221. MAT 7:24-27. THE TWO BUILDERS

Mat_7:24-27. The Two Builders

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of line, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock," &c.’97Mat_7:24-27.

Jesus ended his celebrated Sermon on he Mount by the beautiful comparison of he two builders, as described in the text, and which naturally formed a very striking application to that sermon. As if he had said, "I have been making known unto you the great doctrines and laws of my kingdom, you have been hearkening with attention to the truths delivered, but the great end of my speaking and your hearing has yet to be accomplished. This sermon if it benefits you, must affect your hearts and govern your practice; and this I will illustrate by a comparison that must carry conviction to your minds." "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings," &c.

Let us consider, in the two builders,

I. The Points of Resemblance.

And,

II. Those Things in which they Differed

I. The Points of Resemblance between these Two Builders.

1. They both heard Christ’s sayings.

So it does not refer to a professor, and a pagan in the darkness of ignorance, or a Jew who utterly rejected Jesus, or an infidel who despised all sacred things, or a profane man who cared for none of these things. So far from this, they were both equally the hearers of the Saviour. Now it is of the utmost importance to the hearers of the word. We are commanded lo hear the word of the Lord. Faith also cometh by hearing, &c.

2. They both saw the necessity of build ing a house, or place of refuge.

The word was not totally lost upon either of them. So far from this, it doubtless produced a spirit of inquiry in each of them. It was not heard altogether in vain. Saw the necessity of religion. Importance of engaging in its momentous concerns.

3. They both actually erected a house.

Many propose and resolve, and then abandon their plans, &c. Defer the commencement; or begin, and then cease. But both these resolved, began, proceeded, and finished the building.

4. Both houses were exposed to storms.

All men, with their works, will be tried. The rains of affliction will try us; the floods of Jordan’97the streams of death will try us; the storms of eternity will try us Notice,

5. Both builders rested with security in the edifices they had raised.

Man cannot be happy without hope.’97without confidence as to the future. All men trust in something. The godly mac knows in whom he has believed, &c.

Now these are the points of resemblance, Observe,

II. Those Things in which they Differed

They differed,

1. In their personal character.

One is styled wise, the other foolish. Now wisdom consists in selecting the highest object of pursuit, in adopting the best means for obtaining it, and in persevering till the object is realized. Wise men consider the value of the soul, meditate intensely upon its security, and adopt the most efficient measures for its eternal well being. The wise began by solemn, serious deliberation. The other obviously was merely affected and impressed, and did not duly and carefully consider.

2. They differed in their practice.

One was a doer, the other merely a hearer of the word. One had the name and the nature, the other the name only. One had the profession and the possession, the other the profession merely. One heard, and said I go, but did not the things commanded. He had the form, but was without the power. He was a talker’97admirer’97professor, but not a doer of the Lord’s will.

3. They differed especially in the foundations on which they built.

This is the principal thing referred to. One built his house upon the rock, and the other upon the sand. Now however beautiful and costly the structure may be, the results mainly depend upon the foundation. Nothing can make up for an error in this. How striking the contrast here’97rock and sand! What is this rock? The Lord Jesus Christ. He is the foundation chosen of God, and precious, and other foundation can no man lay. And how strikingly represented by the rock’97strong, firm, immutable. He is God’97all-sufficient. What is the sand? A mere profession, self-righteousness, dependence upon our benevolence, liberality, &c.; or trusting to the mercy of God, irrespective of the death of Christ; or a death-bed repentance, &c. All this is yielding and insecure’97all sand.

4. They differed in the final result of each.

He who had built upon the rock stood against the rain, the floods, and the winds. He abode steadfast and unmoved in affliction, and death and eternity presented nothing terrific or destructive to his best interests. True piety will stand every test, abide every ordeal, and render us secure at all times: living or dying we are the Lord’s. He who built upon the sand was now dismayed, and finally overwhelmed The house was undermined by the desolating torrent, and the winds smote it, and it fell. And great was the fall thereof. Oh, who can tell how great is the fall?

(1) It is a fall which involves in it eternal destruction. "What shall it profit a man," &c.

(2) It is a disappointment of fondly cherished hopes. He thought all was well. In perfect imaginary security. When he looked for light, he found darkness; for life, death; and for heaven, hell.

(3) It is a fall total and irreparable Many of the errors of life may be retrieved Many mistakes rectified; many scenes of wretchedness reversed. But this is the loss of all, and forever. The time of building is gone’97means removed’97opportunity fled’97ability ceased’97harvest past, and summer ended.

Application

1. How necessary is careful and strict examination.

2. How important a saving experimental knowledge of Christ.

3. How indispensable practical godliness.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS