Hearing His Voice Today
He That Hath Ears, Let Him Build

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Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)

24. Therefore whosoever heareth these saying 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.

1. The blessings of being persecuted and ridiculed by your enemies (Matthew 5:11),
2. The proper way to treat one's spouse even during times of conflict (Matthew 5:32),
3. Loving your enemies even when they strike out at you (Matthew 5:38-42),
4. Giving to the needy and not clutching to personal possessions (Matthew 6:1-4; 19-24),
5. Judging others' motives and being critical of their lives (Matthew 7:1-6).

1. The Wise and the Foolish Builders had Common Desires
   1. They both wanted to build a house . . .
      The fact that you have come to hear the Word of God is to be commended. You could have made the choice to miss church. You could be at the lake, the golf course, etc.
   2. They both wanted shelter from the storms of life . . .
      They both faced the wind, the rains, and the floods of life. They wanted protection.
   3. They both went to the Master Builder for instruction . . .
      "Everyone who hears these words of mine . . . is like . . ." (v.24, v.26).
2. The Wise and the Foolish Builders had Critical Differences . . .
   1. One practiced what he heard, the other did not . . .
      The wise man "put into practice" the teachings of Christ, the foolish one did not.
      The wise man heard and obeyed. He listened for himself, not others. He built well.
      The foolish man heard and forgot. He praised the messenger but missed the message.
   2. One built upon rock, the other built upon sand . . .
      1. The wise man worked hard at building the foundation, the foolish man did not.
      2. The wise man confronted many more difficulties than the foolish man did.
      3. The wise man saw the foolish man enjoy life during his own times of struggle.
         The foolish man finished his house faster, with less work, and quicker shade.
   3. One found his life secure, the other found his life collapsing around him.
3. The Wise and the Foolish Builders had a Caution Delivered . . .
   The Master Builder gave his craftsmen the tools, but then also gave them instructions.
   The foolish builder ignored his Master's teaching, His warning, and His instructions. However, what is so sad is that the foolish builder saw his house collapse. No life is ever lived in isolation. The refusal to apply Christ's teachings will destroy others as well.
   1. You have placed yourself in a position to hear Christ's instructions.
   2. Now you are called to "put them into practice."
   3. A refusal to apply that which you hear from Christ brings a "great collapse."
      It's not a simple, subtle fall, but a massive collapse. He that hath ears, let him build.