Tuesday, April 16, 2019

“Building on the Solid Rock” (Pt. 1) (April 16, 2019)


Allen Raynor Weblog: “Building on the Solid Rock” (Pt. 1)

(April 16, 2019)

 

          In 1889 “The Sand Bar Saloon,” which was built on stilts, was located on the Red River separating what is now Oklahoma and Texas.  A long footbridge led to dry territory.  At flood stages, the saloon was washed away, but was, of course rebuilt time after time.  Finally, someone died in a flood and it was never rebuilt.  We have all seen floods and unstable weather.  We all know enough about building to know that sand or soft soil is not the best place to build.  This is not a new concept.  Jesus taught this long ago in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27 which says “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: 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.  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: and the rain descended; the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall.”

          In several places Christ, and His teachings, are compared to a foundation and He being the chief cornerstone.  Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:4-8 “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’  Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’”  If you are building something, after a foundation is laid, the work of erecting the structure begins.  When we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, the foundation has been laid and the work of Christian living begins.  We then begin to build up our faith and strength in Christ, bear witness for Him, and more.  After the foundation has been laid, there is still a lot of work to do.  Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation in 1 Cor. 3:9-13 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation and another builds on it.  But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”

          Jesus Christ is the perfect foundation, the perfect example, who possesses perfect wisdom, and perfect character.  Every Word He says is perfect.  Daniel Doriani writes “Jesus’ words perfectly express his character, his mind, his will.  He never deceives, never changes his mind, never misspeaks.  He never has to say, ‘Do as I say, not as I do.’  This world has all too many obese gym teachers, divorced marriage counselors, and debt-ridden financial planners.  Not so with Jesus.  He does what he says.  He is what he says.  Every word perfectly reflects his mind, his character, and his actions.  Therefore, if we would be wise and godlike, we should listen attentively and do whatever Jesus says.  His words will be a rock, a sure foundation for life.” (Daniel M. Doriani; The Sermon on the Mount: The Character of a Disciple; 222)

          Jesus says, anyone who has ears to hear; (if you can take it) this is the difference between wisdom and foolishness.  It is simple, basic, common sense the way that Jesus puts it in this parable.  A person will either heed Jesus’ Words or they will not.  A lot of rumors, stories, and crazy notions were floating around about Jesus but Jesus wanted to see what His disciples really believed about Him.  There came a point where Jesus asked the disciples point blank about who they thought He was.  He wanted to know what sort of foundation had developed in their thought process.  In Mat. 16:15-18 we read Peter’s response to Jesus’ question.  “He [Jesus] said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’  Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’” (Mat. 16:15-18).

          Build on strength, build on truth, build on righteousness, build on the Words of Jesus Christ!  That is true wisdom!  That is the foundation for every Christian life and for the church as a whole.

 

In Christ,


Dr. Allen Raynor, Pastor

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