Build on the Rock

“Build Your House on the Rock” – a lesson taught with the parable found in Matthew 7:24–29 (ESV)

Matthew 7:24-29:

²⁴“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.”

The Authority of Jesus

²⁸And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, ²⁹for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Rock – Vines dictionary states:  ROCK 

1. petra (πέτρα, 4073) denotes “a mass of rock,” as distinct from petros, “a detached stone or boulder,” or a stone that might be thrown or easily moved. For the nature of petra, see Matt. 7:24, 25; 27:51, 60; Mark 15:46; Luke 6:48 (twice), a type of a sure foundation (here the true reading is as in the rv, “because it had been well builded”); Rev. 6:15, 16 (cf. Isa. 2:19,ff.; Hos. 10:8); Luke 8:6, 13, used illustratively; 1 Cor. 10:4 (twice), figuratively, of Christ; in Rom. 9:33 and 1 Pet. 2:8, metaphorically, of Christ; in Matt. 16:18, metaphorically, of Christ and the testimony concerning Him; here the distinction between petra, concerning the Lord Himself, and Petros, the apostle, is clear (see above).¶  ^[1]

A Wise Man – Vines:  2. phronimos (φρόνιμος, 5429), “prudent, sensible, practically wise,” Matt. 7:24; 10:16; 24:45; 25:2, 4, 8, 9; Luke 12:42; 16:8 ^[2]

These words by Jesus show us the importance of ‘obedience’.  It is not enough to hear the Word, but we must put them into practice.  The illustration in Matthew 7:24-29 means that the man (woman) who hears these things and puts them into practice is building their life (their house) on the rock.  This means that his life will have a solid foundation.  The rains that come are the pressures of things such as: daily living, work world, even in the church, and the world in general.  One will be able to weather the ‘storms of life’.

A person that takes God’s Word and make application to self will be considered foolish in the world, but God will look at the person as a ‘wise man’.  A person of ‘sight’ will not live life for self, but live in the direction of the Word.  This person truly places his confidence in the Rock, Christ Jesus.  While the foolish man who builds a house on the sand will be busy involved with satisfying self and refuses to repent. 

The Authority of Jesus  – Matthew 7:28-29

²⁸And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, ²⁹for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

One can realize that this parable actually carries one beyond salvation to its practical outworking in the Christian Life.   In verses 28 & 29 the people recognized a difference between Jesus’ teaching and that of the scribes.  Jesus spoke with ‘authority’ whereas the scribes’ words were powerless.  Jesus was a voice that was an echo.  

Christ would have that authority as he was ‘The Word’ – John 1:1 – He wouldn’t need to quote anyone as He was the one to establish it.  This position of ownership was evident when people heard Him speak.  He, Christ Jesus, could say words such as:  “…today you will be with me in paradise” and it would occur.  A power occurs when one of authority speaks.  We experience that today when various men of today hold a position of power and influence. 

Vine’s dictionary states (in part) – 1. exousia (ἐξουσία, 1849) denotes “authority” (from the impersonal verb exesti, “it is lawful”). From the meaning of “leave or permission,” or liberty of doing as one pleases, it passed to that of “the ability or strength with which one is endued,” then to that of the “power of authority,” the right to exercise power, e.g., Matt. 9:6; 21:23; 2 Cor. 10:8;

Note the verses 24 & 25 –  “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.”   Those of us that want to act as ‘true followers’ will be a person that allows God’s Word to make a difference in our lives.  We will keep changing as new spiritual guidance in brought to our attention.  We can say we are ‘in tune’ to listening to the Spirit direct in our lives. Thus demonstrating themselves to be like a wise man who built his house on rock.  He is such a builder because he hearing, responding disciple, not a phony, superficial one.  (James 1:22-25)  James tells people to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer.

 A quote from B. B. Barton entitled:  Walkie-Talkie

Some athletes can “talk” a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. And not everyone who talks about heaven belongs to God’s kingdom. Jesus is more concerned about our “walk” than our “talk.” He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. Your house (which represents your life, 7:24) will withstand the storms of life only if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. Some people wonder if they are really Christians. If that’s you—start acting like one. Some people jabber about their intense faith. If that’s you—just show your faith in faithful living.

A quote from B. B. Barton entitled:  A Little Nudge

Like a house of cards, the fool’s life crumbles. Most people do not deliberately seek to build on a false or inferior foundation; instead, they just don’t think about their life’s purpose. Many people are headed for destruction, not out of stubbornness but out of thoughtlessness. Part of our responsibility as believers is to help others stop and think about where their lives are headed and to point out the consequences of ignoring Christ’s message. Some people just need a little prodding to come over to Jesus’ side. They have heard the gospel, but they’re not sure or not convinced or not ready. Often they just haven’t met anyone for whom that decision has made a difference.

A quote from B. B. Barton entitled:  Authority

People today accept the concept of individual autonomy. Truth has been relegated to “whatever is true for you is true.” Because the possibility of absolute truth has been widely rejected, people now depend on “personal truth.” But we can’t make up for the loss of absolute truth by creating our own truth. We are simply wrong too often.

Jesus concluded his sermon with a challenge about foundations. Those who heard him were impressed by his authority. But amazement doesn’t equal acceptance or submission. People who agree in theory that a house should be built on a solid foundation may still go out and construct their lives on a swamp. Part of sharing the gospel with someone involves helping them really look at the foundation of their lives. We must also be able to demonstrate our own foundation. People need to hear and see that we have made Jesus’ teaching the basis of our lives.

When the storms come will our house stand?  It will if the foundation is based on the instructions of the true rock, Jesus Christ.  We can identify if we are being such a person by what fruit we bear.  Thus character is revealed by fruit (7:20) and faith is revealed by storms.  (Matthew 7:18–20 (ESV  –  ¹⁸A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. )

LDW