Pick The Right Foundation

Introduction

Through out life we always find ourselves making decisions. The decisions that we make are often made off of our upbringing and what we have seen and what we have been taught. In other words we make decisions based off of the foundation that was established in our lives. A foundation is important. Without a foundation you will be all over the place. A Foundation is something you build on so when you are building something it is important that you have a strong and solid foundation. In our lesson today we will learn why it is important to build on a firm and solid foundation.

We see here that Jesus has come to the End of Teachings. If you read your bible you will see that Jesus was in a midst of a series of teachings. The series of teachings that he was doing is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is said that this sermon lasted a few days. Not only that but the teachings started off with just a few people and by the time he concluded the series he had thousands coming to hear what he was preaching and teaching on.

But Jesus has come to the End of his Teaching and he Uses a parable to give the people an analogy of why we should pick the right foundation and what will happen if we do not.

What a way to end a sermon all throughout Matthew 5-7 Jesus is setting up the scene. We learn that we can earn some things if we pick the right foundation. Matthew 5-7 is full of instructions and teachings that Jesus gave us to Follow. In order to have a strong foundation we must follow the Teachings that he left us. What teachings did he leave us well i’m glad you asked let me tell you.

Jesus opens up his teaching in Matthew 5:1-12 which says

Matthew 5:1–12 NLT

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

He opens up chapter 5 with the beatitudes. We see Here that if you pick the right foundation you are blessed meaning happy and fortunate. All of these verses are good but go back in your leisure time and study this out. I just want to take a few of the Beatitudes that stuck out to me. The text says Blessed are those who are meek/ humble for they will inherit the land. This tells me when you pick the right foundation you have to be humble. The bible says in James 4:6

James 4:6 NLT

And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

The bible says that in Proverbs 16:18

Proverbs 16:18 NLT

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

We must learn how to stay Humble. The old saints use to say let your highest point be at Jesus Feet. Stay humble don’t get the bighead but humble your self stay with your spiritual apron on ready to serve.

Not only that but the text says blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness because they will be satisfied. Is there anybody out there that can say they are hungry and strive to live a righteous life. In order to live righteous we must be hungry for the word to know more of him. The song writer Says it Like this I Need Just a little more jesus. Okay maybe you don’t know that one but when I was growing up they use to sing a hymn to open up sunday school More More about Jesus. When you are hungry and thirsty for righteousness you are hungry and thirsty to know more about Jesus. Just look at your Neighbor and ask them are you hungry for more jesus?

The Last one that stuck out to me Was Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10–12 NLT

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

When picking the right foundation sometimes it comes with persecution. Sometimes you will have to go through some things. But even in your going through God will see you through you will have a great reward in heaven. Thats why my bible tells me the the sufferings of this present world is nothing compared to the Glory that is to be revealed. There will be glory after this. Even in the midst of persecution hold your head High because your reward is coming. Be not weary in Well doing for in Due season you shall reap if you faint not. I know we are in the midst of the winter right now but I feel another Season approaching and the Season I feel approaching is Due Season. Look at your neighbor and say your Due Season is On the Way. Keep working through that persecution, Pay day is coming after while.

Now Chapter 5 continues to Go on with a heap of stuff Explaining what happens when we pick the right foundation and what to follow in order to have a strong foundation.

We must remember with having a strong foundation we have let our light shine before men that they might see our good works and glorify the father which is is heaven.

Picking the right foundation means you have to let your light Shine. This Little light of Mine I’m going to let it shine.

Chapter 5 Also reminds us about Anger towards other and how we should go to our brother or sister if there is a problem. Picking the right foundation causes you not to be prideful but to be able to go to your fellow brother and sister and tell them what the problems so y'all can get it right with each other.

Chapter 5 Teaches us about Adultery , lust , divorce, taking oaths, and retaliation.

The last sermon he gives in chapter 5 is about Love. When picking the right foundation and keeping a strong foundation we must learn how to love. In Matthew 5 it tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute you. We must learn to love everybody whether they like you or they don’t. Jesus still wants us to show love and love everybody. Jesus Loves everybody he may not like what you are doing but I came by to tell you Jesus still loves you. How does he still love me? Well it says in John 3:16

John 3:16 NLT

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

So we must Learn How to Love Like Jesus Loved. He loved those who talked about him and Lied on Him so We must do the Same. But in order to do this we must Love.

Now we get to Chapter 6 and Jesus is Still Teaching. and its 3 things in chapter 6 that i want to share briefly. Chapter 6 Shows and tells us How to Pray, Fast and that we must seek the Kingdom of God First.

We see Verses 5-14 Jesus Instructs the People how to pray. He tells them that they should not just want to pray in public for attention but to pray in their private time. When is the last time you have spent some Time alone praying to God in your secret closet. If you pick the Right Foundation you are going to have to pray for Prayer is how we communicate with God. So we must spend private time with him, Learning how pray for His will to be done. Too many people only want to pray in private for money houses and cars or when you get a bad report. But I stopped by to let you know today that we should be praying Everyday for Gods will to be done in our Life.

Verses 15-18 of Chapter 6 teaches us how to fast. When you go on a fast its not for you to tell everyone to Get an Audience but Just do it. It nothing more that I Dislike is when people feel the need to tell people to Go on a Fast. Why are you telling people if the Lord Told you to Fast then Just do it. Look at your neighbor and say Just Do It. No need to tell everybody Just do it. Are you doing the Fast to be seen and heard or are you Fasting to Hear from God.

