Rock or Sand?

Mother’s Day Message May 14, 2023       

Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV) Build on the Rock

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Psalms 18:2 (NKJV) The LORD [is] my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.1 Corinthians 3:11 (NLT) 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

(Truth)

Jesus is our Rock! He is the firm foundation that we can build our lives upon. And if we obey Jesus, and everything He tells us in His word, the Bible, we have the assurance that no matter what flood beats upon us, no matter how fierce the storms of this life may be, we will never drown, we will never fall, we will never be moved.

Proverbs 12:7 (NKJV) The wicked are overthrown and are no more,  But the house of the righteous will stand.

How do we build upon the Rock?  

1•         Salvation through Christ – we must be saved; we must receive Jesus as our Savior and make Him Lord of our lives.  Then, we will begin laying the foundation to build upon the Rock.

John 3:7 (NLT) So don’t be surprised when I say, you must be born again.

Romans 10:13 (KJV) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2•         BIBLE – life’s manual – get to know it, be able to quote scriptures to defeat the enemy like Jesus did. In the Psalms it says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” It lights our path so we won’t stumble and fall.

3•         Prayer – communication with God.   

Psalms 145:18 (AKJV) The LORD is near to all them that call on him, to all that call on him in truth.

Proverbs 15:29 (NIV) The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV 3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) Pray without ceasing. (Stay in communication with God)

(Truth)

By reading the Bible we get to know Him and know about Him.  By prayer we develop a relationship with Him and draw close to Him.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. 

Proverbs 14:1 (NLT) A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 17:1 (NLT) Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting—and conflict (result of our words).  

(Truth) 

The Problem is, many of us aren’t whole-heartedly pursuing a relationship with God.  We expect Him to give us what we want, but we don’t want to know Him on His terms.  So instead of turning to Him, we keep trying to do things our way.  When we do this, we’re on shaky ground, therefor we are building our house on the sand.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

(Truth)

Don’t live a life of stress and worry – give it to God, He will help you.  Then you will have patience to deal with the situations that arise.

Philippians 4:4-8 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

(Truth) That is a house built on The Rock.  The more we put Jesus first, give Him our best, and love Him completely and continually, the stronger our house will be, and it will be built on The Rock.