Latest / Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons / A Word of Difference

Transcript

A Word of Difference · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

0:00
We'll begin our worship by singing in God's praise in Psalm 100 of the Scottish Psalter.
0:07
Psalm 100, Scottish Psalter, we'll find that on page 362 of the Blue Book.
0:15
Psalm it is well known to many of us. It's good to sing these well-known psalms when the children are in with us.
0:22
All people on earth do dwell. Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
0:27
Himself with mirth this praise foretell. Come ye before him and rejoice.
0:32
I call to all people to come and lift their voices cheerfully in praise of God.
0:39
So let us do that together. We'll stand to sing All People That On Earth Do Dwell.
0:43
All people that on earth do dwell.
0:55
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
1:05
In sight with mirth his praise foretell.
1:13
Come ye before him and rejoice.
1:23
Know that the Lord is God indeed.
1:33
With thy thy raided he did us make.
1:43
We are his flock he doth us feed.
1:53
And for his sheep he doth us take.
2:03
O enter then his gate with praise.
2:13
Approach with joy his courts unto.
2:22
Praise Lord and bless his name always.
2:32
For it is seemly so to do.
2:42
For why the Lord our God is good.
2:52
His mercy is forever sure.
3:01
His truth at all times firmly stood.
3:11
And shall from age to age ensue.
3:21
Let us now say a short prayer before the children go into Sunday school.
3:30
Let us bow our heads in prayer.
3:31
Our heavenly Father as we come to you this day.
3:37
On your day that has been set aside for your worship.
3:41
We pray that as we gather here.
3:44
We pray that as we gather here.
3:45
All from different places in the town.
3:48
All from different places even across our nation.
3:51
That you would be pleased to bless us.
3:53
And as we open up your Bible.
3:55
That it would speak to us.
3:57
And speak to our hearts.
3:58
And speak to our souls.
4:00
And we pray we speak to the youngest.
4:02
And speak to the oldest.
4:03
Speak to those who are watching online.
4:06
And we just pray that you would be.
4:11
With the young ones in their lives.
4:13
And we would set for them a foundation.
4:16
Built on the word of God.
4:18
That as they gather next door.
4:23
That your spirit would also be with them.
4:26
Speaking likewise to their minds and to their hearts.
4:29
And turning their focus towards Jesus Christ.
4:33
And all that he has done for us.
4:36
Jesus was that man.
4:38
That went to the cross at Calvary.
4:40
And died for us.
4:42
Because we have sinned before God.
4:44
And in order that we may enter God's presence.
4:48
We need our sins to be cleansed from us.
4:51
And our sins to be paid for.
4:53
And only can that be done.
4:55
Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
4:59
The lamb that was slain by God.
5:01
God.
5:02
So we pray that we would understand this truth in our hearts.
5:06
And lift our eyes in wonder.
5:08
That Jesus loves us.
5:10
And cares for us.
5:12
We pray that you would bless the teachers.
5:15
As they lead the children.
5:17
That they would be able to explain the word clearly to them.
5:21
We are mindful of them.
5:22
That this is the last Sunday that they will gather together.
5:25
We pray for them in their time of holiday.
5:28
As they take rest from school.
5:30
We pray that they would have an enjoyable time together.
5:33
And just ask that you would be over us.
5:36
In our worship of you this day.
5:40
Forgive us our sins we ask in Jesus name.
5:43
Amen.
5:45
I just want to say a little word to the boys and girls.
5:48
Before they depart into Sunday school.
5:51
There is a building in Kuala Lumpa.
5:54
It is called the Petronas Twin Towers.
5:59
And it is two huge huge buildings.
6:01
That stand identically beside each other.
6:04
Two massive skyscrapers.
6:06
An interesting thing about these two buildings.
6:11
Is that they have the deepest foundations of any building in the world.
6:17
These two buildings have foundations that are 400 foot deep.
6:23
Now that is hard to understand.
6:25
What is 400 foot?
6:27
To understand how deep they are.
6:29
It is about the length of the ferry.
6:33
The ferry boat that you go on.
6:36
That is how long that is.
6:38
If you were to turn that on its side.
6:40
And put it in the ground.
6:41
That is how deep the deepest foundations in the world are.
6:45
The Petronas Twin Towers.
6:49
And they had to build foundations that were so deep.
6:52
Because it was built on black cotton soil.
6:55
And they say that when water gets into the soil.
6:59
It swells up.
7:00
And when it dries out.
7:02
It shrinks.
7:03
So this ground is changing all the time.
7:06
It is not good to build buildings.
7:09
On anything that moves.
7:12
But there is a lesson there.
7:15
For us and our lives.
7:18
That we do not set about to build our lives on anything that changes.
7:23
The whole world is changing around us.
7:26
Everything is changing.
7:28
We are changing.
