HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION -(Luke 6::47-49)
TEXT: 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 
INTRODUCTION:  The writer of this great hymn is not known; but I am certain that the writer knew the Christ of whom he wrote!  This was the favorite hymn of President Theodore Roosevelt as well as President Andrew Jackson who requested that it be sung during his last and fatal illness. It was the special favorite of that southern gentleman Robert E. Lee. -who asked that it be sung at his funeral as an expression of his full trust in the ways of his Heavenly Father. 
"FIRM" (Websters):  Not soft or yielding when pressed; comparatively solid, hard, stiff, or rigid:  securely fixed in place. , not shaking or trembling; steady:  not likely to change; fixed; settled; unalterable:  steadfast or unwavering,  not fluctuating or falling!
I. THE BURDEN OF THE FOUNDATION
A. The Foundation was Instituted by God.--1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.   Behind the power of the Roman empire and the flashing swords of the servants to the high preist God himself!  It pleased the Father to bruise him as he delivered him for our offenses and raised him for our justification.
B. The Foundation is Infallible.--1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.   A preacher once said, "I believe when God made heaven he smiled, I believe when he made hell he shivered, and when He laid the foundation at Calvary He surely must have sobbed.
C. The Foundation is Indestructible.1 Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (The Wicked have tried to destroy it, the world has tried to deny it, the Wise have tried to defy it. --But it still stands!)
Century follows century--but there it stands. Empires rise and fall and are forgotten--but there it stands. Dynasty follows dynasty --but there it stands. Kings are crowned and uncrowned--but there it stands. Emperors decree its extermination- Atheist rail against it but there it stands-Agnostics make fun of it-Unbelief abandons it- Higher critics deny its claims--but there it stands. The flames have kindled around it-The tooth of time has gnawed at it --but there it stands -Infidels predict its abandonment--Modernizers attempt to explain it away BUT THE FOOTING HAS BEEN POURED AT THE CROSS, and the BUILDING IS GOING UP!!!
II. THE BUILDERS ON THE FOUNDATION--1 Corinthians 3:12-14  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 
The HIGHER the building the deeper the foundation must be laid; and God laid the foundation deep enough for us all.  Men build for a century, but christians build for an eternity!
III. THE BLESSING OF THE FOUNDATION      A. It is Stable.-My house is built on a weak foundation.  I poured the footing a bag at a time!  Because of this, the rock and blockwork occasionally develop cracks that must be filled......But there are NO GAPS IN GOD'S PLAN!!!   B. It is Safe.-When Jesus said, "It fell not for it was founded upon a rock"....He's telling us that the ROCK IS GOING NOWHERE!  C. It is Simple.Psalms 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.