BB- 1 A Firm & Solid Foundation

Lesson #1

Every Building Must Have a Firm & Solid Foundation.

Chapters 5, 6 and 7 of Matthew contain the first major message that Jesus taught about the Kingdom. Since this study is based on a foundation that must be built, I thought it wise to make a few comments on the final chapter. The following are Kingdom basics that must be present in our lives after that firm foundations is completed.

WE MUST NOT JUDGE THE CONTENT OF THE HEART OF MAN, BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE CLEAR EYESIGHT.

Only God can know what is really in the heart of a man. God does admonish us to judge the behavior and message of a fellow brother or sister. If correction is required, we must make sure our hearts are filled with the love of God.

Matthew 7:1-5

"Judge not, that you be not judged.  2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.  3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV)

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.

AS YOU TEACH THE WORD OF GOD,

There will be some who will not receive you; therefore allow the Holy Spirit to lead as you witness. When you aren’t received, don’t waste your words. In some situations, simply shake the dust from your feet and leave.

Matthew 7:6

 6 Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Matthew 10:12-14 (NKJV)

12 And when you go into a household, greet it. 13 If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

JESUS TEACHES US TO HAVE CONFIDENCE AND BE TENACIOUS WHEN WE PRAY.

Therefore when praying, do not give up; know that your Father in Heaven loves you and wants to give you all His good gifts

Matthew 7:7-11

7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

TREAT OTHERS, AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED; FORGIVE OTHERS BECAUSE GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU.

Matthew 7:12

12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

THE PATH THAT ONE TAKES WHEN FOLLOWING GOD IS NARROW, THEREFORE OUR WALK WITH THE LORD MUST BE DAILY AND WITH PURPOSE.

Matthew 7:13-14

13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

FALSE PREACHERS WILL COME.

Before you accept others as faithful brothers worthy of trust, first look at their fruit. Is it genuine? Always measure their message and their manner of living by the Word of God.

Matthew 7:15-23

15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

READ THE PARABLE ABOUT TWO BUILDERS (MATTHEW CHAPTER 7) AND DISCUSS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STURDY FOUNDATION IN OUR LIVES.

Matthew 7:24-29 (NKJV)

24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." 28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

After you’ve read this chapter, here are some suggested questions:

What does each house in this parable represent?

What was the main problem with the house that fell?

The storm, wind, and rain are present in the natural. What do they represent when related to situations faced in your own life?

Why did one house stand and the other fall when both were expose to the same elements?

What is the most important and first thing you would do as you start construction of a house?

How do you think this discussion about two houses pertains to you?

Why does Jesus call one man foolish?

Why does Jesus call one man wise?

Stop right now and give thought to how this lesson pertains to you personally.
“Lord Jesus, help me receive the things I need from you as I study this lesson. I want a foundation that will stand the test of time. Help me to understand what a right foundation is as I submit my life to you. Build that foundation in me so I can live a lifestyle that is pleasing to you.”