Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”. . . Matthew 7:24–29
“The Wise and Foolish Builders”
In this section of his Sermon on the Mount, . . .
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In Matthew 7:24–29, Jewsus tells us that we can choose to build our homes on two types of material — sand or rock. If we build on the rock, that is, on Jesus and his teachings, we’ll endure the storms of life and inherit the kingdom. The flood represents destruction that happens because of the foolish choices of humans. The greatest flood is death, but those who stay close to Jesus, the source of life, will weather the storm just as he did.
Jesus will use three images to illustrate the choice his followers face in responding to his call to follow him. Here you can watch an exceptional video clip from BibleProject titled “The Choice” (7 minutes).
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Watch this video clip by Jesus Film Project that depicts Matthew chapter 7 of Jesus’ famous sermon (4 minutes).
subhead — 7:24–25
24Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (vv. 24–25, NIV).
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subhead — 7:26–27
26But 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. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” (vv. 26–27, NIV).
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Releasing the weight of worry (v. 27) It’s one thing to know that we shouldn’t worry, but it’s quite another to be thankful for that truth and then actually stop worrying. In my opinion, worrying is utterly useless. Let me ask you: How many problems have you solved by worrying? Has anything ever gotten any better by worrying about it? Of course not! The instant that you begin to worry or feel anxious, give your concern to God in prayer. Release its weight and totally trust him to either show you what to do or how he’ll take care of it. Prayer is a powerful force against worry. When you’re under pressure, it’s always best to pray about your need instead of fretting or complaining about it. I’m reminded of an old gospel chorus called “Why Worry When You Can Pray?” [Watch this powerful perfomance of this gospel hymn.]
subhead — 7:28–29
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (vv. 28–29, NIV).
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Choosing a foundation: At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus compares the choice to follow him to building a house on the sand or the rock. Building on the rock connects back to the teaching of becoming a city on a mountain in Matthew 5:14. And the rock is a reference to God’s temple mount on Zion. It’s from that house that God’s people live by his wisdom. The storm and flood imagery represents destruction that happens for individuals or whole communities because of their own foolish choices or the foolish choices of others. However, Jesus promises that those who build on the rock of his teaching will endure the storms of life and inherit God’s everlasting kingdom. We can also endure the greatest flood — death itself — by staying close to Jesus, the source of life who defeated death.
Practical Application of This Sermon Passage (7:24–29)
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Conclusion
Matthew 7:24–29 . . .
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Are you ready to take Warren’s 25-question Sermon on the Mount quiz? Answers with Bible references are included with your grade.