“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, or he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
Matthew chapter 7, verses 24-29; from the New Living Translation (NLT)
I know that the Chinese Spy Balloon, excuse me, “weather balloon”, is old news. But The Spirit prompted me this morning to think about that episode. And what the The Spirit said was provocatively simple. “Ever think about how many people are just like that balloon? Just floating around, without any real foundation for their life?” And do you know what my response was? I was heart-broken! Know why? Because The Father is heart-broken. How do I know this? Well, this parable that Jesus shared about the difference between being anchored to the Truth and just floating around. If you doubt my connection, then here’s another one:
When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew chapter 9, verse 36 (NLT)
We need to have our lives anchored to Truth; not just any truth, but THE TRUTH! And contrary to popular opinion, we humans do not process THE TRUTH. Only God; and He has chosen to reveal THE TRUTH in what we call The Bible. We have to act upon The Word–by doing what The Word tells us to do. That’s the difference in the outcome of these 2 houses built by different builders. One had the foundation and the other didn’t. Now, progressive theology wants us to believe that the only thing that really matters is love. After all, that’s what Jesus did. Forget the rest, just love like Jesus. While this may sound good, it turns us into those weather balloons, just floating around being controlled by whatever the winds decide to do.
In that powerful Sermon On The Mount, Jesus said “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.” Friends, we must be anchored to The Word, The Bible because that’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do. It’s The Bible guides us and sets the boundaries for our lives. Without ALL of God’s Word, we build houses that simply will not stand up to life as it really happens.
And for anyone in my former tribe, the United Methodist Church (UMC), who thinks they can #StayUMC and still be faithful to God–remember this parable from Jesus, Himself. The leadership of the UMC is building a house upon the sand. And if you stay inside that house, don’t be surprised when it collapses all around you. Here’s a final question for you to consider: Do you want to build your life around human thinking, thinking that is flawed by sin? Or do you want to build your life upon the Word of the Perfectly Holy God?
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
Proverbs chapter 3, verses 7 and 8 (NLT)
Kingdom Pastor 
Brother Randy, I can certainly relate to what you’ve written concerning your former tribe. At one time I was very active in the ELCA, the liberal version of Lutheranism. They were much very much like the UMC is to Wesleyanism. I could see that they were heading off the True Path of righteousness where it concerned human sexuality. At that time , I leading an adult Bible class at an ELCA congregation. They were the result of a merger of ALC (moderate theological Lutherans) and LCMS (conservative Lutherans). After discerning the apostate direction that the hierarchy of the ELCA was heading, I attempted to warn my class that eventually that denomination would totally abandon God’s teachings regarding marriage and human sexuality. My argument was based on the fact that they were adding personal experience and so-called modern science to God’s word alone to base their interpretation of Scripture. I said that this process was in effect chipping away at the foundation of the Christian faith. When it became clear that my warnings were falling on deaf ears, I reluctantly left. My warnings came to fruition in four years later, in August of 2009, the ELCA voted to ordain gay and lesbian clergy and allow gay weddings in there sanctuaries. But it only got worse. Sometime recently, they were quite happy to announce the commissioning of their first trans Bishop. Anyone who thinks that the post-disaffiliation UMC will always remain a welcoming place for traditional orthodox Wesleyan believers has been deceived and is living in denial.
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