Two foundations

            Of all the parables of Jesus it is difficult to pick one as a favorite, or as most important. They all relate in one way or another to one or more other parables. And there is not one of all the parables of Jesus that should be left out of modern day Gospel preaching. However, one that stands out when churches are observed, especially in America, is the parable of the Two Foundations. This is found in Matthew 7:21-29¹. In this parable Jesus talks about two different kinds of people. In the parable itself He describes them as a builder who builds on sand and a builder who builds upon a rock. The builder who builds on the sand will be greatly distressed when the storm comes and his house collapses. He will see that all his hard work was for nothing. On the other hand the builder who builds on the rock sees that he has built on a firm foundation. When the great storm comes he will be secure knowing that because of the good foundation his house will weather the storm well. Of course in this parable Jesus is referring to Himself as the rock. He is the solid foundation that the Christian life is built upon. And in these troubling days that are getting increasingly worse in the “free world” there will come a time when many will deny the faith in order to maintain their temporal standard of living. This is evidenced by the way they live as Christians. Anyone can consider themselves Christian. And there are many who even go to church on a somewhat regular basis. But when their lives are examined there is nothing to be seen that would indicate that they are truly Christian. It is reminiscent of the parable of the tree and its fruit. (Actually these two parables are directly connected. Many try to start the parable of the Two Foundations at verse 24. But verse 24 starts with “Therefore²” and so is a connection to the preceding section which ends the Parable of the trees and their fruit). Saying one is Christian and actually being Christian are two entirely different things. There are many so-called Christians in America today who will scoff at this kind of teaching. They prove the point. What should strike at least a bit of concern in the hearts of many is that Jesus clearly stated the difference and the consequences of that difference in the opening of the parable! He stated that, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter³”. One should be able to see that it isn’t enough to “believe” in Jesus” as the word believe is defined today. And it is not enough to say “I’m a Christian”. Being a Christian means being built on the solid foundation which is Jesus. Being a Christian means doing the will of the Father. What this directly implies is that being a Christian involves obedience. Could this be why America is considered to be the third largest mission field in the world today⁴? As a Pastor, Church Planter and Evangelist this concerns me.

1.      New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 7:21–29.

2.      New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 7:24.

3.      New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 7:21.

4.      “Prayer targets world's 3rd largest mission field – America”, WorldNetDaily, July 27, 2008, accessed April 28, 2016. http://www.wnd.com/2008/07/70601/