Building a Genuine Faith on Solid Foundations
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church. Today, we conclude our series on the Sermon on the Mount. I began by sharing the story of Freddie Adu, a young soccer prodigy who was expected to become the next big star but never lived up to the hype. This story serves as a metaphor for Christians who profess faith but lack the substance to back it up. Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:21-23 that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This is a sobering reminder that our actions and the state of our hearts matter more than our words or outward displays of religiosity.
Jesus was particularly hard on those who claimed to be religious but lacked genuine faith and love. We can easily fall into the trap of showcasing our good deeds on social media or boasting about our church activities, but if we lack love and genuine commitment to Jesus' teachings, it means nothing. The decline of Christianity in the U.S. is a reflection of this superficial faith. COVID-19 exposed the cracks in our foundation, revealing that many of us were building on sand rather than the rock of Jesus' teachings.
The parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 illustrates this point. Both builders heard Jesus' words, but only the wise builder acted on them, building his house on a solid foundation. Similarly, our faith must be grounded in genuine practice, not just empty words. My own marriage faced a severe storm, and it was only through prayer, community support, and a reevaluation of our foundation that we survived. This experience taught me the importance of constantly examining our spiritual lives and ensuring we are truly following Jesus.
To build a firm foundation, we must return to the basics of the gospel: a life of prayer, grounding ourselves in the Word, practicing justice, gathering in community, and embodying forgiveness. Prayer is the engine room of our faith, and without it, we have nothing. Bible literacy is crucial, yet it is at an all-time low. Justice is at the heart of God, and we must not let political climates define it for us. Community is essential for accountability and encouragement, and forgiveness is vital for entering the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus calls us to practice His teachings, knowing that it will be challenging. The Sermon on the Mount is not just a set of ideals but a call to action. As we conclude this series, let us commit to building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, ensuring that our faith is genuine and our actions align with His will.
### Key Takeaways
1. Genuine Faith Over Empty Words: Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and actions over mere words or outward displays of religiosity. Our faith must be backed by love and genuine commitment to Jesus' teachings.
2. The Decline of Superficial Christianity: The decline of Christianity in the U.S. is a reflection of superficial faith. COVID-19 exposed the cracks in our foundation, revealing that many of us were building on sand rather than the rock of Jesus' teachings. This calls for a reevaluation of our spiritual lives and a return to genuine faith and practice.
3. The Importance of a Firm Foundation: The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the importance of building our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings. Both builders heard Jesus' words, but only the wise builder acted on them. Similarly, our faith must be grounded in genuine practice, not just empty words.
4. Returning to the Basics of the Gospel: To build a firm foundation, we must return to the basics of the gospel: a life of prayer, grounding ourselves in the Word, practicing justice, gathering in community, and embodying forgiveness. These elements are essential for a genuine and robust faith.
5. The Call to Practice Jesus' Teachings: Jesus calls us to practice His teachings, knowing that it will be challenging. The Sermon on the Mount is not just a set of ideals but a call to action. We must commit to building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, ensuring that our faith is genuine and our actions align with His will.
### YouTube Chapters
- Welcome
- Freddie Adu: A Cautionary Tale
- Superficial Faith vs. Genuine Commitment
- Jesus' Warning on Empty Words
- The Decline of Christianity in the U.S.
- COVID-19 Exposing Our Foundations
- The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
- Returning to the Basics of the Gospel
- The Importance of Prayer
- Bible Literacy and Its Decline
- Practicing Justice
- The Importance of Community
- The Necessity of Forgiveness
- The Call to Practice Jesus' Teachings
- John of the Cross' Counsels
- Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:21-23
2. Matthew 7:24-27
3. James 1:22-25
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say about those who call Him "Lord" but do not do the will of the Father in Matthew 7:21-23?
2. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27), what distinguishes the wise builder from the foolish one?
