August 11, 2019
Evening Service

In closing His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned us of the trouble that was coming from false prophets.  This trouble was different than what the church had seen before in that it would come from inside the church rather from the outside.  Jesus told us to be “Fruit Inspectors” for those who seem to have a new revelation from God.  We must filter what they are saying through the Word and then watch and see if their life is lining up with the many teachings we are seeing here in this Sermon.  Most of all trust the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth and keep you from being deceived.  Jesus then explained to us that it is not enough just to do things in His Name, but we must intimately know Him on a personal level to be able to attain eternal life.  We saw the example of the rich young ruler who could not let go of his great riches to accept the invitation to receive “treasures in heaven and to come and follow Me.”  We follow Jesus because we love Him for all that He has done for us.  Jesus knows those that are His and He considers us family.

Luke 8:19-21 Then His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.  (20)  And it was told Him by some, who said, "Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You."  (21)  But He answered and said to them, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it."

        We demonstrate our love to Him by obedience to His Words; haring and doing.  Paul told Timothy this:

 

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

            The plan of salvation is truth and its foundation will stand and never change.  God knows who is following Him with a pure heart and those who are pretenders.  Seek Him diligently and stand fast upon that foundation.  This leads us perfectly into the final part of our study.

 

Mat 7:24-27 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  (26)  "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: (27) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

            Jesus is teaching us that it is a wise man who builds his life upon His Words.  He compares it to building our house upon the rock as a foundation.  The rock will not move with the storms of life and shift as sand would do.  It remains strong and steadfast.  This is another time that Jesus uses something that we all can relate to help us to understand a deep spiritual truth.  When someone builds a house the first and most important aspect of building is the foundation.  It must be strong enough to withhold the weight of all that is built upon it and also endure all that nature can throw at it without failing.  A house built only on a sand foundation will not last.  It may do fine for a while, but in the end when a strong storm comes it will fail and “great was its fall.”

            For us to “build on the solid rock” means that we choose to follow Jesus’ Words and commands and place them into practice in our lives.  We hear from God and respond to that call making the changes that are needed in our life to make our faith strong and our walk with Christ steadfast and enduring.  We are doers and not hearers only.  It is entering in through the “narrow path that has a difficult way.”  It takes effort on our part to do this right and we are motivated by the love we have for our Lord to do it.

            To “build on the sand” is a foolish way of life that resembles what we talked about last week for those who don’t seek the narrow path instead choose to enter the “wide gate that leads to destruction.”  It is easier and takes less effort to just do as you please and not have to answer to any other person or power.  You conform to do things like everyone else.  You do whatever it takes to please yourself, but in the end it will all come crashing down on you.  Many people know that they should be giving more attention to the spiritual side of their life, but choose to ignore it until later.  Later may never come and they find their life in a total wreck because they chose to build upon something that would not stand the test of time or of the storms that will come.  For many this is not even a conscience thought out choice; they don’t deny God, but just frivolously decide to ignore Him.

            One of the many challenges we must face is to be sure we are personally building on the true foundation of Christ first and foremost. Paul told the Corinthian church this:

 

1Co 3:9-16 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field; you are God's building.  (10)  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  (11)  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  (12)  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, (13) each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.  (14)  If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  (15)  If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  (16)  Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

        We are God’s temple and we are building our lives upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and the work He has done on Calvary.  Every part of our life must fit into the pattern provided by Him.  We cannot use hay and straw to build our temple, it must be done with materials that will last.  Our goal is to allow God to build our lives into a beautiful temple that brings glory and honor to Him.  We are to reflect His goodness and love to this world as an example for them to see and desire.  All beginning with a firm solid foundation.

            We then become a part of an even bigger temple as we are now each a stone that make up the church; which is the body of Christ.  Peter put it this way:

 

1Pe 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

            God, bring us all together as a body of believers, with each of us being a part of the church, the body of Christ.  Each of us bring our gifts, strengths and weaknesses along with us.  We are better together.  We are building something here at the Bride that will reflect God’s love to others and be a light to those who are in darkness.  We are each playing a part in building the kingdom of God.  I see and feel God moving among us.  He is preparing us for a purpose that has not even come into view yet; but we will be ready.  We will continue to build upon the Rock who is Jesus Christ as our foundation and help others to realize the foolishness of building upon the sand.  We, through Jesus, can be a part of changing lives for the better.  We have the greatest gift ever given to offer to those who need it most.  Let’s get busy and build something that will last and do it together.

 

Heavenly Father build in each of us the faith, strength and courage needed for the road ahead and help us to be building upon the foundation of Christ.