Building a Strong Foundation

HOOK

Lets begin our lesson tonight by talking about your dream home.

People have all sorts of different ideas when it comes to thier dream homes.

Some want the huge pool with a waterfall flowing through it. Some want the big marble foyer with double stair cases. Some want the big media room with movie theatre seating and an amazing sirround sound system.

What is something that you would like to have in your dream home one day? If you could have anything and money was no issue, what would you want?

Lets watch a brief video that shows an amazing ocean side home in California!

What an amazing home! Can you imagine watching the sun as it sets over the ocean each evening? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the waves crash below as you sit in the luxurious living room?

How many of you could see yourself living in that home?

When people think of their dream homes, maybe like the one we just saw, do you know what doesn’t get mentioned that often? And it might be the most important feature to give your house longevity. Does anyone know what that one thing is?

If you want your house to last, a solid foundation is the most important part. If there are problems when the foundation is built, the entire house will suffer. It needs to be done correctly the first time. If not , it will be the most expensive repair a home will have.

Even more than the amazing features that you imagined for your dream home, the foundation determines the quality of the house. Think about that amazing ocean side home from the video...

Now imagine a hurrican comes in from the ocean and devastates that home? The windows would probably break, and the roof may be peeled off, but what would be the one part to most likely remain? The foundation!

How is your foundation? Not the foundation of your house, but the foundation of your life?

What happens when storms come into your life ?

What happens when everything crumbles around you?

What would happen if your parents told you, “We’re getting a divorce”?

What would happen if he or she breaks up with you?

What happens when or she blocks you on social media?

What would happen if someone challenged you on your beliefs?

When one of these storms, or something similar happens in your life, you will find out what your life is really built upon. You will see what kind of foundation you have.

LESSON CONTENT

In this new four -part series called: Home Inspection - Is your Foundation Strong? were going to learn how each one of us should live a life with integrity. Does anyone know what integrity means? Someone with integrity does the right thing simply because it is the right thing.

Tonight, we are going to approach the topic of integrity from a biblical perspective. Here is how we will define integrity. [Show Powerpoint].

Another way to say it is this [Show Powerpoint with second definition]

To live with integrity, you need to build your life on the Word of God and be devoted to the biblical principles of right and wrong, no matter what.

A great biblical example of someone who lived with this kind of integrity is a man called Job, whose life story is told in the Bible. He was a wealthy man with 10 children, thousands of animals and a large number of servants. In one day, as in all on the same day, everything he had was gone. His children and servants died, and all his animals were stolen or destroyed.

Eventuslly, his health was taken from him. All that he had left was his wife and she told him to, “Curse God and die!” It seems that she wanted him to abandon his integrity!

Job’s response to his wife as recorded in Job 2:10, was amazing! [Read Job 2:10]. He refused to let go of his integrity. Why? Because he build his life on the truth of God. The only way to build a life of integrity is to make sure your foundation is built on the Word of God.

Another comparison, one from our modern world that we can make between the foundation of a house and integrity is this. The structural integrity of a house is based on it’s strength of its foundation. There are building codes that must be followed when laying a foundation (type of foundation, depth of the concrete).

Why? Because the right foundation is what gives the house it’s structural integrity. This is why there is a building inspector to make sure the house is being build on the right foundation.

The same is true for you. Your life will have “structural” integrity when you build on the right foundation. God’s word is that right foundation and integrity helps you to build strong to last long, especially when the storms of life come. Like a building inspector, lets see if you are building your life on the right foundation. To do so, we first need to understand there are 2 types of foundations: the right one and the wrong one!

Two Foundations: (Matthew 7:24-27)

The Bible has good story about the importance of having the right foundation. It’s found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7 and was actually told by Jesus himself. Yo give a picture of what had been going on, Jesus was finishing up a long speech to a great crowd of people who had been seated on the side of a mountain when he told this story.

This speech is often called the “Sermon on the Mount” and at the end of his speech, Jesus gave one last encouragement. In these words, he highlighted a solid principle that we would be wise to pay attention to. Listen to what Jesus said. [Read Matthew 7:24-27].

Jesus’ story was about 2 types of people.

Person #1: The person who hears what Jesus says and does something about it.

Person #2: The person who hears what Jesus says and doesn’t do something about it.

These 2 people are compared to two types of builders.

Builder #1: Builds his house on a solid foundation ( the Rock)

Builder #2: Builds his house on a sandy foundation ( the Sand)

It is fairly easy to understand that building a house on a solid foundation is a very wise thing to do and building a house on the sand is a foolish thing to do.

Jesus said that Person #1 = Builder #1 and Person #2 = Builder #2.

If you hear the words of God and do something about it, you are like a wise person.

If you hear the words of God and don’t do anything about it, you are like a foolish person.

By telling this story, Jesus wanted to help people understand a spiritual lesson. Jesus knew how important it was that the people understood that simply listening to his words was not enough. The modern-day equivalent would be this: reading your Bible ( which is a good thing to do)… but what will you do with what you have read?

