Jesus is the rock we build upon. His words are what we build our lives on.
He is not static, like the foundations of our homes.
He is a living, moving, mobile foundation.
Our lives are not static they are ever changing.
Our foundation is the truth of God, which does not change, but the application, awareness, and understanding of it needs to be fresh.
We build one foundation for our homes, and the job is done.
That’s because the house is built, and is not intended to be changing, but to stay the same.
If we plan on adding to the house, we have the blessing of being able to plan to add more foundation.
What is true for a house isn’t true for our lives.
Unexpected storms come.
Unexpected additions come.
UNLIKE A HOUSE, FOUNDATION BUILDING NEVER STOPS
24“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them…
NOT- whoever heard these words of mine and did them…
BUT- whoever is hearing these words of mine and is doing them…
Jesus speaks of His word in the present, ongoing tense.
Foundation building is always going on, because our lives are not static.
26“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them…
LITERALLY- Whoever is hearing, but is not doing…
MY HOUSE (FAMILY) IS CHANGING FROM WEEK TO WEEK…
The foundation that was adequate last week isn’t adequate this week.
Five members in our family. All them going through constant change.
New likes/dislikes; hopes/dreams.
New needs: emotional, physical, educational, spiritual, financial.
Last week’s foundation, last month’s foundation isn’t adequate for the present moment.
The Eternal word is God is forever true, but my understanding of it, and application of it, needs to be adapted for the current moment, and for the present needs of my family.
JESUS SAID THAT STORMS WILL COME AND TEST OUR FOUNDATIONS
We don’t know when those storms will come.
We don’t what those storms will be.
We don’t know how severe those storms will be.
During the rainy season, people along the creeks in Napa Valley watch the weather report.
What is safe during the dry season needs to be adapted/changed during the rainy season.
Fortunately, we can watch the weather report and have some advanced warning.
That is not always true in life.
Accidents happen. Financials reversals happen. Illnesses come. Unexpected events of all kinds.
It is then that we find out how current our foundations are.
WE DON’T KNOW HOW THE LORD MAY WANT TO ADD TO OUR HOUSE
He may want it bigger, more far reaching.
He calls us to a new ministry.
He brings before us more opportunities to serve Him.
He brings more people into our lives.
More relationships to maintain.
Jesus knows when He is going to add on to our house.
He will speak to our hearts ahead of time.
He wants us to be aware of our need to be hearing & doing.
He may want it higher, more visible.
The foundation needs to go deeper.
A higher, more visible building needs a deeper foundation.
God may want to use you in a more visible way.
He will prompt you to be going deeper; He knows that you will need it.
GOD WANTS TO BE PREPARED FOR THE CHANGING SEASONS OF LIFE
A man gets married.
His foundations needs to change.
He has taken on another life to himself.
He wants to provide, buy a home, save money.
A deeper, wider foundation is needed.
The couple has a baby.
Their foundation needs to change.
They have a life to take care of.
That is a direction that will continue on for 20+- years.
More children come, and they buy a house.
The foundation needs to change.
More financial commitment means there is a greater need for career stability.
Wisdom is needed about where to work, where to live.
How much time should be devoted to commuting?
Should we live in a cheaper neighborhood so as to find an affordable home?
What does that mean for our children, their schooling, their safety?
The children become teenagers.
The foundation needs to REALLY change.
The foundation needs to go deeper and wider.
Other lives become more entwined with your family
Hearing & doing God’s word is critical.
Children grow, get married, move away.
The foundation changes again.
The couple experiences different needs, desires, opportunities, callings.
Old age comes.
The foundation changes.
Dealing with sickness, financial security, death of a spouse.
THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT SEASONS OF LIFE…
The foundation needs to be current.
It needs to support what is going on in the house-(our lives)
WHAT IS THE HEARING AND DOING THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE?
- Reading God’s word. His living word
Acts 7:38 38“This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us…
Hebrews 4:12 12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
John 6:63 63It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. - Obeying God’s living word.
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.