Christian Living

Foundation of The Word of God

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
11/16/20
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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

The theme this week here at Lego land has been building a foundation. When I was a kid, we did not have Legos,’ but I did have a set of Lincoln Logs that I played with. One day in the backyard, I spent a whole afternoon building a mansion out of my Lincoln Log set. I built it in the sandbox, which I think was the neighborhood cat box. I constantly had to sift the sand before I could play in it. It was a fine-looking house with a cardboard roof that looked like brick shingles. I sat and admired my effort before going in to eat supper with the rest of the family.

That night we had a strong rainstorm, and you can guess the sand washed away, and my sturdy house fell to pieces. I was saddened, and the next day my father brought home a slate rock slab about two-foot square and said, “Build on this, and you will have a good foundation.” It didn’t rain that night, but the house stood until my mother made me put the Lincoln Logs away in the toy chest. But if it had rained, I’ll bet it would have stood.

That Sunday afternoon, my father took that lesson to a bible reading, and he read the Scripture we just read. He said that if I wanted to build a strong life that I should build it on the rock of God’s Word. I agreed with him, but I admit it took me a while to get around to it.

Then came high school, and I wouldn’t say I liked it much but knew that I had to get through it. It was all a struggle for me to keep up. I took a class in sociology, and that messed up my thinking. The more I studied, the more I realized that my father has been teaching a philosophical approach to life. Sociology began with a man, and it ended with a man, and we all know where man ends. So when I got out of high school, I began to weigh the two approaches together. The question was, what made one true and the other theory?

Passing down a few more years, I had an army buddy point this scripture out to me, 2 Peter 1:19-21. “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

The Apostle Peter, when he wrote this passage, was remembering his experience with James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. There he saw Jesus in a glorified body, and I am sure this was a Divine moment in his faith. Think about that while you wait for sleep to come tonight. Seeing Jesus, Elijah, and Moses in their glorified bodies. Do you think that vision would remain with you for all your days? I think, yes.

It was more than a vision. It was a confirmation that all Peter had heard in his time with Jesus was completely true. There before his eyes, Jesus appeared as the deity that He was. With Him were the Prophets Elijah and Moses. It was all real. It was not a dream. It was the truth. The life that Peter spent with Jesus confirmed what the prophets had said because Peter had met them as well as Jesus Himself.

I can only imagine that Peter, James, and John spoke to the prophets, and they told them that the words they had written did not come from their imaginations but the Spirit of God. A greater testimony to the truth of God’s Word cannot be found than hearing from the one who wrote it—leading Peter to write that it is the Holy Spirit who instructed them what to write. Paul confirmed this to the Thessalonian Church. “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

The Apostle Paul, who knew the Scriptures by heart, gave his testimony to the Church in Rome that God’s Word has been manifested and is sure. Manifested means confirmed, which means that it is true. As he wrote this, “But now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 16:26-27)

So what do I think about humanist sociology that is being taught in schools today? I think it is an interesting theory, much like Darwinism. I also think that anyone who hears the Word of God, understands it, and then ignores it is a foolish person.

If you want to build a sure life, a life that has strength and power to withstand the storms of this world, then you need to get into the Word of God and build your life on the rock of salvation. There is no other way that will leave you standing throughout eternity. As we all know, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, July 18, 2018