Is Your Foundation On the Rock?

Today the message is entitled “Is Your Foundation On the Rock?”

This message is a result of an experience Val and I had on our holidays. We had the opportunity to spend a day in the Crowsnest Pass seeing all the history of the early settling of that area. One of those sites was the ruins of a coal processing plant and home of the managers.

The ruins of the coal plant and home are a great example of good workmanship and a solid foundation. Rock mortared together is still standing when wood and glass have long disappeared. Many storms have come and gone, and those walls still stand.
Seeing those ruins brought forth the idea for this message.

Many centuries have come and gone since Jesus walked on this planet. The early Christian Church was built on solid truth and witness. Jesus built well and Christianity stands today due to the work of our Lord and then continued by the apostles.

Jesus uses the story of good building in His teaching of the masses.

Luke 6:46-49 NIV Jesus speaking to his disciples and a large crowd of people who came from all over to hear Jesus speak. You will also find this in Matthew 7: 24-27.

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Webster’s New World Dictionary tells us that “Practice” means “to do or engage in regularly, make a habit of. To observe, or adhere to (beliefs, ideals).

We need to build our faith on a firm foundation. Jesus is that foundation! The Bible is one of the tools we need to use to build our foundation.

Wycliffe Bible Commentary gives an interesting geographical thought on this passage.
“Because the hills in Palestine had little vegetation on them, the winter rains produced violent floods that swept away any building in their path. Sand would wash away quickly; the buildings founded on rock would remain. Christ taught that the only secure foundation for enduring life could be found in His teachings and truth. By this exclusive claim He made Himself the arbiter of human destiny and the object of all true faith.

James 1: 22-25 NIV James, writing to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Luke 11:28 NIV
He (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17 NIV
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,
15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we look around at our world today, we unfortunately see many lives being destroyed by the storms. Mankind cannot survive if it does not build on a firm foundation.

Every Home for Christ’s President, Denys Blackmore, sent a letter to us in January this year. He made a statement that I think fits with this message.
“I’ve met with Christians across the country in recent months and have noticed growing concerns for our nation. Many are sensing that the foundations of our society are shifting rapidly, bringing about profound change to long-held values and convictions. Perhaps most alarming is the re-defining of morality, of what’s right and what’s wrong.

Psalm 141: 4 NIV
Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.

2 Timothy 2:19 NIV
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are His, and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

In the book, “Jesus Christ Solid Rock”, there is a statement in the opening pages that I like. “Jesus Christ is now the only solid ground left in a sinking, dying world.” (pg. 7) Then the opening is ended with this statement, “Invite Jesus Christ to possess your body and soul, confessing Him as the Lord Jesus Christ… Solid Rock!”

Is Your Foundation On the Rock? Is Jesus the solid rock on which you built your life? Will your faith stand through the storms of life? Trust Jesus, study His Word (Bible), pray for His grace and empowerment. Build you foundation on the Rock (Jesus Christ)!