BUILD ON THE ROCK

LUKE 6:46-49 NKJ 

46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." 

OBSERVATION:

Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap. All hat and no cattle.   

All of the above are axioms that relate to the idea that our actions are the most revealing.   

Now I am a big one for the power of our words. So, truth be told, we need both in operation. Our words need to agree with God's word, and our actions are to be congruent with our words.   

But in this passage, Jesus is placing an emphasis on putting His word into practice in our lives. We are not to simply call Him Lord; we are to show by our actions that He is.   

Building on the rock is coming to Him, hearing His words, and doing them. Jesus said if we will do this, we are like a man who built a house on a solid foundation. The beauty of building on a rock is the ability to withstand the storms and floods of life.   

Hearing without doing is like building a house on the earth with no foundation. It is much easier to build this way, but the house will not bear up under the storms of life.   

Jesus was very clear in His example. Hearing and doing is what builds a strong life.   

APPLICATION: 

This may help us understand how a person can attend church for years and then have a life that falls apart. It's not simply attending church that will build a strong life. It's putting into practice the things we are learning.   

This will also explain how preachers can fall into trouble. Being able to teach or preach does not equate with a sturdy foundation. Even us preachers have to practice what we preach. And there is another axiom for you.   

So, what can you put into practice this week? Maybe it's giving thanks and praise. Maybe it's giving your worries to the Lord. Or walking in love towards people in your life.   

You can do it. And as you do, you are building on the rock. You are becoming stronger. So when the winds of life blow, you will still be standing.   

PRAYER: 

Dear Lord, show me what I can do to build my life on Your words. I desire to build a strong life that stands in the times of trouble.