Matt 7:24-27 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

When Frank Elmore built our FLC in 1990 I remember well how meticulous he was to prepare the foundation. Brother Frank insisted that the foundation be solid before any construction took place. He had the same concern when he built our new sanctuary. The same was true of the contractor who oversaw the construction of our new education building. Jeff made sure the foundation was building ready before any concrete was poured and construction occurred. Why did they both do this? Because the foundation we build structures on matters. It matters even more when it comes to what we are building our lives on.

The rain, flooding and wind represent the troubles, problems and trials that come to all of us in this life. Jesus said both houses faced the same drenching rain, the same powerful floods and the same strong winds. One survived and the other did not. Jesus wants us to know that if we build our life on Him it will hold together in this life and for eternity. If we are already doing so then we can rejoice in the great hymn that says “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

Today’s passage focuses on two groups of people. Those who HEAR and DO and those who HEAR but DO NOT DO. Both made choices and their choices mattered. Some built on the solid rock who is Jesus Christ. Others built on the sinking sand of this world. Think of the images we have all seen of graphic videos of homes being destroyed by torrential rain, winds and flooding. That is the picture Christ paints for us of the great fall of a life that is not built on Him.

The validation of our salvation is a life of obedience. Obedience is the essential action and evidence of our salvation. The life built on Jesus is one that hears and does what the Lord Jesus Christ says. Let’s not just be HEARERS of the Word, but, with God’s help, let’s commit to being DOERS of the Word as well.

Tim