7:29
We are changing.
7:30
We are growing up.
7:31
We are getting bigger.
7:32
But it is good.
7:35
To trust in something that doesn't change.
7:39
And to base our lives on something that doesn't change.
7:44
And who doesn't change?
7:46
That is God that doesn't change.
7:48
God is the same.
7:50
For I the Lord do not change.
7:55
It says in the Bible.
7:57
And we can build our lives.
8:00
And have our foundations on God.
8:04
And Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
8:10
And we can build our lives on something that is solid.
8:12
And in this world the only thing that is sure and solid.
8:22
pure and solid,
8:24
is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
8:27
given to us from God.
8:30
So I want you all to trust in that
8:33
and to build your lives upon that.
8:36
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
8:41
May that be blessed to you.
8:43
We'll say the Lord's Prayer together.
8:46
Our Father, which art in heaven,
8:50
hallowed be thy name,
8:52
thy kingdom come,
8:54
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
8:58
Give us this day our daily bread
9:00
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
9:05
And lead us not into temptation,
9:08
but deliver us from evil.
9:10
For thine is the kingdom,
9:12
the power and the glory forever.
9:16
Amen.
9:18
Thank you for listening.
9:19
We'll continue in praise to God
9:22
by singing in Psalm 125 of the Blue Book,
9:27
page 419.
9:30
Psalm 125 in the Scottish Psalter,
9:34
page 419.
9:37
And we'll sing the whole of this psalm.
9:41
They in the Lord that firmly trust
9:46
shall be like Zion Hill,
9:48
which at no time can be removed,
9:50
but standeth ever still.
9:53
As round about Jerusalem,
9:54
the mountains stand always.
9:57
The Lord, his folk,
9:59
doth compass so
10:00
from henceforth and foray.
10:04
We'll stand and we'll sing this psalm together
10:06
of one that speaks about placing our confidence in God.
10:09
They in the Lord that firmly trust.
10:13
We'll stand and sing this together.
10:14
Amen.
10:15
Amen.
10:16
Amen.
10:17
They in the Lord that firmly trust
10:27
shall be like Zion Hill,
10:33
which at no time can be removed,
10:41
but standeth ever still.
10:48
As bright above Jerusalem,
10:57
the mountains stand always.
11:04
The Lord, his folk,
11:10
the Lord, his folk,
11:10
doth compass so
11:13
from henceforth and foray.
11:22
For ailments brought
11:26
upon the Lord,
11:28
upon the lot of just men shall not lie.
11:37
Lest righteous men stretch forth their hands
11:47
unto the Lord,
11:49
unto iniquity.
11:53
To thy, to all,
11:59
those that be good,
12:03
thy goodness, Lord, impart.
12:09
And do thy good,
12:11
to those that are upright within their heart.
12:28
But as for such as turn aside,
12:37
after their crooked way,
12:43
God shall lead forth with wicked men.
12:53
On Israel peace shall stay.
13:00
Amen.
13:01
Amen.
13:02
Amen.
13:03
Amen.
13:04
Amen.
13:05
We turn now to our Bible.
13:07
We'll turn to the Gospel of Luke.
13:09
And we'll read from chapter 6.
13:11
Gospel of Luke, chapter 6.
13:17
And we'll read from verse Mark 17
13:19
to the end of the chapter.
13:20
Amen.
13:21
Amen.
13:23
Amen.
13:24
Amen.
13:25
Amen.
13:26
Amen.
13:27
Amen.
13:28
Amen.
13:29
Amen.
13:30
Indeed.
13:31
Yes.
13:33
Amen.
13:35
Amen.
13:36
Amen.
13:37
Amen.
13:38
Amen.
13:39
Thank you very much.
13:42
Amen.
13:43
Amen.
13:44
Amen.
13:46
Amen.
13:47
Amen.
13:48
Amen.
13:49
Amen.
13:50
Amen.
13:54
Jesus.
13:55
Amen.
13:56
Judea and Jerusalem and the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of
14:02
their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought
14:08
to touch him, for the power came out from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes from
14:14
the disciples and said, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are
14:21
you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
14:28
Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as
14:35
evil on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold your reward is
14:43
great in heaven, for so their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you have
14:51
received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh
14:57
now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did
15:04
to the false prophets. But I say to you who hear, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.
15:14
Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek,
15:20
offer the other also. And from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
15:28
Give to everyone who begs from you, and from the one who takes away your goods, do not demand them
15:34
back. As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you,
15:41
what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those
15:49
who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those
15:56
from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back
16:03
the same amount. But love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward
16:12
will be great. And you will be sons of the Most High. For he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
16:21
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and do not be judged. Condemn not, and you will not
16:30
be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure,
16:38
pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use,
16:45
it will be measured back to you. And he also told them a parable. Can a blind man lead a blind man?
