Posted on 07/09/2025 3:52:36 AM PDT by metmom
“‘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’” (Matthew 7:24, 26).
An important way to discern between true believers and those who merely profess faith in Christ is to consider Jesus’ illustration of the hearers and builders. The crucial element to understand is the foundations upon which people build hopes. While there are clear distinctions, there are also some interesting similarities. First, both kinds of builders hear the gospel. They both outwardly recognize the way of salvation.
Second, hearing the gospel both groups build a house, which represents their lives. Each type of builder has confidence that his or her house will stand. Each also believes their manner of living is right and pleasing to the Lord—“Christian” in form and manner.
Third, both parties erect their houses in the same general location. That is, their life situations are basically the same. Perhaps they are members of the same church, hear the same preaching, attend the same Bible study, and have fellowship with the same friends.
In summary, so much seems to be alike for the builders Jesus describes. By inference, we could say both live much the same sorts of lives—morally respectable, acceptably religious, theologically orthodox, good supporters and servants in their church, and even good community citizens. But the ultimate outcome of life will be radically different for the two.
Ask Yourself
How do these similarities cloud people’s awareness of spiritual need? What distinctions should be visible and obvious when comparing the lives of believers and unbelievers?
Studying God’s Word ping
Good message today.
yup
The question shouldn’t be “between believers and unbelievers” it should be between believers who act and those that don’t act based on the verses in question.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Observe: keep your eye upon, fulfill a command hold fast1. Our Relationship with GodCommand: to give an order, to direct
Matthew 11:1 (NKJV))
1 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
(Luke 7:18–35)
Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.
Matthew 4:17 (NKJV)
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:19 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Realize who Jesus is and follow Him)
Matthew 6:1 (NASB)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven..
(Keep your motives pure)
Matthew 6:6 (NASB)
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
(Spend time alone with God)Matthew 8:22 (NASB)
But Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
(Things of the Kingdom take precedence over things of the world)Matthew 9:9 (NASB)
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He *said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him.
(Follow Him)Matthew 9:13 (NIV)
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
(1. Keep a teachable spirit 2. Learn God’s nature 3. Remember where you came from)
Matthew 16:24 (NASB)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
(We all die, so live for Christ. Your “cross” is not your “burdens” - leave your burdens and take up your cross.)
Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
(Love God with all you are)Matthew 26:26 (NASB)
While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”
(Observe His ordinance; Remember Jesus’ sacrifice for you)
Matthew 26:28 (NASB)
for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.
(Call to mind He spilled His blood 🩸 for you)
II. Our relationship with ourselves
Matthew 5:29-30 (NASB)
If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
(Control your flesh. Don’t let your flesh control you)
Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Use what you have for His kingdom. Life here is brief, but life there is a long time)
Matthew 6:33 (NASB)
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
(Put God and His kingdom first and enjoy some of it here)Matthew 6:34 (NASB)
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
(Life is brief. Don’t waste it worrying)Matthew 7:7-8 (NASB)
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 9:29 (NASB)Then He touched their eyes, saying, “It shall be done to you according to your faith.”
(Practice radical faith)Matthew 17:6-7 (NASB)
When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.”
(Don’t fear! Period!)
III. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS
Matthew 5:11 (NASB)
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
(It is a great honor to be recognized as God’s kids)Matthew 5:12 (NASB)
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(There is great reward for standing firm)Matthew 5:16 (NASB)
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(Don’t be a closet Christian)
Matthew 5:23-24 (NASB)
Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
(Your relationship with God is reflected in your relationship with others.)Matthew 5:37 (NASB)
But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.
(Speak truth. Stay out of the gray areas.)
Matthew 5:39-42 (NASB)
But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
(Don’t react to the world and you might win one for the kingdom.)Matthew 5:44-45 (NASB)
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
(Don’t react to the world and you might win one for the kingdom.)Matthew 7:1 (NASB)
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
(God’s the standard and no one measures up. This relieves you from having to be perfect.”Matthew 7:6 (NASB)
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
(Use wisdom and discernment. At times walk the walk and keep silent)Matthew 7:12 (NASB)
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
(“The Golden Rule” The law of the harvest: you reap what you sow.”Matthew 7:15-16 (NASB)
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
(Sometimes the enemy will come in through the front door. Judge by the fruit.)Matthew 9:38 (NASB)
Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
(Expect God to answer. And expect to go)Matthew 10:7-8 (NASB)
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
(As you go, preach! Because the Kingdom of God is at hand).Matthew 11:1 (NASB)
When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
Matthew 18:10 (NASB)
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
(God loves children)Matthew 18:15 (NASB)
“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
(Work out your differences here. Remember you will spend eternity together.)
Matthew 19:14 (NASB)
But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
(God loves children)Matthew 22:37-39 (NASB)
And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
(Love people like God loves people.)Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Reproduce, multiply, Baptize)
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