Build on a Solid Rock

By Joyce Webb 2023

Jesus said,

“So, why do you call me “Lord“, when you won’t obey me?”
Luke 6:46 New Living Bible

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise. He is like a person who builds a house on a solid rock.

Though the rain may come in torrents (hard rain) and the flood waters rise—and the winds beat against the house, it will not collapse (fall),—because it is built on rock.

But anyone who hears my teaching, and ignores it—-is foolish.
He is like a person who builds on sand.

When the rains and floods come and the wind beats against the house—it will fall. Matthew 7: 24-27 New Living Bible

In another verse—Jesus said—”Not all people who sound religious are really godly.

They may refer to me as “Lord”, but they still will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The thing that decides—is —whether they obey my Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 New Living Bible

Saying that Jesus is Lord —-is not the deciding thing.

The deciding thing is—if the person is obeying what Jesus said to do.

It is not what you say you believe—-it is what you obey.

If you really believe it—you will do it.

How many of us know and believe that sugar and junk food is bad for our health? How many of us eat it anyway?

Do we truly believe it?

Don’t we think that somehow we can eat it and it will not hurt us that much?

People who are into sports and want to be winners—-believe it truly— because they will not eat it

People who get sick with heart problems, cancer, etc.—come to a place where they believe it— and change what they eat.

Obeying what Jesus teaches us to do —-shows whether Jesus is really “Lord” or not.

A Lord—in old times—was like a small king. He was in charge.

He told servants what to do. He told family members what to do.

He had power over them to make bad things happen to them if they did not do it.

He could send a servant away. In some cases, he may be able to put that servant to death.

The word “Lord”—means power, authority, the one in charge.

Is Jesus the “Lord” in your life?

He may be your savior. He may have forgiven your sins.
But have you made him “Lord” of your life?

He is Lord—whether you have allowed him to be Lord of your life or not.
Some day you will stand before him and he will judge you.
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In these verses in Matthew—Jesus is saying that obey Him is wise.

Obeying Jesus makes your life strong—-like a house built on rock.
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This is true for several reasons.

Obeying Jesus—makes your spirit stronger. The more you obey—the easier it is to obey more.

The stronger you grow in spirit.
The easier it is to hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

The stronger you are in the Holy Spirit—-the easier it is to resist sin and temptation.

The stronger you are in the Holy Spirit—the more the Lord can use you to help others and show the glory of God.

When bad things happen—-your spirit and faith is strong—you do not give up faith in Jesus.

You have learned that you can trust in Jesus to give you the things you need. (Maybe not the things you want.) But the things you need.

You have learned that Jesus can work out your problems. Jesus can send people to help you.

You have learned that the Holy Spirit can encourage you and keep you in faith.

You are like a house on a rock.
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Things are changing in the United States these days.

Older people see these changes and realize that the United States is not the same as when they grew up.

Older people are concerned about the changes that are happening—thinking these changes—will bring the United States down. It will be weaker, poorer. We will have less freedoms. Life will become harder.

As more changes happen—it will be important to be a strong person.

It will be important to know how to trust God for the things you need.

People and the government may not be friendly to Christians.

There are countries in the world today— that do not allow Christians to live. Or they make rules that make it hard for Christians to live.

That could happen here.

Will you be a strong Christian to live in times like that?

Sometimes Christians are not allowed to work in some jobs. Often, Christians are not allowed to meet together in churches. Bibles are not allowed. If you are caught with a Bible —even on your phone or computer—you could go to jail—or worse.

That could happen here.

If you had no Bible—would you still be a strong Christian?

If you could only get a low paying job and had a hard time getting enough food—-would you still be a strong Christian?

Jesus said, Obey me. Be like a house on a rock.

The winds will blow. The rains will be hard. The water will flood.
But the house will stand.

We do not know what the future will be for our country.

It is wise—to think about these things before they happen.

Will we be strong when hard times come? Will we stay true to Jesus?

They will promise to give things you need —-if you give up being a Christian. They will promise to protect your family and children —if you give up being a Christian.

What will you do?

Jesus said, “ To him that overcometh—-will I grant (give) to sit with me in my throne.” Rev. 3:21

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14

Obey. Be strong. Keep the faith. Stay with Jesus.
Be like a house built on a rock.

It will be worth it all—-some day in heaven.