"Like a Rock" - Matt. 7:21-29 - June 2, 2002

There is a popular television commercial about a pickup truck which has been on the air for several years. The song that is sung during the ad includes the words, "like a rock." The symbolism of those words refer to the toughness, durability and dependability of the truck. Whenever I see one of those trucks that song comes to mind. Obviously the General Motors Corporation has succeeded in enabling me to make the connection with the concept that this particular truck has a rock-like image.

Rock-like images are theological too. There are numerous references to God as the "Rock." In Psalm 89, for example, it reads, "God only is my rock and my salvation." In Deuteronomy 32 it says that "God is the Rock and God’s work is perfect." Isaiah said to "look to the rock from which you were hewn." (Is. 51) And of course the most famous saying is in the New Testament when Jesus says to Peter, "and on this rock I will build my church." (Matt. 16:18)

Here in Matthew Jesus is saying that the way to be in the kingdom of God is to be as one who builds his/her house on a rock rather than sand. Foolish people build their houses on sand which makes them vulnerable to storms. On the other hand, wise people build their houses on the rock which means they can withstand the storms of life.

Here Jesus is speaking to the church. He is instructing his disciples on the true meaning of faith. So what does Jesus mean when he wants us to build our houses on the rock? He wants our faith to be solid. To refrain from being like those who build their house on the sand there are a couple of pitfalls that he wants his followers to avoid. One is the danger of being like the Pharisees, who pretend to be righteous and practice religion by following a list of do’s and don’ts. The other is for the faith community to become a closed group, only taking care of itself and failing to outreach to others.

In Washington Township, in Montgomery County, there are a few residents who want the trustees to take care of their high-water problem. They live in the flood plain of the Great Miami River. It seems that every time it rains they have water, standing in their yards. The trustees looked into the situation and determined it would cost at least $300,000 to correct the problem, but there would still be no guarantee. It would actually be cheaper to use the money to move them to a different location. But, they are "good" citizens and they are demanding that their local government do something.

What was it Jesus said about those who build their houses upon the sand? He called them "foolish." The folks in Washington Township may be good, law-abiding, citizens, but the community would be better served if they moved to higher ground.

Unfortunately we have a tendency to build our houses on the sand. We have good intentions but our actions don’t always support our words. We make promises but then don’t always deliver. We make resolutions, like losing weight, getting more exercise, or praying on a regular basis, but then we never seem to have the time or the will.

To be like a rock means several things. First, to be like a rock means that what we say is meaningful when our actions support them.

Today we are honoring our high school graduates. Some of them have indicated that they plan to further their education and go to college. I can just hear the responses; "Oh, wonderful, I’m proud of you." Or, "That’s great, an education will help you get a job." But, unless our students enroll in a college and pay their registration fees, those good intentions mean nothing. I had one student last term who enrolled, paid their tuition, but they never showed up for class the entire term. Needless to say, she failed the course.

To be like a rock is to back up what we say with what we do. Notice that Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven." Anyone can say they believe something. It is our actions, however that affirm those beliefs.

Secondly, to be like a rock is more than just doing marvelous things. Jesus realized that some of his followers would boast of the fact that they "prophesied in his name, cast out demons, healed people and did other mighty works." Fine, but that isn’t good enough. For Jesus responds to those by saying. "I never knew you."

This seems strange. For if people are doing great things, that would seem to indicate that their actions are in sync with their words. Why would Jesus reject those who are doing "mighty works" in his name?

I believe that to be a rock means that God expects us to be reliable. In other words, we can be counted on all the time in every situation. It’s not just the great things that are important, it’s the little things. This past week I had a visiting pastor from Brazil. He was here with a Rotary Group Study Exchange program. We had the opportunity to compare our ministries. One of the things he said was that he is frequently called into the homes of his parishioners to attend birthday celebrations and graduations. And, many of his hospital calls were to friends and relatives of the people in his parish. Although we live in different cultures we both agreed that it’s the little things that we do every day that make the difference in the lives of people.

There may be times when we do something wonderful for the sake of the kingdom. But, that is no guarantee that we will end up there. To build our house on the rock is to be steadfast and durable.

Not only does God want to count on us in every situation, God wants us to be consistent. First our actions need to be compatible with our words. Second, we can be assured that every act of kindness, forgiveness and compassion truly matters. Third, to be like a rock means our lives are totally congruent.

The reason Jesus spoke with authority is because he was consistent in every setting. He treated everyone the same. His life of love never wavered, regardless of the circumstances he faced. He was always giving hope and assurance, teaching about the kingdom of God everywhere he went. To be like a rock is to be like God, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I remember the Prudential Insurance commercial that aired years ago. They always concluded their ad with a picture of the Rock of Gibraltar. It was majestic, this enormous mountain of rock, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It gave me the image of being completely unchangeable.

About ¼ mile from my home is a house on the corner that has a huge boulder in the yard near the street corner. When I drive down Main Street at night, all the roads look very similar. When I see that rock I know it is time to turn. It is there for me as a reference to help me on my way. God is like a rock since God is the one who helps us find our way. There is no problem big enough that God can’t help us to overcome. With God we are never lost. With God we can face the storms of life.

God wants us to be ourselves, consistent in every part of life. It’s a matter of being faithful in the same way to everyone, both those we know and those we don’t. It’s not just sharing with our friends, it’s sharing with everyone. God wants our whole being, our words and our actions to be totally congruent in every part of life.

God is "like a rock," dependable, durable and tough. With God our houses will stand. With God we won’t have to worry about high water. With God we can go forward in life and be permanent residents in the Kingdom. Let us be like rocks, with our deeds matching our words. For others can count on us just as we can depend on God.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio