I. Two Kinds Of Men Vs. 24-27

A. Many Similarities

1. Both men hear the Word of God
2. Both men are building “houses”

a. Both men have a life philosophy/theology. They are “building”.
b. Both men have life goals
c. Both men have storms in life

i. Physical afflictions
ii. Financial hardships
iii. Self worth affected by finances, health, success: positive/negative
iv. Being married, raising families, allowing teens to stretch wings
v. Children move away, get married, and make life choices
vi. Retirement, purpose in life
vii. Old age, infirmity, death of a spouse

d. Both men’s “houses” will be tested

i. Their life choices will ultimately be seen for what they are
ii. Their sources of strength will be pushed to the limit
iii. How they deal with loss, disappointment, failure

e. We don’t know when or how these storms might come; severity of them
f. We only know that storms will come

3. The greatest “storm/test” that will come will be death/judgment before God

a. If we have rightly prepared for eternity, we receive eternal blessing
b. If we are not prepared for eternity, we suffer eternal loss

B. The Foolish Man

1. Foolish-mōros- (moron) foolish, impious, godless. Speaks of heart & character.
2. The foolish man “knows” what Jesus says, but doesn’t do it.
3. His godless and immoral lifestyle cause him to take lightly the words of Jesus.
4. Perhaps because of laziness, peer pressure, procrastination, thinks himself impervious, better than others, immune to the storms of life, etc.

C. The Wise Man

1. Wise- phronimos- intelligent, wise, prudent, i.e. mindful of one’s interests

a. Knowledge isn’t enough-( whoever hears these sayings…and does them)
b. Wisdom is the right application of knowledge

2. The wise man is blessed in many ways, as he obeys the word of God

a. He has a worldview that is according to the mind & heart of God
b. He views people the way God views people
c. He doesn’t put inappropriate value on things that are passing away
d. He is able to enjoy things for what they are, not more than they are
e. He/she is able to rightly love their spouse, raise their kids
f. They have the spiritual resources to handle disappointment/tragedy
g. They have a proper self image, & see themselves as God sees them

3. The wise man sees the blessings of obedience as his “house” endures the storms
4. The wise man builds his house upon Jesus Christ and His word
5. How the wise man builds: by reading and obeying God’s “living” word.

a. Acts 7:38 “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us…
b. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
c. John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
d. Obeying God’s living word.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

6. Considerations regarding “foundation building”:

a. Jesus is the rock we build upon.

i. He is not static, like the foundations of our homes.
ii. He is a living, moving, mobile foundation.
Unchanging truth with changing application, guidance, detail, etc.
iii. Our lives are not static; they are ever changing.
iv. Our foundation is the truth of God, which does not change, but the application, awareness, and understanding of it needs to be fresh.

b. Unlike a house, foundation building for our lives never stops

i. NOT- whoever heard these words of mine and did them…
ii. BUT- whoever is hearing these words of mine and is doing them…
iii. Jesus speaks of His word in the present, ongoing tense.
iv. Foundation building continues, because our lives are not static.

c. God may and to add to our house/ministry/wealth/influence/location
d. Foundation building must increase, widen, deepen, expand

II. The Biggest Storm (Test) Vs. 21-23

A. Two Kinds Of Spiritual Men

1. Both say “Lord, Lord”
2. Both prophesy in His name
3. Both cast out demons in His name
4. Both done wonders in His name

B. The Difference Between Them

1. One does the will of God, the other is just religious
2. One knows Jesus, the other has never known Him. Ginosko-know by experience
3. One has built upon rock regarding eternity, the other has built upon sand.
4. A false profession will last until trials come or eternal judgment comes.