We can listen to someone speak, only be impressed and applaud what is said.  “Ooh, good sermon, Pastor”, as we walk out the door.  Allow me to let you in on some insider information.  We consider those words as a half-hearted, “sandy” attempt to compliment how the words were said, but not really intended for life-change.  You see, most pastors do not consider these words endearing after pouring their hearts out with what God has told them to say.  But if we sincerely said, “I understood what you said and I know what I need to change in my life” is an encouragement that tells the speaker that what was said was understood for growing lives.  Yes, this would be taken as “rock-solid” affirmation of what was said.  As former pastors and speakers, we sometimes knew when a sermon or talk only impressed for the moment but not internalized for life-change.  But that does not stop us from saying what God wants said.

We can all read something inspiring and feel encouraged by the words for the moment.  We can be the loudest singer who worships, but if we do nothing about what was said, sung or read, changing little to nothing in our lives, Jesus says we are foolish, building our lives on sandy slopes that eventually the sea of trouble consumes.  But if we hear AND follow God’s Word given to us, attaching ourselves into the bedrock of our salvation, we begin to grow in wisdom, building our very lives on the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ.  Troubles rain down but we will not turn from Him for we know He is right beside us.  Some people will rise up against us, but still, we are firm, standing on the rock.  Sand shifts but embedded rock does not.  Have you ever stood on the sandy shore of the ocean?  You can’t stand there for long, can you?

Jesus tells us we are walking a slippery slope of unwise decisions making which leads to collapsible living if we do not hear, trust, follow and obey.  When we are living on sandy slopes, we will always wonder why everything falls apart in our lives when troubles come.  We first blame others, blame lack of funds, lack of friends, lack of knowledge when what we really lack is Jesus, the Solid Rock. 

So, the most important question to ask ourselves this morning is, who is the One and Only upon whom we are basing all of our lives? 

Are we walking a slipper slope of faith OR standing on the Solid Rock which cannot be moved?

Matthew-The Law Fulfilled

Matthew 7:24-29

Building on a Solid Foundation

²⁴ “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵ 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. ²⁶ But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷ When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

And we’re singing…

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.

• Refrain:
  On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
  All other ground is sinking sand,
  All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Only You.  Hallowed is your Name.  Great are you Lord!  You are my Solid Rock on which I stand.  You are my wisdom, strength, understanding, insight, love, mercy and grace.  Grow me in and through troubles and help me stand firm in faith.  Help me to love like you love me.  Keep me from walking in sand but to stand firm on The Rock.

In Jesus Name, Amen