Will You Stand or Fall?

Series: What He Said: The Parables of Jesus #19

Subject: What are the outcomes for those who obey or disobey God's Word?

Complement: Those who obey God’s Word build a stable life that can withstand trials, while those who disobey face inevitable collapse.

Exegetical Idea: Those who hear and act upon Jesus’ teachings are like wise builders whose lives are secure, but those who hear and ignore His words are like foolish builders whose lives will collapse under pressure.

Homiletical Idea: How you respond to Jesus’ words determines whether your life will stand or fall.

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

24 “Everyone then 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 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. 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 fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Introduction

When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, some houses crumbled while others remained standing. One house in particular got national attention—not because it looked stronger, but because of what was underneath it. It had been built on a reinforced foundation—deep, stable, and prepared. Jesus closes His Sermon on the Mount with a parable about two builders, two houses, and one storm. And His question is as relevant today as it was back then: What are you building your life on?

The strength of your life isn’t seen in the sun—but in the storm.

As Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount, He leaves His audience with more than a summary—He delivers a spiritual ultimatum. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus paints a vivid picture of two builders. Each one constructs a house. Both face the same storm. But only one house stands. Why? because only one was built on the right foundation.

This parable is more than a story; it's a mirror. Jesus asks each of us, "What are you building your life on?"

This passage demands a response. Jesus draws a line between those who merely hear and those who obey. It’s not enough to admire His words or quote His wisdom—we must align our lives with His teaching.

DT: How you respond to Jesus’ words determines whether your life will stand or fall.

Transition: Jesus presents two paths before us: obedience that leads to stability or disobedience that ends in collapse. With that challenge in mind, let us look at the first reality Jesus presents, that is this . . .

Obeying Jesus is the Only Way to Live (vv. 24–25)

Matthew 7:24–25 ESV

24 “Everyone then 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 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.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (v. 24)

Let’s pause—Jesus isn’t talking to pagans here. He’s addressing people sitting under His preaching. Two people hear His words. But one of them acts on what they hear.

Exegesis & Historical Context

The Greek word for “does” (ποιεῖ) implies ongoing, continuous obedience—not one-time action, but daily alignment with Christ’s commands.

This verse serves as the application point of the entire Sermon on the Mount. Jesus has redefined:

Righteousness - Matthew 5:20

Matthew 5:20 ESV

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Relationships - (Matthew 5:21–48)

Worship and prayer - (Matthew 6:5–13)

Kingdom priorities - (Matthew 6:33)

Matthew 6:33 ESV

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Now He says: Put this into practice—or your house will fall.

In Jewish wisdom tradition, wisdom wasn’t theoretical—it was practical. You weren’t wise because you knew; you were wise because you obeyed.

Historical Detail: In first-century Palestine, building on rock required digging deep. It took effort, time, and determination. But it was the only way to ensure your house would survive the coming rainy season.

Illustrations:

Film Study: An athlete doesn’t just watch game film to admire highlights—he studies to make adjustments. Likewise, God’s Word isn’t entertainment; it’s instruction for transformation.

Unseen Strength: A house with a deep foundation may not get noticed right away—but it lasts. Like someone who prays consistently, lives honestly, and obeys faithfully. That’s strength built for the storm.

Application: Are you actively applying Christ’s words? Do you just listen on Sundays… or do you live it Monday through Saturday?

To the One Still Deciding to Follow Christ: This passage is an invitation to begin building your life on something secure. Jesus isn’t merely calling for religious obedience—He’s calling you into relationship. He wants to be your foundation. Obedience begins with trusting in Jesus—believing He is who He says He is: the Savior, the Rock, the firm foundation. To build on Him is to say: “Lord, I believe Your way is the right way, and I want my life to be rooted in You.” You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start digging. Surrender. Trust Him. Let His Word guide you into a life that can weather any storm.

To the New Believer Who Doesn't Know Where to Start: You’ve made the most important life decision—now it’s time to build on it. Start small:

Read a few verses a day.

Pray honestly and consistently.

Obey what you understand, and more will become clear.

Like a wise builder, don’t rush the process. Lay one stone of obedience at a time. In time, you'll see spiritual strength forming beneath your feet.

To the Longtime Churchgoer Who Hasn’t Obeyed Deeply: Sometimes we get so used to hearing the Word, we stop responding to it. Familiarity without faithfulness is dangerous. You may attend regularly, even serve faithfully—but if your life is not actively rooted in Christ's commands, you're at risk of building near the Rock without being on it. Don’t just be close to Jesus—build on Him.

To the One Facing a Storm Right Now: This passage is your encouragement. If your life is built on Christ, you may bend, but you won’t break. The storm does not mean your foundation has failed—it may be the moment it is being proven. Trust that the Rock beneath you is stronger than the winds against you.

Transition: Jesus now presents the opposite picture—not of obedience, but of neglect. Not of digging deep, but of building shallow. If the first builder teaches us how to stand, this next one shows us why so many fall. Let’s turn to the second path Christ warns us about...

II. Building on Jesus Gives Strength in Every Storm (vv.24b-25)

Matthew 7:24–25 ESV

24 “Everyone then 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 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.

