5/13/51

Scripture: Matthew 7: 12-29

Text: Matthew 7: 25; “.... It fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.”

Somebody in our household asked, a day or two ago, if the history of the future would be about us in our time. And we decided that it seems probable that the history lessons that boys and girls of some future date will be learning will include reference to things like “The Great Debate” in Congress; perhaps General McArthur’s speech before Congress; and so on. For history is in the making now!

[This sermon was delivered again in 1961. For the later date, the title was changed to “Firm Foundations for Good Homes.” And the first paragraph was updated as follows:

Children sometimes ask if the history of the future would be about us in our time. And we decide that it seems probable that the history lessons that boys and girls of some future date will be learning will include reference to things like the space flights of 1961; perhaps the social revolutions of this time; and so on. For history is in the making now!]

Paul Reynolds remarks that thoughtful students of human life and history, looking back on this time from, let us say, the year 1999, may say that the greatest discovery of this century was not the release and utilization of atomic energy but the rediscovery of the importance of the home and family.

For good homes are more important to the individual and to the nation and to the whole world than any other institution or group. And wholesome family life is more important in such strenuous times as these than in more peaceful and less strenuous days.

And so, on this Mother’s Day; this Christian Family Sunday; I propose that we think for a few minutes about “Firm Foundations For The[Good] Home[s].” It is all-important that we recognize what is most important and lay hold gladly upon that way.

Much of the time, we waste strength and attention desiring two mutually exclusive things: (1) harmful pleasures and a clear conscience; (2) self-indulgence and sound health; (3) laziness and success; (4) a selfish attention to the things we want immediately and a consciousness of serving God! Of course it is impossible to have both kinds of life. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” said our Lord. [Luke 16: 13]. You and I have to give our real loyalty to one or the other, or we fail in indecision.

If I want to be an easy-going drifter or a successful physician, I must chose between them, and let my desire for one be utterly subordinated to the other. My real heart’s treasure will be with one or the other; I must choose. There is no satisfactory compromise.

As we read the New Testament, we find Jesus, everywhere, elevating certain values as worthy of absolute devotion, and subordinating other values as secondary. This kind of elemental, foundation work is just as important for family living as it is for the individual soul. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” and the other, necessary things will be added in their place. [Matthew 6: 33].

The family is the place of primary, most basic learning and experience. It is here that we may best learn, and teach, the two most important lessons of Jesus’ teaching; (1) the worth of personality, and (2) devotion to the highest good, to God.

Have you noticed where Jesus’ parable of the two foundations comes in the New Testament? Here is the story of the building of two houses. One is built on sand, which easily shifts when storms, rain and floods come, and the fine new house goes down in destruction. The other is built on a solid rock foundation. When storms, rain and floods come, the house is steady, unmoved and safe on its firm foundation.

And this parable, this story of Jesus, comes right at the end of what is called his “Sermon on the Mount.” “Whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them,” said Jesus, “I will compare him to that man who founded his house on the rock.”

Centrally important in the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount are these two things that are so important for personal and family living. First, the importance of personal character. For Jesus, personal character showed even more in his life than in his teachings. He lived and spent his life in the conviction that people are worth dying for and living for. The successful Christian family is the family in which the members live for the sake of each other.

Like most children taught in church school and reared in a Christian family, I learned the Ten Commandments and what they mean. I learned “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” And my parents and teachers taught us to abhor profane language and expressions. I heard profanity often enough from the mouths of rough men in threshing crews and road gangs. But every time some foul or profane expression comes up to my consciousness, I remember my father. It was not so much that he ever said, “It is wrong to curse and swear.” It is the way he lived. For I never once heard my father use a profane or foul expression in speaking. He was not even addicted to slang. And he could speak with direct and devastating force when necessary! But one of his contributions to the worth of personality was an extraordinary clean-cut kind of living.

The second great emphasis of Jesus is upon devotion to God, the Supreme Good. He who said it is of no use to gain the whole world and lose one’s own self, said also “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” [Luke 12: 31]. All lessor worths are to be subordinated. Nothing is so vital as devotion to the very best that God has revealed to us. Jesus looked about, in great concern upon people whose primary concern for wealth made them unfraternal and self-indulgent and callous, even in the presence of manifest misery at their very gates. He saw men who professed to be religious leaders so spoiled by covetousness that they robbed widow’s houses and covered their cruelty with spoken prayers. He saw people more concerned with the perfection of themselves than with the giving of their efforts in service. And so he emphasized, again and again, that the kingdom of God comes first.

We sometimes speak of sacrifice as some painful experience. Occasionally it is. But more likely it is simply putting things in a proper perspective with the best that we want to see realized. Twenty-five [35] years ago I knew a family of Christian folk who lived on a farm and attended a little country church where I was the summer student preacher. There were four girls in the family, the second in age being a high school girl who went that summer to the church young people’s conference on a college campus. She returned joyful and happy over the experience, and with a new lift and view in Christian experience which, some years later, led her into Christian service as the wife of a young California minister.

