Sunday, 8/24/2025

A Firm Foundation for Life, Relationships and Family

Matthew 7:24-29

Matthew 7:24–27 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of

mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on

the rock. 25  The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and

pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation

was on the rock. 26  But everyone who hears these words of mine and

doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on

the sand. 27  The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded

that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”

Everyone is building, for to live is to build. 

Are you building to last or to crash?

Proverbs 10:8 “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering

fool comes to ruin.”

The foolish live just for the moment and give no thought to the

future.  

Proverbs 14:1 “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman

tears it down with her own hands.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow

an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character;

sow a character and you reap a destiny.”  

The nature of sand is to be shifting, sliding and sinking while a rock

is stationary, strong and secure.

Luke 6:48a“… dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.”  

The Rock is Christ and the sand is self, influenced by their own life

experiences and the wisdom of the world. 

1 Corinthians 3:11“For no one can lay any foundation other than the

one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  

Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my

God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”

No individual is immune from adversity. 

Matthew 5:45: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”  

Foundations are usually hidden and are only proved by storms.

Storms can serve as wake-up calls 

Storms also test the faithful to see what we’re really made of.

The crash is great because it results in eternal separation and

everlasting torment.

Storms on the outside reveal what’s on the inside. 

Hebrews 12:26-27 “Once more I will shake not only the earth but

also the heavens.” 

Those who practice what Jesus preaches will weather the storms of

life

If you want your life to last, then listen to Jesus and live what He

says.  

Proverbs 10:25: “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are

gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”  

Stop excusing disobedience.

James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive

yourselves.  Do what it says.”  

Psalm 119:4: “You have laid down precepts that are to be fully

obeyed.”

John 13:17 “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if

you do them.” 

 Luke 11:28 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and

obey it.”

Prepare for the storms.

Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and

secure.”  

Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I obey

your Word.”  

Check your foundation.

2 Corinthians 13:5“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in

the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in

you — unless, of course, you fail the test?”  

Turn your house into a home.

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in

vain.”  

If you want your life to last, then listen to Jesus and live what He

says.  

Hebrews 9:27 “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to

face judgment.”

2 Timothy 2:19“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,

sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’

and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away

from wickedness.’”