The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builder. Matthew 7:24–28

Title: Are You a Wise Builder or a Foolish Builder?

Storms will always come—financial struggles, family challenges, temptations, or even spiritual battles. But Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:24–28 that only those who hear His Word and obey it will stand strong when the storms hit. In this sermon, we discover the difference between building on sand and building on the Rock, and why your foundation determines your future.

Today we are going to start with the first parable in the gospel books, and we are to cover all the parables in the gospel. They are forty, but by God’s grace we are going to learn each of them, the spiritual truth, the message of the kingdom of God, and other important topics. The first parable is the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builder in the book of Matthew 7:24–28. Jesus told this parable as His last sermon on the mount. Large crowds were following Him.

The Parable

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24–28:

• The wise man builds his house on the rock (hears and obeys Jesus’ words).
• The foolish man builds his house on sand (hears but does not obey).
• Storms (trials, judgment, life struggles) reveal the foundation.
• One house stands; the other falls.

What does Jesus want to teach us? When we build our house foundation on the rock, our house will withstand the storm. But when we build our house on sand, our house will suddenly fall due to lack of a strong foundation. I believe every builder knows this.

Contrasting the Builders

Let’s contrast the two builders. The wise man’s house stands because it is built on the foundation of rock. The word “house” here means us as individuals. I know another spiritual meaning of house may be God’s temple, family, or ministry/church. But according to the chapter and the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is speaking to a crowd of people individually — your life. The house is us, and the rock here represents Christ (1 Corinthians 10:3). Now we get the picture: a wise person is one whose life is built on Christ. When the storms of life (trials, judgment, life struggles, temptations) come, he will not fall away from faith in Jesus Christ, but he will stand firm because Christ is his foundation. The fool is a person whose life is built on money, success, popularity, religion without obedience, or empty traditions. These things cannot withstand storms.

Lessons for Us Today

We can only build our lives on Christ because God is our builder. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” The reason the house of the wise man was able to stand is because it was built on the rock, who is Christ. The rock held the house from falling. In the same way, when the storms of life come, we are able to stand firm because Christ holds us and strengthens us.By nature we are weak and unable to fight Satan and his schemes, but when we rely on God’s strength, not our own, we are able to overcome temptation and the storms of life. The Bible says, “Not by power, not by might, but through the Holy Spirit.” God is the one who builds our life in Christ Jesus. When we try to build our lives on success and the things of this world, we will suddenly fall because Christ is not our foundation.

Proverbs 24:3–4 Connection

Proverbs 24:3–4 helps us understand the parable of the wise and foolish builder. The Bible says, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. "We have three things which can help us build our lives, family, and church in Christ Jesus: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

Why Wisdom Is Important

Why is wisdom important in building our lives in Christ? Wisdom in the Bible is God’s Word guiding us.

• 2 Timothy 3:15 says the Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Psalm 119:97–100 says when we obey and meditate on the Word of God, we become wiser than teachers and elders.
• Wisdom is Jesus Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 1:30).

This means when we put our faith in Jesus, He dwells in us, and through Him we are able to understand the Scriptures, meditate on them, and know the truth.

Warnings Against False Teachers

When Jesus gave this parable in Matthew 7, the previous verses speak about false teachers and their teachings, and how many people will follow false doctrine. In the last days they will cry out to Him that they knew Him and even preached His Word, but not the true Word. Instead, they preached prosperity gospel, legalism, and other distortions. But He will tell them, “I don’t know you. "That is why He urges us to hear His Word and put it into practice. That means you hear His Word, you measure the Word if it is the truth by meditating on the Scriptures like the Bereans. Check if your pastor or leader’s teachings are true or false. 

Sadly, many people in the church do not read the Bible. How many times do you read and meditate on the Word of God? Do you check if the teachings you are hearing are true or not? How much time do you spend meditating on the Word of God? We often open our Bibles on Sunday only and close them during the week. That is why Jesus said, “Beware of false teachers” — they are in our churches today.

The Role of Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge

How can you measure the teachings if you lack discernment? Wisdom gives you discernment. God says He will give wisdom freely to anyone who asks. Jesus said in the same chapter, “Ask and it shall be given, knock and the door will be opened.” Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit, and He will help you understand the Scriptures. Job 32:8 says the Holy Spirit gives us understanding. 2 Timothy 2:7 says God gives us understanding. Hosea 4:6 says many people perish because of lack of knowledge of the Word of God. For us to build our house, we need knowledge. True Knowledge is knowing the truth about God, Jesus Christ and the scriptures.

 2 Peter 3:18 urges us to grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:9 says knowledge helps in discerning the truth and false teachings. True knowledge in the Bible is knowing who God is and Jesus Christ whom He sent.How many truths do you know about God? Do you know why Jesus came to this world? What He has done? Why He died for us? We may say, “He died for our sins and came to save us.” But can you explain how He saved us? Why did He have to die for us?If you died today and God gave you a test and asked you, “Write ten pages about Me and My Son Jesus Christ,” would you be able to write?It is important to have knowledge in order to build our house and have understanding of the Scriptures.

Putting It Together

So we have seen how wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are important in building our houses:

• Wisdom is the foundation.
• Understanding secures and strengthens what wisdom has started.
• Knowledge enriches life, brings blessing, growth, and prosperity (peace, love, joy, righteousness, and godly character).

Wisdom is God’s principle guiding you, understanding is knowing how to apply the Scriptures, and knowledge fills your life with fruitfulness. That is how a wise man builds his life and house on the rock — through wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

The Character of the Wise and Foolish

The character of a wise person in the Bible:

1. The wise learn and grow.
2. They accept advice (Proverbs 19:20).
3. They add wisdom to their knowledge.

The character of a fool in the Bible:

1. They fall because of their bad choices (Proverbs 10:8; 14:3).
2. They repeat their mistakes (Proverbs 26:11).
3. They reject advice and walk in pride.
4. They build their lives without God and say there is no God (Psalm 14:1).
5. They find no pleasure in understanding (Proverbs 18:2), meaning no interest in knowing the Word of God.
6. They love to air their own opinions (Proverbs 18:2).
7. They puff up their knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:2).

Conclusion

Where are you? Are you a wise builder or a fool? If you are building on sand, there is still time to start building again — your life in Christ. the parable of the wise and foolish builders reminds us that the storms of life are not optional—they will come. What determines whether we stand or fall is the foundation we build on. A wise builder chooses Christ as the Rock, hears His Word, and puts it into practice. A foolish builder may hear the same Word but ignores it, building on sand that cannot endure.

Today, God is asking us: What foundation are you building your life on? If it is on Christ, you will not be shaken, no matter the storm. But if it is on money, success, or empty religion, your house will not stand.Let us choose wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that come from God’s Word. Let us allow the Lord to be the Builder of our lives, for unless He builds the house, the labor is in vain. May we all be wise builders who stand firm in Christ, our solid Rock. Amen.