Parable of the Wise Man's Foundation

bcbsr

Newbie
Mar 17, 2003
4,085
2,318
Visit site
✟193,956.00
Faith
Christian
The Parable of
A Wise Man's Foundation

Matt 7:24-27; Lk 6:47-49

Luke 6:47-49 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." (web)
Discussion Questions
How do you measure the depth of a person's convictions concerning any particular thing?
What is the foundation? The rock? (1Cor 3:11; 1Cor 10:4)
What is the digging process, and how can you lay your foundation deeper?
Why are some houses built without solid foundations?
What excuses do people give for their shallow faith?
Comments
This parable speaks of Application Oriented Faith. The quality of faith that saves is one which is deeply rooted on the level of a conviction. It is not a trivial, experimental faith. The true believer has dug deep into himself and into the scriptures, becoming firmly convinced of the truth. It is inevitable that such convictions will reveal themselves through their applications. There are those who listen simply to gain information. But the believer listens to gain applications. In an age of easy-believism, this concept is often suppressed in the Christian community.

Application oriented faith causes one to stand firm under trials. But a nominal faith on the foundational truths ends in destruction and the wrath of God. Their destruction is complete. They have no part in salvation. There are those who are simply playing church. Yes they build a house, and it may even look like a truth believer's house, until it is subject to trials. Then its foundation is revealed. They are like those described in another parable:

"Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away." Luke 8:13I've noticed also that the more spiritually mature tend to focus back on the foundation truths. Whereas those who merely consider themselves the spiritually elite, but are actually immature, become obscessed over trivial and even unbiblical matters and go beyond what is written. (1Cor 4:6)
tcwd_m10.gif
Rap
tcwd_m10.gif

Let me tell you of one who does what I say
He digs down deep, a foundation to lay
Upon the rock his house will stand
Amidst the torrent and Satan's hand.
But the one who doesn't do what I say
Will not be prepared for that day.
If you build your house on the sand
It will be washed from the land
All your works will be destroyed
And God's wrath you can't avoid.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
 
  • Like
Reactions: Halbhh

nolidad

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jan 2, 2006
6,762
1,269
69
onj this planet
✟221,310.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Discussion Questions
How do you measure the depth of a person's convictions concerning any particular thing?
What is the foundation? The rock? (1Cor 3:11; 1Cor 10:4)
What is the digging process, and how can you lay your foundation deeper?
Why are some houses built without solid foundations?
What excuses do people give for their shallow faith?

1. We can't- only God can!
2. It is not what- but whom! Jesus! any other foundation is not salvation.
3. We do not dig it deeper. The foundation is laid by Christ and His Word- we only build on it!
4. They are not built on the rock! IOW they have religion but not Jesus!
5. At the moment of salvation we are all given the measure of faith to be allotted to us! We either choose to live in it or not!
 
Upvote 0

Halbhh

Everything You say is Life to me
Supporter
Mar 17, 2015
17,173
9,191
catholic -- embracing all Christians
✟1,152,595.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
What is the foundation? The rock?
The "rock" is what Christ says the "rock" is right here in the passage -- hearing and doing His words. The hearing and doing is "rock", He tells us clearly here (also in Matthew 7). The foundation that results in strength to endure (keep faith) when the storms of life come, as they inevitably will in life.

This can be said in a variety of ways, such as "remain on the Vine" (John chapter 15) or "walk in the Spirit, not the flesh" (Romans chapter 8). It's to both hear, and do, as Christ said. By the power of the spirit in us, we can, if we walk in the Spirit, instead of following the urges of the flesh (towards revenge, greed, lusts, and all the rest). When the temptation comes, look to Christ. And very good aid: pray the prayer He gave us to pray each day, in Matthew chapter 6.

The crucial, deeply needed message is though that by doing as He said to us to do, we build on a secure foundation, and become safe against the normal storms life will bring.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: nolidad
Upvote 0

nolidad

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jan 2, 2006
6,762
1,269
69
onj this planet
✟221,310.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
The "rock" is what Christ says the "rock" is right here in the passage -- hearing and doing His words. The hearing and doing is "rock", He tells us clearly here (also in Matthew 7). The foundation that results in strength to endure (keep faith) when the storms of life come, as they inevitably will in life.

This can be said in a variety of ways, such as "remain on the Vine" (John chapter 15) or "walk in the Spirit, not the flesh" (Romans chapter 8). It's to both hear, and do, as Christ said. By the power of the spirit in us, we can, if we walk in the Spirit, instead of following the urges of the flesh (towards revenge, greed, lusts, and all the rest). When the temptation comes, look to Christ. And very good aid: pray the prayer He gave us to pray each day, in Matthew chapter 6.

The crucial, deeply needed message is though that by doing as He said to us to do, we build on a secure foundation, and become safe against the normal storms life will bring.


Sorry but the Rock and foundation are faith in Jesus! People can do all the good works they want- but if their faith is not on Christ it is all wood hay and stubble!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Halbhh
Upvote 0

Halbhh

Everything You say is Life to me
Supporter
Mar 17, 2015
17,173
9,191
catholic -- embracing all Christians
✟1,152,595.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Sorry but the Rock and foundation are faith in Jesus! People can do all the good works they want- but if their faith is not on Christ it is all wood hay and stubble!
You kinda just paraphrased some of John chapter 15. Nice! Faith that is actual, alive, results in doing as He said.

Why 'sorry'? I say Hallelujah!

Did you read John chapter 15 in the last year or 2? It's so much better than people remember, is my feeling.
 
Upvote 0

nolidad

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Jan 2, 2006
6,762
1,269
69
onj this planet
✟221,310.00
Country
United States
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
You kinda just paraphrased some of John chapter 15. Nice! Faith that is actual, alive, results in doing as He said.

Why 'sorry'? I say Hallelujah!

Did you read John chapter 15 in the last year or 2? It's so much better than people remember, is my feeling.

Well The Rock is still Jesus and our faith is out trust in HIm. That is all that is needed for saqlvation. Once we are svaed- the good works follow form that!

And what do you think verse 2 means???
 
Upvote 0

Halbhh

Everything You say is Life to me
Supporter
Mar 17, 2015
17,173
9,191
catholic -- embracing all Christians
✟1,152,595.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Well The Rock is still Jesus and our faith is out trust in HIm. That is all that is needed for saqlvation. Once we are svaed- the good works follow form that!

And what do you think verse 2 means???
John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

This is so clear, that no paraphrase I do could help clarify I think. It hardly allows even mistaken interpretations in my view. But one should absolutely read all 17 verses of this passage. I'm assuming you have or will.
 
Upvote 0