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Matthew 7:24-29 (Wise and foolish builders)

INTRODUCTION: Today is the last message in our Sermon on the Mount series, so I thought it would be good to briefly review where we have been so far. We learned at the beginning of this series that the Sermon on the Mount is one of the most written about portions of Scripture. We learned that it is the longest teaching of Jesus recorded in Scripture. We learned that not only is it one of the most well-known sections of Scripture, but also one of the most misunderstood. We won’t go over any of those misinterpretations right now, but we saw that a true interpretation of the Sermon involves at least three things: 1) This was part of Jesus’ message about the good news of the kingdom of God. 2) True righteousness is a matter of the heart. And 3) Jesus was teaching us this is how a disciple of Jesus lives.

And now as we come to this final section, Jesus draws all these themes to a close with a powerful, brief, but compelling story about two builders and their houses. (Read Matthew 7:24-29 and pray.)

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What are you building in your life? When you look at your life so far, are you building something beautiful, something meaningful, something productive, something lasting? It is this final point that Jesus especially focuses on in his story of the two builders. Is what you are building in your life something that will last?

We all want to leave a legacy. We want to build something lasting, something that will endure. Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by telling you how you can do that, how you can build something that will last for all of eternity. That’s something worth knowing!

Jesus begins this section with the word, “Therefore,” which means that he is drawing a conclusion. In one respect it is the conclusion to the whole Sermon, but it also tightly tied to the section we studied last week. Last week we saw that Jesus spoke about two gates leading to two different roads, two trees producing two different kinds of fruit, and two professions resulting in two different destinies. Now this week in his conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks about two builders building two different kinds of houses – one that lasts, and one that doesn’t. And in laying these two builders and their houses out next to each other, he encourages us to compare what is similar to both of them and then also to identify what is different.

I. The similarities between the two builders and their houses

So let’s begin there, by looking at the similarities between the two builders and their houses – because the two stories Jesus tells are remarkably similar. Each story involves a builder and his house, and Jesus even uses many identical phrases to describe both.

   A. Both heard Christ’s words (Romans 10:17)

The first similarity is this: They both heard Christ’s words. The opening words of Jesus to describe each builder are exactly the same: “Everyone who hears these words of mine …” (Matthew 7:24,26)

There are several things to note here. First of all, notice that Jesus says “everyone.” Jesus is telling a story with universal application. There will be no exceptions to what he says about either builder in this story.

Next Jesus speaks about hearing. The Bible tells us that hearing is important. You have to hear about Christ before you can believe in Christ. Romans 10:17 says: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) So hearing is vital to faith.

And then finally Jesus speaks about “these words of mine.” And so the emphasis is not just on the words but on the speaker. These are Christ’s words. This is Jesus speaking. It is vital that we hear the Word of God and that we hear the message about Christ. And it is vital that we hear what Christ has to say in the Sermon on the Mount. The first similarity between the two builders and their houses is that they both heard Christ’s words.

   B. Both built houses (1 Corinthians 3:10)

The second similarity is this: They both built houses. It’s not that one of them built and the other one didn’t. That’s not the contrast here. They both built houses.

And that’s important because we are all building something. We are all building a life. You are building a life. Step by step, stone by stone, decision by decision, minute by minute, day by day, you are building a life. You only get once chance to do it, and you don’t want to waste it.

That’s why 1 Corinthians 3:11 says, “Each one should be careful how he builds.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) At the end of each day, you don’t get to go back and rebuild. You can only build on what you have already started. And at the end of your life, you don’t get to go back and rebuild. You must present your whole life to God on judgment day, just as it is. Both men in Jesus’ story built houses. We are all building a life.

   C. Both houses were tested (1 Peter 1:7)

And then the third similarity is this: Both houses were tested. And Jesus uses almost identical language to describe the testing. Both times he says, “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.” (Matthew 7:25,27) Both builders built a house, and both houses were tested by the storm.

And the idea here is that we will all encounter storms in life. It may be the loss of a job, or health problems, or the loss of a child or loved one. But when the storm hits, it is a time of testing. And the trials of life will reveal your faith or lack of faith. We read in 1 Peter 1:7 about trials: “These have come so that your faith … may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

The Bible uses this storm imagery, not just for the storms of life, but also as a symbol of the final judgment. Even if you get through this life without much difficulty or struggles, we will all be tested in that final day. As Charles Spurgeon wrote: “Whether your religion be true or false, it will be tried.” We must all face the storm of final judgment, and everyone will be tested in that day.

That’s the third similarity. Both houses were tested. We all must face times of testing in our own lives.