3. According to James 1:22-25, what is the consequence of merely listening to the word without acting on it?
4. How did the pastor describe the impact of COVID-19 on the church's foundation? ([49:20])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven? What does this imply about the nature of genuine faith? ([42:09])
2. How does the parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrate the importance of acting on Jesus' teachings? What might this look like in practical terms? ([53:10])
3. What does James mean when he says that merely listening to the word and not doing it is like looking at oneself in a mirror and forgetting what one looks like? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about genuine faith? ([51:10])
4. The pastor mentioned that the decline of Christianity in the U.S. is partly due to superficial faith. How does this observation challenge us to reevaluate our own spiritual lives? ([48:01])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there areas where you might be relying more on outward displays of religiosity rather than genuine faith and actions? How can you address this? ([42:09])
2. The pastor shared a personal story about his marriage facing a severe storm and how they had to rebuild their foundation. Are there areas in your life that need a reevaluation of their foundation? What steps can you take to rebuild on the rock of Jesus' teachings? ([55:55])
3. Prayer was described as the "engine room" of faith. How consistent is your prayer life? What practical steps can you take to make prayer a more integral part of your daily routine? ([57:45])
4. Bible literacy is at an all-time low according to the pastor. How often do you engage with the Bible? What specific plan can you implement to increase your Bible reading and understanding? ([01:03:03])
5. The pastor emphasized the importance of community for accountability and encouragement. How involved are you in your church community? What can you do to deepen your connections and support within your church family? ([01:06:24])
6. Forgiveness is vital for entering the kingdom of heaven. Is there someone you need to forgive? What steps can you take this week to move towards forgiveness and reconciliation? ([01:08:11])
7. Jesus calls us to practice His teachings, knowing it will be challenging. What specific teaching from the Sermon on the Mount do you find most challenging to practice? How can you start to incorporate it into your life this week? ([01:09:55])
Devotional
Day 1: Genuine Faith Over Empty Words
Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and actions over mere words or outward displays of religiosity. Our faith must be backed by love and genuine commitment to Jesus' teachings. It is easy to fall into the trap of showcasing our good deeds on social media or boasting about our church activities, but if we lack love and genuine commitment to Jesus' teachings, it means nothing.
Jesus was particularly hard on those who claimed to be religious but lacked genuine faith and love. This is a sobering reminder that our actions and the state of our hearts matter more than our words or outward displays of religiosity. We must constantly examine our spiritual lives and ensure we are truly following Jesus.
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV): "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
Reflection: Think about your recent actions and words. Are they aligned with a genuine commitment to Jesus' teachings, or are they more about outward appearances? How can you ensure your faith is backed by love and genuine commitment today?
Day 2: The Decline of Superficial Christianity
The decline of Christianity in the U.S. is a reflection of superficial faith. COVID-19 exposed the cracks in our foundation, revealing that many of us were building on sand rather than the rock of Jesus' teachings. This calls for a reevaluation of our spiritual lives and a return to genuine faith and practice.
Superficial faith is characterized by a lack of depth and genuine commitment. It is often more concerned with appearances and social acceptance than with true discipleship. The pandemic has shown us that when the storms of life come, only a faith built on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings will stand. We must take this opportunity to examine our lives and ensure that our faith is not just a facade but a deep and abiding trust in Jesus.
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: Reflect on how the pandemic has affected your faith. Have you discovered any cracks in your spiritual foundation? What steps can you take to build a more genuine and robust faith?
Day 3: The Importance of a Firm Foundation
The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the importance of building our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings. Both builders heard Jesus' words, but only the wise builder acted on them. Similarly, our faith must be grounded in genuine practice, not just empty words.
A firm foundation in Jesus' teachings means that we not only hear His words but also put them into practice. This requires a commitment to living out His teachings in our daily lives, even when it is challenging. It is through this genuine practice that we build a faith that can withstand the storms of life.
Matthew 7:24-27 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."
Reflection: Consider the foundation of your faith. Are you merely hearing Jesus' words, or are you actively putting them into practice? What changes can you make to ensure your faith is built on a solid foundation?
Day 4: Returning to the Basics of the Gospel
To build a firm foundation, we must return to the basics of the gospel: a life of prayer, grounding ourselves in the Word, practicing justice, gathering in community, and embodying forgiveness. These elements are essential for a genuine and robust faith.
Prayer is the engine room of our faith, and without it, we have nothing. Bible literacy is crucial, yet it is at an all-time low. Justice is at the heart of God, and we must not let political climates define it for us. Community is essential for accountability and encouragement, and forgiveness is vital for entering the kingdom of heaven. By focusing on these basics, we can build a strong and enduring faith.
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Reflect on the basics of the gospel in your life. Are you committed to a life of prayer, grounding yourself in the Word, practicing justice, gathering in community, and embodying forgiveness? What steps can you take to strengthen these areas in your life?
