Building the House

Matthew 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:”

What does it mean to be wise?

Translating wisdom into practical living isn’t as easy as one may think. An old chinese proverb says that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, and yet the direction we take with the first step requires understanding.

Proverbs 12:7 “The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand.”

Much like building a house, the first step begins with a foundation. What the foundation consists of and how it is laid can determine the integrity of the entire building. Whether the building is with wood, brick, and mortar, the process requires a careful approach with an eye toward the goal.

Jesus gave the disciples a lesson they would never forget. Confronting the imagery of idolatry at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples a question…Peter’s response was timeless.

Matthew 16;15,16 “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus’ response then confirmed the statement:

vs. 17 “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

The ‘rock’ was not Peter! The Rock was and continues to be Jesus. The statement of faith that Peter exhibited is the foundation for everyone who desires to come after Him.

The foundation of faith requires us to commit our lives to Jesus in sincerity and truth. Once this decision has been made and the response to the leading of the Holy Spirit has occurred, then and only then can a household of faith be built.

What elements comprise a household of Faith?

1. The Lord builds the house. Psalm 127:1 “Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.”

2. It is established in righteousness. Isaiah 54:14 “In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you.”

3. Only the faithful may enter. Isaiah 26:2 “Open the gates so a righteous nation may enter–one that remains faithful.”

The house built in righteousness—stands, but if God’s way is forsaken then the foundation is compromised.

A House built on Unrighteousness

To those whose house is built on rebellion and idolatry, the house will fall.

Jeremiah 22:5 “But if you will not hear these words, I swear by Myself,” says the Lord, “that this house shall become a desolation.”

Vs.8,9 “And many nations will pass by this city; and everyone will say to his neighbor, ‘Why has the Lord done so to this great city?’ Then they will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshiped other gods and served them.’ ”

Jeremiah was relating God’s Word to the people of Israel who had positioned themselves in a place of enmity against God. The Lord had led that tiny nation from slavery in Egypt, through a dry and barren desert, and then conquered the land of Canaan against the hostile nations.

The Lord Himself had built the house of Israel…

Now He was planning on tearing it down.

If your house was established by God, don’t ever get to that point where you sit back and glory in your accomplishments. The moment you do, fear begins to settle in, compromise follows, and eventually the house that God established will be removed.

When the Lord establishes something, He will not let it fall if you remain steadfast in faithfulness.

Why does the Lord build the house?

1 Kings 11:38 “Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.”

Why does a house endure?

• Because the Lord is faithful to keep His promises.
• Because He looks with favor upon those who walk in His ways.
• Because His glory is made manifest to the world.
• Because He honors those who honor Him.

The house built on dishonor doesn’t need God to flatten it, it falls on it’s own.

Luke 11:17 “But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.”

• The house of the unrighteous has division.
• Among the rebellious lies dissention.
• The house of the enemy lacks God’s blessing upon it.
• The home of the fool is built with straw and has no strength.

Who has built your house?

If you’ve been striving to build your little empire apart from God, it’s time to consider what you want to last…if it’s your own will it will never last.

If you’re tired of continually trying to prop it your plans and make it stable, it will ultimately be a losing effort. The legacy of rebellion against God has continued from one generation to the next and not one has remained. If you follow their path, your house will follow the same chaos and heartache.

Allow the Lord to build up your life and make it strong and fortified. He will establish your house in righteousness and truth. Love and peace will reside through generations and all who come into it will be blessed.

The house of the righteous is enduring…it never ends. Trust in the Lord will all your heart and let HIs love and law guide you into all Truth.