In the Fulness of Time/Part 39

By: Dr. Thomas O. Figart; ©2007

Are you obeying Christ’s words, or are you disobedient? That’s the difference between building on a solid foundation, and building on no foundation at all. Are Christ’s words worth obeying? How do His teachings compare to that of the Scribes and elders? Dr. Figart helps us see the contrast this month.

Previous Article

The Solid and Sandy Foundations. Matthew 7:24-27

The Solid Foundation: Obedience to Christ’s Words. 7:24-25

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him to a man who 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.”

While this final warning is a parable of contrasting foundations, it is also concerned with contrasting builders. The first builder is described as one who “heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them.” He, in essence, has the “good fruit” of verse 17 and is “known” by his obedience to sound doctrine, which has its origin in the words of Christ: “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). This is the rock upon which his house is built, the solid rock of the words of Christ! Though Christ Himself is called the “Rock that followed them” (I Corinthians 10:4) and the only “foundation” (I Corinthians 3:11), it would seem that our Lord points to His sayings here as the foundation. Even so, since His words are spirit and life, and He Himself is the Word, the Way, the Truth and the Life; all centers around Him. No rain, no flood, no wind, can cause the house to fall when it is built on such a solid foundation! “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

The Sandy Foundation: Disobedience to Christ’s Words. 7:26-27

Matthew 7:26-27 “And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened to a foolish man, who 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.”

Up to a point both builders are the same; that is, they both heard the words of Christ; but what they do with His words makes the difference. The wise builder heeds and obeys; the foolish builder does not “do” the words of the Lord. His house is built on something other than the solid rock of Scripture. It may look just as good as the other house, but when the storm of testing comes, the house falls, and Jesus adds, “and great was the fall of it.” He does not need to tell why it fell; He has already given the answer; the man built his house upon the sand. In Luke 6:49 He makes it even more graphic: “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that, without a foundation, built an house upon the earth.” The sandy or soil foundation is in reality, no foundation at all! Was it the “sand” of the deceptive appearance of the false prophets, or was it their defective fruit, the lies, which he followed, or did the man fall for their delusive experiences? Again, Luke’s account if incisive: “Imme­diately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great” (Luke 6:49).

The true disciple is the man who hears the words of Christ and obeys. This means that he will be seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Therefore his righteousness will exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (5:20). He will be laying up treasures in heaven (6:20); he will serve God, not money (6:24). In short, he will be living the life of faith. These three warnings to those not yet following Christ as their Messiah/King leave no excuse; either they will change their minds (repent) and submit to His words, or they will be swept off the sand with great ruin!

Reaction to the Proclamation of the King. 7:28-29

His Doctrine was Astonishing. 7:28

Matthew 7:28 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.”

The word “astonished” (ekplessonto) is used 14 times in the New Testament. Thirteen of these are in the Gospels, every usage referring to the effect that the words of Jesus had on His listeners. His “doctrine” (didaxe) is the content of His teaching. From the first mention of His wisdom at the age of twelve (Luke 2:46-47) where they were “amazed” (existano), until the final usage of “astonished” (ekplessonto) in Matthew 22:33, all who heard were amazed or astonished at His words!

His Teaching was Authoritative. 7:29

Matthew 7:29 “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

Not only was His content astonishing, His method was authoritative. The Jews were not accustomed to one who spoke independently. Their scribes taught from references to those who had replaced the Truth with tradition. On the occasion of His teaching in the Temple (Luke 20:1-8), even the chief priests, scribes and elders questioned His words and works, but could not refute His heavenly authority. At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Christ took issue with tradition, using the assertion, “You have heard it said… but I say unto you.” No less than six times did Christ thus show His authority, and the entire Sermon was just as powerful, for when He ended these “words” (logoi) they were aston­ished. None of their scribes ever came close to this! Even one of the Roman officers had to exclaim, “Never man spoke like this man!” (John 7:47).

Present Day Use of the Sermon on the Mount

It has already been noted that God’s righteousness is the same throughout the ages, and the same absolute holiness is required, whether it be under Law, Grace or Kingdom. In every age, salvation has been by faith in the revelation God has given, as Hebrews 11 makes clear. However, if the Law could convict men of sin, certainly the Sermon on the Mount can be used to point to Christ as the only source of righteousness, since the self-righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was insufficient. In addition, any eternal prin­ciples for living can be applied at any time.

How sad that when Christ presented Himself as Messiah/King, “His own received him not” (John 1:11). But thanks be to God that there has always been a believing remnant, as there is today, who are included in the promise, “but as many as received him, to them gave he power (exousia, authority) to become the children of God, even to them that be­lieve on his name” (John 1:12).

“In the fulness of time,” He will return to receive His own, and later establish His King­dom of Heaven on earth, when every knee shall bow to Him!

Read Part 40