Scripture: Matthew 7:24–27 (NIV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount with a story that sounded surprisingly familiar.
Much like the childhood tale of The Three Little Pigs, Jesus spoke of two builders who each constructed a house. Both had similar goals. Both wanted something that would last. From the outside, the houses may have looked the same.
The difference was beneath the surface.
One builder listened to Jesus’ words and put them into practice. He dug deep and built his house on solid rock. The other heard the same words but failed to act on them. He built his house on sand.
For a while, both houses stood.
But when the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the houses, the foundation told the story. The house built on rock stood firm. The house built on sand collapsed—and Jesus said its fall was great.
Jesus’ message was unmistakable: Hearing the truth is not enough. Admiring truth is not enough. A life that stands is built on obedience.
In our day, it’s easier than ever to build quickly. We value speed, convenience, and appearance. As long as life feels stable, foundations don’t seem urgent.
But storms are relentless teachers.
Crisis, loss, disappointment, temptation, uncertainty, and cultural pressure all test what we’re really standing on. When those moments arrive, it becomes painfully clear whether our lives are built on surface-level belief or on deep, practiced obedience to Christ.
Jesus never promised a storm-free life. He promised a secure foundation for those who would trust Him enough to live by His words.
The real question isn’t whether you’re building.
Everyone is.
The question is whether you’re building on the rock—or on the sand.
