Rock or Sand

Rock or Sand

Ps Renny Khoo

19 Feb 2017

Matthew 7:24-27

24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

This verse reveals the contrast between the wise and foolish man who built their houses on rock and sand. One would act on the word of God and the other will not act on the word of God. The one who acted on the word of God built on rock and the other on sand. The one who built on the rock did not fall but the one who did fell and it was described as “great was its fall”.  The difference between the two was that the one that was founded on rock or firm foundation did not fall.

The illustration of Burj Khalifa had very strong foundation to hold this superstructure which took a year to construct. What are the foundations we are setting for ourselves and families?

The foundation took one year to build. What lies beneath a strong and tall structure ? Are we rooted ? 

Are you ready? Vs are you rooted

In today’s fast pace, transient lifestyle and modern gadgets reinforced a lack of capacity for intensity, strength or depth, breeding a culture of “YOLO” meaning You Only Live Once. It is a culture of no calculation of the consequence of our action that it brings to our life. This is in direct contrast to leading a worthy and meaningful life for Jesus as you have only one life to live.

1.      Foundation becomes evident in times of crisis

         We are being tested in everyday stresses of life.

Building foundation requires hard work. A successful career, a Golden Marriage Anniversary are some of the testament of hard work on building a strong foundation. The stresses of life contribute to our foundation and when a significant crisis arises, it will reveal the strength of our foundation that we had been building and nurturing. The call to build practical strong foundation includes remaining faithful to worship on Sundays and prayer meetings, faithful in what we have and do and the responsibilities that we embrace. For in being faithful, we are building something solid in the foundation that we were called to build.

2.      Foundation is rootedness in the timeless word of God

We were spurred to be hungry for the word of God. So that we can lay timeless material in the foundation we are building in our lives by being rooted in word of God. To be intentional in studying the word of God. The use of a bible reading guide is a good start.

To study the word of God through Christian courses is another alternative to constantly refresh our appetite on the word of God. For when the storm of life comes, our foundation is strong because we are rooted in what the word of God said.

The memorisation of the word of God to be stored in the depths of our heart will further fortify our faith.

3.      Foundation means doing the word

We are reminded that it is one thing to know and quite another to carry out what we do know for a wise man act on the word of God.

We are challenged to examined the foundation of our lives. Are we still building strong foundation through our daily devotions and walk with the Lord? It is now a time to reassess and relook our foundation.

Questions

1.    “Crisis reveals character”. How do you relate/ understand the above statement to the foundation in our discipleship journey?

2.    Share your current journey of your quiet time/ devotional life


3.    Share what you have been reading/ hearing recently. How are your acting on them, or otherwise? Any “everyday stressors” that you are encountering?

Some personal reflections :-

This parable also reminds us that we can begin with the same dream and desire, have the same knowledge and resources, but how we choose to build our life which is hidden like the foundation will in the end decides how well we have built our life. For on the surface up and from the outside, the two houses look exactly the same, same design, same materials but what lies underground, unseen by the world, is really what matters. 

It is about one person who decides to invest time in the foundation, spend more money on that and not rush it through. And this stands the test of time and storms.

24 Feb 2017

Interestingly, this same Bible passage was chosen for the Opening Devotion by Rev Edmund Chan at IDMC Miri on 17 February 2017 at Miri Meritz Hotel. His devotion notes is Foundation of Your Life by Rev Edmund Chan.