Lastly in Chapter 6 We See that Jesus is talking to the People about worry and Anxiety. Jesus Tells them that there is no need to worry or be anxious The only thing you need to do is Seek First the Kingdom of God. Seek first the Kingdom of God. When you put the Kingdom first there is no need to worry about anything else because all your ways will be met. When you put kingdom business first, God will come through for you. He may not be there when you want him but he will be there right on time. I Found out that He will step right in your situation Just in time. Is there anybody here that can give God praise and testify that God Showed up Just on Time.

Now we get to Chapter number 7. In Chapter number 7 I want to Highlight some Key things That you must do and with Picking the Right Foundation.

The first thing that i saw in chapter number 7 was that Jesus Talks about Judging. If we are going to pick the right foundation we can’t be judging others. The texts puts it like this how are you going to judge somebody about a little speck in their eye when you have a log in yours. Jesus Says you are a Hypocrite. Don’t tell me to do one thing and practice one thing and your not doing it. We got to learn how to do like the Old Song says and Sweep around your own front Door before you try to sweep around Mine. The bible says He who is without sin cast the first stone. So worry about you and yourself before you try to worry about someone else.

Not only That but Jesus Tells us them about Picking the narrow gate. Verses 13 & 14 talks about coming through the narrow Gate not taking the broad gate. With picking the right foundation you have to go through that narrow Gate if you want a solid foundation you have to go through that narrow gate. For the narrow gate you don’t see too many people on that path. But we see a-lot of people taking the Broad Gate which leads to destruction. Which Gate will you pick yes the broad gate looks good and pleasing and easy but as you travel down that broad way you are headed for destruction .

We also see in Chapter number 7 that Jesus Teaches about False Prophets and Teachers. With Picking the right foundation we must be aware of those who really have a servants heart and are teaching us Bible. For it is important that use are discernment because They will come with their Suits and Collars and chains on but on the inside they mean you no good So be aware of those things . Be mindful and Watchful. For Jesus Said that many will try to say they did all types of Good deeds in Jesus name, but Jesus is going to tell them Depart from me you worker of iniquity. Don’t have a secret agenda but be true to the Word of God so You can hear Him Say well done thy Good and Faithful servant instead of depart from me you worker of iniquity.

Now We are at the End of The Sermon and Jesus is talking about Picking the Right Foundation. Jesus Opens up in Matthew 7:24-25 with this

Matthew 7:24–25 NLT

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.

In this chapter Jesus is concluding his teaching . Thats why I went back to show you some of teachings that Jesus Had been talking about in his Sermon Series.

If you pick the Word you will have a strong foundation not only that but wisdom comes with picking the teachings of the Word. But what i like about this it doesn’t say Just listen to the teaching but apply them and do the teachings. In order to have a strong foundation you must also be a doer of the Word of God. We got too many hearers in the church and not enough doers. When you look at the natural world you build a building on a strong foundation. When you are building you want to make sure you have right foundation so your building Won’t fall. You wouldn’t build a skyscraper on a chicken coop foundation because it will won’t be able to withstand the pressure of holding up a a skyscraper.

When we pick the right the foundation we must build on the teachings of the Word because this journey is no cake walk but there will be times in life That the winds of life will blow the storms will rise all hell will break through in life but if you pick the right foundation which is the Word, which is Jesus because he and his Word are One. So Pick the right foundation because when the storms of life are raging you need to have a firm foundation so you won’t be shaken but you can be like a tree planted by the rivers of Water and not be moved. Is there anybody here that has decided to build on the teachings of the Word. I just need 5 people and ill make 6 that can testify that they have had storms in their life but they stayed true to their foundation which was the Word and God Saw you through.

Now we see Matthew 7:26-27

Matthew 7:26–27 NLT

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

Too many people listen to the words that Jesus gives but do not obey if you listen to the word and not obey jesus says you are foolish. Too many people want to listen to the Word and the World and that why when storms come and winds blow you are shaken and you collapse and fall because you are all over the place. How is that you want to have a strong foundation but you want to follow and listen to Zodiac signs. How is is that you want a strong foundation but you don’t apply your word and the only time you read is when you come to church on sunday morning and wednesday evening. We have been called to be separate from the world but it seems like the Church wants to be like the world. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. You can’t be in the middle. But you must be either Cold or Hot. You got to make a decision to apply and listen to his word so that you will be on a strong foundation. .

Finally, The people came to a realization that there is no Teacher and nobody like Jesus. They were amazed at his teaching. Jesus showed that / the religious teaching of the Pharisees was inadequate. The Pharisees expertise came from many interpretations of the Jewish law over thousands of years. But Jesus teaching comes straight from the heart of God’s will. His teaching is truth and a truth that could be lived. Jesus did not teach on authority or training received or on the authority of what someone else said. He taught on the basis of His own authority.

The Sermon on the Mount is an authoritative message. These are the declarations and commands of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is God in human flesh. We cannot pick and choose what we agree with and what we disagree with. We have to take it as it is and conform ourselves to the Word. We have to be transformed by renewing our minds with the word of God. If we do no do what the word says, then we are rejecting the word, and that will lead to destruction, “a great fall”). But if we hear and obey his words, we have built on a sold foundation and will be able to stand.