When Jesus Calls, How Will You Respond?
Luke 6:46–49
If you’ve been around church for a while, you might know the kids’ song:
“The wise man built his house upon the rock…”
It’s cute as a children’s song—but in Luke 6, Jesus isn’t telling a cute story. He’s closing a sermon with a warning.
He’s just finished teaching what we now call the Sermon on the Plain, and then He ends with this piercing question:
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things that I say?” (Luke 6:46)
In other words:
“You say I’m your Lord. So why doesn’t your life match your lips?”
This isn’t just about “back then.” Jesus is still asking the same question today. Every time we hear God’s Word—whether in a sermon, a podcast, a Bible reading plan, or a verse on a coffee mug—we are being called to respond.
The proclamation of God’s Word always requires a response.
The only question is: which one will we give?
Three Ways People Respond to God’s Word
Acts 17 gives us a snapshot of how people usually respond when God’s Word is preached. Paul preaches in Athens, and Luke tells us:
- Some mocked and rejected
- Some said, “We’d like to hear more”
- Some believed and joined
Those three responses are still alive and well:
- Reject – “No thanks. Not for me.”
- Delay – “Interesting… I’ll think about that later.”
- Obey – “Yes, Lord. I’m in.”
Jesus’ story of the two builders shows us what the right response looks like—and what the wrong one looks like too.
Both men hear Jesus’ words.
Both men build a house.
Both men face a flood.
The only difference?
One hears and acts—and his house stands.
One hears and does not act—and his house collapses.
Same storms.
Different outcomes.
The difference is obedience.
So what is Jesus teaching us about a real, faithful response?
1. God’s Call Is Not Just About Saying the Right Words
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things that I say?” (Luke 6:46)
Jesus isn’t talking to atheists here. He’s talking to people with good theology and right vocabulary. They’re calling Him “Lord, Lord”—a strong, reverent title.
The problem isn’t their words.
The problem is their disconnect.
They profess Jesus as Lord but don’t obey Jesus as Lord.
You can:
- Say all the right Christian phrases
- Sing all the songs
- Nod at all the sermons
- Post all the Bible verses
…and still never actually surrender to Jesus.
Here’s the key idea:
Profession of Christ is not the same as possession by Christ.
It’s one thing to say, “I know Jesus.”
It’s another thing for Jesus to say, “I know you.”
This Week’s Heart Check
- Where do my words and walk not match?
- Do I talk about trusting God but still cling to control?
- Do I say Jesus is Lord but ignore Him in specific areas—like money, sexuality, relationships, or forgiveness?
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one area where your mouth says “Lord, Lord,” but your life says “Not yet.”
Then—repent, and obey Him there.
2. God’s Call Is Not Just About Consuming More Content
Notice what Jesus says:
“I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them…” (v. 47)
“…the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.” (v. 49)
Both people hear Jesus.
Both are “in the room.”
Both are consumers of the Word.
Only one is a doer.
In our world, it’s dangerously easy to confuse spiritual consumption with spiritual maturity:
- Another podcast
- Another sermon
- Another Bible study
- Another devo on YouVersion
All of that is good. We need to hear God’s Word.
But if we’re honest, many of us have become overfed and under-obedient.
We can know a lot about the Bible—and still not do what the Bible says.
Consumption of the Word is not the same as transformation by the Word.
God’s Word doesn’t change us simply by passing in front of our eyes or into our ears.
It changes us when it moves into our hands, our calendars, our habits, and our decisions.
This Week’s Heart Check
Try this simple exercise:
- Think of the last sermon, podcast, or passage that really convicted you.
- Ask: What exactly did God call me to do in response?
- Confess a sin?
- Forgive someone?
- Start a conversation?
- Serve in a specific way?
- Give something away?
- Now ask: Have I actually done it yet?
If not, your next spiritual step isn’t “another message.”
Your next step is obedience to the last thing God already told you.
3. God’s Call Is to Obedient Action
Jesus makes it painfully clear what He’s after:
“I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them.” (v. 47)
“If you love me, you will keep my commands.” (John 14:15)
We often measure our spiritual life by:
- How much we know
- How often we attend
- How passionately we sing
- How strongly we agree
Jesus measures it by how we obey.
Not perfectly.
Not flawlessly.
But honestly, humbly, and consistently.
The wise builder isn’t wise because he knew more about foundations.
He’s wise because he actually dug down and built on the rock.
The foolish builder isn’t foolish because he never heard Jesus.
He’s foolish because he heard and did nothing.
Built on Rock vs. Built on Sand
Here’s the difference:
Built on the Rock (Hears + Obeys):
- Your faith has depth, not just vibes
- Your hope survives diagnosis, conflict, loss, and disappointment
- You’re not tossed around by every new opinion, trend, or TikTok theology
- You don’t just talk about Jesus—you run to Him when storms hit
Built on Sand (Hears + Does Not Obey):
- Your faith feels strong at church but collapses on Monday
- Your peace disappears when life gets hard
- You know what Jesus says, but you treat it as optional
- You confuse “being moved” emotionally with being changed spiritually
Jesus isn’t trying to shame us here. He’s trying to save us from collapse.
He loves you too much to let you build your life on sand.
So… What Does Obedience Look Like This Week?
Here are some simple, concrete ways to respond to this passage:
1. Ask God for One Clear Next Step
Pray this:
“Lord, I don’t want to just say ‘Lord, Lord.’
Show me one specific thing You want me to obey this week—and give me the courage to do it.”
Then listen. Pay attention as you read Scripture, drive, work, or do dishes.
When something lands heavy on your heart—that’s probably it.
2. Turn One Truth into One Action
Take one command or principle you already know and attach it to your schedule:
- On forgiveness – “Tonight, I’m going to text/call that person and start the conversation.”
- On generosity – “I’m going to intentionally bless someone financially or with my time this week.”
- On evangelism – “I’m going to share my story or invite someone to church by name this week.”
- On holiness – “I’m going to remove one specific temptation from my life today (app, account, habit).”
Don’t try to obey everything at once.
Obey something clearly.
3. Move from “Amen” to “I Will”
When you hear or read something that convicts you, don’t stop at:
“Wow, that was good.”
Follow it with:
“Okay, Lord. I will…”
And then write it down somewhere you’ll see it—journal, notes app, fridge, car dash.
If You’re Not Yet a Follower of Jesus
This passage is also a loving warning.
You can:
- Believe Jesus was real
- Respect His teaching
- Feel emotionally moved
- Even agree with the gospel
…and still stand on spiritual sand.
The Bible says:
- We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
- The wages of sin is death.
- But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
That “believes” isn’t just mental agreement. It’s trust and surrender.
Today, Jesus is calling you to respond—not later, not “someday,” but today.
You can respond in one of three ways:
- Reject – “No, I don’t want that.”
- Delay – “Maybe later.”
- Obey – “Jesus, I hear You. I turn from my sin and trust You as Lord.”
If you’re ready to obey that call, you can pray something like:
“Jesus, I know I’m a sinner and I can’t save myself.
I believe You died for my sin and rose again.
Today I turn from my sin and trust You as my Lord and my Savior.
Help me not just to say ‘Lord, Lord,’ but to follow You with my whole life. Amen.”
Don’t Just Hear—Build
Every time we open the Bible, listen to a sermon, or sing about Jesus, we’re not just “consuming content.”
We’re standing on a building site.
We’re either:
- Hearing and building on the rock, or
- Hearing and building on the sand
There is no neutral.
So this week, don’t just hear.
Don’t just say.
Don’t just feel.
By God’s grace and in His strength—act.
Build on the Rock.