16:53
Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is
17:00
fully trained, will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye,
17:06
but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother,
17:11
brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the log that is
17:17
in your own eye? You hypocrite. First take out the log of your own eye, and then you will be able to
17:23
clearly take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a
17:32
bad tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from
17:39
thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of his good treasure of
17:45
his heart produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil. For out of the
17:51
abundance of his heart, his mouth speaks. Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you?
17:59
Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like.
18:08
He is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock, and when a flood
18:15
arose, the stream broke against the house, and it could not shake it, because it had been well built.
18:23
But the one who hears and does not do them is like the man who built a house on the ground without
18:30
foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house
18:37
was great. May the reading of God's word be blessed to us. Let us give our minds to God and turn our
18:47
attention to him in prayer. Let us pray. Our Father in heaven, when we read these words, we see how it
19:01
contradicts the lives that we live, and it is a challenge to us, and it speaks of people that are
19:08
not familiar with this world. It describes people that do not live as we expect people to live,
19:19
that we love the people that hate us, that we give to people that take things from us,
19:25
that we forgive people that revile against us. Lord, give us the heart of Jesus Christ,
19:35
that we would be people to do what the word of God asks of us to do. And Lord, as we come to you in
19:44
prayer, we ask that this word be opened up to our minds, our bodies, and our souls, and that it would
19:51
speak to us from the power of your Spirit, that we acknowledge at whom we pray to and call upon as the
20:00
creator of all things, and the creator of our being. And it is a marvelous and wondrous thing that you desire
20:10
to hear your people pray, that we can call upon you in prayer, and that you are one who does not cast
20:18
from your ear, but hears them, and grants us grace to our existence, Lord. We pray that we would turn our
20:30
minds towards you, that our eyes would be focused upon you to see the beauty of Jesus Christ, and the
20:37
wondrous grace and love that he has shown to us in his coming and dying, and ascending, and his promise to
20:46
come again and unite his people to him. Lord, unblock our ears, we pray, to hear it, that it would go into
20:59
the depths of our hearts and souls, that it would convict and convert us, that it would encourage us to go on,
21:08
that we would be uplifted and encouraged to be confident and trusting in your word, trusting in the works of
21:16
Christ. For as we spoke of the uncertainty of this world, and the changes of it, we are told to embrace it by the world.
21:28
But we know that it does us no good. As we take all things into consideration, what can the world offer us?
21:36
You are one that offers us peace and comfort. You are one that is worthy to build upon.
21:49
So Lord, help us to see that and understand that. Help us to be wise as we come and consider your word today.
21:57
We pray, Lord, for those who are over us, our king and those in government. We ask that you would make them wise also,
22:08
wise to your word. They would not lean on their own understanding, but trust in the Lord in every way.
22:15
Lord, we pray for them as we are asked to do, and remember them prayerfully to guide us as a nation,
22:24
but ultimately to guide us back to your word and turn us back to yourselves. We thank you for those
22:30
in our churches that lead us. We thank you for the ministers that are over us in this congregation.
22:36
We pray that you would encourage and be a strength to them.
22:41
As they preach to us and fulfill their duties in their office, that we would be blessed and likewise
22:49
them also and their families. Lord, we remember the children. We pray for them as they come to
22:57
conclude their term in school. We pray for those that will be attending camps. We pray for the camps
23:04
as they begin. We pray for the leaders and the anxieties and worries that they have in looking after
23:10
the children for the children for a week. We pray that you would encourage them and strengthen them.
23:16
We ask that the children would be blessed as they gather together. They would see that having a life
23:22
in the Christian life is a full life and not one of regulations and worries and restriction.
23:33
But that it is life to the full, a life of peace, a life of enjoyment, a fulfilling of the purpose of
23:42
our existence, the chief end of man and enjoying God. Lord, we pray for our children, that they would
23:49
come to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for the holiday club and through the summer. We pray for
23:55
the preparations of that also. And it would likewise be a blessing to those who hear. We remember the elderly
24:01
amongst us. Remember those who are laid aside. Remember those who are watching online and unable to attend
24:08
in person. We pray for them and ask that your word would be a blessing to their soul also as they hear it
24:15
and give their mind to it. As they read it in their own private devotions. We pray for those who are laid
24:21
aside in hospital, those who are awaiting operations with anxiety. We pray that you would give them peace
24:31
and pray that they would again turn their minds towards your word and find assurances in it.
24:41
But we remember also those who mourn. We remember those who have lost husbands and wives, those who have lost
24:51
fathers and fathers and fathers. We pray for them. We pray for them. We pray for those who have lost sons
24:57
and daughters and how difficult it is to understand your ways. But Lord, we ask that you would be their
25:05
comfort and guide in these difficult days and the changes that appear to them and in their lives.
25:13
That they would turn to set their feet upon the rock. That is Jesus Christ.
