Parables: Short Stories, Timeless Lessons | The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

Intro: Building

Billy joke - camps, baseball

Back to camps - Frenzy in particular (12-15 campers and 2-3 counselors, plus more than a dozen Bibles)

Foundational/building/legacy (thanks some volunteers)

We are part of something amazing God is building (this church, the literal building - updates/renovations coming, etc.)

Parables all summer long

Scott described way back on Father’s Day what these are; tagline says it

Jesus used parables to help us see His points in a different light (lighthouse pic)

Jesus also used parables also point out uncomfortable truths through common language/references we understand

Pray

Read passage(s)

Modern-Day parable comps:

2011 Eagles’ Dream Team . . . & LEGOs

Two phrases: Nnamdi Asomugha...

late July 2011 - ESPN: Philadelphia has become quite the attractive free-agent destination of late . . . On Friday, Nnamdi Asomugha and the Eagles joined in on the party. Bleeding Green Nation: Speaking to the media from Lehigh University immediately following the trade, Andy Reid said with a smirk "I mentioned to you before I thought Howie had a great plan". And really, what a coup for the young Eagles GM.

“Dream Team” nickname just a year after Miami Heat, coined by Vince Young, one of my personal favorite athletes of all-time, one day after Nnamdi’s arrival. 3rd highest odds (trailed only defending champ Packers and Tom Brady’s Patriots) but bombed, 8-8 record (same summer as Phillies 102-60 team losing on Ryan Howard’s torn Achilles, Cliff Lee’s first year back)

Philadelphia sports built on all the talent money could buy

Cautionary tale of that Eagles Dream Team

…and baseplates

Definition from Bricks 4 Kidz (Z! :P): A baseplate is a foundation for any LEGO® creation. It’s the thin plate that your builder will use to set up whatever they’re in the mood to create. Baseplates have no bottom connections, they only have studs on their surface. They are designed to stay level on the table or floor your child is using as a creative space. You can find plain baseplates or, for a greater challenge, you can purchase baseplates with designs or raised parts on them to make whatever you’re constructing look more realistic. And from LEGO’s own site: If you’ve got a lot of bricks and plenty of ideas for how to use them, a baseplate provides a great foundation for building...No matter which you choose, they’re a great addition to any LEGO® collection and a perfect starting point for building, displaying and playing with your LEGO® creations.

One solid foundation, one bound to crumble

Building on a Solid Foundation

Or: on the ROCK (KidzROCK name)

What does this mean? How? For what purpose?

Sermon on the Mount (Mt) & Sermon on the Plain (Lk) may actually be the same message; they may also just be very similar messages; Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow

Capstone-ish in nature, concluding this sermon and saying “obey all that you’ve heard me say”

Parable preceded by Jesus calling out a lack of authenticity (Lk. 6:46 and Mt. 7:21-23)

Real and foundational - when life shakes you, will your house stand?

Jesus’ use of when as He tells this parable - not if

Everyone who 1) comes to me, 2) hears these words AND 3) does them

James 1:22-25 - all three steps are necessary

Deep digging = action; uncomfortable, tiring, requires time, may seem like a waste

Repetetive; must be intentional . . . things along growth path

No foundation = no action; easy, insignificant, like “it won’t happen to me,” create false sense of security/“elevation”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Joshua 24:15