And so those are the similarities between the two builders and their houses. Both heard Christ’s words. Both built houses. Both houses were tested. Next, let’s look at the differences between the two builders and their houses.

II. The differences between the two builders and their houses

You’ve probably seen one of those picture games before, where you are presented with two pictures that look identical at first, but then as you look more closely you find the differences between the two pictures. In the picture game, the differences are usually minor, unimportant details that are difficult to find. But here in Jesus’ picture of these two builders, the differences are major, stark, they are meant to stand out, and they are indeed the purpose of the whole story.

   A. One put Jesus’ words into practice / the other did not put them into practice (1 John 2:3-4)

The first difference between the two builders is this: one of them put Jesus’ words into practice, whereas the other one did not. Look at verses 24 and 26. In verse 24 Jesus describes the first builder as: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice.” (Matthew 7:24) In verse 26 Jesus describes the second builder as: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice.” (Matthew 7:26)

The main difference here is what the listeners do with what they’ve heard. Jesus does not say “he who hears and understands,” or “he who hears and admires,” not even “he who hears and believes,” but rather “he who hears and does.” Both builders heard Christ’s words. But the first builder put Jesus’ words into practice, while the second did not.

As we already said, hearing is important, but it is not enough. Reading the Bible, going to church, listening to sermons – these are all good in and of themselves, but what will you do with it all? The contrast in Jesus’ story is not between hearing and not hearing, but between hearing and doing.

Now we need to remember, you’re not saved by what you do. Your own works will never get you into heaven as we learned last week with the people who appeared before Jesus on judgment day and said, “Look at all the things that we did!” Jesus told them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:23)

No you are not saved by your works but simply by faith in Jesus Christ. And yet at the same time, true faith in Jesus Christ will always result in good works. We read in 1 John 2: “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 John 2:3-4)

Following Jesus is one of the evidences that you truly believe him. Jesus doesn’t mean perfect obedience here; none of us are perfect. But are you following Jesus? Are you doing what you hear? That’s the first difference between the two builders. One of them put Jesus’ words into practice. The other did not.

   B. One was a wise man / the other was a foolish man (Proverbs 8:35-36)

The second difference is this: wise man / foolish man. Jesus called one of them wise and the other man foolish. Last week we saw how Jesus divided all people into two groups – those who walk on the narrow road and those who walk on the wide road. Jesus divides us again this week. There are wise people and foolish people in life. The wise person hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice. The foolish person hears Jesus’ words and does not put them into practice.

And the results are devastating. In Proverbs 8 wisdom calls out and says: “Whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:35-36)

Are you a wise person this morning, or are you foolish? Have you been living your life foolishly, wastefully, haphazardly? The first step onto the path of wisdom is admitting your foolishness before God and receiving his wisdom through Jesus Christ. So that’s the second difference between the two builders. One of them was a wise man, and the other was a foolish man.

   C. One built his house on the rock / the other built his house on sand (1 Corinthians 3:11)

And then the third difference is this. One built his house on the rock. And the other built his house on the sand. Now both houses probably looked the same from the outside. They could have been built the same, painted the same, followed the same design. But there was one major difference hidden from human eyes, and that was the foundation.

The foundation is the most important part of the house. It doesn’t matter how good a job you do with the rest of the house – how carefully you build, how beautifully you decorate, how many wonderful things you collect inside. If you don’t get the foundation right, everything else is coming down. I used to live out in California where people would build these absolutely gorgeous houses on the hillsides, and invariably the rains would come and there would be mudslides and a number of those houses would come crashing down the hillside. And then they would rebuild them back in the same place. I never did understand that.

You need a strong foundation for a house, and you need a strong foundation for your life. Your life might look very similar to someone else’s on the outside. But what are you building on? What is your foundation? The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11) Only Jesus and his words as found in the Bible are a solid foundation on which to build your life. All other ground is shifting sand.

Did you notice that Jesus said of both builders: “he built his house” on the rock or on the sand? These builders weren’t building someone else’s house. They were each building their own house. Now someone might cut corners if they were building someone else’s house. They shouldn’t, but they might. But how foolish to cut corners on your own house! And how foolish to spend your entire life building on the wrong foundation.

That’s the third difference between the two builders and their houses. The wise man built his house on the rock. The foolish man built his house on the sand.

   D. One house did not fall / the other fell with a great crash (Proverbs 10:25; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

And then the final difference between the two is this. When the storm came, the house built on the rock did not fall, but the house built on the sand fell with a great crash.

Look at 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.” (Matthew 7:25) These are words of great encouragement for everyone who is building their life on the rock. When the storm comes, your life will stand. Nothing will knock your house down.

