Building a Life of Faith and Authenticity
Summary
God’s love is both personal and communal—He cherishes each of us individually, but also delights in us as a people, a family, a church. He has a plan for every life and for our life together, but His plans are not automatic. They require our participation, our willingness to follow, and our faith that He truly does have a path for us, even when we can’t see the outcome. Like travelers in a maze, we may not know every turn ahead, but we are called to trust, to listen, and to move when God leads, sometimes relying on more than just our logic—sometimes trusting the deeper sense of His Spirit guiding us.
History teaches us the danger of listening to voices that tell us only what we want to hear. The exiled Judeans longed for relief, and Hananiah’s false prophecy was exactly what they craved, but it was not God’s word. The truth, delivered by Jeremiah, was harder but necessary. We are called to be faithful messengers, not editors of God’s word—whether we lead a congregation, a family, or simply ourselves. The temptation to seek comfort, to avoid pain, or to find quick fixes is strong, but it leads us away from the deep work God wants to do in us.
Jesus’ teaching about building on the rock is a call to do the hard, foundational work of obedience. Storms come to every life, but only those who have built on the solid foundation of hearing and doing God’s word will stand. The fruit of a life is not in what is said, but in what is done. We are always influencing others, whether we realize it or not, and our actions speak louder than our words. It is not enough to do “God’s work” outwardly while living contrary to His heart inwardly. God sees through all pretense; He desires authenticity and immediate obedience.
Like the Japanese master builders who spend years perfecting the foundation, we are called to invest deeply in the unseen, difficult work of character, faith, and obedience. This is the narrow, pressured way that leads to life. It is not the easy path, but it is the only one that leads to lasting peace, hope, and joy. The opportunity to build well often comes disguised as adversity, and the blessing is found in acting—sometimes before we have all the answers. Let us be doers, not just hearers, building lives that endure and bless others for generations.
Key Takeaways
- God’s plans for us are real, but they require our active participation and faith. Free will means we can delay or even forfeit His best if we refuse to follow, but the invitation remains open for us to trust and move forward, even when the path is unclear. The journey is not about knowing every detail, but about taking each step in faith as God reveals it. [04:20]
- The danger of “itching ears” is ever-present: we are tempted to listen to voices that promise comfort or quick solutions, but true spiritual growth comes from embracing the hard truths God speaks, even when they challenge us. Faithfulness means delivering and receiving God’s word as it is, not as we wish it to be. This is the only way to avoid spiritual stagnation and disappointment. [07:31]
- The storms of life are inevitable, and Jesus never promised to spare us from them. What matters is the foundation we build—hearing and putting His words into practice. The difference between standing and falling is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of deep, practiced obedience that has been forged in advance. [11:39]
- Authenticity is essential: our actions must match our words, for we are always influencing others, whether we realize it or not. It is possible to do “God’s work” outwardly while living in contradiction inwardly, but God sees the heart and desires integrity. The fruit of our lives—what we actually do—reveals the truth of our faith and shapes those around us. [22:32]
- Immediate obedience is a mark of spiritual maturity. Like Peter, we may be flawed and imperfect, but God honors those who act on His word without delay, even when the opportunity is disguised as adversity. Overthinking can rob us of blessing; faith is often found in moving forward before all the pieces are in place, trusting that God will meet us as we go. [24:38]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[04:20] - God’s Plan and Our Free Will
[05:30] - Lessons from the Lab Rats
[06:49] - Trusting More Than Logic
[07:31] - The Danger of False Prophets
[09:01] - The Duty of a Messenger
[11:39] - Building on the Rock or Sand
[13:58] - Fruit: Words vs. Actions
[15:01] - The Root of Restlessness
[18:01] - The Hard Work of Foundation
[21:25] - Influence and Imitation
[22:32] - Authenticity Over Appearance
[24:38] - The Example of Peter
[26:24] - The Spiritual House We Build
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide
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### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:13-27
(Jesus’ teaching on the narrow gate, false prophets, fruit, and building on the rock)
2. Jeremiah 28:1-17
(The story of Hananiah’s false prophecy and Jeremiah’s faithful message)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Matthew 7:24-27, what is the main difference between the two builders Jesus describes? What happens to each house when the storm comes?