25:20
We just ask that you would be with us, we pray. And as we turn our minds to your word,
25:25
that your spirit enable us to understand it. Speak to our hearts and our souls and our minds, we ask.
25:32
In Jesus' name, Amen.
25:36
We'll sing again before we turn to God's Word.
25:40
Psalm 53 of the Sing Psalms version.
25:46
That's on page 70 of the Blue Book.
25:50
Psalm 53, Sing Psalms, page 70.
25:56
Again, we'll sing from the beginning of that psalm.
25:58
Down to verse Mark 5, just the first verse of verse Mark 5.
26:06
The fool speaks in his heart, there is no God, he says.
26:11
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, none walk in godly ways.
26:16
The Lord looks down from heaven upon the human race to see if any understand,
26:21
if any seeks God's face.
26:25
Down to verse, but see that evil crowd.
26:29
They are struck down with dread, although they thought within their hearts
26:33
they would have ease instead.
26:36
The psalmist mourning that the people in this world reject God
26:42
and say that there is no God, and expecting in this life a life of ease.
26:49
So let us stand together and sing these words.
26:52
The fool speaks in his heart, there is no God, he says.
26:58
The fool speaks in his heart, there is no God, he says.
27:14
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, none walk in godly ways.
27:32
The Lord looks down from heaven upon the human race,
27:49
to see if any understand, if any seek God's face.
28:08
God, he says.
28:09
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, none walk in godly ways.
28:10
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, none walk in godly ways.
28:11
So let us know now that He says.
28:15
must every notice of exclusivity, this is the winner of God is God.
28:18
God is changing.
28:19
Go to heaven about He is the winner of God.
28:22
He knows about ye doing the same over.
28:25
Not one of them does any good, no, not a single one.
28:45
Well sinners never learn, my people that devoured,
29:03
had said they were consuming bread, they never seek the Lord.
29:23
But see that evil kind, they are stuck down with rent.
29:41
Although they thought within their hearts they would have peace and said.
29:59
Amen.
30:29
Over the next few weeks I hope to look at some of these Bible similes that appear.
30:37
Similes that say like a or describe something as being as a.
30:44
Things that make a comparison and use imagery to vividly illustrate a point.
30:53
And in this passage here we have this image of the two builders being like something.
31:02
There's one who built his house on the rock and there's other who built without a foundation.
31:10
And often this story is one that we read of in children's Bibles.
31:14
It's often one that is taught in Sunday school.
31:16
Because it is such an image that is easily relatable to us.
31:19
Jesus used these images so that people could relate to his teaching.
31:25
And it's likewise similar for us today.
31:29
And you will notice that we have our like a there at the end of verse 47.
31:36
I will show you what he is like.
31:39
It goes in there to verse 48.
31:42
He is like the man building a house, the wise man.
31:46
And then it also speaks of the one who built his house without a foundation.
31:51
And he is like something as well in verse 49.
31:59
Jesus is addressing those who are hearing his word.
32:05
To put it into practice.
32:08
To live by it.
32:10
To trust in it.
32:12
What is Jesus comparing these two builders to?
32:16
Well we have it there.
32:18
At the beginning.
32:20
Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I tell you?
32:26
Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them.
32:32
I will show you what he is like.
32:34
This is what the two builders are like.
32:37
The one who hears God's word and does it.
32:43
And that's when this illustration becomes more than a children's illustration.
32:49
This illustration is very fitting for all of us.
32:55
But before we really look at this passage.
32:58
The context of it highlights further importance of what Jesus is saying in this image.
33:04
This image appears twice in the Bible.
33:09
And both times it serves as a conclusion to Jesus' words.
33:13
It serves as a conclusion to Jesus' own sermons.
33:19
The first instance we have here is in this chapter.
33:22
And this is a sermon that is called the Sermon on the Plain.
33:27
We read off in verse 17 that he came down and stood on a level place when we began our reading.
33:32
And the other time it appears is in the other well-known sermon, the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 7.
33:41
Both these sermons, Christ addresses Christian conduct and Christian living, Christian behaviour.
33:47
And there are similarities between the two.
33:51
And some people would say that it is the same sermon.
33:54
But they are different as well.
33:57
So it is hard to say that it is not Jesus' teaching at a different time using similar words.
34:06
Either way, he concludes his sermon by presenting the images of the tree bearing good fruit,
34:14
which we heard about last week.
34:15
He is presenting those who make a profession and call out, Lord, Lord.
34:21
And he presents the two builders who build on different foundations as those who respond to the word of God.
34:32
And the specifics we think of, we have it in our mind as one being wise, the other as foolish.
34:37
That comes from the Matthews version of this image.
34:43
And it also tells us that the fool built his house on the sand.
34:48
The sand is a non-foundation we have in the passage before us.
