The wise and foolish builders Luke 6:46-49

Luke 6:46-49    ‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.’

1. A Theology of Storms ….. or ‘how to storm-proof your life’ ‘when the flood came …. When the torrent struck.’ Storms will come … … but your house will stand

1. A Theology of Storms No bad thing can happen unless it has passed the permissive filter of God (Job 1:12; 2:6) His grace is sufficient for us in times of trouble (2 Cor 12:9,10) He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Cor 10:13)

1. A Theology of Storms Jesus has overcome the world (John16:33) He is judge and injustice will be righted (Luke 16:19ff) Our house WILL STAND (Luke 6: 46-49)

2. Should Jesus have read Romans and Galatians before he told this parable? Doesn’t a lot of what Jesus says appear to teach salvation by good works?? Paul says: ‘’For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ (Eph 2:8-10)

2. Should Jesus have read Romans and Galatians before he told this parable? Doesn’t a lot of what Jesus says appear to teach salvation by good works?? Jesus says: ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognised by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn-bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.’ (Luke 6:43-45)

3. Why listening to sermons can be bad for you When all is said and done … … there’s far more said than done. Matthew 7:21 ‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. The three parables in Matt 25 (10 virgins; talents; sheep and goats) James 2:18 ‘But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.’

4. I’m Sorry, Christian, But You Don’t Get to Make that Move Matt 7:13,14 ‘Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’

4. I’m Sorry, Christian, But You Don’t Get to Make that Move Actions / attitudes / language Prohibited Required Permitted

The wise and foolish builders Storm-proof your life Faith without works is dead It’s not what you say, it’s what you do Check your moves