A FIRM FOUNDATION (LUKE)

Luke 6 46-49

Luke 6:46–49 NASB 2020

46 “Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; and the river burst against it and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

INTRODUCTION

Opening Illustration (Foundation, Importance of)

If you have ever lived in or visited a large city, you probably have had the chance to watch a skyscraper under construction. For the first six months or so of the project, all the workmen do is make a great hole in the ground. To build a tall building by starting far below the surface level seems absurd, even crazy. But, as you would suspect, there is a good reason for the large hole. To build a mammoth building, it is first necessary to dig down until a strong foundation can be built, one that is capable of supporting the skyscraper.

A doghouse needs no foundation, and an ordinary house can be built on little more than a concrete slab. But a skyscraper, that’s different. It requires a deep and solid foundation.

So it is in our Christian life. Our upward potential is totally dependent on the foundation underneath it.

Context of the Text

Chapter 6 of the Gospel of Luke describes Jesus challenging the Pharisees' interpretation of Sabbath laws by performing miracles on the Sabbath. He also chooses twelve disciples, delivers the Beatitudes, and teaches about loving one's enemies and not judging others. Jesus emphasizes the importance of actions over words, using parables to illustrate the consequences of following or ignoring his teachings. The chapter concludes with the Parable of the Builders, highlighting the importance of building one's life on a solid foundation of faith and obedience to Jesus' words. Throughout these teachings and actions, Jesus demonstrates his authority as the Son of Man and Lord of the Sabbath, emphasizing love, mercy, and the importance of living out one's faith through actions rather than mere words.

BIG IDEA

Big Idea: “A well-built foundation of obedience to God’s word creates a strong faith that withstands life’s trials.”

PROFESSION VS PRACTICE

Let us ponder deeply the profound question our Savior poses in the Gospel of Luke: "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" This question compels us to examine our commitment to the teachings of Jesus. This inquiry demands reflection on our relationship with Him because to call Jesus 'Lord' acknowledges His authority over our lives. Yet, such a declaration is empty without a willingness to obey His commands.

Luke 6:46 echoes Malachi 1:6:

Luke 6:46 NASB 2020

46 “Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

Malachi 1:6 NASB 2020

6 “ ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the Lord of armies to you, the priests who despise My name! But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

Take a note of this: True discipleship harmonizes our words and deeds. Hearing His words without acting on them is not obedience. Beware of superficial obedience, which is outward conformity without true transformation. People might go to church and pray regularly, but if they do it just to look good rather than truly believing in it, their actions lack real meaning. True obedience comes from genuinely giving your heart to God. It means your thoughts, feelings, and actions follow Christ’s teachings. This kind of obedience is strong and lasting, like a house built on a solid foundation. It shows real change and a sincere commitment to faith. Consider Jesus as the perfect example of true obedience. During His ministry, He always followed God’s will with humility, self-sacrifice, and complete trust in God’s wisdom.

As followers of Christ, we should aim to follow His example of obedience. While we may never be perfect in this flesh, we can sincerely try to emulate Him. By relying on the Holy Spirit and strengthening our relationship with God, we can develop true obedience and reflect Christ’s character in our lives. Remember, calling him Lord, Lord is not a guarantee of your sincerity. See Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21–23 NASB 2020

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

BUILDING ON THE ROCK

In Luke 6:47-48

Luke 6:47–48 NASB 2020

47 Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built.

Jesus presents the profound analogy of the wise builder: "Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when there was a flood, the river burst against that house and yet it could not shake it, because it had been well built. This parable vividly underscores the critical importance of not only hearing but resolutely implementing Jesus' teachings in our lives.

Building on the solid rock of Christ's teachings demands more than mere auditory reception; it requires an intentional and unwavering commitment to live out His guidance in every aspect of our existence. The wise builder exemplifies this by digging deep, securing the foundation amidst the bedrock. This is emblematic of our call to a life of profound obedience, where our deeds consistently mirror our professed beliefs. Let me frame that state another way: To truly follow Christ’s teachings, we need to do more than just listen; we must actively live by His guidance in every part of our lives. Like a wise builder who digs deep to lay a strong foundation, we are called to live with deep obedience, ensuring our actions match our beliefs.

Building a strong foundation in Christ is challenging and requires perseverance and spiritual discipline. It’s not a one-time effort but a continuous process of aligning our lives with His teachings. This consistent obedience helps us withstand life’s challenges. When difficulties come, a life grounded in Jesus remains firm and unshaken, offering divine stability and resilience. Let me park parenthetically to say something about:

FOUNDATIONS:

The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines a foundation as “the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground level.” Similarly, the Dictionary of Bible Themes describes it as “the solid base on which a secure structure may be built.” Foundations are crucial when constructing a building, especially your own home, which is meant to be a permanent dwelling. If we neglect the importance of a strong foundation, we risk seeing our homes collapse. The passage we’re examining today discusses building houses in a metaphorical sense. It uses a parable, a story that employs figurative language to illustrate a deeper truth. In this case, the parable contrasts hearing and doing as a solid foundation versus hearing alone as a weak one. As Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount, He warns that merely hearing His words without acting on them is like building a house on sand. The text states, “he will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Matthew 7:26). In some regions, where sand is scarce, this might be understood as building on “loose soil” or “unpacked dirt.”

