Matthew 7:24, “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. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.26But 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.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Matthew 7:24 – 27)
My great friend Joe Bukoweicki (the one we have been praying for) built houses back in the day. If you asked him what was the most important thing on a house is, he would tell you the foundation. A house is only as strong as the foundation that it is built upon. Jesus uses this language of foundations when he speaks in Matt 7. Jesus shares that there are two kinds of builders (people), those that have built their lives upon the solid foundation on Christ the rock, and those that have built their house upon the unstable foundation of religious sand.
Have you ever seen those incredible sculptures of sand art? Click to check it out. http://images.google.com/images?q=sand+art&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&start=60&sa=N. There is so much time that goes in the aesthetics, but it can be easily destroyed because it still is only sand. There are many that build their lives upon the shifting sands of religion, and tradition. However Jesus said of those that do this are foolish. The reason for their foolishness is because although they heard the Words of Jesus, not the words of a religious leader, but Christ, they refused to put them into practice. It is not hearing but doing that shows a true convert. The foolish man was the one who heard the sayings of Jesus, but did not obey them. It’s not the world that hears the sayings of Jesus and doesn’t obey them. Most know only the “Golden Rule” and “Judge not,” and even then their understanding is darkened. However, the Church is filled with false converts who sit among God’s people and hear His words, but don’t obey them. They build their house on sand rather than on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ and His words (Ray Comfort).” A. W. Tozer said, “It is my opinion that tens of thousands of people, if not millions, have been brought into some kind of religious experience by accepting Christ, and they have not been saved.”
The true convert builds his house upon the rock. “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deut.32:4). Paul wrote “…and that rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4).” http://images.google.com/images?q=foundation+%2B+house&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=
The test will show the foundation! Jesus said that the rain will come down, the streams will rise, and the winds will blow and beat against that house (the sand house, and the rock house). The rain of tribulation, the streams of temptation, and the winds of persecution will beat against your life. If Christ is not your foundation, you will fall with a great crash; ultimately Hell will be the place you “crash” for eternity. Don’t build your house on religion, or tradition, Jesus has made this abundantly clear. If you do, you are playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun! If Christ is who you have built your house upon, His words alone, not the words of a pastor, priest, tradition, creed, or culture, then Christ will protect you. Christ protects His children, not the children of the devil. Paul wrote to church going people, “2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
Until the nets are filled…Blessings, Pastor Phil <><
He Has Magnified His Word 