Standing Strong in the Storm Matthew 7 24

“Standing Strong in the Storm” Matthew 7: 24 -29

Matthew 7: 24 -25 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 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. ”

Matthew 7: 26 -27 “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. ”

Matthew 7: 28 -29 “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. ”

3 Rules of Real Estate: 1. Location 2. Location 3. Location

1. Storms come to everyone.

John 16: 33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. ”

A. Storms are equal opportunity employers.

B. Storms are part of life.

”Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ” -1 Peter 4: 12

Matthew 5: 45 “For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ”

C. Storms are created over a period of time.

Storms are not an option but they are to be expected to hit some time during our life.

2. Storms have different intensities.

''The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. ‘’ Matthew 7: 25

A. Storms have the ability to get worse or lessen in severity.

B. Life is full of storms that hurt a little or hurt a lot.

C. Jesus understands the intensity of the storm.

Every storm will have an impact on your life!

3. Storms test your foundation.

”and did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ‘’ Matthew 7: 25

A. The storms will reveal what your life is built on.

B. Storms tell you and others what is beneath everything they see.

Just remember – everything over your head is under His feet!

C. Jesus points out two foundations.

1. A rock solid foundation. 2. A sand foundation.

The storms of life reveal to you the depth of your foundation!

4. God can help you through the storm.

“and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock, ‘’ Matthew 7: 25

A. Jesus said that the house did not fall.

B. Jesus declares to us that the rock represents those who listen and do.

C. Faith is not the absence of storms but the strength to go through storms.

5. God is in the midst of the storm.

Mark 4: 37 -38 “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat. . . but Jesus was in the stern, asleep on the pillow. ''

A. The storm can make you feel isolated.

B. Jesus is in the midst of the storm.

C. When God speaks is when you can have peace in the middle of your storm.

The Word of God spoken can bring a peace into you and out of you!

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. " -Jeremiah 31: 3 -4

Lessons from the storm: • Put into the practice the sayings of Jesus. • Keep your eyes on the eternal. • Understand that everything you see is temporal; it will pass.

Lessons from the storm: (Contd. ) • God may not be the author of the storm but He can get glory out of it. • God's promises can help you through any situation.