Builder of the House

October 9, 2016 Background Scripture: Hebrews 3:1 – 6; Matthew 7:19 – 29 Lesson Passage: Hebrews 3:1 – 6; Matthew 7:24 – 29 The other day I was wondering if the carpenter who built the house I live in is still alive. I have made a number of changes to the place after living there for over twenty years. What would the builder think about the changes I have made over the past two decades? If he were to stop by, would I invite him in and welcome him into the place he built? How would he feel to walk inside the house and sit down while thinking “I built this place over forty years ago.”? We don’t often think about the carpenters who built the houses we live in. They built it and were compensated for their work so that is the end of the story. But how would the story end if every carpenter remained emotionally attached and committed to the houses they built? I believe the answer to this question can be found in our lesson today. The bible uses a number of illustrations to describe our relationship to God as our heavenly Father. Sometimes God’s people are described as sheep that are trusting in and depending on the Shepherd of our souls. Sometimes God’s people are described as little children who are loved and protected by our heavenly Father. Then again, we are also described collectively as the temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. It is this description that seems to be on the mind of the author in our lesson today. The spiritual church is the house that Jesus is building. We are fashioned together as a spiritual house for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The focus of this illustration in our lesson is not on the house but on the builder of the house. As is made clear in the text, the builder of the house is superior to the house. Jesus is the builder of the church. He is compared and contrasted with Moses. Moses, the Law giver, was considered faithful among those in his house. But that house was built by God and Moses was a part of that house and a highly regarded servant in it. When the scripture states: “Moses was faithful in all his house”, it is a comparative statement. Compared to the others in the house, Moses was faithful because of his reliance on God. Jesus is greater than Moses because he built this house not to be a servant in it but to be Lord of it. As God’s only begotten son, Jesus is Lord of everything because he built all things. The principles in this lesson are further illustrated by Jesus’ teaching in his sermon on the mount. There he taught about the criteria for those who will enter the kingdom of heaven—or “the house”. Additionally, he taught about having the proper foundation upon which to build a house. Doing the will of God is prerequisite to being part of the house. To do the will of God is to believe in Jesus. One establishes his own foundation when he decides what to do with the teachings of Jesus. Those who receive and do what Jesus taught will have the right foundation. It will withstand the storms of life. Those who reject Jesus’ teachings have constructed a very poor foundation which will not withstand the storms of life. There is only one who can lay the right foundation. That builder is Jesus. The spiritual church is his house and he is the builder of the house. Robert C. Hudson September 14, 2016