02.08.2026. Sunday Sermon, Rev. Jeungbok Lee
Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Title: Wise Faith

Matthew 7:24-27
> "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
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1 Corinthians 3:12-15
> "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames."
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Through last week’s message, we learned that faith recognized by God is not based on deeds, but on faith in Jesus Christ. Today’s message, however, emphasizes the teaching of practice. The core point of today’s word is the exhortation to be a "wise man who builds his house on the rock" by acting according to the Word of Truth, and a stern warning that all achievements of those who only listen but do not act will become futile.
1. Categorizing Attitudes Toward God’s Word and Those Who Practice It
To help understand the Word, I will categorize the types of people mentioned in Matthew 7. Understanding these categories will greatly assist our faith as we live through these confusing times. I will explain the three parables starting from Matthew 7:15.
1.1) The False Prophets in 7:15-20
Consider carefully who these false prophets are. They are people inside the church wearing sheep’s clothing. Often, they are leaders within the church. One thing is certain about them: while they hold the office of teaching God’s Word, they use that Word to turn believers into their own followers. They are those who hinder believers from walking the narrow path. To put it simply, they are wolves (predators) who have entered the flock of God. They are outsiders pretending to be insiders. Therefore, there is no salvation that leads to life for them. Furthermore, those who follow their words will also stray from the path of life.
1.2) Those Who Cry "Lord, Lord" in 7:21-23
These people work diligently in the church. They prophesy and perform miracles. Their service and manifestations of power may benefit the church and the saints. However, because their faith has not been cleansed of sin through belief in Jesus Christ, they are offensive to God. Their works and service may receive praise from people, but on the final day, they will be judged by God as those who practiced lawlessness.
While false prophets are outsiders pretending to be insiders, those who did many works crying "Lord, Lord" are outsiders who believe they are insiders. Thus, like the false prophets, they are outsiders who have never received the salvation that gives life.
1.3) Two Kinds of People in 7:24-27
These are those who hear the Word and obey, and those who do not.
The first person hears and obeys, like a wise man who builds his house on the rock. The other only hears and does not obey, like a foolish man building on sand. If we compare the one building on sand with the one who prophesies and performs miracles crying "Lord, Lord," we might naturally think the latter deserves salvation. However, the Bible indicates that the foolish man building on sand is the one who has received salvation.
I emphasize this again: Salvation is only for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Therefore, the two people in Matthew 7:24-27 are the wise believer who hears and obeys, and the foolish believer within the church who hears but does not obey. Both are church insiders who have received life-giving salvation. However, for those who build on sand by not acting on the Word, none of their earthly achievements will remain. In other words, there will be no reward of praise from God.
1.4) Summary of the Three Categories (False Prophets, "Lord, Lord" Sayers, and Foolish Builders)
* First: False prophets are outsiders pretending to be insiders. They are unsaved but active within the church.
* Second: Those crying "Lord, Lord" are those who think they are insiders. They help the church, but they are actually unsaved outsiders.
* Finally: The foolish person building on sand. This person is a church insider who hears the Word but does not live by it. They merely attend Sunday service. Sometimes we wonder if they are truly saved. In some ways, their spiritual life looks worse than those performing miracles. However, regardless of our evaluation, they are insiders saved through faith in Jesus Christ.
In our walk of faith, we meet many people and like to judge them. Often, the lowest evaluation goes to the "actionless" believer building on sand. But such evaluation is wrong because it is based only on outward appearance. We must be careful in judging others' faith and beware of false teachings that emphasize outward deeds as everything. Our salvation is accomplished solely through faith in Jesus Christ by God’s grace. The deeds of saved saints are acts of obedience flowing from a heart of gratitude for God's salvation.
2. Every Christian Life is Like Building a House
2.1) The Wise Believer Builds on a Solid Foundation
> Luke 6:47-49: "As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built..."
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During my college summer break, I worked at a construction site for a two-story house. The owner spent a great deal of money and time on the foundation to ensure a sturdy home. They built concrete retaining walls 1.5 times deeper and thicker than usual. I realized then that the lifespan of a house depends on its foundation.
While we use concrete and rebar today, in the past, houses were built by placing pillars on massive, solid stones. All of God's people, as builders, must set their houses on the solid Rock.
2.2) Building on the Rock is Wise
A wise person hears God’s Word and lives according to it. Why is this wise?
* First, Matthew 7:24-25 tells us that a house of faith built on obedience will not collapse. Every house in this world will face wind and rain; some will face floods. For a believer, rain represents small troubles, and a flood represents severe tribulation—the greatest being death. One who obeys by faith is preserved because of the Rock.
* Second, the obedient are wise because they will receive praise and rewards from the King of the Eternal Kingdom.
> 1 Corinthians 3:12-15: "...If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved..."
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No matter how beautiful a building is, it will fall in a flood if not on the rock. Furthermore, our house of faith faces the risk of fire—the fiery arrows of the devil. Even if we start on the foundation of Christ, if we use materials like worldly values, our house will not withstand the test of fire on the final day. A wise person builds with "gold and silver" (faith) that does not burn.
3. The Foolishness of Building on Sand
We believe salvation is only through Jesus. This faith leads us to obey out of gratitude. However, some forget this grace. Their faith in Christ has stopped affecting their lives. They don't care where they build; they simply follow the world's flow and build on sand.
> Matthew 7:26-27: "But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand..."
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They are foolish because they build on a foundation that will experience a "great crash" when the storms come.
4. Self-Examination of Our Foundation
* 4.1) When unexpected trials (rain, flood, fire) hit, what is your first reaction? Do you grumble and seek worldly solutions, or do you remember God's promises and draw closer to Him?
* 4.2) What is your attitude when you hear the Word? Do you only accept what suits your taste, or do you struggle to obey even the words that rebuke your values?
* 4.3) How do you react to loss or criticism resulting from obedience? Do you compromise and self-justify, or do you endure suffering for the sake of the Word, looking toward God’s reward?
5. Conclusion and Exhortation
Dear saints, the house of faith we build must not start on the sand of worldly values just to show off to others. It must begin on the "firm foundation," Jesus Christ.
This week, lay down the greed of trying to build castles on worldly sand. Make it your life’s direction to obey the Word based on faith in the Lord. Such a life may face slander or loss. However, the narrow path of obedience will ultimately lead us to the safest and most glorious victory. I pray in the name of the Lord that you live a blessed life, building your house on the Rock and accumulating precious rewards before God.
Let us pray. (End)