Sermon Synopsis
This sermon introduces the camp theme “Unshakable” by focusing on the necessity of an unshakable spiritual foundation. Using Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7, it emphasizes that everyone is building a life, storms are inevitable, and only those who build on Christ and obey His words will stand firm. The message contrasts genuine faith with false foundations, calling believers to examine what they are building and why. Ultimately, it challenges listeners to ensure they truly know Jesus Christ and are building their lives upon Him, the only foundation that can withstand both the storms of life and eternity.
Please note: This transcript is provided as close to verbatim record of the sermon.
Unshakable: An Unshakable Foundation
Matthew 7:24–27
Introduction
Who had the fastest trip here? How long did it take?
We’re glad you’re here, wherever you came from and however far you traveled. Before we begin, I want to encourage you about something. I really appreciate the music team. Many times when I’ve attended retreats or conferences, I’ve thought, I wonder what it would be like just to preach the songs.
When you really think about the words we sing, they are powerful. I know they are not Scripture in every case—though we did sing a Psalm—but if you truly consider the words, they carry profound messages. So this week, as you’re singing, don’t get lost in the tune. Think carefully about the words. It can be deeply encouraging and perhaps even life-changing as the Spirit works through the truths expressed by those songwriters. I appreciate the music ministry and commend it to you.
As you can see, our theme this week is Unshakable. It is connected to that wonderful phrase in 1 Corinthians 15:58: steadfast, immovable. I understand you’ve been encouraged to memorize that verse, and I would encourage you to do the same.
Life is long. I’m 61 years old, and many of you are older than I am. Earlier today I met someone who was 92. When you think about life, it is a long journey—and it is hard.
There was a bumper sticker where I grew up in California that said, “Life is hard and then you die.” The reality is that life is hard. Most of us will die unless the Lord returns during our lifetime—and what a wonderful day that would be.
Life is hard, and then you die.
But what you do in between can honor the Lord. As you remain steadfast and immovable through difficult times, God can be glorified.
So as we begin, I want to establish a working definition of our theme word.
What Does “Unshakable” Mean?
I am not a scholar, but I can read. So I looked at several dictionary definitions.
Putting these together, our working definition for the week will be:
Unshakable means firm and steadfast, not able to be moved, weakened, or changed, especially in the face of pressure, difficulty, opposition, or temptation.
Throughout this week we will consider:
Today we begin with An Unshakable Foundation.
Our Text: Matthew 7:24–27
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock…
Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand…”
Houses built on solid foundations tend to stand.
There is an interesting story from northern Italy about a house that had stood for roughly 150 years on what appeared to be ordinary ground. Then a devastating flood swept through the area, destroying neighboring structures. When the waters receded, one house remained standing. The owners discovered that their house had unknowingly been built on an enormous rock.
The picture is obvious.
A solid foundation matters.
On the other hand, beautiful houses built on weak foundations can end in ruin.
Jesus’ illustration is clear:
The foundation upon which our lives are built is extremely important.
If we are going to withstand the storms of life, we need an unshakable foundation.
This message revolves around five simple truths:
Our lives are a building project.
Every one of us is under construction.
Some of us may look like a disaster zone. Some of us may appear full of potential. But every one of us is building something.
One day we will stand before the divine Inspector, and He will examine what we have built.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul writes:
“Each man must be careful how he builds…”
He goes on to describe works built with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. One day those works will be tested by fire. What remains will be rewarded; what burns up will be lost.
Every one of us is building.
What does that mean?
It means the things we do with our lives matter.
One day we will stand before God, and the quality of our work will be tested.
There is a great deal in Scripture about reward. Sometimes people ask, “Why should we even think about rewards? Isn’t heaven enough?”
Of course heaven is enough.
But Scripture repeatedly speaks about reward, and we should take seriously what God takes seriously.
I am a competitive person. I grew up playing sports competitively. I love winning.
In that sense, I want to be a better Christian than you are.
That may sound arrogant, but I don’t mean it that way. I mean that I want to hear, “Well done.” I want my life to count. I want the things I build to last.
And so should you.
Notice that this applies to all of us.
There is a misconception that full-time Christian workers are somehow more spiritual than everyone else.
That is wrong.
We are all in full-time ministry.
The homemaker.
The engineer.
The teacher.
The doctor.
The factory worker.
All of us.
Work existed before the Fall. It is not a curse. It is part of God’s design.
So don’t say, “I’m just a teacher,” or “I’m just a doctor.”
Ask instead:
“What am I doing in this place to minister for the Lord?”
People are watching.
People are listening.
The things we say and do matter.
Even a cup of cold water given in the Lord’s name will be acknowledged and rewarded.
You can build something beautiful, lasting, and God-honoring without anyone else ever noticing.
Everyone is building.
Storms come.
It is not a matter of if but when.
A year ago, we experienced a massive hailstorm in Texas. The hailstones were roughly the size of golf balls. Thankfully my cars were in the garage, but my roof wasn’t.
When everything was finally repaired, the total damage came to approximately $76,000.
One afternoon I was outside enjoying a beautiful day. Within two hours my wife had us hiding in a closet because she thought the roof might blow off.
Storms are inevitable.
Jesus does not offer a storm-free life.
He offers a storm-proof foundation.
Storms That Correct Us
Sometimes storms come because God is getting our attention.
Consider Jonah.
God told him to go to Nineveh.
Jonah ran.
Then God sent a storm.
The sailors cried out in fear. Eventually Jonah confessed that the storm had come because he was running from God.
Perhaps some of you can relate.
Maybe God has asked you to do something, and you are running.
Maybe people around you are suffering because of your disobedience.
