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Bible teaching
ministry of
Stephen &
Brooksyne
Weber
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Monday,
November 20, 2023
"Christ
Is My Firm
Foundation"
Message
summary:
Today as God’s
people, we
need to pay
careful
attention to
the words of
Jesus and,
equally
important, we
must put them
into practice.
By doing so,
we’ll not be
blown away but
will stand on
solid,
unshifting
ground when
the tidal
waves of
opposition
beat against
our spiritual
house. We
build our
lives on the
solid
foundation of
hearing and
doing the
words of our
Lord.
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
“Therefore
everyone who
hears these
words of Mine
and acts on
them, may be
compared to a
wise man who
built his
house on the
rock. And the
rain fell, and
the floods
came, and the
winds blew and
slammed
against that
house; and yet
it did not
fall, for it
had been
founded on the
rock. Everyone
who hears
these words of
Mine and does
not act on
them, will be
like a foolish
man who built
his house on
the sand. The
rain fell, and
the floods
came, and the
winds blew and
slammed
against that
house; and it
fell—and great
was its fall”
(Matthew
7:24-27).
Last
fall I went to
San Francisco
to visit my
oldest
brother.
He lives on
the west side
near the ocean
but while we
were there we
drove through
the downtown
area. One
prominent
building is
the Millennium
Tower, a
beautiful
skyscraper
built 15 years
ago that has
an interesting
distinction, it's
sinking. The
problem with
Millennium
tower arose
because the 60
to
90-foot-long
friction piles
supporting the
skyscraper
were driven
into sandy
soil rather
than the
bedrock, 200
feet down.*
Well,
if you know
your Bible,
this
immediately
brings to mind
a teaching by
Jesus
concluding the
"Sermon on the
Mount".
Yesterday
in our church
we completed a
series on the
"Sermon On The
Mount" with a
study of the
two
foundations.
Pastor Beau
preached on
this passage
and I taught
in two
separate Adult
Bible
Fellowships
(ABF's) on
this topic so
you might say
I've been
immersed on
this subject
matter!
Christ’s
illustrations
deal with
pertinent
themes that
would have
readily
connected with
His initial
listeners. His
stories also
have a
remarkable
cross-cultural
and
multi-generational
impact.
Jesus
concludes the
"Sermon on the
Mount" with an
illustration
from His work
as a carpenter
(Mark
6:3) and
His knowledge
of the vital
importance of
foundations.
2,000 years
later we still
build houses
on solid
foundations
which calls to
mind the old
adage, "A
house is only
as good as its
foundation".
Although “these words of mine” may apply to all that Jesus said in His ministry, it seems that they would especially apply to His words in this sermon in Matthew 5-7. However, I also believe it applies to the entirety of God’s Word.
Christ speaks of two different types of builders in Matthew 7: one designated as wise and the other foolish. The distinction between these two builders was the foundation upon which they built. Jesus describes one foundation as built on the rock and the other built on the sand. Both were subject to identical storm conditions but only one stood firm; the one that "had its foundation on the rock".
This foundation built by the wise builder is likened to one hearing Christ’s words and putting them into practice; the second foundation is built by the foolish builder and is likened to one hearing Christ’s Words but not applying them. The foundation is what a house is built upon but of course Jesus is really talking about our lives here on earth in this illustration.
Both houses faced the very same storm. In fact identical wording is used: "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house". But one stood and the other fell. In studying today I especially noted that phrase “and great was its fall”.
The difference was not the ferocity of the storm but the veracity of the foundation.
Our Lord’s great emphasis in this teaching is that we are to be like the one whom He calls a "wise man" and not like the one He calls the "foolish man". In the next two messages we will examine Scriptural characteristics of those who are wise and those who are foolish.
Although “these words of mine” may apply to all that Jesus said in His ministry, it seems that they would especially apply to His words in this sermon in Matthew 5-7. However, I also believe it applies to the entirety of God’s Word.
Christ speaks of two different types of builders in Matthew 7: one designated as wise and the other foolish. The distinction between these two builders was the foundation upon which they built. Jesus describes one foundation as built on the rock and the other built on the sand. Both were subject to identical storm conditions but only one stood firm; the one that "had its foundation on the rock".
This foundation built by the wise builder is likened to one hearing Christ’s words and putting them into practice; the second foundation is built by the foolish builder and is likened to one hearing Christ’s Words but not applying them. The foundation is what a house is built upon but of course Jesus is really talking about our lives here on earth in this illustration.