34:54
But this is Jesus' parting words to the people that have gathered to listen to him.
35:00
That's why they are so important.
35:02
That's why this image is so important.
35:03
It's the last thing Jesus says to them.
35:06
Of all the things that he said, and we briefly saw how what he spoke to them and taught them was contradictory to what we think.
35:15
This is the last image he leaves them with.
35:20
And he asks for a personal response to the words that he has taught them.
35:26
He is saying to them before you go, what are you going to do with the words that you have heard?
35:31
How do you understand these words?
35:35
What is your response to my words?
35:39
As you consider how you walk, how you talk, how you behave in this life.
35:45
And it is likewise for us today as we sit under his word.
35:50
We ask ourselves how do we respond to it?
35:55
And all that Christ says to us from the Gospels.
35:57
And in considering these two builders, we have foundational differences.
36:05
And it is more than the foundations of which they build on.
36:09
The difference is there is one who does, and there is one who does not.
36:15
These differences of the foundation are below the surface.
36:21
Often the one who does, does things in a way that are unseen.
36:28
Likewise, the one who does not.
36:30
His actions go unseen by others.
36:33
But either way, these men both realize something in the storm or in the flood that comes.
36:42
So let us consider first the one who does.
36:45
And then we'll briefly look at the one who does not.
36:48
Verse 47.
36:51
Verse 47.
36:52
Everyone who comes to me and hears my word and does them, I will show you what he is like.
37:02
He is like the man building a house who dug deep and laid foundation on the rock.
37:11
And when the flood arose, the steam broke against that house and could not shake it.
37:19
Both men heard the same words.
37:22
Both men were presented, everyone was presented with the same message as Jesus spoke to the people.
37:28
But he knows they'll have a different response.
37:31
And here we have the wise man's response.
37:35
The one who does.
37:36
His response.
37:37
And essentially his response is one of obedience.
37:42
He was a man who was moved by the words of Christ.
37:46
And before he builds, it says that he dug deep.
37:51
It was a work of labor.
37:53
He was a man who was living in the world.
37:54
He was looking for something solid.
37:57
Sifting out of all that was not required to build his house and life upon.
38:04
And disposing of that rubbish soil.
38:08
He is looking for something solid.
38:11
He is a man that is looking for something that is immovable to place his life on.
38:17
He is a man that is looking for certainty and stability in his life.
38:20
He is looking for somewhere worthy to build his home upon.
38:28
And his digging, really, it's an exercise of his faith in God's word.
38:34
He has been told there is a rock in which you can build your life on.
38:39
And it is there to be found if you will seek it out.
38:44
And he is a man who puts his mind to it.
38:48
To search out this truth.
38:51
He is a man who does not give up.
38:54
He is a man that is digging in his heart, in his soul and in God's word.
38:59
And you can imagine the picture of the man digging a foundation.
39:06
And the fool coming along.
39:09
The other man coming along and asking him,
39:10
Why are you bothering to do these things?
39:14
You do not need to worry yourself with finding the rock.
39:18
There is no need.
39:20
You can build your house on the ground.
39:21
It is sufficient to build on.
39:23
But the wise man turns to the fool.
39:30
And he says to him,
39:32
But did you not hear the words that Christ spoke?
39:37
The weather is going to change.
39:40
The storm is going to come.
39:43
Did you not listen to Christ's words?
39:46
The one who does is a man who takes God's word seriously.
39:55
He removes the necessary soil in his life.
39:59
That is a distraction to building on solid ground.
40:04
He labors to find foundations in God's word.
40:09
And all that laboring is toil and effort.
40:13
To be obedient to that word.
40:16
To be someone who does what has been asked often.
40:20
To love his enemy.
40:22
Not to judge one another.
40:25
And beyond that,
40:27
To uphold all the commands of God.
40:30
To keep the Sabbath day.
40:32
To honour his father and mother.
40:35
We could go on.
40:36
All these things require effort.
40:38
They are not things that come with ease in our lives.
40:44
They are things that take our time.
40:46
They are things that cost us.
40:51
They are things that we must persevere in.
40:54
They are difficult things.
40:55
As digging the foundations.
40:57
But the one who does.
40:57
But the one who does.
41:00
Puts his faith in them.
41:02
And does them with a love.
41:04
And a diligent heart.
41:06
Because he knows what he can find at the end of it.
41:09
He has a heart to do the things of God.
41:12
He is a man who hears the word of God.
41:18
And takes it seriously.
41:20
What do we do with the word of God when we hear it?
41:25
How many times have we sat here and heard the word of God?
41:30
And done nothing with it?
41:31
Do we regularly come to church?
41:34
Do we regularly watch online?
41:37
What is your response to the word of God?
41:42
You are not responding to me.
41:45
You are responding to Christ and his word.
41:47
He asks you to place your faith in this word.
