Build on the Rock
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You that You change me from the inside as I turn to You in faith.
Read LUKE 6:43-49
[43] “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. [45] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. [46] “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. [48] They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. [49] But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does the passage describe as building on the rock?Jesus’ “sermon on the plain” (6:17) ends with a final challenge and a well-known parable. The challenge is to live a life shaped by the kingdom (43-45), and the parable shows how we discover the foundations upon which that life can be built (46-49).Jesus is clear that the life of the disciple should reflect the life of the kingdom in the fruit it bears–good fruit trees do not bear bad fruit. This new life is not made possible through external factors, but through what is in our heart, and which flows out to touch and transform the world around us. In many ways it is easy to “follow Jesus” when we are with like-minded people, when the atmosphere is conducive to this way of living. The real challenge is to live the life of the kingdom through the “storms” of life–when we’re under pressure, or when those around us don’t share our values. There is no value in calling Jesus “Lord” unless his Lordship changes the way we think and live. As with the wise builder, our foundations for the whole of our discipleship need to be deep within the heart and mind of Jesus.
Apply
Journal about the fruit of your life and what it reveals. Be specific.
Closing prayer
Jesus, You are my sure foundation. Let me build, not in talk, but in truth, on the only Rock.
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