"A Tale of Two Men"

16/06/2019 13:29

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Date: 13 June, 2019
Text: Matthew 7:13-27
Title: A Tale of Two Men
 
Introduction:
 
We have enjoyed some guests from the States recently. It's fun to hear them remark on differences between the US and Britain. One great difference is our building styles. 
- Many homes here are attached where most homes in the States are detached.
- Homes here are better protected from harsh weather. Harling/ slate or tiled roofs
- Homes here don't have air conditioning - we keep that on outside year round.
exp. Home building is changing a lot over recent years.
- Modular building instead of site built homes.
 ill. I even saw a holiday home made out of foam with water recycling and solar heating/ power.
- Homes are being built with mandatory power points for electric vehicles.
 
One thing that has not changed and will never change and is the same in all countries - is that fact that a home that is built to last - MUST HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION.
 
Exp. Jesus ended his Sermont on the Mount - preached along the Sea of Galilee - by using an illustration of home building and the foundation in particular.
24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
exp. The home itself represents a man's spiritual life. The rain/flood/wind that will test it - is God's judgment.
 
It is like when the Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" It's not just speaking about weathering the storms of life. The context of His statement is dealing with weathering the judgment of God in eternity.
 
Today is Father's day and my message is, "A Tale of Two Men." One man's house will stand in the judgment. The other man's house will not stand.
 
IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT THAT MAN LISTENED TO JESUS WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE AND OBEYED THEM.
 
How to build a house that will stand in the day of God's judgment. Will your house stand?
 
I. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Get on the right path.
 ill. All roads don't lead to Heaven. Modern religion wants you to think that is the case. They say, "Well as long as you believe that - they are all really the same thing...."
 exp. They are partly right - ALL WORKS RELIGIONS ARE THE SAME THING. Earn your salvation. But, there is another way which is God's way - IT IS THE PATH OF FAITH IN JESUS ATONING WORK ON CALVARY. (Being born again, being saved, receiving God's gift by grace through faith.)
A. Jesus said to forsake the obvious route.
ill. Imagine someone seeking to find out about religion..... 
A cathedral is inspiring, stone carvings, ornate ceilings, gold craftsmanship. 
Waving incense, burning candles, icons and stained glass.
Huge gatherings of worshippers is inspiring (Mecca), 
Rocking huge crowds are inspiring. (Joel Olsteen with his false and empty Gospel) 
Binny Henn and his faith healing - getting people to send money (like gamblers gambling for health and wealth).....
app. It seems perhaps the obvious way to go - but it is the wrong way. Jesus said forsake the obvious way!
1. "I command you to do so."
13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: 
exp. Strait mean narrow. If you saw a path going to this straight gate it would be faintly etched onto freshly pressed down grass. Not many people go the narrow way.
ill. Hiking with the teens at the Grey Mare's Tale up to Loch Skeen. Some got a little off of the path
exp. Normally you would tell someone to take the obvious path and that would be correct. But when it comes to eternity it is the path less traveled by that takes you there.
JESUS COMMANDS YOU TO GO THE NARROW WAY. Why wouldn't man do so?
a.) The way of Biblical Authority and absolute truth.
 exp. The World says, "You narrow minded fundamentalist."
Jesus said - Luke 21:33  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
b.) The way of Separation from the world.
exp. The world says, "You are narrow minded and ought to think like us." JESUS SAYS you don't tell me what to think - I will tell you what to think.
1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
c.) The way that is THE ONLY WAY.
 exp. Ecuminism says, "You are narrow minded. What about budhists/ muslims/ atheists? do you really think God would send them to hell?"
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
app. Jesus commands you to go through the narrow gate. You don't have to obey him. But, your house won't stand if you don't hear and obey him.
2. "I compassionately plead with you to do so."
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, 
 exp. The gate is huge and the way is wide. You can walk in that way with your eyes closed. IT LOOOKS LIKE A GOOD WAY TO GO.
Ill. I suppose that a really nice house can look really good until the foundation crumbles and the house falls. You may point at a house built on sand and say, "See - it doesn't have that foundation and it is a strong well built house." Yes - until the storm comes and then we'll see who's standing. Some buildings built more hastily or with less thought will more obviously be ill prepared for the judgment.
 app. There are some rich, good looking, healthy people who defy the living God - their house looks strong, they have a religious facade - but it won't stand. There are others who have lived life more carelessly and obviously are ill prepared. EITHER WAY DESTRUCTION IS COMING.
3. "I can help you go against the multitude."
and many there be which go in thereat:
exp. It seems that everyone is going that way.
 ill.  Dad's are known at times for their great advice. A child can say to a father, "Dad, everyone is doing it." Dad says, "If everyone jumped off a bridge....."
app. JUST BECAUSE OUR WORLD IS JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE INTO HELL AND THEY SEEM FINE - DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD DO IT.
B. Jesus said to find the path of life.
exp. Get away from that wide way - find the narrow way - Jesus Christ crucified and risen again. Enter that path by faith!
1. "I tell you IT IS THE WAY."
14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, 
 ill. Part of the fun of taking a group down through Moffat to the Grey Mare's Tale is coming back by St. Mary's loch and taking a road past the reservoirs. I told the teens that when they said, "No way!" They would know that we were to the main reason I had brought them there. IT IS A VERY NARROW 20 PERCENT GRADE DECLINE TO THE HEAD OF THE RESERVOIR BELOW.
NOTE: I told them they would say, "No way" and I would say, "Way."
 app. Man says "no way!" to God's way.
1.) Jesus Christ crucified and risen again.
2.) Belief in Jesus without the works of the flesh.
3.) The way of repenting of sin and taking God's gift of everlasting life.
God says, "THE WAY!" the straight gate! the narrow way!
2. "I tell you IT IS THE LIFE."
which leadeth unto life, 
 exp. This year thus far there have been 11 fatalities on Mt. Everest. The path of life on Mount Everest is very narrow. To step off of the path is likely death. The weather window was very small this year leading to a bottleneck at the top. Too many climbers. One particularly horrible picture shows people walking past a dead body just off of the trail as they took their last few steps to the summit.
(Less oxygen, altitude sickness....
 exp. These climbers even though they are experienced are dying because they are climbing with a multitude. 
note: I'd rather climb by myself and live than stay in a group and perish.
ill. Witnessing to a woman at the post office in Killen (near Falls of Dochart) Asking about churches in the village - Church of Scotland and Episcopal - I said, "You need a Baptist Church." Her reaction was less than favourable.
app. We are a Baptist church. Most people in Scotland are Church of Scotland. HOWEVER, it would be better for a person to leave the multitude to come to a Bible preaching church that will lead them to the waters of life than to stay with the multitude and perish.
3. "I tell you IT IS THE TRUTH."
and few there be that find it.
 exp. Don't you wonder why they can't find it?
1.) 6 billion copies of the Bible.
2.) Jesus death and resurrection is known by most of the people in the world. (Certanly in Scotland.
 question: Why can't they find it? BECAUSE THEY AREN'T SEARCHING WITH ALL THEIR HEART.
Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
question: Why aren't they searching with all their heart?
 ill. The kids said that there were signs up at the Falls of Dochart saying to keep your eyes open for a lost set of keys. I didn't spend two seconds looking for keys. Why? I wasn't missing any. If they were my way home, I would have looked.
app. A lot of people are living their life as if they haven't lost out on heaven. They aren't anxious to find Jesus - because they don't want to find Jesus. ARE YOU GOING TO BE LIKE THE MULTITUDE OR ONE OF THE FEW THAT FIND HIM?
 
II. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Go away from false prophets.
Ill. I'm reading Jeremiah just now. Jeremiah is God's prophet and he stands up against many false prophets.
Jeremiah 23:
31  Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32  Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
exp. A false prophet will not build you a good foundation for your house!
A. They will come to you.
15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you
exp. They come from every direction today....
1.) They are on the street corner and knocking on your door. (JW's and Mormons.)
2.) They are in the pulpits ( Church of Scotland/ Catholic Priests)
3.) They are on the news, defended by government and in our schools. (Islam)
4.) They are all over the tv and internet. (Health and wealth gospel thieves, Pentecostal faith healers who are picking pockets of those who follow them.)
 ill. Have you watched someone crossing the street illegally while being completely ignorant of their danger? texting or talking on their mobile (Driving through the town centre....) They need to get their head up/ obey the signs and be aware of what is going on around them.
app. If you want a good foundation - Be aware of your religious surroundings - look out from False Prophets who will build your life on the sand. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN'T BE DECEIVED BY THEM?
B. They will look good to you.
which come to you in sheep's clothing, 
exp. they have deceived many because they look like the real thing.
ill. Jehovah's witnesses look good - they are more modest than most women who profess faith in Jesus. They are better dressed than most men that attend church. They are false through and through with their Jesus rejecting doctrine 
which robs him of His deity, 
His cross and 
His judgment of mankind in a lake of fire for all eternity.
 app. If God's Word disagrees with a man - he is a heretic. Don't listen - no matter if you think he is born again or think he has some good things to say. Get away. He's a false prophet.
C. They will destroy you.
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
 exp. The reality is that they are not what they seem to be.
ill. Reading a BBC article exposing the Health and Wealth Gospel - people who are hurting - up in the middle of the night watching this programming - sending money hoping to sow a seed that will reap (gambling) and also hoping for healing. 
exp. These religions prey on the poor and destroy them.
app. There are many people today on their way to hell because they are following false teachers insted of following God's truth. 
 
III. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Go after good produce.
 exp. How can you be protected from false teaching if it is so deceptive?
A. Go to the right market.
16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
ill. I suppose that the shopping market at some more primitive point in time could have been the orchard/ vineyard or country side. If that was the case, you would go to a fig tree and gather figs or a grape vine to gather grapes. You wouldn't go to the thorn bush or thistle bush to get fruit.
exp. Many people today are listening online/ tele to people who they don't know. They haven't examined their life to see if what they preach is the way they live. They can't because they don't know them.
 app. Jesus says that if you want to be on guard against bad fruit. Know those from whom you gather fruit. Then only go to the right market. (Local church is very important to God's protection against false teachers.)
B. Stay away from bad suppliers.
17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
ill. How it's made - eggs - obviously chickens make eggs - hens, feed, average chicken 300 eggs each year, cleaned, shell density checked, graded - A - B, rejects those that are bad eggs. THEY HAVE A TEST TO DETERMINE IF IT IS BAD OR GOOD.
 ill. God has given us a great test to judge the fruit - Berean fruit test - 
Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
 app. Is what you are eating from a good fruit source? Your foundation won't stand if you aren't going after good produce.
C. Don't shop on Satan's black market.
19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
ill. Going to a shop with the boys - looking for a valuable watch - saying, "You'd never find a rolex." It was a fake. It's worthless - (actually it was worth two pounds to the shop.)
 exp. How many times have people given good money for something that was fake from people whom the police will prosecute.
 app. Sadly, Satan sells fakes that people take into eternity thinking they are real. He will be cast into Hell for His false dealings and because they bought from him, they will be burnt in the fire as well. (Go after good fruit - don't shop on Satan's black market.)
D. Develop taste for what is good.
20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
exp. Christian or soon to be Christian - this is not beyond your ability to do. You should be able to judge what is good fruit and what is not - IF YOU STICK WITH THE BIBLE.
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
app. How many people in eternity will have their house crumble because they didn't listen to Jesus when He taught them to go after good produce?
 
