Build

Most of us know the story about the three little pigs, and how one of them built a house out of straw, another one built a house with sticks, and the third one built a house out of bricks.  And then the wolf came, blowing in the house of straw, blowing down the house of sticks, but unable to affect the house of bricks.  This children's fable has some similarity to the scripture lesson considered last Sunday as Dr. Daniel kicked off a new sermon series -- "What Does It Mean to be a Disciple?".  The first of six aspects to be considered is: "Build".  In his first letter to the Corinthians (3:9-15), the Apostle Paul says we are builders and co-laborers with God, and must take as to what foundation we build on and how we build on it.  As far as Paul is concerned, the only foundation worth building on is Jesus!  Then he makes a distinction between a variety of materials that can be use: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw.  Fire will test what sort of work each of us has done.  So, first, the foundation is critical!  So many in our world are adrift and without an anchor or a proper foundation for facing  life's challenges.  We need Jesus!  He is the blueprint for our lives!  We all like to plan our lives, especially youth.  Youth look at going to college or getting married and having a family or getting that dream job.  But without Jesus as the foundation, plays can go awry.  We live in a time when we see so much evil that can snatch joy in a moment's notice.  Life is so fragile.  Who is your foundation?   Second, The building materials we use make a huge difference!  What we build with will be revealed because it will be tested by fire.  Just like one of the little pigs, some build using straw or whatever is convenient -- some reject God, and build on luck.  And the news is filled with many who have reaped a whirlwind and whose lives are morally bankrupt.  Others use sticks.  Wood is not necessarily bad, but it burns.  Perhaps the sticks represent  the things / collections in our lives.  Sometimes we accumulate so much we wonder where we're going to put all of our stuff.  We must be wise like the 3rd little pig.  Bricks, such as faith, hope and love, are what abide.  Things that last for eternity.  You may have seen the news about a young professional, Emily, still in her 20's, who tragically died right after Christmas.  Dr. Daniel visited at length with Emily's parents.  After spending Christmas at home with family here in Iowa, right before Emily left to return to Colorado, her parents spoke three things to her: "I love you.  Be safe.  Be happy."  The last words Emily's parents spoke to her.  Eternal words!  What a difference faith, hope and love make when tragedy strikes.  The songwriter penned "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.  I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.  On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Gene Kelsey, Director of Christian Education