Later in that same summer there came a chance for the family to take a trip of 3 or 4 days to lovely Minnetonka lake near Minneapolis. But it was near threshing time in the country. The father could not think of going; and what would happen if the threshing crew got around to their farm before the family should return? Lois did not hesitate. She said to her mother and sisters, “You go ahead and take the trip. I’ll stay with Dad. And if the threshers come while you are away I’ll cook for them. I’ve already had my fun at the young peoples’ conference while you stayed at home and sent me. Now it’s your turn.”

It was a real sacrifice for her to volunteer to stay home from so pleasant a trip. But it was not something painful for her so much as an arrangement of values which she desired to make in living the golden rule.

Now suppose it should be the case that future historians may say that there was, in the 20th century, a re-discovery of the importance of wholesome family life. What are some of the family needs to which we should now give attention? Parents’ organizations, couples’ clubs, and individual families are increasingly aware of several needs. Here are some of the emphases they make as they study and work.

1) Take time for family living. A study, in Milwaukee public schools, of a group of happy, well-adjusted children showed that such things as the age of parents at the birth of the child, the educational attainments of the parents, the kinds of discipline used, and some other factors, counted not nearly as much as these four constants. (1) Doing things together. (2) Love of the parents for each other. (3) Love and esteem of the parents for the children. (4) Religious faith and practice. All of these things take time, gladly given.

2) Have fun together. Going on picnics, attending concerts or playing games together, enjoying each other’s jokes (as far as possible!) - these are elements in good family living. One man, in a discussion where these things were mentioned asked, with a puzzled air, “Do you mean that going on picnics and fooling around with kids is Christian?” Precisely!

3) Appreciate each other and say so. People thrive and grow on appreciation, like a blossom opening to sunlight -- from baby to grandfather.

4) Share with others. One family has a jar in the dining room. They often “remember” others and put coins in the jar. Somebody goes without a “malt” and puts that change in the jar. Another decides he’ll not need a “coke” this time, and puts the nickel or a dime in the jar. They say it’s amazing how it counts up. The largest single opening of the jar revealed $70.00 collected there, which the family sent to President Yuasa for the Japan International Christian University.

5) Invite other people to the home -- sometimes for dinner, at other times for popcorn and apples. It does something for the family as well as for guests, when every member of the family is alert to welcome guests, to make them at ease, and, in the case of strangers, to get acquainted. There are some who ought particularly to be invited now and then. Those of other sections or other nations who come into our communities go back to their homes and lands with a much better understanding than do those who have remained lonesome while living or studying near us. The famous missionary Watts Pye used to say there was all the difference in the world between those of other lands who returned from America with formal training in our colleges and universities, and those who had been visitors in our homes.

6) Open the windows to new ideas. Mark Twain once said, “Take your mind out and jump on it; it is getting all caked up.” How about a new magazine? Did you ever see a copy of the Negro Digest? Or what about some different theory? It seems that Ashley Montagu has written a book, “On Being Human,” propounding that thesis that cooperation, not competition, is the basic law of human nature.

7) Add some definitely Christian touch to the home. A lovely religious picture or two. A Christian all-family magazine or two. Use for a while the children’s triptych when brought home.

8) Study, explore, learn together (reference to dictionary, encyclopedia, bird study, scouting, etc.).

9) Worship together. All these other suggestions are religious in nature. But to add the “cap-sheaf” to the “shock of grain,” why not be proud of the fact that we are Christians; and express our pride by worshipping regularly together at our church? By asking God’s blessing on our meals, by reading our Bible?

10) Learn the ways of love. We need love - as individuals and in all our relationships. The home is the best place to learn love. We should be so sure of it there that the members of the family will be loved even if they make mistakes or fall into evil.

A five-year old boy got into trouble. His father said to him, “Son, you made a mistake. I guess we’ll have to see if we can fix it up.” Then he hugged the little fellow and said, “But even if you make mistakes we love you just the same.”

You pick up your Bible and read of another son, grown up, and impatient with his family and the home town. He takes his share of the family living and goes away and makes many mistakes. When he comes to himself he goes home, ready to do anything, even the meanest of menial jobs, to be in the family again. You remember that the father put a new robe on him and a ring on his finger. And had a feast prepared in honor of his return to show that he loved him still. [Luke 15: 11-32].

Time for family living; fun together; appreciation; sharing together for others; meeting new friends; new ideas; definite Christian touches in the home; learning and exploring together; worship; and love. These belong in the foundations of every happy home, strong enough to withstand the storms of the world.

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Dates and places delivered:

Wisconsin Rapids, May 13, 1951.

Wisconsin Rapids, May 14, 1961.