Good Foundations

Matthew 7:24–26 NKJV

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:

The title is Good Foundations and I keep hearing that song Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys.

I want to talk to you about building good foundations so that you can live an overcoming, abundant life (cf. 1 John 5:4, John 10:10).

Wouldn’t it be great if we could future proof our lives from storms and have stability, security, and confidence that we are doing things well?

Don’t you want to be secure and prepared and even prosperous in the midst of these storms?

You have probably experienced storms in your life so you know that you need to be prepared for the ones to come.

The good news is that God will see us through as long as we build on good foundations.

When we can learn to build on the Rock then we will discover that we are secure in the face of every storm.

By Design or Default

You can build intentionally or you can build reactively. I would like to propose to you that we need to design our house and build our life intentionally instead of just letting it happen to you.

This requires effort, intentionality, and investment. In order to build well, it is necessary that we build upon Christ.

And if we are being honest, we need to put at least the same level of effort we do into building our careers or families.

But when we can build upon the Rock we will discover a security and a confidence and a strength and stability that provides refuge in the storm and becomes a base of operations for advancing in life.

Jesus offers us both the materials and the blueprints for a blessed life (Isaiah 28:16).

Building Wisely

Let’s decide to build according to the words and ways of Jesus so that we can build on good foundations.

Here are a few things to get us started.

What You Build On

Luke 6:47–49 NKJV

47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

What is the most important thing to consider when we are building a house? You might think it is the foundation. But it is what the foundation is set upon.

Jesus makes it clear that that the success of the house and the starting point of building is what you set the foundation on.

And to build your life wisely so that it can withstand the storms and overcome is to build on one thing: the rock.

Jesus made it plain it was the words and the Word of God that represented the Rock (cf. John 1:1-2, Psalm 18:31, 1 Corinthians 10:4).

If we get this wrong everything else fails.

Illustration: Building 2460, months of site work because of putting the pylons in.

Don’t build your life over a sink hole. Build on Christ. Build on His word.

What You Build From

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

The plan that you build from determines the type of building you have. It is no different for a country, a community, a church, or a life.

To build a life that is strong against the storm you have to build with the right resources.

We are being built as a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. The blueprints are from the teachings and example of Jesus and the apostles and prophets. This includes teachers, miracles, gifts, helps, administrations and prophecy and tongues (1 Corinthians 12:27-28, 1 Corinthians 14:3-4).

These things come from God’s word and the Holy Spirit. They are the source of instruction and the guidance and direction we need to build with.

This plan is about making us a people fitting for the Lord. This is the type of life God wants us to build: a spiritual life, a holy life, one that is compatible with God in Christ.

Illustration: God took the descendants of Abraham from Egypt in the time of Moses. Then He gave them His Law and they became people of covenant. The Law was what they built their lives on. This was what established their identity.

What you build from matters. Build from the teaching of God’s word and the gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit.

Illustration: home blueprints

Get your building plan from God and start building according to the specs that He gives to you (cf. Acts 7:44).

What You Build With

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 NKJV

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.

Words and deeds are what determine the quality of our home and our live. They are the furnishings so to speak.

2 Timothy 2:20 NKJV

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

Don’t compromise on the materials you use. Let your words and deeds be something that brings light and color and purposeful function to your life.

Illustration: Interior Design

Design your life. Fill it with righteous deeds (Revelation 19:8). Make it good and beautiful (cf. John 10:10)

Conclusion

Consider those who have gone before you. Some started in the right place with the right plans and the right materials and yet started building a different way. Examples include some popular music performers.

Others continued building on the Rock according to the heavenly pattern and they prospered and set aside for themselves treasures in heaven.

Consider, then, what you build on. Are you building your life on Christ? Are you standing in faith upon Him and His word?

What blueprints are you building from? Are you building according to the plans of this world or are you building according to the Scripture and the Spirit? God has a plan for your life that is good and if you will build according to it, you will be blessed!

Remember, who you are and whose you are. What type of life are you building?

Finally, what are you building with? How are your words and deeds determining the quality and direction of your life? Is your life welcoming and holy to God, designed with beauty and purpose?

As we choose to build on good foundations we will begin to have a better kind of life. We will be secure and stable in every storm.