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Are you standing on the Rock or Sinking Sand?
When I read these verses, several songs from my very Baptist background pop into my head. ”The Solid Rock”, “The Church’s One Foundation” and a song recorded by Sandi Patti titled “Upon This Rock”, just to name a few.
Here are the words for the 1st verse and the chorus of “Upon This Rock”
When others see with earthly eyes just what they want to see
You will see the things that never die
You will know and recognize by simple child like faith
The priceless truth that others will denyUpon this rock I’ll build My Kingdom
And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand
And all the powers of Hell itself
Shall never more prevail against it
For Satan’s thrones are built on sinking sand
Upon this rock I’ll build my kingdom
And on this rock forever & ever it shall stand
Upon this rock of revelation I’ll build a strong and mighty nation
And it shall stand the storms of time
Upon this rock
As I reflected on the verses, I began to think about the church. I have come to realize that the “church” is not the building of bricks and mortar. Nor the programs that are offered. The church is a community that demonstrates a relationship with Christ. It is a community of people whose foundation is Christ. The foundation is strong and true . When we build a community, inside and outside the building of bricks and mortar, that is based on Christ and reflect His love, the gates of hell can’t prevail. The resurrection is a confirmation of this truth.
We live in a world that is full of things that can cause us to stand on “sinking sand”. However, when we build our foundation on Christ, the solid rock and involve our lives in things that will impact the kingdom, we will not sink. Our Rock is strong and will carry us through any circumstance that we might face.
So, are you standing on sinking sand or the Rock? I pray that I will always look to Christ to be my foundation.
We can never claim Jesus as Lord, son of the Living God without Him revealing it to us. That is a major tenet of our faith. A person may say, “Oh, yeah, Jesus is a son of god” but it’s the revelation of the Holy Spirit that allows us with conviction from within our spirit to say, “Jesus is THE Son of God! Jesus IS alive!”
You mention the church. Yes, it is not an idea that I am free to accept or reject, as a Believer. Jesus founded his Church on the very confession that I make along with Peter. A lot of Christians believe that being part of an active church family is optional – we see that idea incarnate on Christmas and Easter. But a “church” is a very specific, living thing at a specific location and time. Many don’t see what Christ sees in it, and they don’t want to put up with the irritations of church relationships. We do not all have the same Spiritual gift. God intends that we grow by our relationships with each other, sharpening and developing those gifts. “My little children, love each other,” is literal and specific. Christ died for the Church universal and the church local.
Julie, I am standing on the ROCK. Thanks for the discription of what a church is all about ” a community that demonstrates a relationship with Christ” I enjoy sitting with you and Stephen and worshiping together. I love our small group and other friends at CCC. We haven’t quite mastered the relationship with Christ but that is why we are still here and still together. I want to demonstrate Christ more each day. I want to insprire others to show Christ each day in all they do and in all they say. That is the church. ” a community that demonstrates a relationship with Christ”.
My friend, Julie,
What great insight to this verse! And, I grew up Presbyterian and can still hear Sandi Patti hitting the high note at the end of that song!!! My sister had the cassette and played it often back then.
I do appreciate your heart and agree with you whole-heartedly that the church is a body of believers modeling relationship rather than religion. Relationship with the Living Christ. I love being a part of CCC where we are striving to show Smyrna and others this truth.
I remember Mary Beth Chapman said after loosing her daughter, “Sometimes I wake up flat of my face, but the foundation benath me is solid.” I hope I can always think like this even through trials.
Thanks Julie
I pray for all of us that we stand on solid rock. I think of some of the events of this past weekend. This is the time to keep our feet on solid ground and help our friends have a solid footing on JESUS.We are hear at this time to remind all that Jesus is the rock and in control of all.