41:54
And to exercise faith in this word.
41:58
And to do what is asked of us.
42:01
It requires us to dig.
42:03
It requires us to sift at hearts.
42:07
It requires us to dig in his word.
42:09
So that we know that in this world.
42:14
We cannot find any confidence to place our life on.
42:17
But realize that in this word and in this Christ.
42:21
We have confidence to build our lives upon.
42:26
And trust in this man.
42:28
The man who died for you.
42:31
And the man who promises you eternal life.
42:34
If you place your faith in him.
42:37
And listen to his words.
42:39
And I know these foundations are largely personal to each of us.
42:45
It is in a sense the groundwork of the Holy Spirit's personal and effective application in our souls.
42:55
But I must ask of you.
42:58
Does the word of God persuade you to trust in this rock?
43:02
Does it persuade you to trust in Christ?
43:05
Do you know that there is no better foundation for your life?
43:12
Because when you place your life on this rock.
43:15
It gives you a reassurance in your heart.
43:18
This rock is a place of confidence.
43:24
And it is a place where you can have confidence in your life.
43:27
When everything around you is changing.
43:30
It is a rock and a place that gives you peace.
43:35
In all the uncertainties that come to your door.
43:38
Because there is a storm coming.
43:47
And there is a flood that will threaten our house.
43:51
And you will notice that both men face the same flood.
43:58
Both houses were tested.
44:01
Neither of men were especially protected from the trials and tribulations.
44:07
Neither is a Christian protected from the trials and tribulations in this world.
44:12
And we are all afflicted in different ways.
44:16
But which one remains standing?
44:20
Which one remains unshaken?
44:23
Maybe you have seen this.
44:24
Maybe you know it to be true.
44:27
You have watched someone who has exercised their faith in Christ.
44:33
Be strong in such a strange way.
44:36
In such a difficult time.
44:39
In such a fierce storm of their life.
44:43
That you ask yourselves.
44:45
Wow.
44:47
They don't even seem to be shaken.
44:51
Have you asked yourself why?
44:54
It is because they are standing on the rock.
44:58
Those floods can be compared to the tribulations of our lives.
45:04
The trials and fears and doubts that we experience.
45:08
All afflicted in different ways.
45:10
But we must ask where is our security when we are tested.
45:14
Can I stand when affliction and trials and tribulations come to my door?
45:22
Can I stand greater than these things?
45:26
Can I stand God's judgment?
45:29
On his day of judgment?
45:30
Will I stand when death comes to my door?
45:37
You see the wise man.
45:39
The man who does.
45:41
He asks that question of himself and in his heart.
45:46
The wise man understands that there is storms coming.
45:50
And there is a great storm and a great flood that is coming.
45:55
That will threaten his house.
45:58
And will wash away the other man's house.
46:00
Who does not trust in the word of God.
46:04
The wise man does something about it.
46:09
Doesn't he?
46:10
Ask yourself.
46:12
Will you stand in the tribulations of this life?
46:17
Will you stand when death comes to you?
46:22
Will you stand at the judgment of God?
46:27
He is one who will stand.
46:30
Because his foundation has been built on the word of God.
46:34
He has exercised faith in it.
46:37
Trusted in it.
46:38
And stands and shaken upon it.
46:42
He is the man who does.
46:45
The words of God.
46:48
What about the man who does not?
46:52
We must remember that this is how Christ finished his sermon.
46:58
But the one who hears and does not do them.
47:02
It is like the man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.
47:08
When the stream broke against it.
47:10
Immediately fell.
47:11
And the ruin of that house was great.
47:15
What was his response?
47:16
To the word of God.
47:19
Well it was not to listen to it.
47:22
He did not question himself about it.
47:26
He did not think of eternity.
47:28
He let go in one ear and out the other.
47:34
But this man as Matthew describes him as the fool who built his house on the sand without a foundation.
47:44
He is not the fool that says there is no God that we sung about.
47:48
This man is a fool who actually proclaims to know God.
47:56
Why do you call me Lord, Lord?
47:58
He says at the beginning.
48:01
The repetition of Lord, Lord emphasizes that this man knew the Lord in a personal way.
48:09
It's a personal call.
48:10
It's an intimate way to address someone.
48:12
And if he's not going to listen to the words of the one in whom he professes in,
48:21
you've got to ask yourself, well who is the greater fool?
48:25
The one who knows something about God and doesn't do the things of God?
48:32
The one who has heard that there is a storm coming but does not do anything about it?
48:36
Or the one who just blatantly says there is no God?
48:43
How do you respond to the word of God?
48:49
The man who does not do does not dig.
48:54
And he says that he does not dig because he doesn't need to dig.
48:59
Digging is costly.
49:01
Digging is doing things that he does not want to do.
49:03
He's altering the plan to suit himself.
