Preparation

Built on the Rock

Main Text: Matthew 25:4-13 (AMP)

This week one of my mentors called me and asked me, what did I learn from the storm. I said preparation, how people respond to a lack of preparation, and what I would do differently. And that's what led me to this message today. Built on the Rock. We learn how to manage the manageables. Master the things that are in our control.

Story of 3 little pigs building house

The first little pig builds a house of straw, but a wolf blows down that house and eats the pig. The second little pig builds a house of sticks, but the same wolf blows it down and eats the pig. The third pig builds a strong house of bricks, so when the wolf comes to the door, he can't blow the house down.

Today we are going to talk about 2 lifestyles Jesus compares at the end of the sermon on the mount have several points in common. Foundations, buildings, and results.

The Two Foundations

Matthew 7:24-27 (AMP) 24 "So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock.

A. Who's he talking too church

B. Look at your neighbor and say, He's Talking to you

C. Who's words

D. Action necessary for fulfillment

E. The verse defines a wise man

25 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

A. It's going to rain, winds are going to blow, floods are going to happen

1. They both build
2. They both hear Jesus teaching
3. They both experience the same set of circumstances in the life
4. The difference between isn't caused by ignorance but by one ignoring what Jesus said.
5. externally , their lives may look similar, but lasting structural differences in your life will be revealed by the storms of life.
6. The immediate differences in your life when you follow Jesus may not be obvious, but eventually they will turn out to affect even your eternal destiny

Matthew 5:45 (AMP) 45 so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].

Matthew 7:26-27 (AMP) 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall."

A. Like a house of cards The fool's life crumbles.

B. Most people do not deliberately seek to build any false or inferior foundation instead they just don't think about their life's purpose.

C. Many people are headed for destruction not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness.

D. Part of our responsibilities as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives I had it and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ's message.

Parable of Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-3 (AMP) 1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

A. The kingdom

B. We have to be ready

2 Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,

A. Say, neighbor, do you have some extra oil?

B. Why is oil so important? Oil was very valuable in old times because it was so useful.

C. cooking, cosmetics, medicine, soaps, and as a fuel for traditional lamps

Proverbs 21:20 (AMP) 20 There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

A. How are your savings?

B. If you don't have any savings, you have to downsize?

C. And then we started savings and building our bank

Matthew 25:4,6-9 (AMP) 4 but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. 5 Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep.

A. We will go to sleep

6 But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.' 7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them].

A. Preparation prevents poor performance

B. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity

8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise replied, 'No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.'

A. Don't make your lack of preparation my emergency

B. I learned that if you always help people in crisis you will soon become there Christ in crisis

C. Don't make your lack of preparation, my emergency

D. Emergency will happen, you have to prepare

E. I drive a tesla, and have never ran out of electricity in my car

F. I know that there a not as many electric stations versus gas stations

G. Friend told me that he allowed me to go through

Matthew 25:10-13 (AMP) 10 But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. 11 Later the others also came, and said, 'Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.' 12 But He replied, 'I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].' 13 Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].

WISDOM KEYS

WISDOM KEY #1 We Must Prepare

Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT) 6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! 7 Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, 8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. 9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 21:5 (AMP) 5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.

STORY:

An elderly carpenter was due to retire.

He told his employer of his plans to leave the business and start a life of leisure with his wife and extended family.

He would miss the money, but the time was right and he was ready to hang up his hammer.

His boss was disappointed as the carpenter had been a loyal and diligent worker for many years, so he was sad to see him go.

He asked for one last favor, requesting that the carpenter could build one last house before retiring.

The tradesman agreed, but it was soon clear that his heart wasn't in it.

He took shortcuts, used inferior materials and put in a half-hearted effort.

In the end the final product was well short of his usual standards, a disappointing way to end his career.

When the job was finished, the employer came to inspect the work. After taking a look around, he handed the keys to the carpenter and said, "This is your house, it's my gift to you."

The carpenter was shocked and embarrassed.

If only he had known, he would have made sure that everything was perfect.

If he had known the consequences, he would have demanded excellence from himself.

We're not that different.

We go about our business, working as we see fit.

Some with passion, some without caring.

Some with excellence, some with low standards.

Some with diligence, some without effort.

We are all in the process of building our own lives.

If you're not happy with what you see, perhaps it's a direct consequence of what you've been building over the years.

Build wisely!

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean practically to build your life "on the rock" versus "on the sand"? Can you identify areas in your life where you might be building on sand?
2. Jesus says both the wise and foolish builders heard His words, but only one acted on them. Why is hearing God's Word not enough? What prevents people from moving from hearing to doing?
3. The sermon states that "the difference isn't caused by ignorance but by one ignoring what Jesus said." How does this challenge our understanding of why people struggle spiritually?
4. In the parable of the ten virgins, why couldn't the wise virgins share their oil? What does this teach us about personal responsibility in our spiritual preparation?
5. The phrase "preparation prevents poor performance" is mentioned in the notes. How does this principle apply to both our spiritual lives and practical daily living?
6. What did you learn from the statement "Don't make your lack of preparation my emergency"? How do we balance helping others while maintaining healthy boundaries?
7. The carpenter story illustrates building our own lives with either excellence or mediocrity. What "house" are you currently building in your career, relationships, or spiritual walk?
8. Proverbs 6:6-11 encourages us to learn from the ants. What specific lessons can we draw from their example about preparation and diligence?
9. The message mentions that storms come to everyone—both the righteous and unrighteous. How should this truth affect the way we prepare for life's challenges?
10. Matthew 25:13 says "be on the alert, for you do not know the day nor the hour." How does this urgency about Christ's return change the way you approach your daily priorities and long-term planning

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