Rock vs. Sand Matthew 7:24-29

Matthew 7 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

1. The Wise Person a. Connecting Doctrine with Duty (v.24) The person who:  Hears the words (doctrine) of Jesus and,  Does (duty) the words of Jesus.  Is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock.

Matthew 7 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

1. The Wise Person b. Building on a solid foundation (v.25) Because the house was built on the rock:  It was able to withstand the storms and survived. “the rain descended” “the floods came” “the winds blew”  It did not fall.

Application We are wise in the sight of God when we hear and obey his word. The words of Jesus are the solid foundation for a faithful godly life. Those who listen and do the words of Jesus will be able to stand the storms of life and not be put to shame.

Matthew 7 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

2. The Foolish Person a. Disconnecting Doctrine with Duty (v.26) The person who:  Hears the words (doctrine) of Jesus and,  Does Not (disconnects duty) the words of Jesus.  Is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand.

Matthew 7 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

2. The Foolish Person b. Building on the Sand (v.27) Because the house was built on the Sand:  It could not withstand the storms. “the rain descended” “the floods came” “the winds blew”  And the house fell. “and great was the fall of it”

Application We must not build our life on a faulty foundation. We must not only hear the doctrine of the Lord. We must also do the Lord's will. It must be the foundation of our life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:24).”

Matthew 7 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes