I’m sure we all remember the children’s song “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock”. This timeless song draws its lyrics from Matthew 7:24-25, which reads “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock”. While the principle that is taught in that song and scripture might seem simple on the surface, there is much to be learned from it.
2. Explain the importance of “doeth”:
This scripture teaches us that simply hearing the sayings of Jesus isn’t enough; we must put them into practice if we are to build a foundation upon a rock. Listening and doing are both important in learning and understanding the Gospel, but it is only by putting the teachings into practice that we can truly benefit from them. We must remember that if we want to build a house that will stand up to the storms of life, then listening and doing are both necessary steps.
Imagine if that wise man had only listened to the advice that he build his house upon a rock but did not take any action; his house would not have stood up to the storms and the song that so many of us know would be very different.
3. Teach how to put the teachings into practice:
So what does it mean to put the words of Jesus into practice? It means taking those words and applying them in our everyday lives, not just when it is convenient or comfortable for us. A wise man doesn’t listen to the sayings of Jesus but ignore them when they become difficult.
It also means taking time to study and reflect upon the words of Jesus. We should strive to understand how his teachings apply to our lives and how we can live in accordance with His words. When we do this, we can truly build a house on a rock—one that will stand up against any storm that comes its way.
Provide examples of ways we can put Jesus’ teachings into action:
So how can we put Jesus’ teachings into action? One way is to spend time in prayer and meditation, truly listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit. When we not only pray to God, but also make an effort to listen for His response, then we can receive guidance on how to best live out our lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus. For many things that we are faced with the answers will be similar but we have been asked to live in a Higher and Holier way which means that we need to be in tune with the will of our Heavenly Father to know specifically the things that He wants us to do.
We can also take time each day to read from the scriptures and study them carefully, looking for ways that the words apply to our lives. As we study the scriptures and liken them unto ourselves the way that Nephi did while in the wilderness, then we can begin to see ways that will help us to be more like Jesus and live in a way that is pleasing unto our Heavenly Father. A personal connection to the word of God will help us to build our foundation on a rock and make it a strong one.
We can change any negative habits we have and replace them with positive ones that help us to be more Christlike. As we improve our lives and cultivate Christlike Attributes, we can become more like Jesus and build a firm foundation upon which to stand.
Finally, we can serve others with love and kindness. When we look for ways to show our love of God through service to His children, then we are taking action on the words of Jesus and building a rock-solid foundation for our lives.
5. Highlight the importance of building a strong foundation for our lives on the Rock of Jesus Christ
Building a strong foundation on the Rock of Jesus Christ is essential in our lives. When we listen to and act upon His teachings, then we can find true joy and lasting peace. We can be secure in the knowledge that no matter what comes our way, God will be with us if we stay true to Him.
Consider the words of Helaman 5:12, “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind…they shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”
If we build on this foundation and stay true to the teachings of Jesus, then we can stand firm against anything that comes our way. We can have faith in His promises and rely on Him for strength. Building a strong foundation on the Rock of Jesus Christ is essential if we are to succeed in this life and inherit eternal glory.
6. Conclude with an encouragement to take action and build upon the firm foundation that Jesus provides us with his teachings
As we strive to build our lives upon the Rock of Jesus Christ, let us take heart in knowing that He has given us everything needed to be successful. By listening and acting upon His teachings, we can have a sure foundation built on faith that will stand firm against any storm or difficulty we face. Let us not be content with only listening, but also take action and build upon the firm foundation that Jesus provides us with His teachings. We can have faith in Him and He will guide us through any challenge. Together, let us build our lives on the Rock of Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Take time each day to read and study the scriptures carefully, looking for ways that they apply to our lives.
- Replace negative habits with positive ones that help us become more Christlike.
- Cultivate Christlike attributes in order to be more like Jesus.
- Show our love of God by serving His children with love and kindness.
- Build a strong foundation on the Rock of Jesus Christ by listening and acting upon his teachings so we can stand firm against any difficulty or storm we face.
- Have faith in Him and He will guide us through any challenge together on the Rock of Jesus Christ
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