Matthew 7:24-29, “the coming storm” [Listen]

Jesus finishes this lengthy section (Matthew 5-7) talking about the importance of acting on his words. Failure to do so will result in catastrophe.

24“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

I’d like to start this morning by summarizing Jesus’ closing thoughts starting with Matthew 6:24:

If you are to be a person of the Kingdom you cannot have split loyalties – you cannot live for the priorities of this world AND for God (6:24). Trust God for what you need (6:25-34).

Instead of following the religious norm of the day, stop judging others; that’s not you’re role. You can best help others when you work from a devoted and righteous life – work on that! (7:1-5).

Don’t worry that many will reject my message (7:6); pursue God with all you have (7:7-12).

This path is difficult and most will not take it (7:13-14). So be aware; there are many who will gain a following with attractive teaching that, in the end, leads to hell (7:15-23). If my words are the foundation of your life you will be able to stand through the storm that is coming (24-28).
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In these final words of this section Jesus brings his instruction to a point of action. He starts with a group of people who all hear his message. Not all, however, respond the same way. Some receive his words as the revelation of God and devote themselves to them – they are building their lives on a sure foundation. When the storm comes they will be O.K. They are compelled to let go of all other choices and follow Jesus and his ways.

Others will hear but will not let go of their gods – they are building their lives on the sand of religiosity. They do not have a foundation that will hold – they will die in the storm.

Some missunderstand Matt 5-7. They see Jesus’ words of instruction here as a formula for success at the final judgement. They understand Jesus’ call to do our best to live a kind and righteous life. In the end God will see our effort and our good works and be satisfied with how we’ve lived out what’s inside everyone – basic goodness. After all what else can we do?

To see this passage that way is to condem yourselves to hell. Thinking you can live a life that warrents heaven is exatly what what the false prophits will advise. This section should lead you to the opposite conclusion. In it I find that, at a minimum, I’m a murderer (5:21) and I committ adultery (5:28).

When Jesus delivered these words he had not yet gone to the cross. He had not yet died for our sins. He had not yet been raised from the dead. He had not yet gone to be with the Father or sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower those he would re-birth. Everyone who heard him deliver this “sermon” was being told what it “looked” like to be a God-follower – how we should live – before the cross or after the cross. Jesus was giving the Scriptures their much needed, full interpretation (5:17).

Jesus was a rabbi of an unconventional type. He would not conform to the pressures of the system around him and he was gathering a group of followers who would eventually see him for who he really was – not simply a teacher of God’s word, but God himself. Not simply a radical who was killed in a political/religious frenzy, but the One who, through his death, would finally kill sin and blow open the door to God.

The coming storm

Most understand the storm Jesus was referring to as God’s judgment – the storm of God’s judgment is coming. At that time God will judge everyone fairly – he will judge everyone based on what they’ve put their hope in – their foundation. If you put your hope in yourself and your ability to live a ‘good’ life you will see how bad your ‘good’ life really was – it will actually be your downfall. If you’ve abandoned yourself and are trusting only in Jesus and his death for you, he will be your champion – this foundation cannot move.

There is a great storm coming for you – will you live through it?