Be a Wise Builder!!!
October 12, 2025
Matthew 7:24-29
Three friends decided to go deer hunting together: a lawyer, a doctor, and a preacher. As they were walking, along came a big buck. The three of them shot simultaneously. Immediately the buck dropped to the ground and all three rushed up to see how big it was. Upon reaching it they couldn't determine whose shot had killed the deer. A heated debate ensued. A few minutes later a game warden came by and asked what the problem was. The doctor told him that they were debating who shot the buck. The officer looked at the buck and within a few seconds, he said with much confidence, "The preacher shot the buck!" They all wondered how he knew that so quickly. The officer said, "Easy. The bullet went in one ear and out the other."
I am sure some things I say go in one ear and out the other, but today, I hope it won’t. My hope is we will grasp the significance of this passage by taking it to heart and putting it into practice!
Then in our text this morning, Jesus tells a parable that compares two builders: one wise and one foolish. He emphasizes how critical it is to have a solid foundation. The use of a building metaphor should not surprise us as Jesus had a carpenter background. Most likely, he had not only built furniture, but homes as well. Jesus knew the difference between a solid house and a shoddy one.
Jesus in this parable relates how building a house is simply an analogy for building a life. You are building a life and the foundation you choose is the most important feature of your life. My hope is that each of you will want to build a life that puts the Lord’s wisdom into practice. So, let’s take a deeper look at our text.
Verse 24, 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.
Jesus begins to conclude his Sermon on the Mount by stating, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine.” Jesus is referring to what he had just taught from Matthew 5:1 through our text this morning.
Then he notes the one who not only hears his words but puts them into practice is a wise builder. The key is application! Hearing His words is not enough. One must put into practice by obeying His word.
If you hear and apply the Lord’s words, Jesus says, you will be like a wise person.
This book provides wisdom in so many areas of life.
It provides wisdom about how to have eternal life. Note: John 3:16.
It provides wisdom in one’s spiritual walk such as how to pray—the Lord’s prayer.
It provides wisdom to have emotional health—dealing with anger, fear, poor self-image, etc.
It sets forth wise principles in dealing with one another.
It gives wisdom in dealing with family relationships such as marriage and parenting.
It gives wisdom related to finances.
It presents wise guidelines for an employer and an employee.
Applying God’s word will help you be successful and prevent you from causing problems or destroying your life. I worked at a country club for a couple of summers trying to raise money for college. I worked as a janitor, busboy, banquet organizer, and whatever else they needed me to do. This was before being married. This cute, 20 something, bartender wanted me to come to her house to do some work. By the grace of God, Matthew 5:27, 28 and Proverbs 5 came to mind about sexual immorality. Proverbs five speaks about the adulterous woman. Proverbs 5:8 especially came to mind as it says, Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house. So, I said something like, “Sorry, I can’t help you.” Who knows where I would have ended up if I went down that dark road.
This book is loaded with wisdom/Godly principles for every area of life. Oh, how I encourage you to
learn and apply God’s word.
Now, if you hear and apply the Lord’s words, you will build your house/life on the ROCK.
When Luke tells the story in Luke 6:48, it says the wise man dug deep. It costs to build on rock. It costs time, energy and additional funds if you're going to build a firm foundation.
Now, your faith is your foundation. What you believe, what you put your faith in, will impact your decision making. What you really believe will result in your actions. Your belief system will determine how you will build your life. This is an important concept that I hope you will grasp. The beliefs you have will determine the course of your life more than any other factor. It is a simple fact, what you believe or have faith in will affect your thoughts, your feelings, your decision making, and your behavior. Faith is the foundation of our character. This principle is true for a Christian, an Islamic, a humanist, an atheist or whatever else you put your faith in.
For instance, hundreds of years ago, people used to believe that the earth was flat. Thus, they did not sail extremely far, because they believed that they would fall off the edge of the earth. Beliefs can be based on true or false assumptions. Often our beliefs are on emotions such as fear or selfish desires.
Here are a few other examples.
If you believe Federal Express provides better service in delivering an overnight package as compared to
UPS, then you will probably send your package by way of Federal Express.
If you believe school is important, then you will probably strive to get good grades.
If you believe it is not harmful to look at pornographic pictures, then when given the opportunity you will
probably do it.
If you believe that it is not extremely important to worship God and fellowship with other believers
regularly, then you will most likely be inconsistent in attending church.
If you believe Jesus was just a good man, then you are not going to worship Him as the Lord of lords.
If you believe you are basically a good person, then you are not going to see the depth of your sinfulness
before a holy God. You will not be poor in spirit and desire to grow in His love and character.
If you believe/trust God is good, all the time, you will trust him in the various trials of life.
Now if you build your house on the ROCK, have faith in Jesus Christ, then you will have a firm foundation!
As you put your faith in Him, you will want to obey Him (John 14:15), to follow Him, to grow in wisdom, to become like Him, to be filled and walk in His Spirit, to abide in Him (John 15:1-8). With godly wisdom, you trade earthly values for biblical values (I John 2:15, 16). You recognize you are a child of the King, and you make choices that reflect that allegiance (Philippians 1:27; 3:20). Then, as you build your life on the ROCK, you will experience love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23). You will have an abundant life (John 10:10).
Verse 25, 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.
If you hear and apply the Lord’s words, then you will be able to withstand the storms of life. The Lord will help you get through the storm!
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew destroyed thousands of homes in South Florida. Yet in an area where the wreckage looked like a war zone, one house remained standing, still firmly anchored to its foundation. When a reporter asked the homeowner why his house had not been blown away, he replied, “I built this house myself. I also built it according to the Florida state building code. When the code called for 2” x 6” roof trusses, I used 2” x 6” roof trusses. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane—and it did.”
Jesus has given the code to withstand the storms of life. I believe all of us are aware of the storms of life.
Fifty years ago, I decided to learn and apply God’s word so I could avoid as many trials as possible. I have no doubt applying His word has spared me from various difficulties.
Yet, no matter how we live, trials come our way. There are times in our lives when we experience stress, fear, anger, despair, depression, hopelessness, and tears. Life in this world can really stink at times.
Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
In this world, you will have trouble, but if you build your foundation solidly on the Lord, you will be able to survive anything. For when you are in Christ, when Christ lives in you, when Christ is your firm foundation, no situation, no person, no force, no power, no trial can bring you down. He is with you, and God’s Holy Spirit will give you the strength from the inside out.
I like the instructions from Colossians 3:1,2 states, Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Here is the first principle: If you hear and apply the Lord’s words, you will be wise and have an abundant life built on the Rock, Jesus Christ. You will be able to withstand the storms, the trials, the troubles of this sick, selfish, sinful, death stinking world.
Verse 26, 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.
Jesus calls the first man a wise man. He calls the second man a moron. The Greek word for "foolish" is where we get our word moron. It is stupid thinking. The fool in Scripture is not necessarily the person who lacks information. It is the person who does little or nothing with the information received.
Sadly, many professing Christians are not applying or properly applying God’s word. If you come here every Sunday and don’t apply, then your life is not going to be transformed into the character of Christ.
James 1:22-24 states. Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
James is pointing out that to hear the word without doing it leads to self-deception. Hearers only don’t fix or repair their lives. Hearers only forget or do not make it a priority in what they hear.
Listen, you can know all kinds of things about God, but it will not help you if you don't do what He says.
Let me point out several examples.
You can know that you are to seek Him first, but it is meaningless until you reflect that in your life.
You can know that God wants you to forgive, but if you don’t bitterness will control you.
You may know it is wrong to steal, but if you steal you might be disciplined.
You can know that God hates gossip but unless you eliminate it, it will still hurt others.
You may know it is not right to be critical, but until you recognize it, you will not stop, and people will be
hurt.
You may know that God wants you to be content, but unless you trust Him and do what he says, then you
will have discontent.
You may know it is important to pray, but unless you pray will not experience His presence, His power.
You very well might give up.
You may know it is important to do God’s will, but unless you daily crucify the sinful nature/self-will you
will not grow in Christ and very well might indicate that you really not His disciple/follower (Matthew
16:24).
If you hear, but do not put apply, you will build your life on the sand, an unstable foundation. You can build on sand cheaply and very quickly. It is a lot less expensive to build on sand and a lot faster than building on the rock. This builder was not concerned about the storm. It looked good and it felt good at the time. Yet, this type of foundation or sand faith is very unstable.
So, why don't more people build on the firm foundation? There are numerous reasons. Let me note four key reasons.
