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And then will I declare to them, \u2018I\xa0never knew you;\xa0depart from me,\xa0you workers of lawlessness.\u2019 Matthew 7:23 (ESV)

\u201cTherefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.\xa0The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.\xa0But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.\xa0The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.\u201d When Jesus had finished saying these things,\xa0the crowds were amazed at his teaching,\xa0because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matthew 7:24-29\xa0(NIV)

1. It\u2019s going to take work

Search me,\xa0God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way\xa0in me, and lead me\xa0in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:19-24 (NIV)

1. The storm is coming

\u201cThere is a storm coming that will try what our hopes are bottomed on\u2026\u201d \u2013 Matthew Henry

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,\xa0whenever you face trials of many kinds,\xa0because you know that the testing of your faith\xa0produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature\xa0and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:1-4 (NIV)

1. The ground matters because what we are building matters

By the grace God has given me,\xa0I laid a foundation\xa0as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.\xa0For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.\xa0If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw their work will be shown for what it is,\xa0because the Day\xa0will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person\u2019s work.\xa0If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.\xa0If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved\u2014even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15\xa0 (NIV)