IV. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Get a true profession.
Ill. unsaved friend told me a funny story - went from here to Florida. Was contacted by a time share and offered free tickets to disney world and a ride there - if he would listen to their sales pitch. (He turned them down. They told him to get his own ride to Disney. He walked outside was asked by a limo driver if he was - so and so and he said, "Yes I am" and rode in style to disney world.
exp. Just because you say you are a Christian does not make you one.
A. Salvation is more than a profession of faith.
21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; 
exp.  Lord, Lord is Master, Master. How sincere this sounds, even more so because it is uttered in the presence of Jesus himself at the judgment.
 app. You may say today, "I am a Christian." You could say so and believe that you are - BUT IF YOU ARE TRUSTING IN YOUR GOODNESS - YOU ARE WRONG.
Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
B. Salvation is doing the will of the Father.
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
exp. What is the will of God with regard to salvation.
Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
ill. Young lady - who had read the tract - "It was interesting. I hadn't thought about that." are you saved, "I.... think so." I told her, "Their should be a time when you got saved. Read the story of the Philippian jailer in your Bible. He got saved on the night of the earthquake."
 app. When did you put your faith in Jesus? God's will is that you believe on Jesus and that you are born again? God doesn't care about your confesssion. He cares that you have done His will with regard to salvation.
C. Salvation is not doing good works in Jesus name.
22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
ill. Our neighbor when we lived in Wadhams, Michigan. I remember speaking with her at her kitchen table as she said she would go to heaven because she was a good person. It was then that this passage fully hit me. "in thy name done many wonderful works - cast out devils in thy name, prophesied in thy name." BUT THEY NEVER KNEW JESUS!
app. Friend, you could be here today and have done things in Jesus name. You were sincere and you thought God accepted your works. But, you never received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. YOUR FOUNDATION IS GOING TO CRUMBLE UNLESS YOU GET SAVED!
 
CONCLUSION:
 IT'S FATHER'S DAY - our story has two me. 
The wise man - who's house stood in the day of judgment.
The foolish man - who's house crumbled.
Will your house stand?
1.) Are you on the right path - the straight and narrow?
2.) Are you following false prophets?
3.) Are you eating good fruit?

Date: 13 June, 2019

Text: Matthew 7:13-27

Title: A Tale of Two Men

 

Introduction:

 

We have enjoyed some guests from the States recently. It's fun to hear them remark on differences between the US and Britain. One great difference is our building styles. 

- Many homes here are attached where most homes in the States are detached.

- Homes here are better protected from harsh weather. Harling/ slate or tiled roofs

- Homes here don't have air conditioning - we keep that on outside year round.

exp. Home building is changing a lot over recent years.

- Modular building instead of site built homes.

 ill. I even saw a holiday home made out of foam with water recycling and solar heating/ power.

- Homes are being built with mandatory power points for electric vehicles.

 

One thing that has not changed and will never change and is the same in all countries - is that fact that a home that is built to last - MUST HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION.

 

Exp. Jesus ended his Sermont on the Mount - preached along the Sea of Galilee - by using an illustration of home building and the foundation in particular.

24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

exp. The home itself represents a man's spiritual life. The rain/flood/wind that will test it - is God's judgment.

 

It is like when the Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" It's not just speaking about weathering the storms of life. The context of His statement is dealing with weathering the judgment of God in eternity.

 

Today is Father's day and my message is, "A Tale of Two Men." One man's house will stand in the judgment. The other man's house will not stand.

 

IT ALL HAS TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT THAT MAN LISTENED TO JESUS WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE AND OBEYED THEM.

 

How to build a house that will stand in the day of God's judgment. Will your house stand?

 

I. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Get on the right path.

 ill. All roads don't lead to Heaven. Modern religion wants you to think that is the case. They say, "Well as long as you believe that - they are all really the same thing...."

 exp. They are partly right - ALL WORKS RELIGIONS ARE THE SAME THING. Earn your salvation. But, there is another way which is God's way - IT IS THE PATH OF FAITH IN JESUS ATONING WORK ON CALVARY. (Being born again, being saved, receiving God's gift by grace through faith.)

A. Jesus said to forsake the obvious route.

ill. Imagine someone seeking to find out about religion..... 

