142 Twenty-Eighth Annual Commencement
expected Germany to pay. The Allies themselves made it
impossible for any well-intentioned regime in Germany to
succeed.
Some day, God speed it, the representatives of the United
Nations are going to attempt to build another house for
more than two billion people to live in. Many of these
people have passed from childhood to adolescence since the
first house was erected. Others have passed from adolescence
to adulthood. They are not going to be satisfied with the
location and space given them in the first house.
The question is, Will this second house be founded on the
sand or on a rock? There is no question as to the rains and
the floods and the winds. They are going to be as fierce and
as angry as before.
It is not for us here this morning to submit architectural
drawings for this new house that is to be erected, but rather
to inquire concerning the contributions the Christian religion
can make to the foundations of such a house.
“And every one that heareth these words of mine, and
doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who
built his house upon the sand.” What words come to us
from Jesus Christ that would be rock in the foundation of
our new house ?
I. HIS WORD CONCERNING REPENTANCE
The Saviour of the world began His ministry in a society
in which there were international, national, racial, and
economic problems. Frustrated people, sick people, hungry
people, people possessed by fear and hatred, were constantly
thronging Him.
According to Mark His first sermon was on the text, “The
time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent
ye, and believe in the gospel.” Throughout His ministry He
called rulers and ruled to repent of wrong attitudes toward