A Firm Foundation
“A Firm Foundation”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
March 8, 2020
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are 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.
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.”
Luke 6:46-49
There is a difference between a house built on a poor foundation or a solid one. In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus is telling a parable through the analogy of building houses. We are all building our lives with either a firm foundation or a poor one.
When floods and winds come we need to build on a firm foundation so our house will stand. In our lives, we need to have a firm foundation just the same, so that what we build will remain strong and have eternal value. If we compromise God’s principles and the word of God, it is not hurting anyone more than it is hurting us.
In Palestine, the river would swell in certain seasons and flood the land. Some people built on hardened sand, not realizing they had built on a riverbed that would soon flood.
We need to build our lives so that when torrents come in and out of season they will not destroy whatever is in their path. The only sure foundation is Christ Jesus, which will sustain us in this life and be a blessing in the life to come. A sure foundation produces character, fruits of the Spirit, the promise of God’s power, and eternal life.
1. Form your foundation
Galatians 4 says Christ was formed in us and developed into shape. We need to build with due diligence and allow others to inspect our foundation. It may be easier to build on sand, and it is a lot less work; it is much harder to build on solid ground. Our family traditions, our thinking, and our idiosyncrasies do not always make for good foundations. Before we can build we need to be sure what we are building on. We need to drill deep and look at the land. Once we receive the foundation of Christ, we can pour the concrete footings.
We need to dig deep and build on Christ Jesus, his will and his word. No other foundation for your life will stand the test of time. When everything around us changes: people, the economy and the companies we work for, we need to regularly form a firm foundation in our lives.
2. Build with best practices
Best practices ensure that the foundation can be tested and maintained. A testimony of grace, humility, and love instead of unforgiveness will not crumble or harm those around you. If we build with faith that God knows what he is doing, then we have life and a legacy of lasting value and permanence.
You are worth the best. Don’t skip critical steps, don’t take shortcuts. Count the cost and pay the price. Build with the end in mind. Visionaries always focus on the outcome. Are you using the best practices of faith, hope, and love?
Proverbs 24:16 says that a righteous man may fall but he gets back up. You were created for a life of best practices planted in the community of God.
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. What are some examples of building on a poor foundation?
2. How have you seen or experienced Jesus as the firm foundation?
3. How would you describe the foundation of your life, as it is now?
4. Where are you in your building process? Are you building with the best practices of faith, hope and love?
5. Are there any changes that you believe you should make, either to your foundation or your current building methods/materials?