What purpose does the object serve in this passage?

Whoever comes to me, hears what I say, and follows it is like a man who built a house. He dug deep and laid the foundation on solid rock. When a storm rose up and lashed the house, it stood firm, for it was built on rock.

But whoever hears what I say and does not follow it is like a man who built a house on sand, with no foundation. When the storm came and lashed this house, it fell into ruins.

Luke 6:48-49 (paraphrase of KJV)

Question

What purpose does the object serve in this passage?

Whoever comes to me, hears what I say, and follows it is like a man who built a house. He dug deep and laid the foundation on solid rock. When a storm rose up and lashed the house, it stood firm, for it was built on rock.

But whoever hears what I say and does not follow it is like a man who built a house on sand, with no foundation. When the storm came and lashed this house, it fell into ruins.

Luke 6:48-49 (paraphrase of KJV)