Building on a Sure Foundation

Matthew 7:24-29

Here, in the conclusion of His sermon, the Master tells us where eternal life is found; it is in hearing and acting upon His words.  It is His words that lead to eternal life and His words that will judge all men.  Not merely His words in the Sermon on the Mount but all of His words--those recorded by the gospel writers and those given to us through the apostles and inspired men who wrote the rest of the New Testament (Matt. 28:20; John 12:48; John 14:26; John 16:13-15).

The words of Christ are our foundation for whatever spiritual house we build and will determine whether or not our house will stand.  As Coffman points out, “Rains, floods, and winds, in this place, suggest oppositions from above, beneath, and all around.”  Christ’s words are “the Rock” and, as such they are the only foundation that will stand up to all attacks.  Too many houses have been built on lesser foundations and have fallen by the wayside.  Those houses that have not yet fallen are constantly under repair and their eventual ruin is sure.

The question each one must ask then is, “Upon what foundation shall I build my house?”  There are many that pretend to be just as strong, just as good, but there is only one sure foundation that never fails.

Notice now the commentary by Matthew, “The crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”  How could Christ teach any other way?  He had been given “all authority in heaven and on earth.”  This is precisely why the house built upon His words will stand.  No teaching of man or any manmade institution can make this claim.  Man’s authority is granted by men but Christ alone was given authority by God the Father.

Thomas Sneed