Sermon on Matthew 7:24-29: Building on Solid Ground

Every time I dive into the Scriptures, I'm reminded of the incredible wisdom and depth that's found in God's Word. I've been particularly drawn to Matthew 7:24-29 recently, and I wanted to share some thoughts on it with you guys today.

First, let's take a moment to read the passage:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Man, those words are POWERFUL. Jesus, in His masterful way, is painting a vivid picture about life's foundations.

You see, life is going to throw storms at you. It's not a matter of if, but when. And the big question is: What have you built your life upon? Is it the fleeting things of this world—popularity, money, relationships, or personal achievement? Or is it something deeper, something eternal?

When I think about this passage, I remember the times I've been on the beach building sandcastles. It's fun, right? But no matter how grand or intricate those sandcastles were, the waves always came and washed them away. Now, I want you to think about this in terms of your life.

Francis Chan, someone I greatly respect, has a way of bringing us face-to-face with eternity. So, imagine standing before God one day, with your life's work, your legacy, everything you've ever done or achieved, and realizing it was just a sandcastle. That it couldn’t withstand the waves of eternity because it wasn’t built on the solid rock of Christ's teachings.

And what are these teachings? They're the beautiful truths of the gospel. The teachings that remind us that we're loved, that our worth isn't based on our accomplishments but on Christ's sacrifice for us, that there's purpose and hope in every season, and that loving God and loving others is the highest calling of our lives.

But simply knowing these truths isn't enough. It's about putting them into practice. It's about living them out. Our generation, perhaps more than any other, struggles with this. We're so bombarded with information, with teachings, with doctrines. But are we DOING what Jesus asked of us?

Let’s not be those who simply hear the Word and nod in agreement. Let’s be doers. Let’s be people whose lives show that we've built on the Rock, not just with our words but with our actions.

And I want to challenge you. What is one tangible thing you can do this week to show that you're building your life on the Rock of Christ's teachings? Maybe it's serving someone, sharing the gospel, forgiving a hurt, or prioritizing time with God.

And remember, this isn't about earning God's love. It’s about responding to it. Because when you truly grasp how much God loves you, you’ll want to build your life on His truth. The solid foundation.

As we wrap up, remember that the world is watching. When life's storms come, and they see your life remain unshaken, they'll be amazed, just like the crowds were with Jesus' teachings. Because they’ll see something genuine, something eternal, something built on the Rock.

Let's pray...