Skip to main content

107. Who Is Your Foundation?


Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49
Key Verse: "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock."
Matthew 7:24

The final choice Jesus offers in his Sermon on the Mount, and on the Plain, has to do with foundations. What are you building your faith on: shifting opinions and relativism, or the solid bedrock of God's word? Your behavior, or fruit, will tell the world which one you choose. Both choices will face the storms of life, but only one will remain standing when those storms pass.

A house built on shifting sand is like a belief system that is based on feelings. It responds to the popular opinions and practices of today and is easily destroyed if those beliefs disappoint, lose their popularity, or are found to be untrue. Feelings are a wonderful gift from God, but they were never meant to be our guide. The popular catch phrase of the day, "trust your heart," is not biblical. In fact, in Jeremiah 17:9, God says about the human heart, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

On the other hand, God continues on to say in verse 17:10, of Jeremiah, "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jesus continues this theme when He says that "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. It's what we do, based on what we believe, that tells God, and those around us what we are really basing our belief in.

Do you believe that God is real? Do you believe that His word is inspired by Him and the only rule for faith, doctrine and conduct? (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Do you believe that He is with you always? (Matt. 28:19-20)? Do you step out in faith, as if you were walking on a solid rock because of those beliefs? Or, do you have doubts about the system of belief that you choose to follow, making it feel as though you are walking on shifting sand?

Be rooted in God's word, not your feelings, and you will know the truth that sets men free. (John 8:32) It is the real thing. You can test it and trust it. It will hold.

Hymn: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less Than Jesus Blood and Righteousness"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It’s Worth Everything

Phil 1:12-30 Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever lived through very difficult circumstances? Sure, we all have. But what you have experienced, certainly I will say that what I have experienced, is probably very mild compared to what Paul endured. And yet he is the one who said, “Whatever happens, stand firm. It’s worth it.” What encouragement does he give? Is there any evidence that Paul knows what he is talking about? All he says in this letter is, “I am in chains.” But there is so much more to this story! Most likely Paul was writing from prison in Rome, the one we read about in Acts 28. But the whole drama of how he got there starts in Acts 21. Seven chapters in the Book of Acts describe the things that happened after Paul completed his third missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem. I think it’s important to summarize those events here because it will add meaning to what Paul means by stand firm. The dram
Post a Comment
Read more

130. Healing or Exorcism?

Matthew 9:32-34 Key Verse: The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." Matthew 9:33B In contrast to the two blind men who came on their own (yesterday’s reading), here is a man who was brought to Jesus by others. This demon behaved very differently than the other demons that we have encountered up to this point. Most of them were combative, or left their victims on the ground while they went screaming off into, who knows where. This one never says a word, but still it must submit to Jesus’ command. Interesting also, that sometimes Jesus tells the people he has healed not to say anything.  But in the case of healing a mute who couldn’t say anything, it is best if he speaks! Besides, the crowds saw it for themselves and were amazed. It was already public. Nobody could’ve kept it under wraps.  Once again, the Pharisees were given an opportunity to praise God, but instead they criticized Jesus and said, “It is by the prince o
Post a Comment
Read more

152. Those Who Found the Price Too High

John 6:60-71 Key Verse: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63 When we covered the early part of this passage, (John 6:29-59), we discussed how Jesus made following Him an exclusive calling. God chooses us and we choose Him. As a result, God has certain expectations on us as followers, and partakers of His son. All of this has to do with the "Cost of Discipleship." We don't cover this topic as much as, perhaps, we should as Christians. Too many of us believe that all that is required of us is to pray the sinners' prayer and then it's a done deal. However, have you ever thought about the fact that the "sinner's prayer," or the prayer that leads to salvation is not in Scripture? It is a series of phrases that have been strung together by people, to cover the bases so that you can surrender to Jesus and begin your walk with Him.  The true, main
Post a Comment
Read more