Re-Establishing the Right Foundation”

The New International Version Chapter 7

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

“Re-establishing the Right Foundation”

Text: Matt. 7:24-27

Introduction: Every person has a dream for the kind of “house” they want to build with their life. The parable in Matthew 7 illustrates how the success or failure of one’s house is predicated on the decision to build it on wisdom and truth. As we visit the present foundation of our lives, our communities, our churches and government, the question arises, what is wrong with our foundation? Or better yet, can we see that the foundations are in need of repairs. How do we repair it and what do we repair it with? A well rounded life comes into fruition when the Word of God is the basis for truth and not some tainted reasoning employed by man that is a mixture of some truths and human innovations. God’s Word doesn’t need to rest on props instituted by man. Our live, churches, communities, and governments are falling apart because of a failure to build on the right foundation. In our text today, two men with the same dream of building a house is portrayed. I want to look briefly at the comparison, the contrast, and the conclusion of this parable in an effort to awaken us to the necessity of re-establishing the “Right Foundation”.

Comparisons

Houses can be compared to an Individual house. The Bible encourages believers to be responsible for their homes, managing them well and using their resources wisely. Proverbs 24:3-4 advises, “By wisdom, a house is built, and through understanding, it is established; through knowledge, its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Houses can be compared to a family house. The Bible highlights the importance of the family unit and how homes are the foundation of strong relationships. Verses such as Joshua 24:15 proclaim, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” emphasizing the responsibility of parents to raise their children in faith and righteousness.

Houses can be compared to the Church House. In the New Testament, the notion of the “spiritual house” emerges. Believers are considered living stones, being built into a spiritual house, where Jesus Christ is the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5). This signifies that the Church, the body of Christ, serves as a metaphorical home where believers find unity and belonging.

Houses can be compared to government houses. The Senate, the House of Representatives, the White House.

Contrast

Both individuals in the text set out to do the same thing. They both desired to build a house. The contrast that the text states is one was wise and the other was foolish. Verse 24 gives us some insight on how to start building any house. Since God is our Father and He knows whats best for us, He has documented in His Word the process by which we are to build. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and outs them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Isn’t striking that the two men were listening to the same teacher, they heard the same Word, but process it differently. Your ability to apply spiritual biblical truths to life’s realities is what makes you a wise man. Your inability to apply spiritual biblical truths to life’s realities is what makes you foolish. The problem that many people face in today’s culture is that they build their lives, families, churches and civil governments on the wrong foundation.

Conclusion

Life brings with it difficulties and challenges. If our foundations are shaking and unstable it will soon show us. God spoke to us a few years ago in the form of COVID. We still haven’t listen and we trying to get back to do the same things we were doing pre COVID. Our individual families, churches, communities, and governments are no better off because we are trying to patch up areas that were exposed with foundational principles that are void of the Word of God. God Word is meant to govern every area of mans existence. When do we recognize the Word of God and stop trying to alter God’s intended path for individual, family, church, community, and government, we will be better off. The rain will come and storms are inevitable but if we put our trust in the Masters hand and build on the Rock, every house will stand because we built it on the solid rock. Scripture teaches us: Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless he LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. Psalms 127:1 NIV.

Closure: If we are to stand and avoid a great crash, God’s Word is our saving grace. When the earth all around us is sinking sand on Christ the solid Rock we will stand.