FIRM FOUNDATION
Song by Cody Carnes
Released December 2021
Written during a “shaky season” - (covid, political unrest, riots, etc.)
Based on what Jesus teaches us in: Matthew 7:24-27
Jesus tells this parable at the end of the sermon on the mount
Sermon that teaches people how to live.
Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Sand Castle - crumbling from below when the water hits
A solid foundation, like a rock, stays put and everything built upon it stays strong
Build your house on GOD
GOD IS OUR FOUNDATION
“Christ is my firm foundation” ~ “The Rock on which I stand” ~ “My house is built on you”
“I’m standing strong on you” ~ “I’ve built my life on Jesus” ~ “I’m safe with You”
Isaiah 26:4 (ESV) Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Psalm 62:6 (ESV) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
Psalm 18:2 (ESV) The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold
Don’t know what we’ve put our faith in until we weather a storm
We can see how solid our foundation is when we go through a storm
2020 revealed that for a lot of people
THERE WILL BE STORMS
“When everything around me is shaking” ~ “Joy in chaos” ~ “Rain came, wind blew”
John 16:33 (NIV) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Storms are promised
Caused by: the enemy - since the Garden of Eden
Others - impacted by their selfish motivations
Ourselves - Not doing what God tells us - Doing the opposite
Jesus experienced storms - metaphorically and literally
In the boat with the disciples - sleeping during the storm - Matthew 8:24-27 “Suddenly a furious storm came up… waves swept over the boat. Save us! We’re gonna drown! You of little faith. Why are you afraid?”
Walking on water to meet his disciples - Matthew 14:22-33 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. Calls Peter out of the boat - when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Walked through the storm on water - a firm foundation because of his faith
Don’t doubt the one who you are putting your faith in.
James 1:2-3 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
This doesn’t make sense until you go through something and experience the joy of drawing closer to God.
James 1:6 (NIV) But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Don’t look at the storm or your circumstances.
Look to the one who can save you
Speak God’s promises over your life, over your situation
GOD IS WITH YOU
“He’s faithful through generations” ~ “I’ve got peace that makes no sense” ~ “I’m gonna make it through”
Psalm 100:5 NIV For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
Bible story after story of God’s faithfulness - from beginning to end
Garden of Eden to Revelations
Bible full of stories of people messing up
Forgives us - gives us chance after chance
God makes a way - sent Jesus
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Peace that makes no sense
The feeling of the holy spirit wrapping his arms around me
Storm didn’t end, but everything was going to be alright
Joshua 1:9 NIV …Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Stand on the rock of Christ - not crushed by fear.
Faith in the one who made you - not fear in the storm around you!
Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
We put our faith in a lot of things.
Money- too much, too little
The bridges we drive over. - person who welded or bolted
The tires on our cars - blow off
The roof over our heads - crashes down
Ourselves - disappointment - wrong expectations
Our family, friends - death or betrayal - disappointment
Our health - failing
Speak God’s promises over your life. Speak God’s truth!
PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS
“I’ve never been more glad that I put my faith in Jesus” ~ “He’s never let me down” ~ “He won’t (fail)”
James 4:8 NIV Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Why do I have faith in Jesus?
As I have drawn nearer to God, he has drawn nearer to me.
As I seek him, he is there.
You need to seek him. Faith without works is dead. Believe through your actions. Not just your words.
He has shown up in the storms of my life.
1 John 5:4 ESV For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
I have experienced what the bible talks about. Victory from the storm
Those moments are anchor points for me.
My foundation (faith) is firm and growing.
Ephesians 2:8 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
It is not by my own doing but through the grace of God who has saved me.
He’s never let me down.
I have let myself down, others have let me down, but not God.
Not always the way I thought he’d bring me through
But always faithful!
John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The basis of my foundation is this!
I believe Jesus came and died for our sins.
I believe in his resurrection power
I sing because Jesus died for me.
He alone is worthy of praise. - GREAT ARE YOU LORD!