Matthew 7:26 NASB95

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

He tells them that they would be wise to put what they have heard into practice. He is insistent that only hearing his words without doing them was a dangerous place to built a house.

The Gospel of Matthew also records this parable, but with some different variables. What is the same is that there are two kinds of builders and two kinds of foundations. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BUILT ON THE FIRM ONE BECAUSE “INTO EVERY LIFE THREE THINGS MUST COME” See Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7:24–27 NASB 2020

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and its collapse was great.”

RAIN

FLOODS

WINDS

The Lord would have us, like his audience in the text, to understand that storms happen to everyone. it is the foundation that will keep your house from falling. What do you do if you are not sure about your foundation?

In 1755, an earthquake hit the city of Lisbon, Portugal, causing massive destruction. The only building left standing in the aftermath was the Church of Carmo, which was constructed on a solid rock foundation. This historical event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of building our lives on the solid rock of faith in Christ.

By building on the rock, we not only protect our spiritual integrity but also demonstrate the transformative power of genuine faith to the world. Our lives become a beacon of hope, inviting others to seek the same unshakable foundation. Ultimately, the analogy of the wise builder calls us to a deeper, more intentional, and theologically grounded relationship with Christ, where our faith is authentically professed and passionately lived out.

CONSEQUENCES OF COMPLACENCY

Luke 6:49 NASB 2020

But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation; and the river burst against it and it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Let’s talk about the consequences of complacency. Complacency is defined as a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. It often implies a sense of self-satisfaction that prevents individuals from recognizing potential dangers or deficiencies in their actions or circumstances. In the scope of this text, Complacency is what happens when someone hears Jesus' teachings but doesn’t act on them. It is likened to a foolish builder who constructs a house on sand, which cannot withstand life's challenges and falls apart during storms. This smug veneer lacks the depth and resilience to endure trials, leading to a facade of religiosity without the transformative power of genuine belief and obedience.

Jesus shared the story about a foolish builder to warn us about the dangers and consequences of complacency; He posits that shallow faith that doesn’t include real obedience is “Shaky ground”. People who listen to Jesus but don’t live by his words are like a builder who puts up a house on sand. When storms come—think of life's challenges and tough times—that house can’t stand firm. It falls apart, just like a faith that isn’t genuine will crumble when tested.

In the ancient city of Pompeii, people went about their daily lives unaware of the imminent danger from the nearby Mount Vesuvius. Their complacency led to devastating consequences when the volcano erupted, burying the city in ash and preserving the inhabitants forever. Similarly, our complacency in spiritual matters can have grave consequences if we fail to heed the warning signs around us.

This text reminds us that it’s not enough to just call Him Lord, come to Him, and hear His words—we need to act on them. A faith that isn’t backed by true obedience is weak and won’t support us when we need it most. We really need to think about where we’re building our faith. Are we just listening, or are we also doing what Jesus taught us?

Now is the time to look at our own lives. Are we like the complacent builder, just going through the motions, or are our lives “well built” on the solid foundation of obedience? Let’s not settle for shakey ground, Instead, let’s make a real effort to live out Jesus' words every day. By doing this, we make sure our foundation is strong enough to withstand any storm life throws at us.

CONCLUSION:

Someone may be pondering this profound truth today, and you have come to the conclusion that you are standing and building on shaky ground. And your question may be “is it possible for me to correct my building project since I have building on a faulty foundation? I am glad to tell you today: yes, an individual can most certainly make the adjustment and go from a faulty foundation to a firm one.

Did you know that the Space Needle in Seattle Washington was two thirds completed when one of the inspectors found numerous large air pockets within it's foundation? This resulted in it being completely torn down so that a proper foundation could first be laid. Sometimes God helps us this way. But you can bet the process of tearing down can seem quite devastating to us.

I rose to tell somebody today that if you have not established your house building project on a firm foundation. Tell the Lord you can strip away all the fluff; tear down all the beautiful external looks, remove all pomp and popularity. And make me over Lord.

Ask Him to do for you what he did for Jacob who started trying to build on the wrong foundation. You remember how he stole his brother’s birthright through deception and trickery and lies. But he had to come to the place where he recognized that until he gave up his own will and obediently submitted to the Lord; his house was doomed to fall .

This text says to us today that we are responsible for doing what we hear. Be wise, built your house on the rock.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand