Are you Prepared for the Shift:

Bible Passage: Matthew 7:24–27

Summary: In this passage, Jesus teaches about the importance of building one’s life on a solid foundation, contrasting the wise man who builds on rock versus the foolish man who builds on sand. This principle applies profoundly during times of transition in life.

Application: As we face various transitions—be it in careers, relationships, or personal faith—this message encourages believers to evaluate their foundations. By anchoring our decisions and lives in Christ's teachings, we can withstand life's storms. As Christians, our faith is truly proven during times of crisis.

Teaching: This sermon will emphasize the necessity of a strong spiritual foundation in Jesus Christ, especially during uncertain times. It will illustrate how foundational principles from Scripture guide us in making wise choices and prepare us for life's inevitable challenges.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this context, Jesus as the ultimate foundation represents the promise of security and stability found in Him. Throughout the Scriptures, Christ is depicted as the rock of salvation, aiding humanity in navigating the turbulent waters of life.

Big Idea: Christ’s teachings provide us with the foundation we need to thrive through life’s transitions, ensuring we stand firm when challenges arise. We build a solid foundation that combines authentic commitment to Christ with persevering obedience.

Recommended Study: Consider examining commentaries on Matthew 7:24-27 in your Logos library to explore the historical and cultural context of Jesus' teachings on wisdom. Pay attention to Old Testament references to wisdom literature, especially in Proverbs, to enhance your understanding of foundational values in transitions. You may also want to look at various translations of this passage to see how differing language can impact interpretation and application.

1. Wise Foundations Withstand Storms

Matthew 7:24–25 ESV

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Subpoint: The strength of your life depends on what you build it on.

Jesus compares two builders: one who built on rock and one who built on sand. The difference wasn’t the storm—they both faced the storm—but the foundation.

The “rock” is putting God’s Word into practice, not just hearing it (James 1:22).

Jesus is closing his Sermon on the Mount with a practical application. The exact length of Jesus’ sermon is unknown, but traditionally scholars believe that his sermon was a couple of days long. Jesus compares two builders: one who built on rock and one who built on sand. An early Jewish teacher said “that one who studies Torah and has good woks “may be likened” to one who lays a foundation of stones and then of bricks, so that rising water or rain cannot overturn it. But one who studies Torah and has no good works is like one who builds with bricks on the bottom, so that even a small amount of water overturns it. Here, Jesus was not speaking of the Torah, he was referring to his own words and places them on the level of Torah. R. T. France states that “The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not meant to be admired but to be obeyed.”

“One must either accept all his teaching, including those that demand we submit to his lordship, or reject him altogether. Jesus is not one way among many; he is the standard of judgment.”

The rock image in the Hebrew Bible represented the security Israel had in God if they obeyed him (Deut 32:4

Deuteronomy 32:4 ESV

“The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

God as their rock would provide security for them, including in a time of flood and disaster (Is. 28:14-19). “The words of Christ don’t just help you shout; they allow you survive the storms of life.” The wise man looked to the future and built his house on what will endure and last through every season. The “rock” is putting God’s Word into practice, not just hearing it (James 1:22). As people of God, it is important to assess your “foundation.” Are you making decisions, values, and your purpose on God’s Word or shifting cultural trends?

As you prepare for 2025, God is shifting you from hearing to doing, so you must proactive in your spiritual life and prepare a solid foundation for your shifting through prayer, scripture and community. As your prepare to shift into 2025, what you’ve built will experience some storms and turbulence, but through a developed prayer life, God will keep you.

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“Prayer is the anchor that keeps us steady during life’s changes.”

Jesus modeled prayer before every major life decision; we should not pray expecting God to answer our prayer on our terms. Just as a boat needs an anchor to stay steady in turbulent tides, prayer keeps us connected to God’s peace. Hannah is a good example keeping the faith in 1 Samuel 1.

2. Foolish Foundations Fail Fast

Matthew 7:26 ESV

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.

There were those who heard the same words and chose to not do them, and he compares them to a foolish man that who built a house on the sand. Today, people sit in the same worship service, hear the same message, sing the same song, hear the same sermon, and yet walk away with a different interpretation of what was said. They built their houses of the same material, but they did not build on the same type of foundation. Those who build on the sand have a superficial, or unstable commitment to Christ. Where and what areas of your life are weak and neglected? What areas of your foundation are weak? Where do you find yourself depending more on the world than God? The foolish man looks for superficial and temporary trinkets to build his life on. Christians today build their lives off viral quips and quotes that last a few minutes, but when the storms come, that sandy foundations are blown and washed away.

Perhaps emphasize the folly of building on sand, which symbolizes a superficial or unstable commitment to Christ. Encourage listeners to reflect on areas of life where their foundations may be weak or neglected. Challenge them to identify dependencies on worldly or transient things that easily shift, leading to spiritual peril during life's upheavals.

3. Consequences of Crumbling Choices

Matthew 7:27 ESV

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Like the wise man, the foolish man experienced the same storm, but with disastrous results. The foolish man was in the same storm as the wise man, but it affected his house differently.

Maybe conclude by discussing the inevitable collapse of a life not founded on Jesus’ words, urging the congregation to see transitions as opportunities to re-evaluate and realign their lives with Christ. Present transitions as tests that reveal our foundation's true strength and remind believers of the security and lasting peace found in obediently following Christ.