Firm Foundation
(Read Matthew 7:24-27)
On a cold, foggy morning in February 1963, a 95′ scalloper called Sea King ran aground on a shallow sandbar. Residents of the sleepy town of Barnegat Light, New Jersey could see it right off the beach. I spent a lot of time in my youth on this island, and I remember as a 10-year-old swimming in the ocean near the only visible reminder of this sunken boat in the form of an eroding mast. My wife, some friends, and I visited 13th street five years ago and were surprised to see that the mast was several hundred yards from the shoreline, nestled in soft sugar sand and dune grass.
There is so much to learn from life experiences and people, if you’re willing to stop and listen. Our youth Pastor (D) spent some time the other day sharing his story with me. (D)’s warm and approachable personality is not overshadowed by the eloquence of his words. On the contrary, his articulation of his faith completes the picture of who he is. (D) talks the talk while walking the walk.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
The Apostle Paul, who wrote 1 Corinthians, was the one who laid the foundation for the church community in Corinth. Paul is the one who introduced the gospel to them, and while he viewed himself as the faith builder, the foundation of the Corinthian church is a clear metaphor of Jesus Christ. Paul cautioned his readers and us to be careful how we approach Biblical teaching and leading.
As a Youth Pastor, (D) needs an endless supply of energy, optimism, and renewable faith to lead his flock. “I am fueled by relational ministry,” he said. “A big piece is focusing on the gospel through relationships,” he added. “Specific, authentic relationships with the kids allow us the way to be able to speak truth into their life.” The number of active youth at our church is staggering. There are programs in the summer, Wednesday night activities year round, and youth ministry each Sunday. It’s like nothing I’ve seen before. As (D) was explaining his view on the youth program, I kept thinking about the parable of planting a mustard seed (Mark 4:30–32). “And then we continue that relational process to be able to disciple and train up the next generation to pass it on,” he concluded.
“What does God see in you?” I unfairly asked him. It’s a brutal question that asks for honesty and a balance of humility. (D) checks those boxes perfectly.
After a long pause he said, “I think I’m good at connecting people to things that matter most. I serve as a bridge so people truly understand what’s in front of them.” What a great outlook for a youth Pastor! We all know what matters most, it takes a gifted, gentle, and human communicator to “connect” people, especially the young ones, to the life-saving gospel of Christ. “When I help get people back to a point when they question themselves, God always rings true.” With (D)’s approach, they get the right answer.
“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. 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. 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27
“We have a special needs daughter. I can honestly say that when it comes to her needs, I don’t think we could survive without our faith and relationships with God. We would be lost completely in hopelessness,” (D) said. Chuck Swindoll wrote, “If your foundation is sure, no storm will cause your life to collapse. You can’t move an immovable rock.”
The foundation built on sand is outward obedience to religious habits and rules verses a house built on rock which is true righteousness from the heart. None of us can claim to be righteous all the time, but it’s when we base our lives on present comforts and worldly happiness when we’re not going to weather storms well. Notice that in the passage above, Jesus didn’t say if a storm comes, He says that they will come. We all build our lives upon something — our own values. Even those who say they have no values are showing that those are their values. Jesus is making the unmistakable point that disobedience leads to a short road while obedience leads to everlasting joy. The wise builder is the one who not only hears Jesus, but is obedient to Him.
(D) was immersed in the Christian way at a very young age. “There wasn’t a time when I didn’t know Jesus. He was always a presence in my life. My Grandfather was a Southern Baptist Pastor, and I started understanding around the time I was seven or eight.” I asked (D) if Matthew 7:24 was his benchmark scripture because of his exposure to the gospel for all these years. “Not really,” he politely said. “It’s a conscious choice to stay close to God. Having a house built on sand would get me lost in the world. God is my rock.”
“One time when I was a young boy, I could actually feel the Holy Spirit powering me. It was like a call out of darkness for me. I could see that there was so much more to life by taking this route. My heart was pounding!” (D) also had additional aha moments when leading his high school FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group. “I experienced a total reaffirmation in my relationship with Christ.”
When viewing the two houses in Jesus’ parable, from the outside they look the same. Until the storm comes. One remains standing and one collapses.
“How has your faith helped you through highs and lows?” I asked.
“I’m grateful for the lows because they allow me to enjoy the highs. I make it through the low parts only because of God,” he said. “We only have God to thank.” (D), like many believers, mature in their faith, can call up wisdom literature, quotes, and advice at will. He then quoted an incredible thought that I’ll keep forever. “If you keep your eyes on Jesus, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in a valley or on a mountain top. The view is the same.”
He continued, “As a child of God it takes a battleground to remember this. My entire being comes from this fact. My greatest joy in life has gotten me there.”
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Proverbs 10:8
Everything weathers time and storms differently. Rocks will age and have their edges get rounded, but things built on sand get washed away with the next big wave. I learned so much from my chat with (D). His faith is real and solid as a rock. When I went back to those beautiful sand dunes this summer, I looked for the decaying mast in the dunes. It wasn’t there, it was back in the breakers again. In another twenty years, it probably won’t be standing. The mast of the Sea King reminds me that everything here will eventually fall apart and crumble. Our faith will lead us to eternity.
Buddha’s dying words were, “Strive without ceasing.” Jesus’ were, “It is finished.” Give me Jesus.
Pastor Scott Sauls
Key Applications:
- Read Matthew 27. What do you think about Jesus’ message in verses 24-27? Should we just listen or does he require action?
- Have you ever taken stock of your life? Where are you spiritually? Jesus is looking for obedience, not just ears.
- Are you putting Jesus’ words into action? Pray each day that you are doing what Jesus asked.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.