Parables

Wise and Foolish Builders

Sunday, June 30.2024

 Luke 6:46-49

 Introduction

 Build Wisely by Obeying Jesus and His Teachings

 The Call to True Obedience

v.46 – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Jesus begins with a striking question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” This question challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith. Calling Jesus ‘Lord’ goes beyond mere words; it demands obedience and submission to His will.

 “Let us mark, in these verses, what an old and common sin is profession without practice.” J.C Ryle

 Hear and Act

v.47,48 – “Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

 dug deep - Two different Greek verbs: who dug (eskapsen) and dug deep (ebathunen)

 Digging deep involves:

1. Prayer: Regular communion with God strengthens our relationship with Him and aligns our hearts with His will.
2. Scripture Study: Delving into God’s Word allows His truth to penetrate our hearts and minds, guiding our thoughts and actions.
3. Discipleship: Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who encourage and challenge us in our faith journey.

 Hear and Doesn’t

v.49 - But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

 Jesus concludes with a sobering truth: the house built on sand suffered great ruin. Similarly, a life that hears but does not obey His teachings faces spiritual consequences.

 Spiritual Instability: Disobedience to Christ’s teachings leads to spiritual instability and vulnerability. It hinders our growth in faith and intimacy with God.

 Personal and Community Impact: The consequences of disobedience extend beyond individual lives to impact families, churches, and communities. Our obedience to Christ’s teachings is a testimony of His transforming power in our lives and a witness to those around us.

 Both builders faced storms—representing trials, challenges, and temptations that test our faith. The difference lies in the foundation.

 The house built on the rock stands firm despite the floodwaters. Likewise, when our faith is rooted in Christ, we find strength and resilience in Him.

 The foolish builder represents those who hear Jesus’ words but do not act on them. Building on sand, they experience swift destruction when adversity strikes.

 Conclusion

Let us commit ourselves afresh to building our lives on the firm foundation of Christ’s teachings.