LISTENING TO THE HEART OF THE MASTER: Part 13

"Foundations"
August 26, 2007

Introduction
MONTY PYTHON: We built the castle on our land and it sank into the swamp. We built a second one. That one burned and then sand into the swamp. But the third one. That one stayed.

We've all built sandcastles. Maybe even seen elaborate pics of sculptures. How do you build one? You need sand and water. Their are techniques, time and patience required, but in the end they are always washed out by the tide.

Building on a Solid Foundation~Matthew 7:24-29
—“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
— When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

THERE ARE SOME OBSERVATIONS WE MUST MAKE ABOUT THIS TEXT.
1. Listening or hearing Jesus words are NOT enough.
2. The opposite of wisdom is NOT stupidity, but foolishness that causes the collapse.
3. Jesus' teaching has unparralleled authority that demands our attention.
4. The rain and winds are coming, so we'd better be prepared.

How have you prepared? If you've heard and done nothing, you're in a sandcastle.
SANDCASTLES…
—Are temporary.
—Are weak.
—Have not foundation.

So, what is a house built on a solid rock?
HEALTHY CHURCHES..
—Last and last.
—Produce fruit.
—Are built on obedience to Jesus Christ.

The OC's Foundations
—Sharing the love of Jesus at the coffee shops, in living rooms & with families.
—Organic
—Relationship DOING
—Community
—Holy Spirit
—Answers
—Relationship BUILDING
—Developers

OUR VALUES ARE OUR BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A BEDROCK FOUNDATION

We need to recapture our core value system as we enter into this fall.

We need you all to get on board...
1. in a small group
2. serving the community
3. supporting the church financially