House of Cards – Shaky Foundations: Why Your Home Feels Like It’s Falling Apart

Big Idea: Jesus doesn’t want your family to look good. He wants it to last.

Gospel Thread: The only reason we can stand is because Jesus stood for us. He took the full storm of sin and judgment on Himself — so we could be anchored in His grace.

INTRODUCTION / ILLUSTRATION

ANCHOR: A home that looks strong can still collapse if it’s not anchored to Christ.

Have you ever seen a family that looked strong — until it wasn’t?

They had the smiles, the house, the church routine…

But then life hit — and it crumbled.

Jesus tells a story about two houses.

Same storm. Different outcome.

The difference isn’t what you see — it’s what you build on.

Matthew 7:24 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.”

This parable isn’t just moral advice.

It’s an invitation to come to the only foundation that holds — Jesus Himself.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: The reason we need a Rock is because we live in a world that shakes — and we’re sinners who crumble. But Jesus came to be crushed by the storm of sin so that we could stand in Him.

TENSION ANCHOR: The storm doesn’t test your intentions — it tests your foundation.

In the South, we know the church talk.

We “bless our food” and “go to church.”

But the gospel isn’t behavior modification — it’s heart transformation.

Jesus didn’t come to decorate our lives —

He came to rebuild them from the inside out.

The storms of life — and eternity — reveal whether we’ve trusted Jesus with our whole selves, or just given Him part-time space in our schedule.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: Religion teaches you to “look the part.” But the gospel tells the truth — that we’re all broken and in need of mercy. Jesus didn’t come to improve us. He came to rescue us.

TRUTH: What Jesus Really Wants For Your Home

POINT 1: Jesus doesn’t just want your attention — He wants your obedience.

Matthew 7: 24 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.

ANCHOR: Hearing Jesus is easy. Obeying Him is what makes the difference.

But here’s the good news:

Jesus doesn’t ask us to obey Him in our strength.

He obeyed perfectly in our place.

Now, by grace, He changes our desires and empowers our steps.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: We obey not to earn His love — but because we already have it in full through the cross.

POINT 2: The storm will come — and when it does, the cracks will show.

Matthew 7: 25 25a And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house,

ANCHOR: Storms don’t create cracks — they expose foundations.

Some of you are in a storm right now.

Others are coming out of one.

Some haven’t hit yet — but they will.

And one day, all of us will face the final storm — standing before God.

Only one foundation will hold: Jesus — crucified, risen, and reigning.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: When the judgment comes, it won’t matter how moral or successful your home looked. Only the blood of Jesus makes us safe.

POINT 3: Homes that survive are built on regular, surrendered obedience.

Matthew 7:25 25b but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

ANCHOR: Strong families aren’t built in big moments — they’re built in small acts of obedience.

This isn’t about perfection — it’s about daily dependence.

Obedience isn’t just about trying harder — it’s about trusting deeper.

Every time we say, “Jesus, have your way…”

We’re laying down another brick on the solid Rock.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: Jesus is not just your Savior — He’s your Builder. He gives grace for every step, every failure, every rebuilding moment.

CONTRAST – The House That Falls

Matthew 7:27 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.”

ANCHOR: You can have the image of faith and still collapse without the foundation of Christ.

Jesus isn’t warning us to scare us.

He’s calling us home.

To build our lives not on sand — but on His mercy and truth.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: The worst fall any of us could face is separation from God forever. But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus took that fall for us — and now offers us solid ground.

APPLICATION – What Does a Christ-Built Family Look Like? This isn’t just for traditional families.

This is for singles,

empty nesters,

young couples,

divorced parents,

blended families — anyone building a life.

APPLICATION 1: Lead your home toward obedience, not just appearance.

Proverbs 14:11 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

ANCHOR: Your people don’t need a perfect you — they need a present, obedient you.

Start where you are.

Confess where you’ve tried to “look spiritual” instead of trusting Jesus deeply.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: God doesn’t bless the perfect home — He blesses the surrendered one.

APPLICATION 2: Build in rhythms that strengthen the structure.

Psalm 127:1

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

ANCHOR: What you repeat becomes what your family remembers.

Rhythms of grace.

Time in God’s Word.

Confession. Forgiveness. Mission.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: Gospel rhythms remind your heart every day — Jesus is the builder, and grace is the blueprint.

APPLICATION 3: Choose obedience even when it’s inconvenient.

Luke 6:46 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?

ANCHOR: Delayed obedience is still disobedience — especially in the home.

Jesus doesn’t call us to comfort.

He calls us to follow — and He promises He’ll walk with us in the process.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: You don’t walk the road alone. Jesus gives grace for the hard, inconvenient yeses — because He said yes to the cross for you.

LANDING

ANCHOR: Don’t wait for the storm to test your home. Start building now.

If your foundation’s been cracked —

Jesus doesn’t say, “Start over on your own.”

He says, “Come to Me. I’ll be the foundation.”

You might feel like it’s too late.

But grace means it’s not.

GOSPEL ANCHOR: Jesus was broken so your home doesn’t have to be. He took the full weight of the storm so your soul — and your family — could be restored.

Remember This:

A family that hears Jesus might look spiritual. But a family that obeys Jesus — because of the gospel — will stand forever.