2 – HOW TO BUILD A HOUSE THAT LASTS

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd using stories. He did not say anything to them without telling a story. ³⁵ So the words spoken by the prophet came true. He had said, “I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that were hidden since the world was made.” Matthew 13:34-35 (NIRV)

“Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. ²⁵ Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock. ²⁶ “Everyone who hears what I say but doesn’t obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. ²⁷ Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster.” ²⁸ When Jesus finished…the crowds were amazed at his teachings. ²⁹ Unlike their experts in Moses’ Teachings, he taught them with authority. Matthew 7:24-29 (GW)

1. the story is about two builders – I AM ________________ one of them.

Therefore, everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. Matthew 7:24 (GW)

Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. ⁷ Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. ⁸ If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. Proverbs 4:6-8 (NLT)

Everyone who hears what I say but doesn’t obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. Matthew 7:26 (GW)

For fools utter nonsense, and their minds are preoccupied with evil; they regularly misrepresent the Eternal in what they say and do, Leaving true seekers frustrated and confused, the hungry with empty stomachs and the thirsty with parched mouths. Isaiah 32:6 (VOICE)

2. the story is about the STORMS of LIFE – I will ________________ them.

Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house… Matthew 7:25a (GW)

Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. Matthew 7:27a (GW)

• Jesus is the way ______________ my problems not ____________ them.

• • The rain descended – Pressure __________ me.

• • The floods came up – Pressure __________ me.

• • The winds blew – Pressure ____________ me.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)

NOTE: I can’t ______________ storms, but I can __________________ them.

3. the story is about two outcomes – I will ________________ one of them.

Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not collapse, because its foundation was on rock. Matthew 7:25 (GW)

Rain poured, and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was a total disaster. Matthew 7:27 (GW)

When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25 (NLT)

4. the story is about two choices – I will _______________ one of them.

• I choose to build on the ________, or I choose to build on ________.

Doing what is wrong keeps everyone off balance and insecure, but those who do right will never be uprooted. Proverbs 12:3 (VOICE)

• I can choose to be ________, or I can choose to be __________.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

You see, it’s turning away from me that brings death to the simple, and it’s self-satisfaction that destroys the fools. ³³ But those who listen to me now will live under divine protection; they can rest knowing they are out of harm’s way. Proverbs 1:32-33 (VOICE)

5. the story is about two lords – I will __________ one of them.

When Jesus finished…the crowds were amazed at his teachings. ²⁹ Unlike their experts in Moses’ Teachings, he taught them with authority. Matthew 7:28-29 (GW)

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV)

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷ As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” Luke 6:46-48 (CEV)

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:16-17 (NIV)

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:21-22 (NIV)

So you should look for the Lord before it is too late; you should call to him while he is near. ⁷ The wicked should stop doing wrong, and they should stop their evil thoughts. They should return to the Lord so he may have mercy on them. They should come to our God, because he will freely forgive them. Isaiah 55:6-7 (VOICE)

NOTE: Storytime with Jesus is a call to ____________ ____________.