When Paul wrote about his troubles in 2 Corinthians 4, he said: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) When you build your life on the solid rock foundation of Christ and his words, you will withstand the storms of life, and you will remain standing on the Day of Judgment. This is the Christian’s destiny. This is your destiny in Christ. When the storm comes, your house will stand. It is a word of great encouragement to the believer.

But this is also a word of great warning for everyone who builds their life on the sand. Look at 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.” (Matthew 7:27) Great crashes are not good things. Whether it is an auto crash or a stock market crash, you don’t want any part of it. Jesus says if you build your life on the sand, your life will end with a great crash. The words signify complete ruin, complete and utter devastation.

Rosi and I went through Hurricane Andrew down in Homestead, Florida back in 1992. We saw what happened to those houses that were not built to code. They were completely demolished, nothing left but a pile of rubble. When the rain came down, and the waters rose, and the winds blew and beat against those houses, they fell with a great crash. Well, that’s what happens when your life is not built to code. That is what will happen to everyone who does not build on the solid foundation of Christ and his words.

Proverbs 10:25 says: “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” (Proverbs 10:25) When the storms of life come, your wisdom or your foolishness regarding Christ’s words will be put to the test, and what you have built will be made clear to all around you. Jesus ends the sermon not on the high note for the believer, but with a crash. It is a solemn warning to all those who disregard Jesus and his words in this sermon. If you’re not grounded in Christ, you’re going down.

III. The response to Jesus’ sermon (Matthew 7:28-29)

Matthew introduced the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus going up on the mountainside and sitting down to teach his disciples while the crowds gathered around and listened. Now he ends with the response to Jesus’ sermon. And the response was simply this. The crowds were amazed at his teaching. Look at verses 28-29: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matthew 7:28-29)

The word translated “amazed” here means literally “to be struck out of your senses,” to be “dumbfounded.” When Jesus finished this sermon, the people were left reeling in amazement.

   A. The crowds were amazed at the content of his teaching

First of all they were amazed at the content of his teaching. There is so much important content in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began by teaching about the Christians’ character, then he went on to teach about the Christian’s influence, the Christian’s righteousness, the Christian’s motivation, the Christian’s relationships, and then finally the Christian’s destiny. Throughout the message he focused on the good news of the kingdom, how true righteousness is a matter of the heart, and basically presented this is how a disciple of Jesus Christ lives. His teaching was breathtaking in its scope, stunning in its difficulty, beautiful in its application. The crowds were amazed at the content of Jesus’ teaching.

   B. The crowds were amazed at the manner of his teaching

And then secondly, they were amazed at the manner of his teaching. They were amazed not just by what he said, but by the way he said it.

      1) Jesus taught as one who had authority

Matthew sums it up for us with these words: “Jesus taught as one who had authority.” The whole Sermon on the Mount rests on Jesus’ authority as the Son of God. Who else can speak like this? Who else has the right? When it comes to the Sermon on the Mount the speaker is as important as the words. The words are important because of he who spoke them

      2) He did not teach like their teachers of the law

Jesus did not teach like their teachers of the law. Their teachers were always citing this rabbi or that, always appealing to what others had said for their authority. But not Jesus. He was his own authority. He promised blessings that only God could provide. Where other teachers quoted various rabbis, Jesus quoted himself. Even the Old Testament prophets, who definitely spoke with authority, always began their teaching with, “Thus says the Lord.” Jesus prefaced his teachings with, “But I say unto you.” Unlike the teachers of the law, Jesus did not derive his authority from someone else. He was his own authority, and he declared that people’s lives would rise or fall on what they did with what he said. “The crowds were amazed … because Jesus taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” (Matthew 7:29)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes: “‘The multitudes were astonished.’ What had happened? The Son of God had spoken. He had taken the judgment of the world into his own hands. And his disciples were standing at his side.” The crowds were astonished at Jesus’ teaching. And as A.M. Hunter writes, “After two thousand years, we are astonished too.” (Note: Hunter actually wrote “after 1900 years.”)

   C. What will be your response to Jesus’ sermon?

So that was the crowd’s response. But the real question for you today is: what will be your response to Jesus’ sermon? Amazement is a good start, but it is not enough. The crowds were amazed, but they were still on the wide road. They had not entered through the narrow gate by responding to Jesus in faith and obedience.

How are you building your life? What is your foundation? Do you want to build something lasting? Something that will withstand the storms of this life and the storm of the judgment to come? Then build your life on Jesus and his words. Hearing is good, but it’s not enough. We must not only hear the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. We must put them into practice. “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” It’s all about doing what you hear.

© Ray Fowler

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