Written ~ 10-06-2023
Matthew 7:24-28
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.
26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.
27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
For the past few days, we have been reading and studying Matthew chapter 7. A lot of times when Jesus spoke, He taught in parables, which are short stories that illustrate a moral attitude or action, those types of stories may not give a straightforward instruction. But in Matthew chapter 7, Jesus is speaking plainly, the narrative is very easy to understand and follow. In verses 7:1-6 we learned that we should not judge others, otherwise we will be judged by that same standard. Verses 7:7-11 talk about asking, seeking, and knocking, it’s about how to pray effectively. Matthew 7:12 says, “Do unto others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Verses 7:13-14 talk about the narrow gate to Heaven compared to the broad gate to Hell. Verses 7:15-20 warn us about false preachers and how we should know them by their actions and the fruit they bare. Then in Matthew 7:21-23 we see Jesus cautioning those who say “Lord! Lord!” as His response could be “I never knew you” and they would be turned away on judgment day.
So, now this brings us to today’s study, verses 7:24-29…
When you and I read through the Scriptures it is important not to just skim over the pages. By breaking down the chapters, reading verse by verse, then pondering their meaning helps us to understand and to obey the instructions, apply them to our lives, remember these Words are given to us by Almighty God. In verses 7:24-29, Jesus is telling us the importance of listening to His teachings and following what they say. The illustration Jesus gives in these verses should be easy for anyone to visualize and I think He did that on purpose so everyone would understand. Let’s breakdown these verses…
- Wisdom = House built on Solid Rock
- Rains Come = House Stands
- Foolishness = House built on Sand
- Rains Come = House Collapses
God’s Word is the foundation we place our “house.” So, depending on how we decide to use this foundation will determine the state of our “houses” when trouble comes.
I love the way The Message Version (MSG) explains verses 7:24-27…
24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life… They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.”
26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
Isn’t that an awesome lesson! The Solid Rock of God’s Word is the only foundation a follower of Jesus Christ should use to build their lives. Not only that, but we also need to live and breathe the Word of God. The Scriptures need to be the very essence of our every word, our every thought, our every action.
In The Message, verse 7:24 says, “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life… They are foundational words, words to build a life on.” What foundational words is Jesus speaking of? Well, for starters it’s the entire 7th Chapter in the Book of Matthew! The wealth of information we have just in this one chapter is astounding! And to think we have the rest of the Scriptures to dive into! I think that’s exciting! When we take the Word of God seriously and really seek the meaning behind its instruction, we build our lives on a Rock that is unmovable. God’s Word is the Solid Rock. In Hebrews 12:28 it says,
28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.
Keeping the commands, obeying the instructions found in the Word of God is just one way we worship the Almighty God. Building our lives on the Solid Rock foundation of Scripture will keep our lives sturdy, we will be able to stand firm when the pressures of life come down on us. As believers, if we do not study the Bible and don’t know the instructions given to us within its pages, how can we expect to stand firm when the slightest bit of trouble comes our way? I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to crash and burn every time a feeble wind blows through my life and chips away at my foundation. So, for me? I want my life to stand firm on the foundational truths found only in the Word of God.
Verse 7:28-29 show us the awe of the people listening to His words. They couldn’t believe what they were hearing…
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, 29 for He taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.” (NLT)
28-29 When Jesus concluded His address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that He was living everything He was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.” (MSG)
Christ’s words should have authority in our lives. They should be words we cling to and like the crowds listening to Him that day, we too should burst into cheers and applause when Jesus pierces our hearts with His words!
Thank you, Lord, for the way you teach us through the Scriptures. Help me to always have my ears open to hear your voice, have my eyes opened to see your magnificence through every page of the Bible. I want to worship You by standing firm on the foundation, the Solid Rock, of God’s Word.
~AMEN~
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For those of you who are familiar with the old Hymn, “On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand,” here is a reminder. For those of you who don’t know this song, these lyrics are as “solid” as they come!
“ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND”
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
All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils His lovely face, I’ll rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy day, My anchor holds within the veil
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand