Making It Through Difficulty
Written by Ed Allen
Saturday, 23 October 1999 19:00
Priorities That Result From Relationship With Go
We live in one of the fastest growing areas in the country. There were 4,082 homes built last year in Eastern Loudoun County alone and everyone of the builders of everyone of those homes would tell you that the most important part is the foundation.
Jesus makes exactly the same point concerning our lives. He says "Your life can stand up ? even under very difficult times if you build it on the right foundation. If not it will falter and eventually crash."
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
Jesus makes 2 main points in this passage.
- The wise person builds on a secure foundation.
- The foolish person gives no thought to their foundation.
I. The wise person builds on a secure foundation.
A. Few of us would live in a trailor if we had a choice. It's lack of a foundation makes it susceptible to storms.
B. The first builder in Jesus' story built his house on a rock. - the storm came and the house stood.
C. Eric ? He weathers the storm because of a solid foundation.
D. What is the rock which can secure a life? The only secure foundation for living is God's Word.
- Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
- Psalm 119:89, 91, 160
"Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."
"Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve You."
"All our words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal."
- Isaiah 40:6-8
"All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
E. Core value at Gateway: "The primary and final authority for life and faith is God's Word."
F. Alternatives:
- Voices from our culture: Tony Robbins, Steven Covey, Oprah Winfrey
- The voice of your own passions: if it feels good do it; if it seems right it must be
- God says the only lasting foundation for living is His Word.
G. How do I build my life on God's word? Jesus says everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house on the rock?
You build your life on God's word by hearing it and doing it. This means:
- Put yourself in a place to hear God's Word.
- daily injection (daily devotion)
- weekly overhaul (gather with others to hear) - Act on what you hear.
A moment ago we mentioned building your life on the voice of your own passions as an alternative. Usually, that isn't a choice. Usually it happens by default. That's what the Bible means by sin. The default setting for our lives is to do whatever I want and whatever I think is best.
II. The foolish person gives no thought to their foundation.
That's what the second guy in Jesus' story did. He gave no thought to the foundation of his home.
A. The second guy did not choose wrongly. Simply gave no thought.
- You have heard it said, "an unexamined life is not worth living."
- Similarly, the life built on an unexamined foundation will not stand!
B. The implication in the story seems to be that the second guy built the same house. But it fell because it was not well founded.
C. In the movie "Ordinary People" Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore seem to have it all. But their life is not founded so when crisis comes it cracks and falls apart.
D. If we are honest with ourselves, what is the foundation of our lives?
Priorities that result from relationship with God:
- God Himself
- Relationships
- God's Word