 00:08:03,970 --> 00:08:08,730 Speaker 1: house done. But the temptation is to see this nice, flat, 112 00:08:08,950 --> 00:08:13,690 Speaker 1: sandy portion and wish to build right there instead. Right now. 113 00:08:14,750 --> 00:08:17,230 Speaker 1: I can do it quickly and it's done. It might 114 00:08:17,270 --> 00:08:20,150 Speaker 1: be cheaper because the labor is less. I can get 115 00:08:20,190 --> 00:08:23,580 Speaker 1: the whole thing accomplished maybe the same day. Meanwhile, the 116 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 1: other fella, still building his house on a rock, is 117 00:08:26,820 --> 00:08:30,740 Speaker 1: still trying to figure out the foundation. But what happens next? 118 00:08:31,880 --> 00:08:36,490 Speaker 1: When the rains come. Not if. The rains come. But 119 00:08:36,550 --> 00:08:40,150 Speaker 1: when the rains come, or the winds push against the 120 00:08:40,210 --> 00:08:44,370 Speaker 1: two houses, the word is fall. When the winds fall 121 00:08:44,510 --> 00:08:49,110 Speaker 1: against the two houses, what happens? Well, sand doesn't hold anything. 122 00:08:49,690 --> 00:08:54,490 Speaker 1: It's fluid. It's giving and soft. The reason you might 123 00:08:54,530 --> 00:08:58,630 Speaker 1: build on the sand is that it's easy. But just 124 00:08:58,700 --> 00:09:01,550 Speaker 1: as easily as it receives your building, it can move 125 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: away from it as well. And then what do you have? 126 00:09:05,309 --> 00:09:08,730 Speaker 1: but the rock will hold. What you anchor on that 127 00:09:08,809 --> 00:09:13,360 Speaker 1: foundation will not let go. It's more difficult in the beginning, 128 00:09:14,179 --> 00:09:18,920 Speaker 1: but it'll last forever. Jesus says his teachings are the 129 00:09:19,020 --> 00:09:22,580 Speaker 1: solid foundation upon which a person should build their life on, 130 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,320 Speaker 1: their family, their future. The difference between the wise builder 131 00:09:27,780 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 1: and the foolish builder is not hearing, both heard it. 132 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 1: The difference is obedience. One obeyed, and one did not. 133 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,900 Speaker 1: Throughout the Scripture, God calls His people to build on 134 00:09:39,940 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 1: the foundation that He provides. Jesus told the lawyer in 135 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:48,300 Speaker 1: Luke 10, Do this, and you will live. Not, good luck, 136 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:51,550 Speaker 1: find your own way. Not, make up your own path, 137 00:09:52,210 --> 00:09:55,469 Speaker 1: but pray along the way. Not, build on another rock. 138 00:09:56,530 --> 00:10:01,260 Speaker 1: Do this, obey these words, build this way. obey what 139 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 1: I tell you, and you will live. Matthew Henry, a commentator, 140 00:10:06,650 --> 00:10:09,670 Speaker 1: put it well when he explained that Christ's words show 141 00:10:09,750 --> 00:10:13,710 Speaker 1: us both how to build and how to live. The 142 00:10:13,750 --> 00:10:16,010 Speaker 1: Word of God does more than just give information, it 143 00:10:16,050 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: gives direction. His Word lights our path and It enlightens 144 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,570 Speaker 1: our eyes and guides our feet. The Bible often calls 145 00:10:23,710 --> 00:10:27,290 Speaker 1: our daily Christian living a walk, so we walk in 146 00:10:27,309 --> 00:10:30,809 Speaker 1: the light of His Word. His Word informs our minds, 147 00:10:31,270 --> 00:10:35,339 Speaker 1: but it also has to reform our hearts. It must 148 00:10:35,380 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: shape our attitudes, our priorities, our homes, our lives, all 149 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:44,340 Speaker 1: that shaped by the Word of God, by the words 150 00:10:44,380 --> 00:10:47,990 Speaker 1: of Jesus. When we allow God's word to transform us, 151 00:10:48,070 --> 00:10:50,990 Speaker 1: we are building on the rock. And if we claim 152 00:10:51,030 --> 00:10:54,810 Speaker 1: to believe in Christ, yet refuse to obey him, we 153 00:10:54,870 --> 00:10:58,670 Speaker 1: reveal that we really don't trust him. And he says, 154 00:10:58,690 --> 00:11:06,020 Speaker 1: I don't know you. Real faith produces obedience. Now notice 155 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: something very important. Jesus never says that storms only come 156 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:15,530 Speaker 1: to foolish people. The storm comes to both houses. The 157 00:11:15,570 --> 00:11:19,090 Speaker 1: rain falls on both. The floods rise against both. The 158 00:11:19,110 --> 00:11:29,650 Speaker 1: winds beat against both houses. Every life will face storms, sickness, loss, temptation, disappointment, trials. 