Slideshow image

March 2, 2026

The Sermon We Often Misunderstand

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Matthew 7:24-29

How many sermons have you listened to in your life? I can’t recall the exact number myself. I just know it’s a lot, especially since I’ve been attending church since childhood. Here’s another question for you: How many of those sermons do you remember?

There are a few I distinctly recall because they had a significant influence on my Christian walk. For example, I remember a series I heard in college called "The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life" by Dr. Charles Stanley. It helped me realize the vital role the Holy Spirit plays in our daily lives. I also remember "The Grace Awakening" by Chuck Swindoll, which I heard back in high school. I think that was the first time I truly comprehended the grace of God.

This week’s parable is found in Jesus’ most famous message: the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).

Understanding the Context

To fully appreciate the parable, we must understand its context. While the immediate context is the sermon itself, the broader context is the entire Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew didn’t write his Gospel primarily to tell us how to get to heaven; he wrote it to prove that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. He achieves this by constantly quoting prophecy and noting, "All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet" (Matthew 1:22, NLT). He does this repeatedly throughout his book.

Living, not "Earning"

Since Matthew’s primary goal wasn't a "how-to" on reaching heaven, we shouldn’t assume the Sermon on the Mount has that goal in mind either. If a reader assumes Matthew 5–7 is a checklist for salvation, they will naturally conclude that getting to heaven requires works.

The problem with that conclusion is that we know from other New Testament passages that receiving eternal life is always by grace through faith, not of works (see John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9).

So, what is the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount? The context provides a clear clue. The primary audience consisted of the disciples (see Matthew 5:1). While a crowd was present, Jesus was specifically teaching His followers. Given this audience and the content of these chapters, the purpose is to explain how disciples are to believe and live considering eternal rewards (see Matthew 5-6), standing in stark contrast to the legalistic teachings and lifestyles of the religious leaders of that day (see Matthew 5-6).

With that in mind, let’s look at the parable.

A Tale of Two Builders

The parable describes two builders, two houses, and two very different outcomes. One builder was wise, the other foolish. One house was built on a solid foundation, while the other was built on sand. Following a horrific storm, one house was left standing and the other was decimated.

So, what’s the point? The key is found in Matthew 7:26: “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (ESV).

After a person has received the free gift of eternal life, they have a decision to make. Will they follow the teachings of Jesus, investing in something that will last (eternal rewards)? Or will they disregard His teachings, enter heaven upon death, but tragically have nothing to show for their life because they did not build on a solid foundation?

What are you building upon? The teachings of Jesus or your own agenda? One will last indefinitely; the other won’t.