A Firm Foundation
July 28, 2013 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: Our lives must be built on a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.
Focus Passage: Matthew 7:24-29
Introduction: Groundbreaking on a new bell tower in the Italian city of Pisa began in 1174. Construction soon followed with the ground floor of the soon-to-be 8 storey tower. But, as the Italian workers discovered by the addition of just the second storey, the ground on one side of the tower wasn’t strong enough to support the enormous weight of the local marble. Yet, construction continued. By the time restoration and rescue efforts began in the late 1900’s, the tower was out of plumb by 5.5 degrees, meaning the top was 18 feet out of kilter. The Italian government wanted to keep the tower from falling, but they also wanted to keep it leaning for the sake of tourism. At one point, 800 tons of lead we placed on the upward base of the tower, which slowed the tilt, but didn’t stop it. The tower is now 3.9 degrees out of plumb (or just under 13’) and the tilt has stopped . Despite having a 10’ deep foundation of marble, the tower was built on unstable, inadequate soil that simply could not support its weight.
I. A Faithful Foundation
a. for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b ESV)
b. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. (Revelation 19:11 NASB)
c. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NASB)
II. A Strong Foundation
a. The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10 NASB)
b. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 NASB)
c. Who is this who comes from Edom, With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah, This One who is majestic in His apparel, Marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save." (Isaiah 63:1 NASB)
III. An Eternal Foundation
a. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NASB)
b. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 22:13 NASB)
c. Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. (Psalms 90:2 NASB)
Invitation: Is your life stable? Have you been building on unstable ground, going to great lengths to stabilize things to keep them from collapsing? When the storms of live come upon you, are you certain that you will remain? If you have been building on anything other than Jesus Christ, the outcome is certainly not good. If, however, you build your life on Jesus Christ, you have a firm foundation for all eternity!
[You can download the audio of this sermon at http://sermon.net/rboyne/sermonid/1200071577]
