"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the wind blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not; shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 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" (Matthew 7:24-27).

As this text closes what we call "The sermon on the mount", it is possibly the first of the many parables spoken by the Lord. The lessons it contains are just as valuable to we who live today as they were to those who heard it spoken. And they can mean just as much to the generations who follow us who are now living. After all, it was meant for all men for this age in which we live, and it teaches great lessons to all who will hear and consider it. It deals with a vital subject and continues throughout the teaching of Jesus and the apostles.

If you are older, you will probably remember points in sermons referred to as nails, driven through a board and then bent over or clinched on the other side to make them secure. Such points are finishing touches, they emphasize and complete the lesson taught. This is true of this parable of Jesus. It would be difficult to imagine a sermon packed into four short verses which would contain more, or be expressed with greater power, than this word picture Jesus gives of two builders.

Jesus took the little word "DO" and forces it upon us. The truth he spoke is simply to be completed in action. There is no escaping it. Unless one works out truth in his own life, truth is of no value to him. Jesus says, in effect, "These things I say unto you must find constant expression in your life daily. Until they do so you will be as helpless in the storms of life (and the storms do and will come) as a straw hut erected on a hurricane raked beach." Anyone knows this kind of building does not have the ability to withstand the storm. The wise man can only make one decision: DO THE THINGS OF WHICH THE LORD SPOKE.

Jesus did not leave the principles of truth he taught just hanging in the air as something remote from life. Nor did he teach that men could accept lightly or reject them without suffering the consequences. He taught that truth was not complete as far as a man is concerned, until that truth is expressed in his life in action. You may have heard of "finished" sermons. This is one. It shows us what a sermon ought to be. With just a little thought anyone can understand that Jesus placed value on action! Consider the following to help understand what is involved.

Charts of exercises never have and never will make an athlete. Books on food and the preparation of it provides no one with nourishment. Sermons on righteousness never made a saint. These things are helpful just as far as they direct and inspire one to ACT!

Here is the first lesson. Talk is no substitute for DEEDS. Some people hear and talk "good things" until they actually come to believe they have done or are doing them. But in reality they have not and are not. It is reported that Mark Twain once said: "If a man tells a story long enough he comes to believe it himself." In other words talk becomes a cheap substitute for deeds. It is easy to listen, but hard to act. Little effort is involved in hearing the gospel, but much effort is required in obedience to it. And there is no substitute for doing. This, of course, is contrary to the way of men and the world. They praise the "well said" thing, while Jesus gave his approval to the well done thing. What is your attitude?

The thing that Jesus compares to the ROCK FOUNDATION is the doing of his words. The parable speaks of two men: one of whom makes Christ and his words the foundation of his life. The other does not. One built his life on the rock of things done, the other on the sand of things heard.

Can you see the application of this to people and life today? It should not be difficult to do so. Here is the reason. A strong Christian character is the result of the right kind of habits, which are the result of right principals, which are the result of following Christ. When these things are in one's life, the storms of life will beat and blow upon that one, but that person is not moved by them. He stands fast on truth. He is strong since his life is built on the rock. His strength is gained by doing the teaching of Jesus, making these things a habit in his life. On the other hand, it matters not how great the opportunities nor how good the intentions, he who fails to follow Jesus' teaching is made no stronger, nor will he be able to stand. The road to hell, some one has said, is paved with good intentions. We all have good intentions but few make them materialize. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

Somewhere I read these examples of two men who refused the temptation to do wrong. Abraham Lincoln, it was said, was given the opportunity to do a thing that would assure his election to the Senate. He said "I am not bound to be elected but I am bound to be true." Martin Luther was told he would lose his support unless he changed a position he held. He was asked, "Where will you be then?" His reply: "Right where I am now, in the hands of God." These men understood a principle which many today will not even consider.

Now consider the house on the sand. Jesus drew a picture of the man who built it (of course this has reference to a life, not a material structure). He did not speak of a malicious man or of a man who premeditates and practices evil. He was just a thoughtless man. He listened, but did not allow what he heard to have any effect or control of his life. There was no foundation for character. Such a one cannot successfully resist the storms of life.

Some one may say, "Not necessarily so. Many gain much in this world who do not believe or obey the Lord." But regardless of what one may gain in this world, be it reputation, wealth, fame, or riches, IF he loses his soul, he has lost it all. The time of this life in the flesh is not even a dot when compared to eternity, and that man will be alive in eternity somewhere. So, we repeat, he who ONLY listens cannot resist the storms of life successfully. Here, Jesus describes the majority of mankind.