A cathedral is inspiring, stone carvings, ornate ceilings, gold craftsmanship. 

Waving incense, burning candles, icons and stained glass.

Huge gatherings of worshippers is inspiring (Mecca), 

Rocking huge crowds are inspiring. (Joel Olsteen with his false and empty Gospel) 

Binny Henn and his faith healing - getting people to send money (like gamblers gambling for health and wealth).....

app. It seems perhaps the obvious way to go - but it is the wrong way. Jesus said forsake the obvious way!

1. "I command you to do so."

13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: 

exp. Strait mean narrow. If you saw a path going to this straight gate it would be faintly etched onto freshly pressed down grass. Not many people go the narrow way.

ill. Hiking with the teens at the Grey Mare's Tale up to Loch Skeen. Some got a little off of the path

exp. Normally you would tell someone to take the obvious path and that would be correct. But when it comes to eternity it is the path less traveled by that takes you there.

JESUS COMMANDS YOU TO GO THE NARROW WAY. Why wouldn't man do so?

a.) The way of Biblical Authority and absolute truth.

 exp. The World says, "You narrow minded fundamentalist."

Jesus said - Luke 21:33  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

b.) The way of Separation from the world.

exp. The world says, "You are narrow minded and ought to think like us." JESUS SAYS you don't tell me what to think - I will tell you what to think.

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

c.) The way that is THE ONLY WAY.

 exp. Ecuminism says, "You are narrow minded. What about budhists/ muslims/ atheists? do you really think God would send them to hell?"

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

app. Jesus commands you to go through the narrow gate. You don't have to obey him. But, your house won't stand if you don't hear and obey him.

2. "I compassionately plead with you to do so."

for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, 

 exp. The gate is huge and the way is wide. You can walk in that way with your eyes closed. IT LOOOKS LIKE A GOOD WAY TO GO.

Ill. I suppose that a really nice house can look really good until the foundation crumbles and the house falls. You may point at a house built on sand and say, "See - it doesn't have that foundation and it is a strong well built house." Yes - until the storm comes and then we'll see who's standing. Some buildings built more hastily or with less thought will more obviously be ill prepared for the judgment.

 app. There are some rich, good looking, healthy people who defy the living God - their house looks strong, they have a religious facade - but it won't stand. There are others who have lived life more carelessly and obviously are ill prepared. EITHER WAY DESTRUCTION IS COMING.

3. "I can help you go against the multitude."

and many there be which go in thereat:

exp. It seems that everyone is going that way.

 ill.  Dad's are known at times for their great advice. A child can say to a father, "Dad, everyone is doing it." Dad says, "If everyone jumped off a bridge....."

app. JUST BECAUSE OUR WORLD IS JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE INTO HELL AND THEY SEEM FINE - DOES NOT MEAN YOU SHOULD DO IT.

B. Jesus said to find the path of life.

exp. Get away from that wide way - find the narrow way - Jesus Christ crucified and risen again. Enter that path by faith!

1. "I tell you IT IS THE WAY."

14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, 

 ill. Part of the fun of taking a group down through Moffat to the Grey Mare's Tale is coming back by St. Mary's loch and taking a road past the reservoirs. I told the teens that when they said, "No way!" They would know that we were to the main reason I had brought them there. IT IS A VERY NARROW 20 PERCENT GRADE DECLINE TO THE HEAD OF THE RESERVOIR BELOW.

NOTE: I told them they would say, "No way" and I would say, "Way."

 app. Man says "no way!" to God's way.

1.) Jesus Christ crucified and risen again.

2.) Belief in Jesus without the works of the flesh.

3.) The way of repenting of sin and taking God's gift of everlasting life.

God says, "THE WAY!" the straight gate! the narrow way!

2. "I tell you IT IS THE LIFE."

which leadeth unto life, 

 exp. This year thus far there have been 11 fatalities on Mt. Everest. The path of life on Mount Everest is very narrow. To step off of the path is likely death. The weather window was very small this year leading to a bottleneck at the top. Too many climbers. One particularly horrible picture shows people walking past a dead body just off of the trail as they took their last few steps to the summit.