2. According to Jeremiah 28, what did Hananiah say to the people, and how did Jeremiah respond? ([07:31])
3. In the sermon, what example did the pastor use to illustrate the difference between hearing God’s plan and actually following it? ([04:20])
4. What does Jesus say is the “fruit” by which we recognize true and false prophets? ([13:58])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize both hearing and doing His words, not just one or the other? What does this reveal about the kind of faith He wants from His followers? ([11:39])
2. What are the dangers of listening to messages that only tell us what we want to hear, as seen in the story of Hananiah and Jeremiah? How can this affect our spiritual growth? ([07:31])
3. The sermon mentions that God’s plans are not automatic and require our participation. What does this mean for how we approach God’s guidance in our lives? ([04:20])
4. Why is authenticity—having our actions match our words—so important in the Christian life, according to both Jesus and the sermon? ([22:32])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says God’s plans for us are real, but require our active participation and faith. Is there an area of your life where you sense God inviting you to take a step, even if you don’t see the whole path? What would it look like to move forward in faith this week? ([04:20])
2. When have you been tempted to listen to “itching ears”—voices that promise comfort or quick fixes instead of God’s truth? How can you recognize and resist these temptations in your daily life? ([07:31])
3. Think about a recent “storm” or challenge in your life. Was your foundation more like rock or sand? What specific practices can help you build a stronger foundation of obedience to Jesus? ([11:39])
4. The sermon warns against doing “God’s work” outwardly while living contrary inwardly. Are there areas where your actions and words don’t match? What is one step you can take toward greater authenticity this week? ([22:32])
5. The pastor shared about the Japanese master builders who spend years on the foundation. What is one “unseen” area of your character or faith that you feel God is calling you to invest in, even if it’s hard or slow? ([18:01])
6. Immediate obedience is described as a mark of spiritual maturity. Can you recall a time when you delayed acting on something God put on your heart? What held you back, and how might you respond differently next time? ([24:38])
7. The sermon says we are always influencing others, whether we realize it or not. Who is someone in your life who is watching your example? How can you be intentional about living out your faith in a way that blesses them? ([21:25])
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Devotional
Day 1: God Has a Plan—Trust and Follow Even Without Knowing the Outcome
God has a great plan for each of His children, both individually and as a community, but following that plan requires faith and willingness to move forward even when the path is unclear. We are called to trust that God’s intentions for us are good, even if we cannot see every turn ahead, and to take each step as it comes, relying on His guidance rather than our own limited understanding. Like travelers in a maze, we may not know where the end is, but we can trust that there is a way forward and that God will lead us if we are attentive and obedient. The journey may require us to use both logic and intuition, but above all, it requires a willingness to act when God prompts us, even if we don’t have all the answers. [06:49]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain about the future? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting that God has a plan even if you don’t see the whole picture?
Day 2: Build Your Life on the Rock by Doing, Not Just Hearing
Jesus teaches that it is not enough to simply hear His words; we must put them into practice if we want to withstand the storms of life. The foundation of our lives is built not by good intentions or religious activity alone, but by the hard work of obedience—acting on what we know to be true, even when it is difficult or unpopular. The storms will come to everyone, but those who have built on the rock by living out Jesus’ teachings will stand firm, while those who only listen without action will find their lives collapsing under pressure. The difference is not in what we know, but in what we do with what we know. [11:39]
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: What is one teaching of Jesus you have heard but not yet put into practice? What concrete step can you take today to begin living it out?
Day 3: Discern True Guidance by Examining the Fruit
Not everyone who claims to speak for God or offers advice is truly leading you in the right direction; Jesus warns us to look beyond words and examine the fruit of people’s lives. The true test of a person’s influence is not what they say, but what they do and the results that follow. We are always being influenced and influencing others, so it is vital to discern whether the guidance we receive aligns with God’s character and produces good fruit—love, peace, patience, and righteousness. In a world full of distractions and quick fixes, we must resist the temptation to follow voices that simply tell us what we want to hear, and instead seek out those whose lives reflect the truth of God. [13:58]
Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
Reflection: Who are the main voices influencing your decisions right now? What kind of fruit do you see in their lives, and how can you be more intentional about seeking godly counsel?
Day 4: Spiritual Foundations Require Hard Work and Perseverance
A life of peace, hope, and fulfillment is built on a strong spiritual foundation, which requires up-front effort, discipline, and perseverance through challenges. Just as traditional Japanese builders spend years preparing the foundation stones to withstand earthquakes, we must be willing to do the hard spiritual work—practicing patience, kindness, reconciliation, and self-control—so that our lives can endure the inevitable storms. The way to true life is narrow and pressured, demanding that we push through discomfort and resist shortcuts, but the reward is a lasting stability and joy that cannot be shaken. [18:01]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Reflection: What is one area of spiritual discipline or character that you find difficult to develop? How can you commit to doing the “hard work” in this area this week, trusting that God is building something lasting in you?
Day 5: Immediate Obedience—Act on God’s Word Without Delay
It is not enough to simply know what God wants; we are called to act on His word immediately, without overthinking or hesitation. Like Peter, who was flawed but willing to move when prompted, we must resist the urge to analyze or delay ourselves out of obedience. Opportunities from God often come disguised as adversity, and the blessing is found in responding with faith and action rather than waiting for perfect conditions. True spiritual growth and hope for the future are built by being doers—people who live out peace, kindness, and reconciliation in real time, laying a foundation for God’s promises to be fulfilled. [24:38]
James 1:22 (ESV)
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Reflection: Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been putting off? What would it look like to take immediate action today, trusting Him with the outcome?
Quotes
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