Notes
Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 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. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus forecast that we will experience storms in our lives. How we get through them is determined by whether we are a foolish or wise builder. And our worldview determines how we look at the storms of life; at some point, many of us will ask the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” or “Why do good things happen to bad people?” Our answers depend on whether we believe we live in a fallen world or not.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
Romans 5:12
Our world is broken, and that is why we experience storms. Three of the major reasons storms come into our lives are because of our own sinfulness, because of someone else’s sinfulness, or because God wants to build our strength. Regardless of the reason for the storm, there are three ways we can make sure that we are wise builders whose lives are built on the sturdy foundation of Jesus:
1) A wise builder trusts in the right object.
Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
Matthew 5:17
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
A foolish builder builds their life on something unsteady. Our faith can be strong, but if it’s built on the wrong thing, it won’t help when the storm hits. Build your life on Jesus, who is worthy of all our trust and faith.
2) A wise builder pays attention.
Anyone who listens to my teaching...
Matthew 7:24a
Be a good listener! So many things compete for our attention constantly. Often we pay attention to everything except what Jesus says. A foolish builder will try to do things on their own or assume they have everything figured out, but a wise builder will listen to what Jesus says.
3) A wise builder follows through.
...and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock…
Matthew 7:24b
Wise builders not only listen to what Jesus says, but also act on it. Follow through on what Jesus has said to do. Keep in step with His plan the same way someone building a house would follow their plan.
Group Questions
- What are some of the traits of a foolish builder?
- What are some of the traits of a wise builder?
- How can we make sure our attention is focused on Jesus?
- What steps should we take to follow through on what Jesus has planned for us to do?
Prayer
We know that often, we’re either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to enter a storm. You’ve forecast that we’ll all experience difficulties in our lives. Help us to be wise builders so that we are prepared when the storms do arrive.