Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The people whom the Lord Jesus taught

a) His disciples

i. They had been called by the Lord Jesus

ii. They had responded by following Him and learning from Him

b) The people who gathered to hear

i. Some came for healing

ii. Some could have been interested to hear what the Lord Jesus was saying

2. All who were present needed to build faith and life on the teachings of the Lord Jesus

FALSE UNDERSTANDINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED BY THE LORD JESUS

1. Entering the kingdom of heaven   (Matthew 7:21)

a) What it is not based on

i. Mere verbal confession of faith

ii. Name-dropping

b) The one who does the will of His Father in heaven shall enter the kingdom of heaven

i. Recognizing the gravity of our sins

ii. Receiving the grace of God in saving us from sin

iii. Repentance from sin

iv. Living out a righteous life

2. The practices of the people   (Matthew 7:22-23)

a) The people gave account of their practices

i. Prophesied in His name

ii. Cast out demons in His name

iii. Done many wonders in His name

b) The chilling declaration and judgment of the Lord Jesus

i. I never knew you

ii. Depart from Me

c) The practice of the people were evaluated

i. They practiced lawlessness (wickedness, iniquity, unrighteousness)

ii. They had not dealt with the sins in their lives

iii. They had been mistaken about their salvation

FOUNDING OUR LIVES UPON THE SAYINGS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Therefore

a) Matthew was concluding his series of the sayings of the Lord Jesus

b) He incorporated the teaching of the Lord Jesus concerning its place in our lives

2. The one who heard His sayings and did them   (Matthew 7:24-25)

a) He will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock

b) He is wise because he dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.  (Luke 6:48)

c) The house was assailed by the elements

i. The rain descended

ii. The floods came

iii. The winds blew

d) The house did not fall for it was founded on the rock

3. The one who heard His sayings and did not do them   (Matthew 7:26-27)

a) To the Lord Jesus, this person is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand

b) He is foolish because he built his house without a foundation   (Luke 6:49)

c) This house was similarly assailed by the elements

d) This house fell and great was its fall

THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE NOTED WHEN THE LORD CONCLUDED TEACHING

1. Matthew recorded the response of the people who heard the Lord Jesus

2. The people were astonished at His teachings   (Matthew 7:28-29)

a) The Lord Jesus taught as one having authority

b) He did not teach as the scribes

CONCLUSION

1. The sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ are to be heard

2. His sayings are to be applied and practiced

3. We have been given a firm and solid foundation to build upon

4. We are encouraged to build on this so that when challenges arise, we will not come to ruin