A House with Foundations on Rock

Luke 6.

Some strong, simple statements come out of this parable:

• Your life is a house and its foundation will be tested by storms.
• Dig deep!
• Anchor your foundation to rock!

How do you build your life onto a foundation of rock? According to Jesus, you must COME, HEAR and DO. ‘Everyone who comes to me and hears my wor

Getting a proper foundation is coming to Christ. It is hearing his words. It is doing what he says.

Storms come to test your life. Storms are the troubles and trials which come to test where your trust lies.

If you are laying a secure and proper foundation in your life, you will be

1. Coming to Christ. (Verse 47)

Coming to Christ means that you ‘believe he exists and that he rewards those who seriously seek him.’

Hebrews 11.6. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

To come to God means you believe that he exists and that means…

• That you believe that this universe and this world are not random or accidental. You believe that it is a made world and a made universe - that design is evidence of a Designer – God.
• It means that you believe that events are not random, and they are NOT altogether under the control of men and women. You believe that events and their consequences have meaning and a reason purposed by God.
• You believe that the sense of what is right or wrong has been instilled in people by God who made them.
• You accept the written testimony of the apostles who recorded the information about the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.
• It means that you believe that although he was crucified by people who were rejecting him, he was also raised to life and was seen by many (including 500 persons on one occasion).
• You believe that God has made himself knowable and understood by entering the world in a human life - and that God is in Christ reconciling people to himself.
• Coming to Christ means that you believe that God is very pleased with all that his Son has done and that he is also pleased with everyone who is obedient to his Son.
• You believe that God plans to bless and reward everyone who comes to Christ.
• You are coming to Christ because you believe he is willing and able to forgive and bless YOU.
• You believe that blessing begins with a place in God’s family and never ends because that blessing includes an endless life in a new heaven and earth – an existence so magnificent that “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2.9)

This is what coming to Christ means. You believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Who are the fools who will turn their backs on a reward like that - just so they can play around with the fading and perishing things available in a life that is itself wearing thin – a life that will one day rip apart to reveal God’s judgment, not reward.

It goes without saying, of course, that coming to Christ involves talking to him! You are not coming to Christ just by attending church or reading the Bible – though those are both essential activities. You must use words. You have to put into words what you know about yourself and what you believe about him. Hosea 14.2

Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

This conversation with Christ – this prayer – is not ‘a prayer’ it is ‘prayer’. It is not some set words you use; it is you telling Christ in a heartfelt, open way about your need of him.

Much of that conversation will be confession. You will be telling him how far short of him you fall and how ashamed you are of your self and your life. This conversation will be repentance. You will be telling him that you are ready to give up any life except the one he has prepared for you to live. This conversation will include affirmation – you will affirm and confirm to him that you believe that he exists and that you deeply desire whatever good things he has prepared for you.

So that was the first of the three things that are needed when you dig a deep foundation for your life: You must come to Christ.