Solid Foundation of Life

Let’s read LUKE 6:46-49
The Wise and Foolish Builders
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.”

Jesus’ words in verse 46 cut to the core. He’s basically saying to them,

“Why do you call me Lord, but do not obey me?”

He is talking to his followers. What kind of faith and trust is this?
You call me Lord, you call me master, and yet you will not do the things I tell you?
How much this sounds like our world today. People like being called Christians as long as it does not inconvenience them.

To call Jesus Lord means we have made a commitment to Him as master of our lives.

Why would these people call him Lord, but then refuse to obey his teachings?

The things he taught were meant to help them. His true followers applied His teachings to their lives.
The issue in verse 46 of Luke was obedience. Jesus expected it of them, and he expects it of us today!

Remember in JAS 1:22 we read a few weeks ago:

“Do not merely listen to the words, DO WHAT IT SAYS!”

Jesus is basically saying the same thing here.

In verse 47 he offers them an example, a parable of what it is supposed to be like when we hear his words and apply them to our life.

“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice.”

Jesus gives them a visual picture of what a God-exalting life is supposed to look like.

He uses the example of a man building a house.

house
Gr: oikia or oikos
Translated as:
House of God
Christian Church
Dwelling place or Spiritual body

He says that this person “dug down deep” and laid the foundation on rock.

If we are going to have a strong foundation we need to dig down deep. What does that mean?

To dig down deep is to get beyond surface-level Christianity.

Not just church attendance, but service in and to the church
Not just faith, but deeds that reflect our faith
Not just reading the bible, but discovering it’s truths
Not just fellowship, but strong heart-level relationships
Not lip service, but TRUE obedience to Christ as Lord

So we need to dig down deep to make sure our foundation will last.

V:48 “Like a man... who laid the foundation on the rock.”

The word rock used here is from the Greek word PETRA.

Jesus in 1 Cor. 10:4 “and the rock was Christ.”
Peter in Matt.16:18 “you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church
(note: who will build the church? Christ)
Rom. 9:23
“See I lay a stone in Zion, that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And the one who puts his trust in HIM will never be put to shame.

Jesus is the rock upon which God builds his church. He is the ONLY solid foundation upon which we should build.

When things are good, it doesn’t seem so important to build on the rock. We see houses that are like a laid on a slab foundation.

What’s wrong with that? What happens when times
With no foundation in a marriage, we have divorce.
With no foundation in our relationship to Christ, we have backsliding
With no foundation in our church, we lack faith and vision.
With no foundation under a house, we have a mess!

So a solid foundation is crucial in all aspects of life!

V:48b “When a flood came, the torrent struck that house, but could not shake it because it was well built.”

Because the hills in Palestine had little vegetation on them, the winter rains produced violent floods that swept away any building in their path. Those built on the marshy or sandy ground would go quickly, but those built on the rock would remain.

Christ used this metaphor to teach that the only solid foundation for enduring life could be found in his teachings and truth.

In verse 49 he shows us what happens when we claim to know him, but do not have that deep and solid foundation.

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.”

In contrast is the person who listens but doesn’t obey.

Two houses. May have looked the same on the outside!
The difference is in the foundation.

Without a solid foundation, when hard times come, when things don’t go right, when we face struggles at home, on the job, at school...
we will not have the strength to endure!

So how do make sure that our foundation is on the rock?

Self examination!!

We need to take an honest look at our faith, our beliefs and our trust in the rock.
We need to apply the teachings of Jesus in our lives. Not enough to say Lord.





What does a church which is built on a solid foundation look like?

Each member would be:
- mature
- spiritually sensitive
- doctrinally sound
- committed to Christ
- bearing fruit

Isaiah 33:6

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure!

1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Closing

If we try to live the Christian life on a foundation other than that of Christ Jesus, we will not remain steadfast and committed to true Christian living. We will fail to bring God the glory.

We need to re evaluate our beliefs and level of obedience to God’s commands so that we are not deceived by the devil. He wants us to think that everything is fine.

Each of us know in our heart of hearts if everything is really fine.

John 8:32 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples
then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

I want to encourage you all to pray for one another and for our church, that during the next several weeks God would reveal any cracks in our foundation so that we can work on getting them strengthened.