24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”

28-29 When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message Compact, Leather-Look
The Message Compact, Leather-Look
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $4.88
Save: $25.11 (84%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year - eBook
The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year - eBook
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $14.86
Save: $4.13 (22%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message of Proverbs - eBook
The Message of Proverbs - eBook
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $2.89
Save: $1.10 (28%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message for Graduates - eBook
The Message for Graduates - eBook
Retail: $12.99
Our Price: $8.99
Save: $4.00 (31%)