A Tale of Two Builders

CNN has a story that was reported in January of this year, of the soon to be tallest building in the world. Measuring in when completed at 1 Kilometer. It's called Jeddah Tower. More than 250 floors.

The tallest building as of now, as far as I can tell is the Burj Khalifa, also known as Burj Dubia and also in Saudi Arabia. stands Nearly half a Kilometer high. That's a staggering 2,717 feet tall. More than half a mile high. It is double the height of the renowned Empire State building. It opened in Jan, 2010.

*Tallest man-made structure: (Until 2020) (previously Warsaw radio mast – 2,121 ft);

*Building with most floors: 160 (previously Willis Tower – 108);

*Highest elevator and world’s fastest elevators (40 mph);

*First world’s tallest structure to include residential space;

*Highest outdoor observation deck (on the 124th floor);

*World’s highest mosque (located on the 158th floor);

*World’s highest swimming pool (76th floor);

While most attention focuses on its height, perhaps more important is what lies buried beneath the building. Without a solid foundation, the world’s tallest building would become the world’s longest pile of rubble. Extending 164 feet deep under the Burj Khalifa lies 58,900 cubic yards of concrete weighing over 120,000 tons. It took a year just to build the foundation.

I think without a lot of time spent trying to convince anyone, we can all agree that foundations are very important. But what you use as a foundation is also important.

In our parable tonight I want us to notice a couple of things -

Two Men with the same vision - They both wanted to build a place of refuge. A place they could call home. A place of safety. They obviously both had friends and loved ones they wanted to entertain and house. The two men both heard the same truth - They both heard, "These sayings of mine" 24,26 Dr. Tony Evans said, "They both went to the same Seminary" The two experienced very similar (if not exact) life difficulties, and stormsThe two experienced two very different outcomesIn this parable the foundation represents the teachings of Jesus. (Namely what he had just finished - the "Great Sermon on the Mount" One was building something to show, the other was building something to stand. The story of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is very interesting. (Has anyone here ever been there? )The Tower of Pisa, in Italy is over 800 years old. But it was built in Pisa which means "Marshy" or "muddy" The only reason it hasn't fallen yet is because there hasn't been a strong earthquake. But you let one come by there, and unless they have really reinforced the tower it's going to topple over. Leaning at about 1/20th of an inch every year. It can't be used for anything but to look at. It doesn't have a proper foundation, it's just for show. I pray God would help us have a generation of wise people who will listen to Jesus, and build their life upon a firm foundation. Upon Jesus Christ And then let the storms come, let the winds blow, let the grounds shake - and the house built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ will not fall.