Foundation


 This excerpt is from the book Pagsangkap by Pastor Noel Alkuino. (C)2007


In this lesson we will talk about the importance of building a strong foundation for our lives. Like a house or a building it cannot stand without a foundation. The strength of the house depends upon the strength of its foundation. If the foundation is weak that house is also weak but if the foundation is strong that house is also strong. In like manner, a person who has a strong spiritual foundation will also live a strong and victorious life. In the book of Matthew 7:24-27, our Lord Jesus talks about two kinds of people who are building their houses in two different kinds of foundation.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
 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. 25The 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. 26But 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. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."


TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE

Here in this story we see two kinds of people. The wise man and the foolish man. The basis of Jesus calling this person wise is not because he is intellectual or a brilliant thinker but because he has chosen a firm foundation to build his house. House here speaks of our lives. If we build our life on the right foundation, we are perceived and called wise by our Lord.

TWO KINDS OF FOUNDATION

We see here that there are two kinds of foundation. A rock, which speaks of a firm foundation and sand, which speaks of a very weak foundation.

  • Rock – signifies our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). He is the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26:4). Jesus Christ is pictured in the Bible as a rock because He is strong and will never ever change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is the chosen and precious cornerstone (1 Peter 2:6). He is the only foundation given by God the Father to which we can build our lives upon (1 Corinthians 3:11).
  • Sand – speaks of anything that is apart from Christ. Sand signifies those weak and lifeless foundations that men have built their lives on. What are some of these weak foundations?
  • Religion – some people are so proud on their church that they believed that if you will not join to their group you will not be saved. They exalt and magnify their sect more than they magnify Christ. There trust is on their denomination and not on God our savior.
  • Money – many people are so obsessed on worldly wealth that their whole life is focused on gaining material possessions. The top priority of their lives is money and not Jesus. They love money more than they loved God. They based their worth and identity on there accumulated possessions. Their trust and focus is on things and not on the Living God.
  • Man – some are so dependent on other people that they feel they could not continue living if these people whom they look unto for help and satisfaction are no longer be there. The foundation of their lives is based on their spouse, parents, friend, or others and not on Jesus Christ.
  • Man made doctrines – some people based their beliefs and values on man-made teachings rather than on the Word of God. Any doctrine that is based to the teachings of the Bible is not worthy of listening much more believing.
  • Self – many people are self reliant and independent of God. Instead of trusting and living for God, they live a life that is totally void of the presence of God. They set their own laws, standards, and visions instead of walking in the ways of the Lord. They focus on self and not on Christ.
More on the next post.



KENNETH

Image credits: http://cancun-pages.com/lateda/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/wise.jpg


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