Starting today, I would like to begin a sermon series focused on knowing the Lord more deeply. We want to grow in our knowledge of Jesus Christ, centering on His teachings and parables. Today, we desire to learn through the Lord's instruction. Matthew chapters 5-7 contain Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Today's passage is the concluding part of the Sermon on the Mount. Through the parable of the house built on the rock and the house built on sand, the Lord taught us about true faith. 1 Corinthians chapter 3 also speaks of wise builders. Faith is like building a house. In the basics of architecture, there are said to be three major elements: firmness, functionality, and beauty. When a building is constructed, it contains the architect's ideas, intentions, and philosophy. (Examples include European cathedrals, Spain's Gaudí, and modern buildings that reinterpret tradition.) If we are to build a building, we should build a good one, not a useless one. We must lay a solid foundation and erect strong pillars to build it sturdily and beautifully.

Ultimately, each of us is building our own house of faith throughout our lifetime. Holding fast to the gospel and the word of grace we first received, and building upon that foundation—through gratitude and joy, and by obeying and faithfully carrying out the tasks entrusted to us—we build our faith, step by step. We are the architects building houses of faith that each fulfill a part in the kingdom of God. It is not through shortcuts or schemes, but through effort and labor that the kingdom of God expands, and I am participating in that work.

1. Faith Must Be Accompanied by Action

The Bible emphasizes faith. However, faith must be accompanied by action. Faith and action are not separate; only when they are united as one can faith become complete. Romans is a prime example emphasizing faith, while James emphasizes action. The distinction between this faith and action becomes clear when understood not as a condition for salvation, but as the result of faith. True faith inevitably bears the fruit of action. If such fruit is absent, we cannot know if that faith is genuine. Therefore, the faith spoken of in the Bible is not merely intellectual or verbal assent; it must be demonstrated in life, through the practice of love and service in real-world situations.

The Lord concludes by saying, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice..." (verse 24). He emphasizes that even after hearing all the words of the Sermon on the Mount, it is crucial not to stop at hearing but to actually put them into practice.

Nowadays, if you ask an AI about something you're curious about, it gives good answers. Sometimes, even when you're sick or have symptoms, you can get necessary information or answers. If you ask, "I have diabetes, what should I do?" it replies, "It's important to manage your diet, exercise regularly, and maintain steady blood sugar control with medication." "Avoid these foods, eat these foods." "Exercise like this." "You need to change your lifestyle habits like this." It informs you in detail and kindly. But if you don't follow it, it's useless. Knowing the content, you make a compromise with yourself, thinking you're still okay to some extent.

There are people who seek advice from others. "I have this problem, what should I do?" Then the other person gives truly necessary advice, and the seeker nods as if they have gained great help. However, the problem is that ultimately, they don't follow the advice but act according to their own thoughts. Then one wonders why they even asked for an opinion. No matter how much you tell them, the reason it doesn't work is because people want to do things their own way. There's no way to stop someone from being stubborn. So, one of the best prescriptions is to "just leave them be." Because those who won't listen won't listen anyway. In some cases, leaving them alone is necessary so they can go through a process of realizing things deeply and painfully for themselves. However, if one can realize without such trial and error and paying the price, that is truly precious.

That is why the Lord uses the parable, distinguishing between those who understand and practice faith and those who do not, as the wise and the foolish.

2. Become a Wise architect of Faith

Who is the wise builder? "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" (verse 24). Here, two people are compared: one who built his house on the rock and one who built his house on sand. The land of Palestine where Jesus ministered had many limestone bedrock formations. So, to build a house, one had to dig out the soil and lay the foundation on the bedrock. However, a lazy person finds it bothersome to excavate the ground and builds on soil that is merely dry and sandy. In such a case, when heavy rains come during the rainy season, the house gets swept away and collapses.

Listening to this parable, many might think, "Who would be foolish enough to build a house on sand?" But such people exist. There are those who hear the Lord's words but do not put them into practice. There are people who ask others for advice but ultimately remain unchanged, sticking to their own thoughts. The Lord warns of a life without a foundation that may seem comfortable for the moment but easily collapses when life's trials come.

Anyone can listen. But becoming someone who hears ‘and’ acts is not something everyone can do. Within our faith, there exists a "faith that goes ‘only so far’." This refers to a faith that remains within one's own standards and comfort zone, a faith that stops at the limits where following the Lord, commitment, or sacrifice is required. It's a faith life lived only within self-imposed boundaries, not advancing to where the Lord speaks. We can call this "faith that stops there." There is no future for this faith. It has little potential for growth. Focused more on outward appearance than inner strength, it fails to reach genuine truth and remains stuck in temporary comfort or limitations. Having heard God's word but having no interest in spiritual matters, being captive to secular values—even after hearing the word, refusing to obey makes one a fool. Such a person is precisely the one who built 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." Literally, it will be shattered to pieces and disappear without a trace.

However, the wise person is the one who acts through self-sacrifice and surrender. To build a house of faith, a foundation and framework are needed. The most crucial foundation of faith is the volitional obedience and practice of the Lord's words. Once the foundation is laid, one must bring the materials of faith and build them up one by one, constructing a sturdy house of faith. It must be built in Christ. To follow the Lord's teaching, we must be capable of self-sacrifice and surrender. Sometimes, we must be prepared to suffer loss. We must be able to endure discomfort. We must be able to lay down our own thoughts. That is what it means to be one who hears and acts. That is the action of a wise person.

The two diverging paths—"I diligently listened to the Lord's words, but ultimately do as I please" and "I listen to the Lord's words and become one who acts according to them"—are always before us. Our path depends on which of these two roads we take. There is no free ride in the kingdom of God. Everything is grace and received without cost, but its value is so great that we must respond with our lives and commitment, fulfilling our responsibility and gratitude.

Let us not forget that there are always people laboring silently and faithfully for the kingdom of God in unseen places. Let us hold fast to the awe and joy of the gospel and grace given to us and live by faith. I pray you become a wise builder, laying down your own thoughts and standards, listening to the Lord's words, and acting upon them, thereby raising high the building of faith.