159 00:11:30,730 --> 00:11:33,750 Speaker 1: Perhaps right now you listening to me are going through 160 00:11:33,850 --> 00:11:36,290 Speaker 1: one of those or something else and you say, yes, 161 00:11:36,710 --> 00:11:39,410 Speaker 1: these storms are hitting me right now. And one day 162 00:11:39,490 --> 00:11:42,660 Speaker 1: every person will stand before God The difference is not 163 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:46,679 Speaker 1: whether the storms came. The difference is whether the foundation holds. 164 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,060 Speaker 1: The house built on the rock stands. The house built 165 00:11:51,120 --> 00:11:54,459 Speaker 1: on the sand falls. And Jesus said it was a 166 00:11:54,600 --> 00:12:00,470 Speaker 1: great fall. Major disaster. This is not simply advice for 167 00:12:00,530 --> 00:12:03,610 Speaker 1: having a better life. This is not just extra strength 168 00:12:03,690 --> 00:12:07,170 Speaker 1: for those difficult days. This is not just Jesus saying, 169 00:12:07,210 --> 00:12:09,430 Speaker 1: you don't want to keep building that house. Do something 170 00:12:09,570 --> 00:12:12,109 Speaker 1: once and do it well. This is a matter of 171 00:12:12,350 --> 00:12:17,689 Speaker 1: eternal consequence. The choice is between wisdom and foolishness, between 172 00:12:17,750 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 1: obedience and disobedience, between standing and falling, and between an 173 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:27,340 Speaker 1: eternity with God or an eternity in hell. So let 174 00:12:27,380 --> 00:12:31,000 Speaker 1: me ask you two simple questions. First, how is your 175 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:34,620 Speaker 1: life built? Is your life built upon every word of Christ, 176 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:38,770 Speaker 1: every word of Scripture's Do you regularly read the Word 177 00:12:38,830 --> 00:12:41,170 Speaker 1: so you can know His will and build your life 178 00:12:41,250 --> 00:12:44,829 Speaker 1: according to His design? No, this is not an easy task. 179 00:12:45,570 --> 00:12:48,710 Speaker 1: It's the work of a lifetime. It's a joy and 180 00:12:48,910 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: it is blessed. It means hearing more and learning more, 181 00:12:52,260 --> 00:12:56,839 Speaker 1: trying and testing Him. It's a task that benefits everyone 182 00:12:56,880 --> 00:13:01,220 Speaker 1: in your household and perhaps others near you too. And 183 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:05,250 Speaker 1: the second question I would ask is, is Jesus truly Lord? 184 00:13:06,110 --> 00:13:09,370 Speaker 1: Not just the one who forgives, not just a teacher. 185 00:13:10,130 --> 00:13:13,450 Speaker 1: Is he your Lord? This is not simply the difference 186 00:13:13,510 --> 00:13:16,890 Speaker 1: between having a good life and a difficult life. This 187 00:13:16,950 --> 00:13:21,059 Speaker 1: is about judgment, which seeks to sweep away every foundation 188 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:25,420 Speaker 1: except for the one Christ has established. It's about heaven 189 00:13:25,460 --> 00:13:29,380 Speaker 1: where the Father is. So today, Jesus places before us 190 00:13:29,460 --> 00:13:33,340 Speaker 1: a choice. For the sake of your life, your family, 191 00:13:34,020 --> 00:13:36,690 Speaker 1: and others around you, And most of all, for the 192 00:13:36,730 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 1: glory of the Father, build your house upon the rock, 193 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:45,670 Speaker 1: upon every word of God's teachings, and let him be 194 00:13:45,770 --> 00:13:47,250 Speaker 1: Lord of your life. 195 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:55,920 Speaker 2: The Salvation Army's mission, doing the most good, means helping 196 00:13:56,020 --> 00:13:59,059 Speaker 2: people with material and spiritual needs. You become a part 197 00:13:59,080 --> 00:14:01,700 Speaker 2: of this mission every time you give to the Salvation Army. 198 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:06,199 Speaker 2: Visit SalvationArmyUSA.org to offer your support. You can subscribe to 199 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:11,230 Speaker 2: Words of Life on your favorite podcast store or visit SalvationArmySoundcast.org. 200 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:14,030 Speaker 2: Join us next time for the Salvation Army's Words of Life. 201 00:14:15,700 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 3: These are the words. 202 00:14:17,059 --> 00:14:18,719 Speaker 1: These are the words of life. 203 00:14:18,780 --> 00:14:20,840 Speaker 3: These are the words. 204 00:14:21,160 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 1: These are the words. These are the words of life. 205 00:14:31,900 --> 00:14:34,340 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to Words of Life. We 206 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 3: want to thank the team at Life Audio for their 207 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 3: partnership with us on the show. Visit lifeaudio.com where you'll 208 00:14:40,060 --> 00:14:43,570 Speaker 3: find dozens of other faith-centered podcasts in their network. They 209 00:14:43,610 --> 00:14:47,590 Speaker 3: have shows about prayer, Bible studying, parenting, and more. Thanks 210 00:14:47,630 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 3: again for listening. We'll see you next time.