Foundations are important. Maybe you're not a building expert or engineer, but you should know that they are crucial to the strength of a building. Pastor Dan learned this by experience one day. He was jacking up his car to do some manly work on it. The problem was that there had been quite a bit of rain for several days before that. As he jacked up the care, the pressure on the jack increased due to the weight of the car, and the jack started to actually sink into the ground. He learned that it's very important to know what kind of surface you're on when jacking up a car.
As children we all learn the simple importance of a foundation when we are playing with blocks. But as we get older we get preoccupied, we get in a hurry, and we don't think about it. And sometimes they don't show up right away, but when they do the results are dangerous.
Our theme verse for this series is Matthew 7:24-27:
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Now, get ready for a bombshell: We are asking you to memorize this section of scripture. That's right; difficult as it may be, we are confident in your abilities to memorize scripture. You can do it!
Jesus had something to say about foundations; about how you build; about what you build on. And He wasn't talking about your actual house. He was talking about our lives!
Building a strong foundation is not the quick way, the easy way or the convenient way.
Foundations are not tested in nice weather. Moderate temperatures, normal rainfall and light winds do not challenge them. A true test is a storm. Flaws in the foundation will not show until the pressure increases. But at that time when the storm hits, the foundation is the most important part.
If there were never storms, any old foundation would do. But to withstand raging storms and earthquakes, the foundation must be strong and well built. But it is costly to build a good foundation and it takes time!
When life is calm you can build your life around that girl or guy, your friends, or other things that seem solid because there's nothing to test them.
Everyone goes through storms: Christians, non-Christians, adults, kids, teens, good people, bad people. Storms are a part of life. Maybe you haven't experienced one yet, but there will come a point in your life when things are shaken. And when that shaking comes, it doesn't matter how high, now luxurious, how nice you've built your life if your foundation doesn't hold.
Matthew 7:24: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it.” That is the key! Pastor Dan has seen many kids come through Revolution Church. Many who knew what the Bible says about choices they were making. They knew, and did the wrong thing anyway. Knowing isn't enough – you have to follow it! You can go to church your whole life, but if you never follow the teachings of Christ you will not stand when the storms come.
This is a simple concept, but unfortunately, the simple principles are not always walked out.
As a young person you have an opportunity to set the pattern for the rest of your life. You can build your life on a firm foundation. If you build your life around a relationship, a person, a hobby, yourself or even religion, your foundation will fall.
It's easy to build your life on something and not even realize what you're doing. Maybe it's that you're a musician, an artist, a nerd, a rebel. But when those storms of life come, any life that is not built on a firm foundation will be swept away.
The only firm foundation is Christ Jesus. Not just believing in Him; building your life on the principles of Christ; building your life on the word of God! That is a foundation that you can trust.
Though the storms will come, and it won't be easy or fun all the time, your life will withstand them. When your life is built on a solid foundation your house won't float away.
You can have a sure foundation. Your windows may break, some shingles blow away and tree limbs litter the yard, but your house will stand. Don't build your life on an idea, a person, politics, money, education or anything else. Build your life on Christ; pn His commands, His principles, His word!
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