The Rock Foundation

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.”

Same Storm Different Foundation

One of the key notes of this parable is that both men experienced the exact same storm. They both experienced the floods, the rain and the wind. Most of us would even blame the storm in this story. “well if the storm didn’t come the foundation wouldn’t matter”. Or we might even blame the location “well its his fault for living in a place with that level of storm”. That might sound ridiculous to you today “because its obviously the foundation is the problem” but I think that if we began to search a little bit into our hearts we would find that we do that in our own lives. We blame the storm for our mess and say “God why did you send the storm? Why can’t you just send the storms away?”. We blame the location and say “if God would have just put me somewhere else this wouldn’t have happened”. When we read the story we don’t blame the storm or the location, we blame the foolish man for not building on a good foundation.

Storms happen to everyone, everywhere. Running somewhere else won’t solve it. If you want to be able to wether the storms, you have to build on the good foundation.

What makes a good foundation?

what is it about hearing and doing the words of Jesus that makes the foundation solid? First you have to understand what makes a foundation a good one. A good foundation is one that is stable and strong. It has to be able to support the weight that has been set on it. There is only one foundation that can carry the weight of life. Only one foundation that can provide the strength that is needed to support you. That foundation is the word of God. Only the word has the answers, only the word has the wisdom. It is THE source of truth. You don’t have to wonder about all the different storms of life. The foundation of God’s word will be able to support you. A good foundation has to be durable to last. What is more long lasting than the Eternal word of God? It all started according to his word it will all end according to his word. The man who built his house on the rock, built his house on a foundation that was meant to handle the storm. It was stable and strong, built to last. This was the reason his house stood tall.

Same Materials different use

Not only did they have the same storm. Not only did they both build a house. They also received the same word. Jesus said both men heard the same message, difference is one acted on what he heard. They both got the same directions but only one actually followed them. How many people have ever got mad because you saw the word of God working in someone else life instead of yours? Here is the secret: In order for the word of God to work in your life, you have to work the word of God in your life. What led to the foundation of the rock was not a magically sermon or some divine favoritism but it was actually the fruit of obedience. God did not love the wise man more, the wise man just did what God told him to do!

James 1:22–25 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 2:14–18 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:26 ESV

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Hearing produces faith, Faith produces works and works produces results (firm foundation) . If you were building a house today and you took a look over the blueprints that the contractor was showing you. The one who really knew how to build, who understood the need for a good foundation. You would have faith that they knew what they were doing and would trust that contractor to build you a good foundation. Because of that faith that you have in the contractor you listen to his word and sign off on the blue prints so the WORK can begin. Soon after that work starts happening you begin to see the results taking place the FRUIT of the labor. The house gets built and not only that but you have peace when storms come that the builder built you a house that can stand up in a thunderstorm.

You know, sometimes in life, we still come across storms that are so destructive the house . But one thing that you will notice is that if it is built on a good firm foundation that even if the house is damaged or even if it’s wiped out, the thing that is still left is the foundation itself. And I’ll tell you this much if I was in that position that I had to rebuild the house I would start with the foundation that was left, but when I rebuilt, I wouldn’t build it exactly how it was before. I would take advantage of that moment and build back better than what was there. I would learn from that storm. I would take that time to examine the materials that I was building with before and build a better stronger house, but on the same foundation.

Some Closing examples

1. Marriage Example:

Sarah and James are a couple preparing for marriage. They attend premarital counseling, read books, and talk deeply about their values, communication styles, finances, and future goals. They also prioritize prayer and staying rooted in their faith.

Meanwhile, another couple, Mike and Laura, get married quickly, driven mostly by physical attraction and surface-level compatibility. They avoid hard conversations and believe love alone will carry them through.

Over time, both couples face the "storms" of marriage — financial stress, illness in the family, misunderstandings, and disappointments.

Sarah and James stand strong. Their foundation of open communication, shared values, and spiritual grounding helps them weather the storm.

Mike and Laura begin to crumble under the pressure. Their lack of preparation and shallow foundation causes deep cracks in the relationship.

👉 Lesson: A marriage built on intentional love, faith, and wisdom lasts — just like a house built on rock.

2. Career Example:

Tina is building her career in engineering. She takes time to learn the fundamentals, asks mentors for guidance, builds good habits, and practices integrity in her work. She’s not flashy, but she’s solid.

Jake, on the other hand, tries to climb fast. He cuts corners, fakes expertise, and avoids feedback. He impresses early but doesn't lay a solid foundation of skills or character.

When a major project goes wrong — the “storm” —

Tina is trusted to lead the recovery. Her solid foundation pays off, and she earns long-term respect.

Jake is exposed. His shortcuts catch up with him, and he loses credibility.

👉 Lesson: Building your career on character, humility, and hard work lasts — shortcuts and surface-level success eventually collapse.

In each of these, Jesus’ point is clear: the difference isn’t whether storms come (they will), but what foundation you’ve built your life on.

3. Student Example

Imagine two college students, Alex and Sam. Both are given the same syllabus and resources at the start of the semester. Their professor also gives clear advice: "Start your assignments early, come to office hours, and review your notes weekly."

Alex follows the advice. He sets up a study schedule, does his readings, and seeks help when confused.

Sam ignores the advice. He procrastinates, skips readings, and crams right before exams.

When finals come — the “storm” —

Alex does well because he built his semester on a strong foundation.

Sam struggles and fails some exams, because he built on a shaky one.