(Less oxygen, altitude sickness....

 exp. These climbers even though they are experienced are dying because they are climbing with a multitude. 

note: I'd rather climb by myself and live than stay in a group and perish.

ill. Witnessing to a woman at the post office in Killen (near Falls of Dochart) Asking about churches in the village - Church of Scotland and Episcopal - I said, "You need a Baptist Church." Her reaction was less than favourable.

app. We are a Baptist church. Most people in Scotland are Church of Scotland. HOWEVER, it would be better for a person to leave the multitude to come to a Bible preaching church that will lead them to the waters of life than to stay with the multitude and perish.

3. "I tell you IT IS THE TRUTH."

and few there be that find it.

 exp. Don't you wonder why they can't find it?

1.) 6 billion copies of the Bible.

2.) Jesus death and resurrection is known by most of the people in the world. (Certanly in Scotland.

 question: Why can't they find it? BECAUSE THEY AREN'T SEARCHING WITH ALL THEIR HEART.

Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

question: Why aren't they searching with all their heart?

 ill. The kids said that there were signs up at the Falls of Dochart saying to keep your eyes open for a lost set of keys. I didn't spend two seconds looking for keys. Why? I wasn't missing any. If they were my way home, I would have looked.

app. A lot of people are living their life as if they haven't lost out on heaven. They aren't anxious to find Jesus - because they don't want to find Jesus. ARE YOU GOING TO BE LIKE THE MULTITUDE OR ONE OF THE FEW THAT FIND HIM?

 

II. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Go away from false prophets.

Ill. I'm reading Jeremiah just now. Jeremiah is God's prophet and he stands up against many false prophets.

Jeremiah 23:

31  Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

32  Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

exp. A false prophet will not build you a good foundation for your house!

A. They will come to you.

15  Beware of false prophets, which come to you

exp. They come from every direction today....

1.) They are on the street corner and knocking on your door. (JW's and Mormons.)

2.) They are in the pulpits ( Church of Scotland/ Catholic Priests)

3.) They are on the news, defended by government and in our schools. (Islam)

4.) They are all over the tv and internet. (Health and wealth gospel thieves, Pentecostal faith healers who are picking pockets of those who follow them.)

 ill. Have you watched someone crossing the street illegally while being completely ignorant of their danger? texting or talking on their mobile (Driving through the town centre....) They need to get their head up/ obey the signs and be aware of what is going on around them.

app. If you want a good foundation - Be aware of your religious surroundings - look out from False Prophets who will build your life on the sand. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN'T BE DECEIVED BY THEM?

B. They will look good to you.

which come to you in sheep's clothing, 

exp. they have deceived many because they look like the real thing.

ill. Jehovah's witnesses look good - they are more modest than most women who profess faith in Jesus. They are better dressed than most men that attend church. They are false through and through with their Jesus rejecting doctrine 

which robs him of His deity, 

His cross and 

His judgment of mankind in a lake of fire for all eternity.

 app. If God's Word disagrees with a man - he is a heretic. Don't listen - no matter if you think he is born again or think he has some good things to say. Get away. He's a false prophet.

C. They will destroy you.

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

 exp. The reality is that they are not what they seem to be.

ill. Reading a BBC article exposing the Health and Wealth Gospel - people who are hurting - up in the middle of the night watching this programming - sending money hoping to sow a seed that will reap (gambling) and also hoping for healing. 

exp. These religions prey on the poor and destroy them.

app. There are many people today on their way to hell because they are following false teachers insted of following God's truth. 

 

III. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Go after good produce.

 exp. How can you be protected from false teaching if it is so deceptive?