If that is you, stop running.
Recognize that God may be using those circumstances to call you back to obedience.
Storms That Test Us
But not all storms come because of sin.
In Matthew 8 the disciples obey Jesus and get into a boat.
Then a storm comes.
What had they done wrong?
Nothing.
They were exactly where Jesus wanted them to be.
Sometimes you can be right in the center of God’s will and still find yourself in a storm.
Life is not fair.
Some are born into Christian homes.
Others are not.
Some enjoy health.
Others struggle with illness.
Some possess great abilities.
Others face significant disabilities.
Life is not fair.
But when the storm comes, the response is the same.
The sailors with Jonah cried out to God.
The disciples with Jesus cried out to God.
Whether you are in Jonah’s boat or Jesus’ boat, when the storm comes:
Cry out to God.
Jesus never promised a storm-free life.
But He did promise Himself.
Later in Matthew He says:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Some of you may be weary.
You have served faithfully for decades.
You are tired.
Perhaps you feel like a burden.
Perhaps you feel like you have nothing left to offer.
Jesus understands.
He says:
“Come to Me.”
Peter says:
“Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”
Jesus cares.
Your employer may not care.
A friend once told me about a man who died suddenly in his office. The workplace was devastated for a few days. People cried. They grieved.
But by Monday someone else was sitting in that office and work continued.
At the end of the day, the company moved on.
Jesus does not.
He cares.
What are you carrying today?
What burden are you bearing?
Jesus cares.
Bring it to Him.
The foundation is unshakable.
Back in Matthew 7, notice the distinction.
The wise man hears Jesus’ words and acts on them.
The foolish man hears Jesus’ words and does not act on them.
The difference is obedience.
James says that a hearer who does not obey is like a man who looks in a mirror and then immediately forgets what he saw.
Imagine looking in a mirror before going out, noticing food on your face and your hair in disarray, and then walking away without fixing anything.
That would be ridiculous.
Yet we often do the same thing spiritually.
We read the Bible.
We check off our quiet time.
Then we walk away unchanged.
God’s Word is a mirror for the soul.
When you read Scripture, ask:
“Lord, what are You saying to me today?”
“What do You want me to do about this?”
We are not saved by what we do.
We are saved by who we know.
But our actions still matter.
They matter for reward.
And they matter as evidence of love.
Jesus said:
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.”
The evidence that we love Christ is obedience.
I used to tell my students:
“Talk is cheap.”
You can say whatever you want.
What you do reveals what you truly believe.
If we love Jesus, we will obey Him.
Poor foundations fail for many reasons.
Sometimes drainage is poor.
Sometimes the soil is weak.
Sometimes roots grow underneath and slowly create damage no one can see.
The same thing happens spiritually.
Sometimes we absorb too much of the world.
Sometimes we neglect God’s Word.
Sometimes hidden sins take root beneath the surface.
Sometimes bad influences weaken us.
Scripture warns:
“Bad company corrupts good morals.”
We must pay attention to our foundations.
Jesus warns in this very chapter:
“Beware of false prophets.”
I could be a false prophet.
How would you know?
Not because of my biography.
Not because I am speaking from a platform.
You know by comparing everything I say with the infallible Word of God.
Know your Bible.
My nephew once interned with the FBI in a counterfeit division. I assumed they would spend all their time studying counterfeit bills.
They didn’t.
Instead, they studied genuine currency over and over and over again.
Why?
Because when you know the real thing thoroughly, counterfeits become obvious.
That is exactly what we need to do.
Know the truth so well that when error appears, you immediately recognize that something is wrong.
False foundations are everywhere.
Measure everything by the Word of God.
A Final Question: Do You Know Jesus?
Before Jesus tells the parable of the two builders, He says:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…”
Many will point to religious activity.
“Didn’t we prophesy?”
“Didn’t we cast out demons?”
“Didn’t we do many mighty works?”
And Jesus will say:
“I never knew you.”
Notice the issue.
Not activity.
Relationship.
Not performance.
Knowing Christ.
Some of you grew up in church.
Perhaps your parents know the Lord.
Perhaps your grandparents know the Lord.
But God has no grandchildren.
You do not enter heaven through family heritage.
You enter through Christ.
You can look like a Christian.
You can do Christian things.
But do you know Him?
Jesus also speaks of a broad road leading to destruction and a narrow road leading to life.
That reminds me of riding motorcycles with my father when I was younger. We came to a fork in the trail. One path was wide and obvious. The other looked narrow, hidden, and unlikely.
I chose the obvious path.
It led to a dead end.
My father had taken the narrow trail.
When we finally met up again, he simply said:
“You’re supposed to follow your dad.”
Even though the narrow path looked difficult, it was the right path.
What road are you on?
Who are you following?
What foundation are you laying?
If you do not know Jesus, this is the most important question you will face all week.
Not who you marry.
Not where you live.
Not what career you pursue.
Not what you study.
Do you know Jesus?
If you do not, I would ask you—indeed, I would beg you—do not leave this week without settling that question.
And if you do know Him, then ask yourself:
Am I building on an unshakable foundation?
Will what I am building last?
Will it withstand the storms of life and the testing that is to come?
May all of us be able to say:
“On Christ the solid Rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the picture of the foundation You call us to build upon. Lord, it is truly unshakable.
This world is filled with trials, disappointments, frustrations, and difficulties. Life is hard, and most of us will die. I pray that we would die knowing Jesus. I pray that we would live in a way that demonstrates our love for You through obedience, pointing others to Christ and pleasing You because You are so worthy and so lovely.
Help us to examine our foundations and to live lives that honor You.
In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.