49:08
He's living his life the way he wants to.
49:11
But he's still calling out to God.
49:15
He's still thinking that God will save him.
49:19
God is a God of love.
49:22
He's at ease with God.
49:25
There's no cost to following God.
49:29
He's not exercising faith in the word of God.
49:33
He's casual to the word of God.
49:41
And maybe it sounds good.
49:43
Maybe it sounds healthy.
49:45
When he calls out, Lord, Lord.
49:49
They both built houses, these men.
49:53
And on their appearances, things look the same.
49:56
If you have the image of the two houses before you,
50:01
there's a vast difference in them.
50:05
There's a huge difference.
50:06
There's a world of difference in them.
50:12
The man who does not is like a tree that is bearing no good fruit,
50:19
but he is telling everyone that his fruit is good.
50:22
And you're looking at the tree and you're thinking,
50:27
that's a foolish tree.
50:30
His tree, his fruit is bad.
50:33
How does he not see it?
50:36
But he's proclaiming that his fruit is good.
50:39
You would say it's a fruit.
50:41
I would say such a thing.
50:42
Christ says of the one that professes, Lord, Lord,
50:50
that his words have no meaning to it,
50:55
who does not do the words of God,
50:57
who does not live his life according to the word of God,
51:00
who does not exercise faith in God,
51:03
but still wants the benefits of trusting in God.
51:07
His building is worthless.
51:09
His words are worthless.
51:11
His building will fall.
51:14
And in trials and tribulations,
51:17
the stream will knock the house down.
51:21
And he will have to rebuild it again.
51:23
He will have to make repairs to it,
51:26
unlike the one that trusts in God.
51:28
His life is battered.
51:32
And his life is almost like this tiring existence
51:35
of trying to upkeep his house.
51:38
The prophets spoke in such a way in the Old Testament.
51:45
They said that they would plant seeds and they would not harvest.
51:48
They would eat, but they would not have enough.
51:51
They would drink.
51:52
They would never have their fill.
51:53
You would clothe yourselves and no one would be warm.
51:56
All their wages, they would be put into a bag of holes.
51:59
It's a tireless existence to upkeep our house to look good.
52:09
It is the fool who builds a house that falls.
52:15
When the flood came, it fell immediately.
52:24
And the ruin of that house was great.
52:27
Both builders realized the truth of the word of God upon testing.
52:32
And you know, the tribulations of our lives can sometimes be the very thing that turns us to the rock.
52:40
When we realize that, well, my house will fall.
52:45
My house has no strength to it.
52:46
And it is better to learn this in the lessons of life than in the eternity of hell.
52:52
The afflictions and pains that we see in this life remind us that the ground can be so immediately swiped from beneath our feet.
53:04
It can happen so quickly.
53:06
It can happen immediately.
53:07
In the blink of an eye, the flood can come.
53:12
Our lives are fragile.
53:13
Our lives are uncertain.
53:15
Our lives are full of worries and doubts.
53:19
If we build it ourselves.
53:22
Christ asks us, essentially, to humble ourselves on all that we have built.
53:35
We love the things that we have achieved in this life.
53:40
And God does not ask us when he comes to us to underpin all our achievements.
53:47
When we realize the foundation is not sufficient.
53:50
He does not ask us to underpin all that we have done.
53:56
He says that you must be born again.
54:00
You must have a new building.
54:02
Start from the bottom up.
54:03
Because your house is to be a work of God.
54:09
Not a work of your own hands.
54:10
Your life in Christ is to be someone that is rooted on this rock.
54:16
And every part of this house is to say to those who see it and those who come to it.
54:24
That it is grounded on the rock of Christ.
54:28
And it has a security in the rock of Christ.
54:32
Every part of it is to echo the words of God.
54:35
One house stood.
54:39
One house fell.
54:43
What is your response to the word of God?
54:46
What will be the result when you are tested?
54:49
Now I am sure there are many here and many listening online.
54:56
Who have started building upon the solid rock of Christ and his word.
55:02
And you have sifted your heart.
55:05
And you are digging in the word of God.
55:08
And you have started the foundations.
55:10
The groundwork of the spirit is at work in your heart.
55:18
And it is unseen by me.
55:21
But grow and keep growing.
55:24
Keep exercising faith.
55:26
And keep doing what God has asked of us.
55:30
That we will be people that grow in obedience.
55:33
As we hear his words.
55:35
And that we build lives that cannot be shaken.
55:38
But as you who have started building.
55:43
There will be a time where you must break the surface.
55:47
There is a time when people must see.
55:50
The house that you are building.
55:53
It is time as you lay every block in your life.
55:58
That they echo the words of Christ.
56:01
And they speak of God.
56:04
And as you trust in Christ.
56:05
You will be encouraged to say to others.
56:10
As for me and my house.
56:12
We will serve the Lord.
