Today I was given permission by my Chaplain to share an approximately ten minute exhortation with the church...
So I read the passage from Luke's gospel account of Jesus' parable about the two men who built their houses (Luke 6:46-49). One built his house on the earth, which turned out to be a weak foundation, while the second man erected his home upon a rock. Then, when a powerful storm arrived and beat upon each house with wind and rain, the one that was built upon soil collapsed, while the house built upon the rock remained standing and undamaged.
I went on to explain to the men that his rock is a person. It is Jesus Christ. He is the Rock of our salvation. And the Christian is to rest his faith and hope upon Him, I said.
Next, I told the church that each of us is a spiritual house. As "born again" children of God, we become the temple and dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. And I went on to say that storms will come against us. Our faith will be tested. There will be discouragement, opposition and hindrances from many sources. However, I added, those who have their faith established in Christ, who know Him as Lord, and love Him with all their heart, will withstand the storms of life. And those who know the Word of God and are rooted and grounded in it will be victorious. For these are the houses which are built upon the Rock, and this spiritual Rock is Christ himself.
As I scanned the faces of the congregation, they appeared to listen with interest. I was thankful for this.
D.B.
I went on to explain to the men that his rock is a person. It is Jesus Christ. He is the Rock of our salvation. And the Christian is to rest his faith and hope upon Him, I said.
Next, I told the church that each of us is a spiritual house. As "born again" children of God, we become the temple and dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. And I went on to say that storms will come against us. Our faith will be tested. There will be discouragement, opposition and hindrances from many sources. However, I added, those who have their faith established in Christ, who know Him as Lord, and love Him with all their heart, will withstand the storms of life. And those who know the Word of God and are rooted and grounded in it will be victorious. For these are the houses which are built upon the Rock, and this spiritual Rock is Christ himself.
As I scanned the faces of the congregation, they appeared to listen with interest. I was thankful for this.
D.B.
