Building on a Solid Foundation- Luke: 46 - 49

:: On the flood plain in my home town are homes that have stood for over a century and more. They have been wracked with flood waters numerous times. They have been cleaned, refurbished, repainted. And they still stand. There are other places where houses used to be. More poorly built, perhaps. Built on a more fragile bend in the river where water raged more powerfully. Empty lots where homes used to stand. Will my house remain standing? Have I built solidly behind the protective dike of God's love in Jesus?

46 So why do you call me ‘Lord,’ when you won’t obey me? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. 48 It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who listens and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins.

I just noticed that this teaching begins with Jesus' question- Why do you call me ‘Lord,’ when you won’t obey me? I would guess that this is one of the requirements of being a "disciple"- to obey the One we call our Lord.

A Good Question

LT posts the following question:

I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind the idea that church should be open to everyone. Everyone needs a place to belong. However if you flood that place of belonging with people who really don't want to follow Christ don't you dilute the community to the point where belonging becomes meaningless?

As usual with his posts, LT has raised more questions than I have answers. Which is good!

Perhaps the question is really- "Should there be such a thing as church 'membership?' " Or "How can we find ways and means to lead people to deeper relationships with Jesus in order for them to become committed to obeying? Or "Isn't this what the dichotomy with 'seeker-sensitive' worship tried to solve?" Lots to struggle with here as LT and his house church will continue to struggle with these questions. I look forward to hearing their discussions and directions.

Not in the Rain

Somehow or other I have the built-in understanding that baseball is not to be played in the rain. Unlike tonight's ball game. At least it was in Miami where the temperature was in the "steamy" 70s.