They are lazy. Building on the sand is appealing. It's a good location. It is easy. If you basically get the same house, who wants to pay more, dig down deeper, or spend more time building it if you don’t have to? It is easier to take shortcuts. The same is true for your spiritual life. It is easier to go with the crowd. It takes less time and energy if you simply maintain a superficial faith. Plus, who can really tell the difference anyway? It's easier to just show up for church for an hour a week than it is to develop spiritual roots. It is easier to talk about sharing your faith than it is to build bridges with others.
A second reason people build on sand is because they are short-sighted. The problem with people on the sand is that they do not see beyond the present. They give no thought to what is ahead. They live for the moment. They do not prepare for tough times. In the spiritual realm, many people are short-sighted as well. They give no thought to the future. They fail to see that being prepared for the future, for eternity and having a solid relationship with God, makes it possible to enjoy the present life more. One question that I like to ask young people is “What is your vision?” Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Another reason people build on the sand is because they are naïve. They believe they will never have to deal with a crisis, or a tragedy, or loss, or financial stress, or God’s judgment. They don't understand that in the next moment life could change drastically; life may be good for you right now, but that could change in an instant.
A fourth reason people build on sand is they trust in his/her own will. They do what they feel is right in their own eyes. As Judges 21:25 states, In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Then the book of Proverbs gives several warnings about doing what one feels is right. For instance,
Proverbs 3:7 states, Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise person listens to advice.
Proverbs 14:12, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Proverbs 21:2 states, A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 26:12 says, Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Today, so many people are doing what they want to do, and they don’t want to learn and apply God’s word.
Then Jesus gives a warning, verse 27, The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
If you only hear, you will not be able to withstand the storm. It is a temporal warning and a future warning. If we only hear his word, then the storms of life will overwhelm us in this world. If one does not apply, one might end up in jail, divorced, being a poor parent maybe even losing your kids, being a drug addict, bitter, full of anger, constantly fearful, or 101 different issues.
It is also a warning about the future as God will someday execute justice. In Matthew 24, Jesus gives various signs before He returns. Then, Jesus gives an example of one who is wise and one who is foolish beginning in verse 42-51.
Jesus said, Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth—hell.
Then in the first part of Matthew 25, Jesus tells another parable of those who were wise as they are prepared for His coming and those who are foolish as they are not prepared for His coming. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Scripture says, “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ (Matthew 25:1-13).
Principle 2. WARNING!! If you hear the Lord’s words, but do not apply, A BIG CRASH IS COMING!!
In verses 28, 29, we get the crowd’s reaction to Jesus’ teaching. When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Those who heard him were impressed or astounded by his teaching. Jesus also amazed the crowd the manner he taught. He taught as one who had authority! Why could he do this? In Matthew 5:17, he states that I am the fulfillment of the Law. Fourteen times he says, I tell you and then proceeds to correct/to give God’s perspective on what Scripture says. In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus said people will call him Lord. He also refers to himself as being the judge of humankind. The sad thing is: The crowd didn’t accept Jesus as the Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Listen, one can be amazed at Jesus teaching, but this does not mean one truly believes and willingly submits to Him. May we recognize, know, have faith, that Jesus is the Lord!!
Here is principle 3. Be amazed at His teaching and have faith in His authority for He is the Messiah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords!!
Let me close with this story. Imagine two women were planting a vegetable garden. On the same day, they prepared the earth and planted their seeds. One then neglected her garden and waited for her vegetables to grow. The other woman worked in her garden regularly. She put cages around the young tomato plants, she drove in sticks beside those vegetable plants that were going to grow up high, and she put netting around plants that were particularly attractive to rabbits and other animals. Several months later the two women went out for the harvest. One found tomatoes rotting on the ground. Beans whose vines had spread among the other plants, weeds that were choking most of the carrots – all of which had been raided by birds and squirrels. She pulled up a handful of food and figured that planting a garden wasn’t worth it – the food wasn’t as good, the harvest was small, and, well, grocery stores were so much more convenient. Her neighbor, however, harvested basketful of good vegetables every other day, which had a better taste than those in the grocery store. She figured that, when everything was added up, she probably saved a good fifteen to twenty percent on her grocery bill during the summer months. Both women planted, but only one tended.
Tending to a garden might not be all that important, but tending to your life is extremely important!!!
I encourage you; I exhort you to tend to your life by not only hearing the Lord’s words but also putting his words into practice. If you do, you will reap a great harvest. Spiritual vegetables and fruit will be produced. Treasures in heaven will be stored up for you. You will be doing the will of God. You will be blessed!!!
Let me ask you one question. What does the Lord want you to do?
