Build on the Rock

 Luke 6:48
He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Hard times will come. Christian are not exempt from the rain and floods that make havoc in our lives. Jesus compares our lives to a house that is exposed to the elements of the weather. The rain falls on the just and unjust, and at times the storms bring the floor waters that hit our house with such force that homes that have questionable foundations will fall. The foundation is broken down and starts to crumple, causing the house to fall and be swept away. Homes that are left standing are the ones that have been built on a solid foundation, a foundation that is founded on the Rock. The Rock in none other than Jesus Himself. He is the way, the truth, and the life, no man can come to the Father except through Him. Being grounded and settled in the Rock is not done by accident, it requires a willful obedience to the truth and a willingness to follow His will. Claiming Christ is the start of building this foundation, but it is a building process. If the foundation is sure, and the house we build follows the blueprint of His word, we can be assured that the storms of life will not bring ruin and disaster to our life.

Solid Foundation

Luke 6:48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Our lives are like a house. How it weathers the storm or the span of time will depend on the foundation that it is built on. When a house is built, it is important that the ground beneath it is solid and stable. No matter how elegant the exterior the house may be, if the foundation is not solid, it will fall and crumple when the the floods of water start to assault the house. How do we know our lives are built on something solid? Jesus says, that the person that will do the things that He say is the person that has a solid foundation. Jesus, says, I’m the way, the truth, and the life, through Him we come to the Father. He also says, if you love me, keep my commandments. Giving our lives to Him, having our sinned forgiven, and following His Word will assure us that we our building our lives on a solid foundation.

Noah and the Ark

Gen: 6:9-22

The flood of the earth as describe in scripture has been a point of debate for many years and among many scholars. When, how, and where this event took place, certainly makes for good conversation and discussion. But, it is not are indent here to discuss such issues. It is sufficient to say that God was displeased with the way man was living. He found a man who was righteous and willing to warn others of the judgment to come and to build an ark of safety. God, the creator of earth destroyed the earth with water, sparing Noah and his family from the destruction. Like Noah, we also can find grace in the eyes of God through Christ Jesus who is our “Ark of Safety”

Character of Noah (just and perfect v9)
• Among his contemporaries he lived just
• Our responsibility to live holy and just in this present age
Condition of the World (it was corrupt v11)
• The conduct of the human race was sinful in God’s sight
• The world was filled with violence
• Humanity is filled with hatred and lust for blood
• Such is the entertainment world of our generation
• Everywhere we turn, we find sin as the norm of life- acceptable
Condemning of the World (end of all flesh is come v13)
• The mercy of the Lord has come to an end
• Destroyed with water – deep of the earth and heavens above
• As it was in the day of Noah, so shall it be….
Construction of the Ark (this is the fashion v15)
• 430ftL x 75ftW x 45ftH- gopher wood and pitch
• Windows at the top for ventilation
• Door at the side- 3 stories or 3 tiers
• Ark of Safety- Christ is our rock, fortress, shelter in time storm
Covenant to Noah (I establish my covenant v18)
• God’s promise to Noah that he and is family would be spared
• As long as we stay in the “Ark” we will be protected.
Collecting of Species (two of every sort thou shall bring v19)
• Male and female – procreation
• Keep them alive through the provisions that were gathered
Commandment is followed (thus Noah did v22)
• Obedience is crucial if we are to maintain His grace
• According to God and not man- Follow Christ, not man.