Solomon Eldho
Nov 18, 2023
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Praise the Lord, everyone!
I'm excited to be here with you today to talk about something that is crucial for every young person's life: building a strong foundation. Just like a building needs a solid foundation to stand tall and withstand the storms, our lives need a firm foundation to navigate the challenges we face.
Let's start by reading Matthew 7:24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
This passage illustrates the importance of building our lives on the unshakable foundation of God's Word.
Point 1: The Importance of a Strong Foundation
Our lives have many challenges and uncertain times. It's not a question of if challenges will happen, but when they will. If we don't have a strong foundation, these challenges can easily push us around and make us fall. The world tries to distract us with many things, tempting us with things that are only enjoyable for a short time. This can lead us away from the path that God wants us to follow.
Think about a ship going through rough waters. If the ship doesn't have a strong bottom part called a keel, it can be thrown around by the waves without any direction. In the same way, if we don't have a solid foundation, life can carry us away, and we might not know where we're going or what we're supposed to do.
The world has lots of attractive things that make us want them. People sometimes say we should focus our lives on being successful, getting more and more things, and doing things just to make ourselves happy. Nowadays, when we ask people about success, they often think it means having a lot of fancy stuff. Society puts these ideas in our hearts, and we forget what success really means. The Bible warns us about this. It says if we build our lives on these things, it's like building on wobbly sand. Matthew 6:19-21, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Fun fact, when I was preparing this youth message, I looked up Bible verses that support what I wanted to say and this was the first bible verse that popped up. I read the bible verse several times and I asked the same question to myself, whether I was storing my treasure on earth or in heaven, and guess what till now I was storing my treasure on earth and not in heaven.I was too focused on being stressed and worried about my job and school. I never thought about this stuff before.
So, here's a question for all of you listening: are we storing our treasure on earth or up in heaven. If it's here on Earth, just remember, everything we're building is like a tall building on a shaky foundation. No matter how tall it is, when tough times come, it's going to fall down.
In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success defined by society—success measured by wealth, possessions, and personal pleasure. As I reflect on my own journey, I realized that I, too, had unknowingly bought into this cultural narrative. The pressures of career, education, and the desire for more had shifted my focus away from what truly matters.
The Bible's cautionary words in Matthew 6:19-21 hit home. It's a reminder that storing up treasures on Earth, where they can be destroyed or stolen, is like building on shaky ground. The imagery is powerful, illustrating the vulnerability of a life built on fleeting achievements and material gain.
It's not just about the things we accumulate but where we invest our hearts and priorities. If our treasure is solely on Earth, we may find ourselves standing on an unstable foundation when the storms of life hit. This truth became evident to me as I questioned where I had been placing my treasures and discovered that my focus needed a shift.
It's encouraging to know that we can recalibrate our focus, redirect our priorities, and, like the wise builder in Jesus' parable, establish our lives on the rock. By doing so, we lay the groundwork for resilience, and a life aligned with God's eternal purposes.
Point 2: The Blueprint of God's Word
God's Word serves as the ultimate blueprint for our lives, offering guidance, principles, and truths that bring wisdom and direction in every circumstance. Let's dive into a few key passages that can shape the blueprint for building our lives:
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
This passage encourages us to place our trust wholly in God, acknowledging His wisdom over our limited understanding. By surrendering our ways to Him, we pave the way for a straight and purposeful journey in life.
Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Imagine God's Word as a guiding light, illuminating our path in the darkness of life's uncertainties. This verse emphasizes the importance of relying on Scripture to navigate through challenges, ensuring we stay on the right track.
Joshua 1:8: "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Joshua 1:8 presents a powerful invitation to immerse ourselves in God's Word consistently. By meditating on it day and night, we not only gain a deep understanding of its teachings but also position ourselves for prosperity and success in accordance with God's plan.
As we continue this journey together, let's challenge ourselves to ask the hard questions: Where are we storing our treasures, and what foundation are we building our lives upon?
The answer to these questions can profoundly impact our perspectives, choices, and ultimately, the trajectory of our lives. May we find the courage to build on the rock, trusting in the enduring promises of God's Word, even in the face of life's uncertainties.