FOUNDATIONS

Series: Home Improvement | Pastor Daniel Norris

You will never build a strong house on a weak foundation.

Most shortcuts come with a costly bill in the long run.

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)

Three foundational truths to build something that endures.

FOUNDATIONS ARE NOT FORMED OVERNIGHT.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” Psalm 127:1 (ESV)

What foundation are you building on?

It is not just how we build, but what we build on, that determines its strength.

Three pillars that are already cemented long before you ever start dating.
– Faith | Doctrinal differences can create deep division.
– Finances | Their view of money matters.
– Family | When you marry someone, you do not just marry a spouse. You marry into a family.

Shortcuts are never rewarded with stability.

STORMS ARE INEVITABLE, BUT COLLAPSE IS OPTIONAL

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. Matthew 7:25-27

Storms do not cause failure. They reveal where weakness already exists.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. James 1:2

(Three Things That Help Survive The Storms)
– A strong, shared faith.
– Open, honest communication.
– A rock-solid commitment.

Storms are inevitable, failure is optional.

REINFORCING FOUNDATIONS IS COSTLY, BUT DELAYING THE WORK WILL COST YOU MORE.

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them… is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Obedience to the Word is what drives our foundation down onto the rock.

How do we reinforce what we have already built?
– Clarify your core beliefs.
– Reestablish shared rhythms.
– Anchor yourself under authority.

Foundations are not reinforced by intention. They are reinforced by alignment and obedience.