Jesus doesn’t say if the storm comes—but when. Storms are inevitable. They take the form of:

Life’s suffering and trials

Satanic attacks and spiritual warfare

Ultimately, the final storm of divine judgment

The word “rock” (πέτρα, petra) refers to bedrock—solid, immovable truth. Luke’s version adds that the wise man “dug deep” (Luke 6:48). This is not shallow faith—it’s foundation faith. It’s not hype, it’s depth.

In ancient Palestine, sand looked solid during the dry season—but it couldn’t hold when the rains came. The wise builder didn’t build on appearance—he dug beneath it to find truth.

You can build fast or you can build strong—but not both. And Jesus is clear: only those who build on Him will stand.

Cultural Connection:

Our people know storms. We’ve survived injustice, marginalization, systemic racism, job loss, broken homes, health crises. And through it all, the old saints would say: “I’m standing on the Rock!”

Application:

To the one who’s coasting in calm weather: Don’t confuse peace with preparedness. Just because life feels stable doesn’t mean your soul is strong. Start building now. Before the diagnosis. Before the betrayal. Before the loss. Build while it’s peaceful, so you can stand when it’s painful.

To the one currently in a storm: Maybe the winds are howling in your home. Maybe grief is rising like a flood. Maybe temptation is beating on your heart like driving rain. But if your life is built on Christ, you may be battered—but you won’t be broken. The storm isn’t here to destroy you—it’s here to prove you. Your faith is being tested, not wasted. Trust that the Rock beneath you is stronger than the winds against you.

To the one whose storm exposed a weak foundation: This season may have revealed that you weren’t as grounded as you thought. The good news? You can start digging today. You can rebuild on something stronger. Grace gives you permission to start again—this time on the Rock.

To the young adult, the family builder, the new disciple: Start with Jesus now—before the pressures of adulthood come crashing in.

Lay Scripture under your emotions.

Lay prayer under your decisions.

Lay integrity under your career.

Don’t ask God to bless what you’ve built—build what He blesses.

To the seasoned saint: You’ve weathered some things. You’ve been through storms and are still standing. Your life says, “The Rock holds.” Your testimony is not that storms never came—it’s that Jesus never let you fall. Let the younger generation see your scars and your stand—and teach them to dig like you did.

Transition: Here is the last point to the message . . .

Disobedience Leads to Collapse (vv. 26–27)

Matthew 7:26–27 ESV

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

This parable is a warning wrapped in grace. Jesus isn’t being harsh—He’s being honest. To hear His words and ignore them is not neutral—it’s dangerous. It’s like building without a foundation. It might feel fine in good weather, but the storm is coming. And when it does, only those who’ve built on the Rock will endure.

Explanation & Exegesis:

The foolish man hears the same words as the wise man. The difference is not in exposure—but in obedience. He builds on sand: it’s fast, convenient, culturally accepted… but unstable.

The word “foolish” (μωρός, moros) doesn’t mean unintelligent—it means morally careless. He knows better. He just doesn’t act.

In the dry seasons of the Middle East, sand can appear solid—but when the rain comes, everything shifts.

The problem isn’t just the materials—it’s the foundation.

The issue wasn’t that the house was weak—it’s that the foundation was false.

Jesus uses emphatic language: “And great was the fall of it.” The Greek word for fall (πίπτω, piptō) implies a violent, total collapse—not just damage, but destruction.

Illustrations:

A beautiful beach house, built for appearances but not anchored deep, can be wiped out in one storm.

Social media spirituality might look good in sunshine, but it won’t hold you in a midnight storm. You don’t need slogans or soundbites—you need a Savior.

1 Corinthians 3:11 ESV

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 2:1 ESV

1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Application:

To the one living in willful disobedience: This is your warning. You may be hearing God’s Word and choosing your own way—again and again—but Jesus says the fall is not just possible, it’s certain. You’re not avoiding consequences—you’re only delaying collapse. Repent now. Don’t wait for the storm to confirm what the Spirit is already telling you. Don’t let a breakdown force you to build what you could’ve built in obedience.

To the culturally comfortable Christian: You’ve dressed your life in religious language. You attend church. You say the right things. But your foundation is not Christ—it’s culture, habit, or convenience. Jesus is calling you deeper. Don’t build for the crowd—build for the crisis. The faith that folds under pressure was never rooted in obedience.

To the self-reliant builder: Maybe you’ve trusted your career, your planning, your success. But life has a way of proving that no earthly foundation can carry eternal weight. Christ alone is stable enough for your soul. Anything else will crumble—eventually.

Conclusion: Will You Stand or Fall?

This parable calls for a response. It's not enough to admire Jesus' teaching—we must live it. Obedience is the difference between a life that endures and a life that collapses.

Take a moment—look at your life. What’s your foundation? When the pressure hits, will you still be standing?

Call to Action: Build on the Rock. Dig deep. Live out His Word.

Celebration Close / Hooping

You can shout, sing, and serve—but if your life isn’t built on Jesus, you’re building on sand!

But oh—if you build on Jesus...

You can stand when trouble comes.

You can stand when sickness strikes.

You can stand when friends forsake you.

Because the Rock still holds!

He walked on water, calmed the storm, carried a cross, died on a hill—and got up with all power!

And if the Rock got up, you can stand too!

So I ask you today: Will you stand, or will you fall?