Day 5: The Call to Practice Jesus' Teachings
Jesus calls us to practice His teachings, knowing that it will be challenging. The Sermon on the Mount is not just a set of ideals but a call to action. We must commit to building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, ensuring that our faith is genuine and our actions align with His will.
Practicing Jesus' teachings requires intentionality and perseverance. It means living out His commands in our daily lives, even when it is difficult. This commitment to action is what sets genuine faith apart from superficial religiosity. As we conclude this series, let us commit to building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, ensuring that our faith is genuine and our actions align with His will.
Luke 6:46-49 (ESV): "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
Reflection: Think about the teachings of Jesus that you find most challenging to practice. What steps can you take to begin living out these teachings more faithfully in your daily life? How can you ensure that your actions align with His will?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "But the reason I'm sharing this story is because the same thing could be said about... People that profess to be believers and people that profess to be Christians but have nothing to back it up. You know, we can boast about our church and how wonderful and perfect our church is. But if we don't have the love, we're not a welcoming church or we're not following what Jesus is asking us to do, then, I mean... It means nothing. And it's just that. Just something that we say." (42 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "But that alone doesn't get us into the kingdom of heaven. That alone is not enough. And on the flip side, we can confess or profess to be believers of Jesus but not practice any of the teachings of Jesus and instead live a life just as we want and let the world corrupt us. And that also will not get us into heaven." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, nowadays it's so easy to just show how good we are. We can post videos and photos or live reels about all the good works we are doing. You know, we can post about going to third world countries and doing humanitarian work. Or going to the homeless and serving food. Or building a well in a remote area and bringing clean water to impoverished communities. Which that is all really good, by the way. We should be doing all that." (32 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "See, I believe that as people, we really need to look inward and constantly look at ourselves and evaluate, where are we? Where am I? Where's my heart? We can fool ourselves and say, you know, I'm a believer, and I do this, and I do that. And we can play the church game. But it's not until COVID hits, it's not until crazy storm hits that really our hearts are revealed." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "See, I think gathering together, having services, having fellowship, either if you prefer a big church, small church, obviously we prefer church. But if you prefer a big church, small church, or if you prefer a small church, otherwise you wouldn't be here. But yeah, wherever it is that you want to be, it is really important for us to just value us gathering together, coming here and listening to the word and worshiping or having a meal together. Wherever you are, it is important for us to walk together." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "See, what COVID did is just expose where we were. And still today, we know of a lot of congregations that are still struggling to get back up. There's still a lot of buildings that are, you know, massive buildings, and they're empty. And some buildings, some ministries are struggling to just keep up with the building demands because the congregation took a hit. And really just expose who's really following it. And until today, we still have lots, lots of people that have not come back to the church. They just said, we're done. We're done with the church." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "See, our Bible literacy in the church is so low. It's at a highest low. And this is not, I'm not trying to offend anybody here. I'm not trying to be like, man, maybe Melvin came and was really legalistic this morning. Not at all. Really just highlighting where we are as a big C, because this is, this is, research has been done all over. Our Bible literacy in church is really, really low. And that is concerning. And then we wonder, why, why, why are we declining? What's going on? I think we need to get back to loving the word, being passionate for the word." (50 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "See, there's times in our lives where we get to this, in our spiritual journey, we get to this place where we like, we hit a wall. And we are probably, you get to a point where you're like, not as excited coming Sunday morning and just hearing the sermon. And you come out of this place like, man, that sermon was good. I'm on fire. I'm about to tell 10 people about what I just heard this morning. Maybe you're not there. Maybe you were that when you started. You know, just on fire. Just like, man, everything that was going on at church, you're like, man, that was so good." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "See, Jesus, he already knows that everything that he had just said up until this point, it was going to be hard for people to hear. It was going to be hard for people to really swallow. And even to today, we have many theologians that will argue that the Sermon on the Mount is not something that we realistically can actually live. But see, Jesus is also assuming that we are going to be lustful people, that we are going to want to get divorced, that we are going to be people that are going to love money and be greed and want to say mean things to people. He's assuming all of that. And that's why he's calling us to a life of practice." (45 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I really, I just really think we need to return to the basics of the gospel. I've been reading a book called Practice in the Way, by Mark Comer. And basically, the three things he says is we need to be like Jesus, or be with Jesus, sorry, be like Jesus, and do the things he did, practicing the way. See, there's nothing new that I'm going to say this morning, not a new discovery, nothing you haven't heard before. I believe that we really need to return to a life of prayer." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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