Let’s begin by looking at the foolish builder and sandy foundation:

a. A sandy foundation ( Matthew 7:26-27)

When you choose to hear God’s Word and ignore it, you are a like a person who built a house on a sandy foundation. We can read what happens when you build your house on the sandy foundation. Sandy foundstions lead to shifting houses and shifting houses lead to certain distruction.

What are some examples of a sandy, or shaky foundation that people try to build their life upon?

What if the most important thing to you right now is your relationship with a girlfriend or boyfriend? What if that is your foundation? If so…

What happens if they break up with you?

What happens if you ignore the Bible’s instruction to not be in a relationship with an unbeliever?

Your life will feel like its crumbling because you built in on a foundation that can easily change.

What if your foundation is wanting to be accepted by others? There’s nothing wrong with other people liking you, but if your life is consumed with wanting others approval, acceptance or “likes” on social media, it’s not going to be a very strong foundation.

What happens when someone unfriends or blocks you?

What happens when you find out your so-called friend is spreading rumours about you?

Most likely you will experience hurt which can lead to self-pity or depression.

Maybe your foundation is your athletic ability, and sports is your life. All you can think about is how awesome you are going to be! And then it happens: You tear your ACL, and your season is over. Your dreams come crashing down in an instant. If you’re not careful, you could get angry at God, develop a bad attitude, or even turn bitter. Why? Because you found your identity is athleticism, which is a foundation that’s not going to last.

Jesus connected the sandy foundation with your willingness, your choice, to ignore God’s Word. When you choose to ignore God’s Word, you are on shifting sand; you are living without integrity, without a fixed foundation. Living this way always leads to compromise because your sandy foundation won’t last. If we love God, we will actually keep His commandments, not just hear them (John 14:15). If we don’t put God’s Word into practice, our foundation is sandy and we are headed for destruction.

Remember, integrity is living a life consistent with biblical principles (a.k.a., knowing what those biblical principles are and living them out despite the consequences that that may bring). If you are choosing to disregard God’s Word, you are living without integrity; you are on sandy soil and you better brace for a fall. It’s just like knowing what the instructions are but ignoring them and doing it your own way.

The Apostle James described someone with a sandy foundation this way: He said that the person who hears God’s Word and does nothing about it is like the person who looks into a mirror and doesn’t even remember what they look like (James 1:22-25).

That’s what it’s like to read the Word of God, but then not do what it says. When the storm comes to that house, it won’t survive. Just like in a physical building, our foundation matters. Choosing to simply hear God’s Word without applying God’s Word is foolish; it leaves us with a sandy foundation.

But there are two foundations in Jesus’ story. This is what Jesus said about the wise man who built his house on a solid foundation.

b. A solid foundation ( Matthew 7:24-25)

Let’s read Matthew 7:24-25 again. [Read Matthew 7:24-25.] The person who actively applies the truth of the Word of God is compared to the builder with a strong foundation.

Imagine that you live on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean. Try to picture what it would be like to have a big storm approaching your home. The wind and waves would crash against your house over and over! Your house will stand firm during the storm only if the foundation is secure.

Houses are built with instructions that are called blueprints. They are precise drawings of each part of the house. Every measurement is represented in these detailed pages. You can have the best blueprints in the world, but if you ignore them, you are in trouble. If you say something like, “I don’t really like these blueprints. I know basically what the house is supposed to look like. Just hand me a board and a saw!” What would happen? [Allow for responses.] We aren’t going to get the house that is drawn out in the blueprints, right? Just having and knowing the Bible, our blueprint for life, isn’t enough. We must obey it!

It’s interesting that Jesus used rock and sand to describe the two foundations. Why do you think He chose to do that? [Allow for a few responses.] It’s pretty obvious, right? The rock is solid. It won’t change, and it will last. The sand, however, will sink, move, and change.

Have you ever stood at the ocean’s edge and let the waves roll over your feet? What happens? Your feet sink. The sand under your feet washes out.

So, which one do you want to build your life on, something that never changes and gives you stability or something that constantly changes and washes out from under you? We already know the answer to that question, don’t we? We all want a firm foundation, but that requires a choice to actively obey the Word of God! If you are going to build strong to last long, you have to hear and apply the Word of God.

But you may be asking, “How do I know if I’m building my life on the right foundation?” Let’s take some time to answer that question by learning a little bit about the Great Building Inspector.

2. The Great Inspector (Psalm 139:1-6)

To help us answer some questions about our life’s foundation, we will need an examination. Not the kind you get at a doctor’s office, this will be more like the kind that a home inspector does.

When someone begins to build a new home, there are multiple times when the home will need to be inspected. Before the home is built, the builder has to create and turn in the blueprints, which will include the room dimensions, where electrical outlets and plumbing pipes will be, and much more. Their plans will need to be approved. The foundation will need to be checked. Throughout this process, the inspector is confirming that the house is matching up with the original plans. From a spiritual perspective, it is a lot like making sure our lives match up with God’s Word.

Just like the examination that is necessary to construct a new building, our lives need to be inspected. One of the Psalms lays out a way that God inspects our lives. Let’s read Psalm 139:1-6. [Read Psalm 139:1-6.]

