Introduction
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned against false prophets and emphasized that merely professing faith is not enough—our lives must reflect obedience to His Word.
He concluded His sermon with a parable comparing two builders:
- The wise man built his house upon a rock. When the rain, floods, and winds came, his house stood firm because it was built on a solid foundation.
- The foolish man built his house upon sand. When the storm came, his house fell, because it had no foundation.
The lesson is clear: We must both hear and do Christ’s Word.
1. The Reaction to Jesus’ Teaching
Question: What was the reaction of the people to Jesus’ doctrine?
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
Matthew 7:28–29
Jesus spoke with divine authority. His words were powerful because they came directly from the Father, not from human tradition.
2. The True Foundation of Faith
Question: What does Paul declare to be the true foundation upon which we are to build?
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:11
Jesus Christ Himself is the only sure foundation for faith, truth, and salvation. Every other foundation—human opinion, tradition, or philosophy—will fail.
3. Salvation and the Truth
Question: Can a person be saved without believing the truth?
“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13
Note:
Paul reminds his readers that God’s choice of them “from the beginning” was not arbitrary. It is conditional upon sanctification through the Holy Spirit and belief in the truth. Without truth, there can be no genuine sanctification or salvation.
4. Sound Doctrine in Teaching
Question: According to Paul’s counsel to Titus, what kind of doctrine should preachers proclaim?
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine… In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity.”
Titus 2:1, 7
Note:
Paul emphasizes that only sound doctrine brings conviction and spiritual stability (see Titus 1:9).
When instructing Timothy, Paul warned that a time would come when people would reject sound doctrine and prefer teachings that please themselves (see 2 Timothy 4:1–4).
True teachers must therefore remain faithful to God’s Word and be living examples of what they teach.
5. The Danger of Rejecting Truth
Question: If a person rejects the truth, what will be the result?
“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
2 Thessalonians 2:10–12
Note:
Those who refuse to love and receive the truth become vulnerable to deception and delusion.
Proverbs 28:9 warns that “he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
Paul also urged Timothy:
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
1 Timothy 4:16
Truth must be both believed and obeyed, for it alone leads to salvation.
Conclusion
We must never close our eyes to truth. Jesus warned of the danger of spiritual blindness:
“Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you:
for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.”
John 12:35–36
The blind leading the blind, He said, would both fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14).
False doctrines overthrow the faith of some (2 Timothy 2:18), so every belief must be tested by the Word of God:
“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”
Isaiah 8:20
Therefore, we must reject the traditions of men as the foundation of truth.
Jesus declared that all worship is in vain when human commandments are taught as divine doctrine:
“But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? …
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Matthew 15:3–9
Summary of Key Principles
- Christ is the only true foundation for faith and doctrine.
- Salvation requires belief in truth and sanctification by the Spirit.
- Sound doctrine produces conviction and holy living.
- Rejecting truth leads to delusion and spiritual ruin.
- Test all teaching by the Word of God—never by human tradition.