Build on the Rock
“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:” Matthew 7:24
Before you can build any structure, you must have a foundation. The foundation is what holds the building in place and keeps it secure. If the foundation is weak and unstable, a house will not be safe. It is only at strong as its foundation. The ground is also a factor. It built on a hill side, the understructure will become threatened and even crack when the earth shifts. The dangers go far beyond a cracked wall in the basement, the safety of home and life is at risk.
In today’s scripture, Jesus says that His teachings are the rock/foundation that a wise person will build their life on. Since this is at the end of a 3 chapter sermon, it is safe to use the previous chapters as that base. Below is a brief list of some of the highlights.
- Poor in spirit
- Meek
- Thirst for righteousness
- Merciful
- Pure in heart
- Peacemaker
- Salt of the earth
- Light of the world
- Keep Gods commands
- Do not be angry without a cause
- Cast sin from your life
- Do not swear falsely
- Go the extra mile
- Love your enemies
- Bless those who curse you
- Pray for the ones who use you
- Do charitable deeds in secret
- Pray
- Fast in secret
- Lay up treasure in heaven
- Serve God, not Mammon
- Do not worry
- Seek first the Kingdom of God
- Do not judge others but love them
- Ask and it will be given to you
- Seek and you will find
- Enter the narrow way
- Display good fruit
- Have a personal relationship with Him
That’s quite a list, and although this list will not save you from an eternity separated from God, the items will ensure that your foundation is strong and any ministry build on top will withstand the winds of life.
Today I want to encourage you to examine your foundation. Review the list above and even read Matthew 5-7 again to strengthen and reinforce your footing. If you are already in ministry, go back and assess the foundations that the mission was built on. Secure your life’s work on the foundation of Jesus’ teachings and ensure that all your efforts will have eternal value.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 7:24-29
24 “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.”
28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,
29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
The Daily Dose 