These verses tell us about a God Who is closely concerned with the details of our lives. Can you call out a few of the phrases from these verses that tell us how much God knows us?

These verses show us how much God cares for us by His examination of us. He is like the home inspector who doesn’t miss any details. The phrases that you found in these verses describe the intense attention to detail that God has for our lives.

● He searches us and knows us.

● He knows when we stand up and when we sit down.

● He not only knows us, but He understands us.

● He understands our daily path.

● He knows all our ways.

● He knows what we say.

● He knows us and will reveal when we are in need of change.

God, the Great Inspector, is the best person to help us build strong to last long. He’s inspecting your integrity and making sure you are building on the right foundation. Is He going to find a life of obedience and integrity, or will He find some sand between your toes?

CONNECTION

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not a builder. I’ve never even built a doghouse. What does this lesson have to do with my life?” If you are wondering how this connects to you, answer this question in your heart. “When the storms of life come, what kind of foundation do I have?”

If every relationship falls apart, if you lose the stability of your home, your lifestyle, your friends, and your school, will your life stand firm or crumble? Will your foundation be secure, built on obedience to the Word of God, or will it be built on the sand of anything else?

Every decision that you make, even the small ones, needs to be brought back to the Word of God and obedience to it. As we encounter that choice, we only have two options, to obey or disobey. We often think that it’s more complicated than that, but it’s not. Having integrity, devotion to biblical principles, helps you choose to obey!

Earlier in the lesson, we considered three sandy foundations upon which some choose to build their lives: a dating relationship, acceptance of others, and athletic achievement. Let’s consider each one briefly again, first the dating relationship example.

What if we’re dating someone who is not a follower of Jesus? Does God’s Word have anything to say about that? Of course, it does. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 6:14 to not be “unequally yoked” with unbelievers. In this situation, we have two options: either continue to date, and be in disobedience, or break off that relationship, obeying God’s Word.

[Say the following in an exaggerated tone.] “But they like me sooo much! It’s not a big deal! I can tell them about Jesus, and maybe they’ll get saved!” These may all sound good, but they’re just excuses for disobedience.

We can hear the words of Scripture and choose to ignore them; and if we do, we make the sandy dating relationship the foundation of our life. If so, beware, the storm’s coming. You are certainly not building strong, and that foundation will not last long.

Even our dating choices show if we’re building on a sandy foundation or a solid one. What decision would a person of integrity make? A person of integrity would be devoted to biblical principles regarding relationships. What principle can we follow from this verse? How about, “I will only enter a dating relationship with a devoted believer.”

The second example discussed the sandy foundation of acceptance. Does the Bible have anything to say about acceptance? Of course, it does. The Bible tells us in Galatians 1:10 that if our focus is on pleasing others then we can’t be a servant of Christ. The biblical principle to follow with integrity is this, “I will choose to please God rather than man.”

So, we have a choice to make. Am I going to base my decisions on what will make other people happy or base my decisions on things that will please God? Do you have the integrity to make the right choice between a sandy or a solid foundation?

The third example dealt with athletic achievement. Remember the senior who tore his ACL? His dreams of having an awesome year in basketball were lost, and he was crushed. Have you ever tried to find your identity in who you are or in something you are good at or love? That is not a good foundation. The Apostle Paul reminded the people of Ephesus, and us as well, that we should find our identity in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). Here is a biblical principle to apply for this situation: “I will find my identity in Christ alone.”

Each decision we make can be run through this same process. Look at a choice you need to make and then take the time to discover what God’s Word says about that choice. Integrity chooses to make the decision that is consistent with biblical principles, and the result is a life built on a solid foundation. Obedience to God’s Word shows integrity in God’s child. Obedience to God’s Word is how you build strong to last long. It won’t be easy (building on the rock never is), but it comes down to just two choices: obedience or disobedience. Wise people hear and obey God’s Word.

You need to know and understand that each and every decision that you make is important. If you choose to build on the shaky foundation by doing your own thing, then your life will eventually crumble. You may not see it yet, but just like a house with a poor foundation, the cracks will eventually show up. Be a person of integrity and obey the Word of God. When you do, you will build strong to last long.

CHOICE

Will you choose today to live a life of integrity? Will you devote yourself to the biblical principles of right and wrong? Choosing to obey God’s Word will ensure a solid foundation. If you have recognized that your life is being built on a sandy foundation, will you ask God to forgive you of your disobedience and resolve to obey His Word? Let’s pray.

NEXT STEPS

As a way to take a step toward having a firm foundation, choose one biblical principle today and devote yourself to obeying it no matter what. We discussed three specifically in the lesson, and maybe one of those will be your focus. But if you want, choose another biblical principle and choose to be wise by putting it into practice this week; choose to build strong!

Principle #1: I will only enter a dating relationship with a devoted believer (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Principle #2: I will choose to please God rather than man ( Galatians 1:10)

Principle #3: I will find my identity in Christ alone ( Ephesians 1:4-6)

Principle #4: Search the scripture for a principle that specifically applies to your life and choose to obey it.