What foundation are you building on?

Introduction

This teaching concludes Jesus' sermon. After teaching on the path to take and how to identify true and false prophets and followers, Jesus concludes with a teaching on why it is important to practice what He teaches.

Matthew 7:24–29 LEB

24 “Therefore everyone 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 came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it did not collapse, because its foundation was laid on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed, and its fall was great.” 28 And it happened when Jesus finished these words the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.

What does Jesus say?

Verses 24-25: Jesus talks about those who hears His words (teaching from the sermon) and does them. They are considered: 1) be like a wise man and 2) builds his house on rock. When the destructive weather came and the house was beaten. it stood because it was established on rock.

Verses 26-27: Jesus identifies the actions of the foolish. The foolish person is described as one who hears but does not do, thus he builds his house on sand or soil. When destructive weather came and the house was beaten, it collapsed and the fall was great.

Concerning the weather . . . In both cases, we can make the case for either life’s circumstances or judgment. I believe we can connect the two considering the previous teachings regarding the narrow path, and the fact an individual has to have to opportunity to do or not do what is heard. What one does or does not do in their lifetime after receiving the truth demonstrates whether they are wise or foolish; and the result is either standing firm at judgment or utter destruction

Verses 28-29: They were amazed or overwhelmed by the teachings of Jesus. Why? He taught like one who had authority, not like the scribes. This could be a two fold understanding. First, scribes often taught what was previously taught to them by their predecessor (link back to a chain of tradition). Jesus did not. Second, Jesus fulfilled a leadership role the scribes often showed their inadequacy like the inability to challenge the status quo, providing guidance in important areas, and committing to one view.

What do we do?

If you are a wise builder you:

Fear the LORD - Pr 1:1-7

Proverbs 1:1–7 LEB

1 Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand sayings of understanding, 3 to gain insightful instruction, righteousness and justice and equity, 4 to give shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and purpose to the young, 5 may the wise hear and increase learning, and the one who understands gain direction, 6 to understand a proverb and an expression, words of wisdom and their riddles. 7 Fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; wisdom and instruction, fools despise.

2. Understand the Rock which you build is Jesus

Deuteronomy 32:4 LEB

4 The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just; he is a faithful God, and without injustice; righteous and upright is he.

1 Samuel 2:2 LEB

2 There is no one holy like Yahweh, for there is no one besides you, and there is no rock like our God.

3. Listen and do - Jas 1:22-25

James 1:22–25 LEB

22 But be doers of the message and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves, 23 because if anyone is a hearer of the message and not a doer, this one is like someone staring at his own face in a mirror, 24 for he looks at himself and goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues to do it, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Ezekiel 33:32 LEB

32 Now, look! You are to them like a sensual song, beautiful of voice and played well on an instrument, and they hear your words, but they are not doing them.

4. If you do not, you will be destroyed

Proverbs 12:7 LEB

7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous shall stand.

Proverbs 14:11 LEB

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

2 Thessalonians 1:5–10 LEB

5 a proof of the righteous judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, on behalf of which also you are suffering, 6 since it is righteous in the sight of God to pay back those who are afflicting you with affliction, 7 and to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, 8 with burning flame giving punishment to those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, 9 who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 10 whenever he should come to be glorified on that day by his saints and to be marveled at by all who believe, because our testimony was believed among you,