Foundations Under Pressure

When we lived in Kingwood, WV, there was an organization that was committed to keeping historical buildings intact. There was one particularly beautiful old home, right on the edge of town that somebody had purchased with the intention of tearing it down in order to build something else on the property. As you drove out of Kingwood, heading toward Morgantown, as you got to the edge of town, the road turned to the right, and that home was directly ahead of you as you came to that turn in the road. It was prominently placed, and as I said earlier, it was a beautiful building. A legal dispute ensued as the new owners of the property found themselves in a battle with the historical society. As is the case in most small towns, people began to pick sides, and I have to admit, I was a bit saddened when I heard that the new owners won the right to tear down the house.

What happened next was a surprise to everybody. This house had several beautiful pillars along the front of the house, and the wrecking crew began to take down one of the pillars, but to most people’s surprise, when the first pillar came down, the whole house collapsed. It was a beautiful house, but it had some major structural issues that were not apparent to the casual observer.

A second example of a similar situation presented itself when I was serving as a Trustee for Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Mount Vernon is a beautiful town in central Ohio that has a circle in the middle of town. Many years ago, a beautiful hotel was built right on the circle. It was known as the Curtis Inn. It was a beautiful, historic place. The first time I went to Mt. Vernon, I stayed in this historic place, and it was quite impressive. But, it had fallen on harder times as the building had fallen into disrepair.

A local company in Mt. Vernon had approached the university with an idea. They wanted to purchase the hotel, fix it up, and then give it to MVNU to own and be responsible for operating it. As a Trustee, I have to tell you, we were all excited by the prospect. Upon closer examination, however, the company’s officials came to the conclusion that the building was not salvageable, so they asked if we would be interested in having them tear down the building and build a brand new high end hotel and give that to the university, along with a fund to take care of maintenance. Well, that was kind of a no-brainer, and the the old Curtis Hotel was torn down and in its place the beautiful Mount Vernon Grand Hotel was erected.

The foundation is not the beautiful or exciting part of a building, but it is of utmost importance. Over these last several months, we have been diving deep into the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapters 5-7. These chapters gather together Jesus’ messages that He would tell His disciples over the years they were together. This morning, we come to the conclusion of this incredible sermon in Matthew 7:24-29

Roger Hahn says: “Matthew 7:13–14 contrasted two ways of approaching life. Verses 15–23 warn against false prophets. Jesus then presents the parable of the wise and foolish builders in verses 24–27. The common theme in these passages is the importance of obedience.”

Hahn, R. L. (2007). Matthew: a commentary for Bible students (p. 110). Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House.

Matthew 7:24–29 NRSV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on 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 sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” 28 Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, 29 for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

No building is more secure than the foundation upon which it is built.

Both the wise man and the foolish man build a house.

Both lives experience the storms that come along in every life.

The only one that remains is the one that is built on the words of Jesus. But note, it is not just in hearing the words of Jesus. Both men hear His words, but only one puts them into practice.

What does it mean to put Jesus’ words into practice?

Having the attitudes of being a follower of Christ. We refer to them as the Beatitudes. Being poor in spirit, mourning with those who mourn, meekness, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, being full of mercy, pure in heart, peacemakers, being willing to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

Someone who puts Jesus’ words into practice adds flavor to life and brings light to the world, as he or she is the salt and light of the earth.

Those who practice Jesus’ words will not oppose the law and the prophets - not only obeying the letter of the law to get our way, but obeying the spirit of the law to honor God.

The wise person will not only not commit murder, but will gain control over their anger, and will honor other people, and will do their best to make sure there is nothing between themselves and other people.

Not only will the wise person avoid committing adultery, but they will go to great lengths not to allow themselves to be in compromising situations that will lead to adulterous thinking.

The wise married person is committed to doing everything they can to improve their marriage.

The wise person lets their yes, be yes, and the no, no - they are honest and faithful.

They do not always seek their own way or retaliate, but are, rather, generous and forgiving.

They remember that God does not the enemy of their enemies, He is not even the enemy of His enemies. So, the wise builder will love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. These are wise words for this week as we go through another election here in the US. If you are registered, I hope that you vote. I hope that you pray about your vote, and that you are educated about the candidates. I hope that you will vote your conscience. I refuse to tell you how to vote, or even how I will vote, other than to say that I will vote my conscience. I am ultimately of another kingdom - Christ’s kingdom - but I also live in the USA, so I will vote, and I hope you will too. But if your candidate loses, then as those who are part of the kingdom of God, we are to pray for our elected leaders and do everything we can to support and love those who oppose our ideas on the matter.

Those who lay a strong foundation for their life are those that will give to those in need, and will support the kingdom of God without making a big deal about it.

They will not make prayer a spectacle, but will practice the art of praying whether anybody else knows that we are praying or not. The wise builder will use Jesus’ prayer as an example: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Fasting is a way of growing closer to our Father in heaven, as we go without food and pray instead during mealtimes. The wise builder will fast, but will not make a big deal about it to those around.

They will store up treasures in heaven, rather than seek to build treasures here on earth. Generosity will characterize their lives. They will serve God, not wealth.

Putting His words into practice also means trusting in the Lord and seeking His kingdom first rather than worrying about the things of this life.

They will not judge others, but will focus on their own need of change.

They will protect that which is holy.

They will continue to look for ways they can honor their Lord more.

The will do to others what they would have them do to them.

They will enter the narrow gate and stay on the narrow road that leads to life.

They will produce good fruit with their lives.

They will obey the will of their Father in heaven.

I know - it is just a quick recap of everything I have been preaching over the last few months. Here’s the thing - this is what I believe. If Christians would learn these things from the Red Letters - the Sermon on the Mount, and live by these concepts. If we would just put Jesus words into practice, the world would be changed. The sad reality is that Christians all too often hear these words, but do not build their lives on these principles. We say it is just too hard, or that Jesus was laying out an ideal that is unattainable, so we just adopt the principle of “doing our best, and forget the rest.”

Jesus says we are to build our lives by acting on the words that He teaches us, and if we do, then we are being wise. We can build a life not based on these principles as well, but Jesus says, those lives are built on shifting sand. Either way, we will build a life - and building a life is hard work. If you are going to go to all of that work, wouldn’t you want to build it on a strong foundation?

And here’s why. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on both houses in Jesus’ parable. The storms will come whether you build your life on a strong foundation or not! The rain will fall, the floods will come, and the winds will blow and beat on your life. Accidents will happen - Diagnoses will be heard - Friends and family members will die - People will treat you wrong - Pain is inevitable in this life. Yes, the storms will come. If we build our lives on the strong foundation, the storms will come, but the house will stand firm.

Play - Praise you in the storm

If we will be wise and build on the foundation of Jesus’ teaching, no storm that comes can destroy the life we build in Christ. They might destroy everything we have, but hope is always there because we are building our lives for a different kingdom - the kingdom of Christ.

The Communion Supper, instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament, which proclaims His life, His sufferings, His sacrificial death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. It shows forth the Lord’s death until His return.

The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.

All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.

In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And so we pray:

The minister may offer a prayer of confession and supplication, concluding with the following prayer of consecration:

Holy God,

We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed. Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins. We live in the hope of His coming again.

On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.” Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts. Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.

By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:

(Here the congregation may pray the Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Before the partaking of the bread, let the minister say:

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.

Before the partaking of the cup, let the minister say:

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.