Application: Built on the Rock

In eighth grade, I bought what I thought was an incredible deal—a Tag Heuer watch for twenty bucks from a street vendor in New York City. It looked sharp, felt heavy, and for a few days, I felt like I was wearing something luxurious. But then my wrist started turning green. The gold finish began flaking off. It didn’t take long to realize: beneath the shine was cheap metal. The foundation wasn’t solid.

The same is true with houses. During hurricane season, people rush to buy plywood and sandbags to prepare for storms. But if the foundation of the house isn’t secure, no amount of last-minute preparation will save it from the wind and rain.

So, what about our faith? How do we know if our faith is authentic? How do we know if it can withstand the storms of life—the moments when everything feels uncertain, overwhelming, or even hopeless?

Jesus addresses this directly in Matthew 7:21–27 at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount.
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock… And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24–25)
When it comes to applying Scripture, Jesus makes one thing clear: it’s not just about hearing His words; it’s about doing them. Application is where our faith meets real life. It’s where theology moves from theory to practice, and where Sunday morning truth meets Monday morning reality.

Everyone is Building a House

In the story Jesus tells, everyone is building a house. From the outside, the two houses might look the same—both builders probably used similar tools, materials, and designs. Both might have even had solid craftsmanship. But the difference wasn’t in their effort; it was in their foundation.

• Jesus warns us about a dangerous illusion: the appearance of faith without the substance of faith.
• “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7:21)
• It’s possible to have the right beliefs and say the right words while missing the heart of what Jesus is asking.
• It’s possible to do impressive spiritual acts—prophesying, performing miracles, or serving others—and still be building on sand.

What’s missing? True obedience.

Jesus says the wise builder isn’t the one who merely hears His words, but the one who does them. Obedience isn’t just about checking off religious boxes—it’s about a transformed life, one that reflects trust in Jesus as the foundation.

A Storm is Coming

The difference between the wise and foolish builders becomes clear when the storm arrives. It’s not a question of if a storm will come, but when.

When trials hit—whether it’s financial hardship, a health crisis, loneliness, or overwhelming fear—the true foundation of our lives is exposed. It’s easy to sing songs, say prayers, and appear spiritually solid when the sun is shining. But when the rain pours and the wind howls, the strength of our foundation is tested.

A life built on self-reliance, good intentions, or religious appearances will crumble. A life built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ will stand firm.

What does it mean to build on the rock? It means placing your trust not in your own effort, but in Jesus’ finished work—His life, His atoning death, and His victory over the grave.

The Sermon on the Mount isn’t a checklist for earning God’s favor. It’s a picture of a life transformed by grace—a life with Jesus as the foundation.

Applying Scripture: Building on the Rock

So how do we move from hearing God’s Word to doing it? How do we build our lives on the rock?

It starts with your foundation.

If your foundation is you, your response to God’s commands will sound something like this: “I got this. I’ll try harder. I’ll be better. God will accept me because of my effort.”

But if your foundation is Christ, your response will sound more like this: “I can’t do this on my own. I need grace. I need God’s strength to obey. I need Christ’s work in me.”
The difference is subtle, but it’s everything.

When storms hit—whether big or small—your true foundation will be revealed.

• Stress might drive you to the comfort of food or entertainment.
• Financial pressure might tempt you to cut corners or cheat.
• Loneliness might lead you to seek love in unhealthy places.
• Fear might cause you to lash out in anger or retreat into isolation.

These reactions expose the faulty foundations we often build on—comfort, security, success, fame, or pleasure.

But building on the rock means allowing every thought, every word, and every action to flow from a heart transformed by the gospel.

Practical Steps for Application

So how do we begin applying God’s Word in our daily lives?

1. Start with Dependence on Christ.
Don’t approach Scripture as a self-help guide. Come humbly, asking the Lord to give you the strength to live out His Word.

2. Ask the Right Questions.

• What does this passage reveal about God?
• What does it say about me?
• How should this truth change my thoughts, words, or actions?

3. Make it Personal and Specific.
Don’t settle for vague applications like, “I need to be more loving.” Instead, ask, “How can I show love to my difficult coworker this week?”

4. Lean on Community.
Share what you’re learning with others. Allow trusted friends or a small group to hold you accountable.

5. Pray for Transformation.
True obedience doesn’t come from willpower; it comes from the Spirit’s work in our hearts. Pray for God to change you from the inside out.

**New City Fellowship’s COMMA Bible study method is a modified version of the COMA method found in One-to-One Bible Reading by David Helm, published by Matthias Media and Holy Trinity Church in 2011.**

Click here to listen to messages from our 2022 sermon series, "The Sword of the Spirit." We dove deep into how to study and interpret God's Word.