Both houses faced the very same storm. In fact identical wording is used: "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house". But one stood and the other fell. In studying today I especially noted that phrase “and great was its fall”.
The difference was not the ferocity of the storm but the veracity of the foundation.
Our Lord’s great emphasis in this teaching is that we are to be like the one whom He calls a "wise man" and not like the one He calls the "foolish man". In the next two messages we will examine Scriptural characteristics of those who are wise and those who are foolish.
The
winds will
surely blow
and beat
against our
spiritual
house (Paul
refers to our
bodies as a
tent). Some of
you may be
enduring
tremendous
winds of
opposition and
trial even as
you read this
message. Let
us determine
that we will
both hear
Christ's words
and apply
them so that
our foundation
is solid, firm
and strong
enough to
withstand the
damaging
storms that
come in every
season of
life. By doing
so, we’ll not
be blown away
but will stand
firm on solid,
unshifting
ground when
the tidal
waves of
opposition
beat against
our spiritual
house. We
build our
lives on the
solid
foundation of
hearing and
doing the
words of our
Lord.
The
lyrics of the
song below
summarize the
life of the
wise person
who does apply
"these words
of mine"
spoken by
Christ:
Christ
is my firm
foundation
The Rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
'Cause He's never let me down
He's faithful through generations
So, why would He fail now?
He won't
He won't
The Rock on which I stand
When everything around me is shaken
I've never been more glad
That I put my faith in Jesus
'Cause He's never let me down
He's faithful through generations
So, why would He fail now?
He won't
He won't
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
Weber
Daily prayer:
Father in
heaven, we ask
You to help us
apply Your
teachings to
our lives so
that our
foundation
will be
unshakable and
storm-proof
when the
howling winds
and surging
rains beat
against us.
The foundation
of this world
is temporal
and growing
more and more
unstable and
untrustworthy,
so we choose
instead to
build our
lives on the
eternal
foundation of
Your
everlasting
Holy Word, as
You teach us
all throughout
Scripture. In
the name of
Jesus we pray.
Amen.Calvary
Church Choir
and Orchestra
selections
from our
service at
Calvary Church
in Lancaster
yesterday
(includes
orchestra
prelude) Watch
on YouTube
Note: there is
occasional
distortion and
the words
don't always
match the
voice but many
of you enjoy
choir music so
we include
this link
today. (Jim
Miller, a
choir member,
edited this
video and
shared it with
us.)
"Firm
Foundation (He
Won't)"
with
lyrics Watch
on YouTube
Cody Carnes
The
second stanza
could be
speaking of
the chaos we
see in the
news daily or
it could be
chaos visiting
your own
household.
I've
still got joy
in chaos
I've got peace that makes no sense
So I won't be going under
I'm not held by my own strength
'Cause I've built my life on Jesus
He's never let me down
He's faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
I've got peace that makes no sense
So I won't be going under
I'm not held by my own strength
'Cause I've built my life on Jesus
He's never let me down
He's faithful in every season
So why would He fail now
He
won't
He won't
He won't
"Build
My Life"
Watch
on YouTube
Pat Barrett
A
simple outline
for today's
passage is:
One message: “These words of mine”
Two kinds of builders (wise and foolish)
Two houses (presumably the same)
Two kinds of foundations (built on rock and built on sand)
One severe storm (described the same)
Two different outcomes (one stood and one fell)
One message: “These words of mine”
Two kinds of builders (wise and foolish)
Two houses (presumably the same)
Two kinds of foundations (built on rock and built on sand)
One severe storm (described the same)
Two different outcomes (one stood and one fell)
Four
Foundations
That Will
Stand!
1) The solid foundation of Biblical authority. "The grass withers, the flower fade. But the word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).
2) The solid foundation of Jesus Christ. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:10,11).
3) The solid foundation of the church. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:19-21).
4) The solid foundation of the apostolic doctrine. "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). "Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints" (Jude 3).
Yesterday
Stephen's
brother Pat
and his wife
came down
from their
home in the
Lehigh Valley
about 100
miles
northeast
to attend
church with us.
They have been
in ministry
together since
the early
70's.
This
morning a
framing crew
began the
framing on our
addition. I
was impressed
by the
neatness of
the work
trailer!
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version and a variety of other versions.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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