Build Your Faith on the Solid Rock
Many homes and schools in our community are being renovated these days. Even with materials being quite costly, it is impressive to see the folks in the hard hats working at their craft. I like sitting and watching because if I had to do any real construction work, I would be lost…I wouldn’t even know where to start. But all this construction going on around me got me thinking. You can cut a lot of corners in when you build a house. Laminate or cheap carpet instead of hardwood, no problem. Formica instead of granite won’t hurt a thing when a storm comes. Paneling or drywall, no big deal. Other things matter much more. Now it might make things easier and cheaper, but only a fool would decide to skimp on a proper and solid foundation.
Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount with an illustration about house building. Two builders, two foundations, two houses, one storm, two endings. The wise man built on the rock. The foolish man built on the sand. The house on the rock stood firm when the storm came. The house on the sand came crashing down.
Everyone has to build their life on something. What’s it going to be for you and yours? What foundation will be holding your life up? Who will you believe? Will it be the sandy foundation of those who reject God’s Word? Or will it be the wisdom and teaching of Jesus in his Word? To build on the rock is to hear and do what he says. Build on the rock. Think of the big rock called Golgotha. Jesus Christ laid down his holy perfect life for you to win your forgiveness. He cleared away the soot of our sin. He dug down deep and made his perfect record the only record that counts before God our Father. Jesus alone provided you with complete assurance of your salvation when he rose from the grave in victory. Think of the rock rolled away from the tomb on Easter morning. Hear the Savior’s voice, who died to forgive you, and who lives to forgive completely all your failures. Because he is the same yesterday, today and forever, he is the rock of our salvation, the rock of ages, the rock of refuge. Everything else we build our hope on is sinking sand. As the hymn writer puts it: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare to make no other claim but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” (Christian Worship Hymnal 382:1)
Jesus was more than just a carpenter; he is the master builder. You can trust that the Lord Jesus knows what He is talking about when He speaks about building houses. He is preparing a home in heaven for all who believe in Him. “In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2). What comfort! Jesus, the master builder is getting that heavenly place ready for you. So be ready for him and build wisely on Christ to withstand all the storms of life until you reach your heavenly home.
This is eternal life we’re talking about. To get to heaven, your foundation must be Christ. He’s under you. And when the rains come down, streams rise, and winds blow, when fears and doubts and shames and even death beat against your faith, you can stand firm, because you are standing on the Rock—Jesus Christ!
Jesus concluded his Sermon on the Mount with an illustration about house building. Two builders, two foundations, two houses, one storm, two endings. The wise man built on the rock. The foolish man built on the sand. The house on the rock stood firm when the storm came. The house on the sand came crashing down.
Everyone has to build their life on something. What’s it going to be for you and yours? What foundation will be holding your life up? Who will you believe? Will it be the sandy foundation of those who reject God’s Word? Or will it be the wisdom and teaching of Jesus in his Word? To build on the rock is to hear and do what he says. Build on the rock. Think of the big rock called Golgotha. Jesus Christ laid down his holy perfect life for you to win your forgiveness. He cleared away the soot of our sin. He dug down deep and made his perfect record the only record that counts before God our Father. Jesus alone provided you with complete assurance of your salvation when he rose from the grave in victory. Think of the rock rolled away from the tomb on Easter morning. Hear the Savior’s voice, who died to forgive you, and who lives to forgive completely all your failures. Because he is the same yesterday, today and forever, he is the rock of our salvation, the rock of ages, the rock of refuge. Everything else we build our hope on is sinking sand. As the hymn writer puts it: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare to make no other claim but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.” (Christian Worship Hymnal 382:1)
Jesus was more than just a carpenter; he is the master builder. You can trust that the Lord Jesus knows what He is talking about when He speaks about building houses. He is preparing a home in heaven for all who believe in Him. “In my Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2). What comfort! Jesus, the master builder is getting that heavenly place ready for you. So be ready for him and build wisely on Christ to withstand all the storms of life until you reach your heavenly home.
This is eternal life we’re talking about. To get to heaven, your foundation must be Christ. He’s under you. And when the rains come down, streams rise, and winds blow, when fears and doubts and shames and even death beat against your faith, you can stand firm, because you are standing on the Rock—Jesus Christ!
Pastor Carl Schroeder
St. Peter’s Lutheran
Church, Sturgeon Bay
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