Luke 6:46–49 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Most of you are probably familiar with the parable above. Building on the foundation on the rock, good. Building on shifting sand, not good.

I was thinking about that a few days ago when I was fishing in the surf on South Padre Island. I have been the pastor in residence at Fishers of Men, Port Isabel this month, so I have had some time to enjoy the sun and sand and surf. As I was standing in the surf and casting out, the waves came in and receded again. I could feel the sand move under my feet even though I wasn’t moving. I was sinking. The truth of this parable came to mind, so when I got back to the house I read it again.

The words that struck me most this time as I read Luke’s account of this parable were the first words Jesus spoke here:  Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  This is a recurring problem among God’s people. It was addressed by God’s prophets in the Old Testament:

Ezekiel 33:30–33 “As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. “When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

And Jesus quoted Isaiah sharing the same message:

Matthew 15:7–9 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

James reinforced this message in His epistle.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

This continues to be a problem today. People say they follow Jesus, but their lives tell a different story. A casual acquaintance with Jesus is not enough. Paying lip service to being a Christian but not living like one is revealing. When you have heard what God has done for you in Jesus, when you have taken to heart that He took your punishment for sin so that you can be forgiven and have eternal life, when you place your trust and confidence in Him, it will change you. You will live a new way.

I’ve mentioned that I like a wide variety of music. Recently I’ve been listening to a a channel called “Prime Country” that plays music from my younger days. Just the other day I heard a song made famous by Ronnie Milsap, but it was also recorded by Amy Grant and BJ Thomas in the late 70s. Here are some of the lyrics.

What a difference you’ve made in my life
What a difference you’ve made in my life
You’re my sunshine, day and night
Oh, what a difference you’ve made in my life

 What a change you have made in my heart
What a change you have made in my heart
You replaced all the broken parts
Oh, what a change you have made in my heart

This should be the description of the lives of those who have heard the Good News of Jesus, been led to believe it by the Holy Spirit, and strive to show their gratitude here until He takes us to be with Him.

Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”