What Kind of House Are You Building? A House Built on a Firm Foundation
- Elijah McSwain
- Apr 29
- 13 min read
4/13/2025
Elijah McSwain, Sr.
Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV — “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
The concept of a building is a structural component of life. As humanity, we construct buildings for our habitation, leisure, creature comforts, hospitalization, instructional learning, place of employment, dining, and many other facets that require the construction of buildings for our human existence. The idea of building any structure is vital for society and our day-to-day functionality. Buildings provide shelter, provide a sense of safety and security, enhance our quality of life, grants us a place to live and have privacy, are places used to socialize, are places used for formalized instruction, and are places that are used to promote our health. Buildings are fundamental to our environment and productivity.
The terminology or use of the word building also applies to constructing one’s life on certain values, morals, principles, ethics, standards, ambitions, goals, financial status, economic standing, and much more that frames our lives.
The end of the Sermon on the Mount, which is encompassed from Matthew Ch. 5 to Matthew Ch. 7, speaks about how Christians are to frame their lives on the building blocks of God’s Word. Scriptural insight is provided by Jesus to His disciples as it relates to the manner in which they should build their lives. Upon building their lives on the right foundational grounds, Jesus first declared that a person’s life should be framed by the right building materials.
The Proper Building Blocks for Spiritual Living
Matthew 7:24-27 is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. From the commencement of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12), speaks of the believers being as salt and light (5:13-16), talks about Christ being the fulfillment of the law (5:17-20), highlights the condition of the heart pertaining to adultery and murder (5:21-30), demonstrates the sacredness of marriage (5:31-32), reveals the forbidden nature of making oaths (5:33-37), emphasizes going the extra mile (5:38-42), gives insight to loving one’s enemies (5:43-48), exhibits our need to do good in relation to pleasing God (6:1-4), teaches us aspects of prayer (6:5-15), informs us about the essentials of fasting to be only seen by God (6:16-18), speaks of laying up treasures in heaven (6:19-21), asserts the notion of the lamp of the body being the eye (6:22-23), insinuates the allegiance to one master as no one can serve two masters (6:24), zones in on the aspect of not worrying (6:25-34), notes to not judge anyone in a hypocritical manner (7:1-6), instructs disciples to continually ask, seek, and knock (7:7-12), gives the contrast about the narrow way and the broad way (7:13-14), highlights that we will know people by the fruits that they bear (7:15-20), and finally it informs about those who are not truly associated with the Lord (7:21-23). Upon the arrival of Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus stresses that those who take heed to these sayings are wise.
Careful observance, attention, and obedience to God’s Word will influence how we build our lives.
Bruce Hurt noted “in light of the fact that there is no middle ground between profession and possession of kingdom life and the destinies are so diametrically different, Jesus reemphasizes the crucial nature and need for personal choice and genuine, not feigned obedience to His Word, in order for one to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Hearing the word and even approving of it is not sufficient unless it is accompanied by obedience.” 1 God has given us the tools and material to build with in our obedience to His Word. Each integral part of God’s Word is vital for our spiritual formation and development. God’s Word forms a firm building for the believer’s life when we apply what we have heard.
What we do with what we have heard is foundational to what we believe in connection to what or who we are founded upon.
We all are given a choice whether or not we will heed to the Bible and allow our lives to be structured according to its parameters.
Disciples of Christ Should Endeavor to Be a Wise Builder
Those who adhere to what God has prescribed in Scripture are considered wise. They are labeled as prudent, a person that uses sound judgment and discernment. A prudent person is wise as they seek the wisdom of God by taking His decrees and precepts to heart. A wise person not only hears the sayings of the Lord but does the things that he or she hears. James 1:25 (NKJV) proclaims “but he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” The Lord expresses this same sentiment that obedience to the sayings of Jesus makes one gain divine wisdom and in this, individuals are blessed as they receive what is needed and desired from the Lord. Psalm 111:10 (NKJV) mentions “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments.” Michael Wilcox reasoned that “it stands to reason, therefore, that all who follow His precepts have good understanding. Since this is how the divine system is always operating, it is they who make it their business constantly to align themselves with it who will find themselves most at home with it.” 2
To align our lives with the proper spiritual building material is a means of submitting to the codes of God’s building regulations. A wise builder will stick to the blueprint and build according to the specifications.
In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus addresses the benefit of building according to His specifications as the builder’s house would stand the test of time by being secure. Listening to the elements of the Sermon on the Mount and making practical application of His Word leads to a wise life. Psalm 19:7 (NKJV) affirms “the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." Divine wisdom is imparted to Christians who willingly submit to the authority of Christ and His Word. Adam Clarke commented “true wisdom consists in getting the building of our salvation completed: to this end we must build on the Rock, CHRIST JESUS, and make the building firm, by keeping close to the maxims of His Gospel, and having our tempers and lives conformed to its word and spirit; in order to do this, we lean on nothing but the grace of Christ, we then build upon a solid rock.” 3
A Wise Builder Builds on the Right Foundation
Matthew 7:24 (NKJV) declares “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” The word rock means petra. Bruce Hurt wrote “petra is the Greek word, not for a stone or even a boulder, but a word that describes a great outcropping of rock, a large expanse of bedrock which is solid, stable, and unmovable. The “house” that is built on the rock is the life lived according to Jesus’ teaching.” 1
Jesus is the foundation on which the believer’s life should be built.
He is an unmovable foundation that keeps us steady, steadfast, and secure. Luke 6:47-48 (NKJV) states “whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” Adherence to the sayings of Jesus allows us to dig deep by being rooted and grounded in Him. Colossians 2:6-7 (NKJV) speaks of “as you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Our lives should be spiritually fashioned in the deep richness of Jesus’ sayings as He anchors our soul.
What Christ has admitted through His Word is the essence of what fundamentally supports our life. Charles Ward Smith referenced “there are certain foundational truths that we need to have undergirding our Christian experience. It’s important that you have a solid, strong foundation and there are certain foundational truths of Jesus Christ, certain principles that you’ve got to have undergirding your Christian experience because Satan is going to attack you.” 4
F.E. Belden put pen to paper and wrote “we’ll build on the Rock, the living Rock, On Jesus, the Rock of Ages; so, shall we abide the fearful shock, when loud the tempest rages. We’ll build on the Rock, on the solid Rock, on Christ, the mighty Rock. Some build on the sinking sands of life, on visions of earthly treasure; some build on the waves of sin and strife, of fame, and worldly pleasure. O build on the Rock, forever sure, the firm and the true foundation; its hope is the hope which shall endure, the hope of our salvation.” 5
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NKJV) is written “according to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
Taking heed to the foundation on which we build is pivotal for either constructing a firm spiritual life or a weak spiritual life.
Building your life upon Jesus is to build your life on the Rock of Ages. One commentary stated, “Christ is the only Rock, the only Foundation upon which we can build and structure our lives.” 6 As we read Scripture, digest the Scriptures, and apply the Scriptures to our lives, we are being molded through the teachings of the apostles and prophets of old as well as the teachings of Jesus Christ Himself on whom we build upon. Ephesians 2:20-21 (NKJV) acknowledges “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”1 Peter 2:5 records as living stones, we are being built up as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, Christ is the Rock in which every wise builder should build upon for the development and architecture of our spiritual house.
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.
The Stability of a House That Is Built on the Rock
Matthew 7:25 (NKJV) highlights “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Our spiritual house will be tested by the metaphorical elements of rain, floods, and winds. The stability of what we build and how we build will be tested; this is inevitable and unavoidable. The rain, floods, and winds are allegorical expressions that represent trials and tribulations. The rain is manifested as times of downpours. There will be heavy, drenching rain of unfavorable circumstances in our lives. The old adage goes “when it rains it pours.” This suggests that dire situations or challenges are presented in life seemingly at a continuous pace for a duration of time. Life keeps showering the believer with its rainstorms.
Due to the nature of the constant rain, flooding occurs. The immense amount of rain that is not normal in any region cause flooding. When the rain is constantly falling, it causes bodies of water to exceed it normal levels; therefore, the excess water comes flowing our way. Typically, when the thunderstorms of life are prevailing, the floodwaters produced from the rain attempts to flood our spiritual house. In connection with the climatic conditions of life, wind is usually associated with certain weather conditions. The boisterous winds of life will beat up against our spiritual house. The howling wind often seems as though they will never cease.
People can offer hear the winds blowing through the cracks of their house. This can cause discouragement on this journey. Trials as depicted in the form of rain, floods, and winds are a natural part of life. This is also the lot that the Lord has chosen for all who will follow Him.
