Sermon Series: Kingdom Living – The Sermon on the Mount Week 7 – Built on the Rock

Built on the Rock

Text: Matthew 7:13–29 Title: “Built on the Rock”

Introduction

“A morning of worship, a lifetime of grace.”

We’ve reached the conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount — a message that began with blessing and now ends with decision.

For weeks, we’ve heard Jesus describe what it means to live as citizens of His Kingdom:

The Beatitudes showed us the character of the Kingdom.

Salt and Light revealed our influence in the world.

Righteousness That Exceeds called us to heart-level holiness.

The Secret Life with God reminded us to live for an Audience of One.

Kingdom First taught us to trust God’s provision.

The Measure You Use showed us how to treat others with grace.

And now, in Matthew 7:13–29, Jesus brings it all to a close with a clear and pressing challenge: What will you do with what you’ve heard?

1. The Narrow Gate (vv. 13–14)

Jesus begins the conclusion with two gates:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

There are two roads — not three. One leads to destruction; the other to life. The broad road is easy, popular, and crowded. The narrow road is difficult, unpopular, and requires surrender.

Illustration: Imagine two paths through the woods — one wide, paved, and full of travelers; the other narrow, rocky, and less traveled. Only one leads home.

Jesus isn’t calling for perfection, but for direction. The narrow way is the way of obedience — following Christ no matter the cost.

Application:

Choose the narrow path daily — the path of obedience and faith.

Don’t mistake popularity for truth; the majority isn’t always right.

The Christian life is not the easy road, but it’s the right road.

2. The False Prophets (vv. 15–20)

Next, Jesus warns about false teachers:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

They look harmless but cause great harm. How can you recognize them? By their fruit.

“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”

In other words, what’s inside eventually shows on the outside. The fruit reveals the root.

Application:

Test every teaching by the Word of God.

Judge fruit, not appearance.

Stay rooted in truth — because sound doctrine produces godly living.

3. The False Disciples (vv. 21–23)

Jesus then moves from false prophets to false disciples:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.”

This is one of the most sobering statements in Scripture. There will be people who said the right words, did religious works, even performed miracles — but Jesus will say, “I never knew you.”

He’s not impressed by words; He desires relationship. Christianity is not about what you do for God — it’s about knowing Him and obeying Him from the heart.

Application:

Don’t settle for a “Sunday faith.” Make sure you know Jesus personally.

Examine your life: am I living in obedience, or just claiming belief?

Salvation is not performance-based; it’s relationship-based.

4. The Two Builders (vv. 24–27)

Finally, Jesus ends His sermon with a story — the parable of the two builders.

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

One man builds on rock — solid, stable, enduring. The other builds on sand — easy, comfortable, but temporary. When the storm comes, the difference is revealed.

Notice: Both builders hear the Word. The difference is not in hearing, but in doing.

Illustration: We all build a house with our lives. The question isn’t whether storms will come — they will. The question is, will your foundation hold?

Application:

The storms of life don’t destroy faith; they reveal its foundation.

Don’t just hear the Word — live it. Obedience is the evidence of faith.

Build your life, your family, and your church on the solid rock of Christ.

5. The Authority of Jesus (vv. 28–29)

Matthew ends the sermon with this summary:

“When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”

They were astonished — not just by what He said, but by who He was. Jesus didn’t quote others for authority; He was the authority. He wasn’t just teaching truth — He is the Truth.

Application:

Submit your life to the authority of Jesus.

Let His Word, not the world, define your values and direction.

A church built on His authority will withstand every storm.

Illustrations

The Storm: Think of hurricanes that sweep away what isn’t anchored. The same is true spiritually — storms reveal whether our faith is built on rock or sand.

The Builder’s Choice: Building on rock takes more effort, time, and depth — but it lasts. Shallow faith crumbles; solid faith stands.

Conclusion

As we close this series, Jesus’ words come to a point of decision. Two gates. Two trees. Two builders. Two outcomes.

Which path are you on? Which foundation are you building on? Are you merely hearing the Word each Sunday, or are you living it out?

The Kingdom life isn’t about religious talk — it’s about daily obedience to Jesus, the Rock that never moves.

So today, let’s recommit ourselves — as individuals and as a church — to be builders on the Rock. Because when the storms come (and they will), our foundation in Christ will hold firm.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, thank You for this journey through the Sermon on the Mount. You have shown us what Kingdom living truly looks like — humble, holy, faithful, and dependent on You. Today we choose to build on the solid rock of Your Word. Help us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. When the storms come, keep us standing firm in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”