This warning has a close application to life everyday. It is as direct as a pointed finger. Can you imagine one of the group who heard this sermon saying to Jesus, "I sure enjoyed your sermon."? Surely not! Why not? Because Jesus required those who heard to put what they heard into practice, to act upon it! Wouldn't it be great if gospel preaching today had the same effect? It would have if people would really listen. But too many times people pass by these thrusts of truth or turn them aside with a casual remark such as "I sure enjoyed your talk." If it is to have any effect at all, it must be put into action in one's life. This requires more than a few words, soon forgotten.

But there is another lesson: there are some popular substitutes for action. Of course, this is nothing new. Everyone knows that. First, there is admiration. Why is it so popular? Because it is so easy and is always in "good taste". It costs nothing, material or otherwise. And it is worth just what it costs, nothing. I read long ago, that once a plow was sent to Africa as a gift to some natives. They set it up as a "god" and worshipped it. It was misused. Its purpose was to turn the soil, to prepare it for the bringing forth of food for hungry men. So it is with the gospel of Christ. It will plough deep into the hearts of men and cause them to bear the fruits of righteousness. It is indeed a very poor substitute to pay a few cheap, easy compliments into the sometimes willing ear of the preacher and be content.

This reminds one of pokers in the modern fireplace. They are displayed nearby. Many are of bright shiny brass, almost like mirrors. But when the fire needs to be stirred up, is this the one that is used? Oh no! Hidden behind something where it cannot be seen, is an old black, dirty iron poker. When the fire has been rearranged and is burning brightly, that dirty old poker is hidden again. If you wonder what this has to do with the subject, read on.

Men profess openly: Love your enemies. Do good unto them. Do that which is most needed for their welfare, both materially and spiritually. This is the poker you see. It's bright and shining and beautiful. But often, when the time comes to act, out comes the old dirty black poker. "I'll get even with you if it takes the rest of my life".

Here is another substitute for doing. We will discuss it this way. In a business meeting of the church, brethren may discuss some good work that has been called to their attention. They are able to do it, but after much discussion it is tabled, never again to see the light of day. You see, all effort is expended in talk. You have probably heard it said regarding some man, "He talks a good fight." And that is the way it is sometimes with brethren.

To many today TALK being a good Christian. To help to a better understanding, consider it this way. A congregation can come, many do, to the point where they consider hearing two sermons a week as its chief aim, work, or responsibility. And probably a third (perhaps more) of the congregation will hear only ONE, the Sunday morning sermon. Brethren, who is building on the sand?

There is yet another substitute. There are those who wish the church well. They patronize it with kind words. They sympathize with it, because they want it there. They will attend a service occasionally, send their children to its Bible classes (when they want to go), and even give some money once in a while to help it in its work. But think about this attitude. If all the members think and act like this, just how long could the church continue to exist? If one has the right to feel and act this way, do not all members have the right to feel and act this way? If not, why not? Do you have any idea what the result of this kind of thinking and acting will be? Does it build upon the rock of things done or upon the sand of things heard?

The Christian's faith is build upon a solid rock. It is this fact: Belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. They who obey his will are to be saved eternally. The obedient believer is building on a "rock" that will enable him to successfully withstand, whatever life brings upon him. He who continues to do so without doubt may expect to hear Him say in judgment: "Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt. 25:34).

It is true that the majority of the religious world about us does not so believe and teach. But the person who sincerely believes Christ and obeys His will is not moved by doctrines and practices of men. Christians recognize there is an adversary, Satan, who will use all his strength or power to destroy the faith of men. His success would be difficult to deny. All one needs to do is to consider the circumstances which exist at this present time. There must be at least 500 different religious organizations in our country teaching different, conflicting doctrines. Any person who will consider this knows it is not possible for all to be right. By this, we mean built on the "Rock of Truth." "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." Truth does not, indeed cannot contradict itself. Therefore, one can know they are not built on the rock of truth. They will not stand in the day of judgment. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). All will be present in that day!

Jesus said, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." That includes every one of us. It singles the individual out of the masses and says: "I MEAN YOU". Upon what are you building you life? Do not try to answer for others or compare self to others. That is NOT your responsibility. This is personal. "He that hath ears ..." You are really the only one who knows about you!

Do you just hear, or do you hear and DO?