Acts 14:22 (NKJV) makes known “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
By being redeemed through the blood of Christ at the cross, Christians will have tribulations. Trials and tribulations come with the territory. Suffering is not a rite of passage into heaven because all of humanity suffers for living in a fallen world. Job 14:1 (NKJV) reveals “man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Christians not only face hardship just from living in a fallen world, but we experience trials and tribulations that are part of our journey that is different from a non-Christian and the world.
We are targets of elements in the spiritual climate for building our living upon Jesus Christ.
Charles Spurgeon wrote “for the best man will have his troubles. For the best man will feel the troubles; they will come home to him. For the best man will be tried, and perhaps all the more because he is such. Whoever you are, and whatever you build, it will be tried. No matter how firm is the rock beneath you, the winds will blow, and the rains will pour down upon your building. Whether you are in a palace or in a hovel, trial and testing must and will come to you: “The floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house.” 7 The Christian life brings about its share of rain, floods, and winds as a result of our association with Christ and our desire to live righteously. Early on in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expressed this reality in Matthew 5:10-12, any spiritual house that is built, framed, and structured on Jesus Christ will undergo the climatic conditions of rain, floods, and winds in the form of persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12 (BBE) referenced “all whose purpose is to be living in the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, will be cruelly attacked.”
But since we are built upon the Rock, we will weather the storms that come our way in this life, and we will ultimately be saved from the coming judgment of God.
An Unmovable and Unshakable Foundation
In the material world, when the rain falls, the flood waters rises, and the winds blow, you may get some structural damage in the form of damaged floors and carpet, loose shingles or siding that is blown off, and leaks in the roof but in many cases, houses under these circumstances will still stand strong in the midst of those stormy conditions. Jesus advised that a house that is built upon Him as the rock can withstand the storm.
A spiritual house that is built upon Him is built to last.
Matthew 7:25 (NKJV) states “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” A life that is built on love, joy, peace, godliness, righteousness, holiness, humility, devotion to God, submission to Scripture, reverence for Him, and trust in Him is destruction proof. When the rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew upon the house in the metaphorical sense, the house stood firmly as it was built upon Jesus, the Rock. Your house has an indestructible quality and value. The firmness of the Lord as our sure foundation helps us to persevere during the storms of life. The writer of Isaiah 59:19 (NKJV) gives us a glimpse of assurance when trials come our way “when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.”
When your life is built upon the rock, it will not crumble when the rain of oppression descends in your life. When your life is built upon the rock, it will not collapse when the floods of calamity arise, misfortune arise, adversity arise, and grief arise in your life. When your life is built upon the rock, it will not be crushed when the winds of slander, persecution, being despised, being hated, and being scandalized come your way. You will be able to endure because of the One that your life is built upon.
There is a song entitled Firm Foundation (He Is Gonna Make A Way):
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
‘Cause He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now?
He won’t
No, He won’t
I’ve still got joy in chaos
I’ve got peace that makes no sense
I won’t be going under
I’m not held by my own strength
‘Cause I’ve built my life on Jesus
He’s never let me down
He’s faithful through every season
So why would He fail now?
He won’t fail
Christ is my firm foundation
The rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I’ve never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus (yeah)
‘Cause He’s never let me down (He’s faithful)
He’s faithful through generations
So why would He fail now?
He won’t fail
The rain came, wind blew
But my house was built on You
I’m safe with You
I’m gonna make it through.
In connection with standing firm, when the rain, floods, and winds come, believers have the realism that because our lives are founded upon Christ, we will live eternally with Him. 1 Timothy 6:19 (NKJV) described it this way "storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." John MacArthur explained "those who make eternal investments will be content to receive their dividends in heaven." When this life has come to an end for the believer, his or her soul will transition into the presence of God. We will live in peace and be unscathed from the former things of the world and not come into the wrath of God’s judgment due to our earthly life being built upon Christ.
Resources
Wilcock, Michael. 2001. The Message of Psalms: Songs for the People of God. Edited by J. A. Motyer. Vol. 2. The Bible Speaks Today. Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press.
Clarke, Adam. “Commentary on Matthew 7:24”. “The Adam Clarke Commentary”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-7.html. 1832.
Smith, Charles Ward. “Commentary on Matthew 7:24”. “Smith’s Bible Commentary”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/csc/matthew-7.html. 2014.
https://hymnary.org/text/well_build_on_the_rock_the_living_rock?extended=true
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2004. The Gospel according to Matthew: Chapters 1:1–16:12. Vol. 1. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
The MacArthur Study Bible
