Building Your House on the Solid Rock

Introduction

If you can know anything about houses, it is that you can't build a great building on a weak foundation. You must have a solid foundation if you're going to have a strong structure.

When foundations fail, the consequences can range from visible cracks and tilting to the complete collapse of the structure. Foundation failure jeopardizes the safety of a building and its occupants, leading to costly repairs, loss of property, and in severe cases, loss of life. Understanding the signs of failing foundations and the conditions that lead to such failures is crucial for maintaining structural integrity and safety.

In history, perhaps the most famous example of a foundation failure is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Construction began in 1173 on a foundation laid in soft soil composed of clay, sand, and shells. The tower began to lean almost immediately, a problem that was only worsened as construction continued. Although modern engineering techniques have stabilized it somewhat, the Leaning Tower of Pisa remains a testament to the enduring challenges of building on unstable ground.

A strong foundation is crucial when facing a storm because it acts as the anchor for your home, resisting the powerful winds and floodwaters that come with the storm, preventing structural damage and ensuring the house remains stable throughout the storm’s impact; essentially, a sturdy foundation is the key to a home's resilience against devastation.

Looking into Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus uses a parable to help us picture this idea:

24 “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. 25 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. 26 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. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Which words are Jesus referring to when he beacons us to hear and obey? This passage comes as the conclusion of Jesus Sermon on the Mount, which begins with the beatitudes of Matthew 5 where Jesus instructed people on how to live in God’s Kingdom over the world’s.

Looking back to our passage in Matthew 7, we see a sharp contrast between those who hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice over those who hear Jesus’ words and fail to put his words into practice.

So here’s the heart of today’s message:

Because Jesus commands believers to practice his words, not just intellectually know them or acknowledge them, our lives should look radically different from the world. If we are walking in obedience, in the strong foundation of Jesus Christ, then we must choose to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

Weak Foundation (vv 26-27)

1a. Everyone who hears, but does not practice

Jesus compares those who hear his words and yet fail to implement them like the foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against his house, and it fell with a great crash. These people abide by the flesh, living for themselves rather than God. As they walk, they don’t have firm footing.

1b. Illustration:

Yesterday, my dad and I went out hunting for opening deer season. About 8:30 in the morning, we saw two bucks standing side by side up the mountainside in front of us. We had both made our shots and it appeared that we had gotten our deer.

Because the area was pretty steep, we had decided to hike down from the road above to find our deer. Hiking with dad on the mountainside, we quickly discovered that we were in for some hard work. Moving down the mountain, we had to be careful as soft soil, logs and branches, thorns and thistles made for an exhausting and difficult path. We hadn't brought water (even though we knew better), and thought it would be an easy harvest. Without the solid footing/foundation, we struggled to accomplish our task at hand. We kept slipping and sliding, and our bodies were getting tired. We finally decided we needed to get down to the road, as my dad was beginning to feel dizzy and was struggling to catch his breath.

Everything ended up being okay, we made it down and enlisted the help of a couple of my cousins to find and pack down our deer, but the point remains. Without a solid foundation, without practicing what we have known and heard, we were headed towards a path of uncertainty.

First, What does it look like to have a Strong Foundation?

To build “on the rock” means to become a hearing, responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one. Practicing obedience becomes the solid foundation to weather the storms of life. Jam 1:22-27 reads:

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

2b. Illustration: Good and beautiful life Ben vs John

There were once two men. One’s name was Ben, and the other was John.

2c. The result of obedience is security

Jesus as the cornerstone.

3. Upon which foundation will we build our lives?

3a. Will we be like the foolish man or like the wise man?

What does God require hearers of this passage: To listen to his words and put them into practice; to cultivate a life of holiness and Spiritual growth (sanctification).

3c.1) Listening to Jesus' words

3c.2) Beware of listening to what is contrary to Jesus (we will know people by their fruits mt 7:15-20)

3c.3) Obeying Jesus' commands:

Note from study Bible: following Jesus is not always easy or comfortable. Often it means great cost and sacrifice, with no earthly rewards or security. Jesus didnt have a place to call home. you may find that following Christ costs you popularity, friendships, leisure time, or treasured habits. But while the cost of following Christ is high,, the value of being Christ’s disciple is even higher. Discipleship is an investment that lasts for eternity and yields high rewards. Relationships are built with time, loyalty, patience, and trust. God doesn’t want excuses, God desires obedience, he wants a relationship with us.

3c.4) Failure to practice Jesus' words, even though we know them leads to weak foundation

Conclusion

it says that for everyone who puts into practice what Jesus has said is like the wise man who took care to place his house on the sturdy foundation. The foolish man however is the person who hears the words of Jesus and does not put them into practice, in essence, placing their house on slippery, shifting foundation that won't ultimately last.

Conclusion/Transition to Communion