A. Go to the right market.

16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

ill. I suppose that the shopping market at some more primitive point in time could have been the orchard/ vineyard or country side. If that was the case, you would go to a fig tree and gather figs or a grape vine to gather grapes. You wouldn't go to the thorn bush or thistle bush to get fruit.

exp. Many people today are listening online/ tele to people who they don't know. They haven't examined their life to see if what they preach is the way they live. They can't because they don't know them.

 app. Jesus says that if you want to be on guard against bad fruit. Know those from whom you gather fruit. Then only go to the right market. (Local church is very important to God's protection against false teachers.)

B. Stay away from bad suppliers.

17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

ill. How it's made - eggs - obviously chickens make eggs - hens, feed, average chicken 300 eggs each year, cleaned, shell density checked, graded - A - B, rejects those that are bad eggs. THEY HAVE A TEST TO DETERMINE IF IT IS BAD OR GOOD.

 ill. God has given us a great test to judge the fruit - Berean fruit test - 

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

 app. Is what you are eating from a good fruit source? Your foundation won't stand if you aren't going after good produce.

C. Don't shop on Satan's black market.

19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

ill. Going to a shop with the boys - looking for a valuable watch - saying, "You'd never find a rolex." It was a fake. It's worthless - (actually it was worth two pounds to the shop.)

 exp. How many times have people given good money for something that was fake from people whom the police will prosecute.

 app. Sadly, Satan sells fakes that people take into eternity thinking they are real. He will be cast into Hell for His false dealings and because they bought from him, they will be burnt in the fire as well. (Go after good fruit - don't shop on Satan's black market.)

D. Develop taste for what is good.

20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

exp. Christian or soon to be Christian - this is not beyond your ability to do. You should be able to judge what is good fruit and what is not - IF YOU STICK WITH THE BIBLE.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

app. How many people in eternity will have their house crumble because they didn't listen to Jesus when He taught them to go after good produce?

 

IV. DO YOU WANT A HOUSE THAT WILL STAND? Get a true profession.

Ill. unsaved friend told me a funny story - went from here to Florida. Was contacted by a time share and offered free tickets to disney world and a ride there - if he would listen to their sales pitch. (He turned them down. They told him to get his own ride to Disney. He walked outside was asked by a limo driver if he was - so and so and he said, "Yes I am" and rode in style to disney world.

exp. Just because you say you are a Christian does not make you one.

A. Salvation is more than a profession of faith.

21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; 

exp.  Lord, Lord is Master, Master. How sincere this sounds, even more so because it is uttered in the presence of Jesus himself at the judgment.

 app. You may say today, "I am a Christian." You could say so and believe that you are - BUT IF YOU ARE TRUSTING IN YOUR GOODNESS - YOU ARE WRONG.

Gal 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

B. Salvation is doing the will of the Father.

but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

exp. What is the will of God with regard to salvation.

Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Joh 6:40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

ill. Young lady - who had read the tract - "It was interesting. I hadn't thought about that." are you saved, "I.... think so." I told her, "Their should be a time when you got saved. Read the story of the Philippian jailer in your Bible. He got saved on the night of the earthquake."

 app. When did you put your faith in Jesus? God's will is that you believe on Jesus and that you are born again? God doesn't care about your confesssion. He cares that you have done His will with regard to salvation.

C. Salvation is not doing good works in Jesus name.

22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

ill. Our neighbor when we lived in Wadhams, Michigan. I remember speaking with her at her kitchen table as she said she would go to heaven because she was a good person. It was then that this passage fully hit me. "in thy name done many wonderful works - cast out devils in thy name, prophesied in thy name." BUT THEY NEVER KNEW JESUS!

app. Friend, you could be here today and have done things in Jesus name. You were sincere and you thought God accepted your works. But, you never received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. YOUR FOUNDATION IS GOING TO CRUMBLE UNLESS YOU GET SAVED!

 

CONCLUSION:

 IT'S FATHER'S DAY - our story has two me. 

The wise man - who's house stood in the day of judgment.

The foolish man - who's house crumbled.

Will your house stand?

1.) Are you on the right path - the straight and narrow?

2.) Are you following false prophets?

3.) Are you eating good fruit?

 

4.) Is your profession true?

4.) Is your profession true?
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