56:16
That is what your house is to be.
56:18
That is what our lives are to be.
56:21
And in trusting and serving the Lord.
56:25
We will be secure.
56:26
Shortly afterwards we will move into the hall.
56:33
To the Sunday school prize game.
56:36
And this is what we desire for the youth.
56:40
That they would likewise understand the foundation for their lives.
56:44
And place their trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
56:51
That we would teach them about the security of the foundation.
56:57
In obeying God's word.
56:59
And trusting in the man that has died for them.
57:02
They that in the Lord that firmly trust shall be like Zion Hill.
57:10
Which at no time can be removed.
57:13
That standeth ever still.
57:16
The difference between these two builders.
57:19
Christ is saying it is the one who does.
57:26
Believes and trusts in his word.
57:29
The other man is essentially building on his own words.
57:35
He is building his own life.
57:36
He is building his own house.
57:38
Without foundations.
57:39
He is doing it the way he wants.
57:42
And not the way it has been asked of.
57:47
What are we building?
57:49
Foundationally.
57:52
There is a huge difference between the two.
57:55
There is a world of difference between each one.
57:59
And the world of difference.
58:01
Isn't a word.
58:03
That is foundationally.
58:07
A word of difference.
58:10
How do you respond to the word of God?
58:14
What is the result of your life?
58:19
How will you fear?
58:20
How will you fear?
58:20
How will you fear?
58:20
How will you fear?
58:20
When the flood comes?
58:23
That is how Christ finished his sermon.
58:28
And likewise I'll finish it without saying anymore.
58:32
That we would give our attention to his words.
58:35
And put our trust in them.
58:38
As a rock for our lives.
58:41
May that and these thoughts be blessed to us.
58:44
We'll conclude by singing.
58:48
In Psalm 127.
58:51
In the Scottish Psalter version.
58:54
You'll find that on page 420 of the Blue Book.
58:57
Psalm 127.
59:01
Accept the Lord to build a house.
59:06
The builders lose their pain.
59:09
Accept the Lord the city keep.
59:11
The watchmen watch in vain.
59:14
Tis vain for you to rise betimes.
59:16
Or late from rest to keep.
59:19
To feed on sorrow's bread.
59:20
So gives he his beloved sleep.
59:25
For low children are God's heritage.
59:28
The womb's fruit his reward.
59:31
The sons of youth as arrows are for strong men's hands prepared.
59:36
O happy is the man that hath his quiver filled with those.
59:41
They unashamed in the gate shall speak unto their foes.
59:46
This psalm speaks of the vain one who builds without trusting in the Lord.
59:53
And building without the Lord.
59:56
But also to bring up our children.
1:00:00
To trust in that foundation.
1:00:03
And that they too would be people that would stand firm.
1:00:07
Unashamed when they speak with their foes.
1:00:11
So we'll stand to sing this psalm together.
1:00:13
Accept the Lord to build a house.
1:00:16
The builders lose their pain.
1:00:20
Accept the Lord to build the house.
1:00:28
The builders lose their pain.
1:00:35
Accept the Lord to build the house.
1:00:40
As a calm and river.
1:00:41
The builders lose their pain.
1:00:42
What are the signs that can matter?
1:00:44
It may no longer and not again.
1:00:45
But in the land of the rest.
1:00:47
The�� linear means two thousand dollars.
1:00:48
The poor, support of an angel.
1:00:50
Watchmen, watchmen, watch, and men.
1:00:52
To spend for you, to rise betimes.
1:01:02
Are laid from rest to keep
1:01:09
To feed on sorrows bread
1:01:16
So gives ye heads, beloveds,
1:01:24
O children are God's heritage,
1:01:36
The womb's fruit is reward,
1:01:44
The sons of youth as adults are,
1:01:53
For strong men's hands prepared.
1:02:02
O happy is the man that hath
1:02:11
His quiver filled with those
1:02:18
The young Hashem, the king,
1:02:27
Shall speak unto their foes.
1:02:36
I'll conclude with a short prayer.
1:02:39
Our Father in heaven, we ask you
1:02:41
That you would speak to us,
1:02:43
And that we would be people that would
1:02:45
Give our minds to your word, and hear it,
1:02:47
And be doers of it, exercising faith in you,
1:02:50
That our children are a blessing to us,
1:02:53
And that our children may be ones that would
1:02:55
Speak of Christ with confidence and assurity,
1:02:59
That we also would learn from them,
1:03:02
And that we would place our trust in God,
1:03:05
That he is the rock of our salvation,
1:03:08
And one that does not change.
1:03:11
We thank you for all that you are,
1:03:13
And all that you have given us.
1:03:15
Pray this to be blessed to us.
1:03:17
We thank you.
1:03:18
In Jesus name.
1:03:20
Amen.
1:03:22
Amen.