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A tale of 2 homes
You probably heard the story and learned the song at VBS or in Sunday school as a child
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it” (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV).
But I have a question: According to this section of Scripture, what do these two houses have in common?
Seems simple enough, but the answer floored me considering the context – especially the preceding three verses.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV).
I asked that question Sunday and no one got it. Let’s see if you can.
Leave your answer in the comments.
Sorry no iPad giveaway.
Michael Carpenter
Michael is an urban church planter in the Argenta Arts District of North Little Rock. He and his wife Amanda have been married since 2003 and have two children – Austin and Max. Michael is an entrepreneur, missiologist, and chef.
15 Responses to “A tale of 2 homes”
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both houses are red. duh.
That is technically right and the #1 response, but NO! Read the ? again.
The rain fell and the floods came on both
Yes, but there is more.
They both heard the Word and responded some way.
Yes, but did they respond in the same way?
No, obviously not. One with religious actions, one with doing His will.
100 points for Ken.
Simply stated, they both hear the Word and one ignores it and the other obeyed – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them . . .” “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
So the follow up would be, knowing this why do we all (myself included) choose to ignore God’s word? Or look at it this way: If all the comforts and conveniences of our church culture were washed away, would God’s Word be enough for us? Is it enough now?
Or why do we (myself included), get distracted, thinking church, relationship with Him, and purpose is about anything more than loving and living Him and His Word…and as a result, others?
Ran fell and floods came against them regardless of where they were built?
true, but not the answer I’m looking for so you get 1/2 a point
Lame…Then you need to clarify the questions…
your probably right, but isn’t that how lawyers operate?
touche…
Trust and Obey..