Building a Life of Faith on Christ's Foundation

The words of Jesus in Matthew 7 remind us that the true test of faith is not in outward appearances or even in impressive spiritual activity, but in the fruit that our lives bear and the foundation upon which we build. Just as a house built on rock stands firm against storms, so too must our lives and our church be grounded in Christ and His teachings. The story of Peter and John healing the crippled man in Acts 3 is a powerful example of what happens when ordinary people rely not on their own strength, but on the power of God. Miracles, transformation, and awe follow—not because of human ability, but because of God’s presence and grace.

A healthy church is made up of healthy Christians, and the foundation of both is a life marked by repentance and dependence on God. It is not enough to simply believe the right things or participate in religious activities. Without genuine repentance—a turning away from sin and a humble acknowledgment of our need for God’s mercy—our faith is hollow. Many, like myself for years, can know all the right answers and even believe in Jesus, but without repentance, we remain unchanged and separated from Him. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual posture of the heart, a willingness to turn from sin and seek God’s help in our weakness.

We must also be vigilant not to trust our own hearts or the wisdom of the world. Our feelings and desires can be deceptive, leading us away from God’s best. Instead, we are called to listen to Christ above all else, to let His Word and Spirit guide our decisions and shape our lives. When we lose focus on Christ, even small sins can grow and entangle us, but the good news is that, like the prodigal son, we can always return to the Father. God’s grace is sufficient, and He welcomes us back with open arms every time we repent.

Ultimately, the call is to respond—not by trying to clean ourselves up before coming to God, but by coming as we are, confessing our need, and trusting in the finished work of Jesus. Our obedience and good works flow not from a desire to earn God’s favor, but as an act of love and gratitude for all He has done. Whether you are a believer who needs to return to Christ or someone seeking Him for the first time, the invitation is open: repent, believe, and receive the new life that only Jesus can give.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True Transformation Is God’s Work, Not Ours The miraculous changes we witness in ourselves and others are not the result of our own strength or eloquence, but the power of God working through us. This truth frees us from the pressure to be perfect or to “save” anyone; our role is simply to be faithful and let God do what only He can do. When we share the gospel or serve others, we plant seeds, but it is God who brings the growth and the miracle of new life. [10:16]
• 2. Repentance Is Essential, Not Optional Belief without repentance is hollow and powerless. It is possible to know all the right answers about Jesus and still be far from Him if we are unwilling to turn from our sin. Repentance is more than feeling sorry; it is a decisive turning away from sin and a continual surrender to God’s transforming grace. Without it, we remain unchanged, no matter how much we know or do. [16:05]
• 3. Sin Is Not Graded on a Curve—We All Need Grace There is a temptation to compare ourselves to others and assume we are “good enough” for God, but Scripture is clear: all sin separates us from Him, and none of us can earn our way into His presence. Whether our struggle is with pride, addiction, sexual sin, or unforgiveness, the call is the same—to repent and receive God’s mercy. The ground at the foot of the cross is level, and grace is available to all who humble themselves. [19:12]
• 4. Don’t Trust Your Heart—Listen to Christ Above All Our culture often tells us to “follow your heart,” but the Bible warns that our hearts are deceitful and can lead us astray. Instead, we are called to let Christ’s words and the Spirit’s leading shape our decisions and desires. When we lose focus on Jesus, even small compromises can grow into major problems, but when we keep our eyes on Him, He leads us into truth and freedom. [32:41]
• 5. Grace Is Greater Than Our Failures—Return to the Father No matter how far we have wandered or how many times we have failed, God’s grace is always available. Repentance is not about earning God’s love, but about returning to the One who already loves us and has made a way for our forgiveness. Like the prodigal son, we are welcomed home with open arms, and every act of repentance is met with mercy and restoration.
  
  ** [37:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:43] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 7
• [02:01] - The Foundation of a Healthy Church
• [03:21] - Reflections on Youth and Leadership
• [04:39] - Review: Healing at the Temple Gate
• [05:54] - Modern-Day Miracle: Forest Frank
• [07:51] - Acts 3: The Healed Beggar Clings to Peter and John
• [09:40] - Point 1: God’s Power, Not Ours
• [14:47] - Point 2: The Necessity of Repentance
• [19:12] - Personal Testimony: The Reality of Sin
• [23:07] - Addressing Sin and Repentance in the Church
• [28:47] - The Difference Between Struggle and Lifestyle
• [32:41] - Point 3: Listening to Christ Above All
• [37:52] - The Open Invitation: Return to the Father
• [44:21] - Responding to the Gospel
• [46:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Matthew 7:15-27 (ESV) — 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
21 “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. 22 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?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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.”

Acts 3:11-21 (ESV) — 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Observation Questions

1. According to Matthew 7, what is the difference between someone who simply calls Jesus “Lord” and someone who truly belongs to Him? ([01:22])
2. In Acts 3, how did Peter explain the healing of the crippled man to the crowd? What did he say was the real source of the miracle? ([09:40])
3. What does Jesus say happens to the house built on the rock versus the house built on sand when the storms come? ([02:01])
4. What specific action does Peter call the people to after the miracle in Acts 3? ([14:47])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus warns that not everyone who does impressive spiritual things or calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven? What does this reveal about the nature of true faith? ([01:22])
2. The sermon says that “belief without repentance is hollow.” Why is repentance so essential, and how is it different from just feeling sorry or knowing the right answers? ([16:05])
3. Peter and John made it clear that the healing was not by their own power. What does this teach about the role of human effort versus God’s power in spiritual transformation? ([10:16])
4. The sermon talks about not trusting our own hearts or the wisdom of the world. Why is it dangerous to “follow your heart” according to the Bible and the sermon? ([32:41])

Application Questions

1. The sermon described how someone can know all the right answers about Jesus and still be unchanged without repentance. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you had head knowledge but not heart change? What helped you move forward? ([16:05])
2. Repentance is described as a continual posture, not a one-time event. What does ongoing repentance look like in your daily life? Is there an area where you need to turn back to God right now? ([28:10])
3. The story of the healed man in Acts 3 shows that God can do miracles through ordinary people who rely on Him. Is there a situation in your life where you need to stop relying on your own strength and trust God’s power instead? ([10:16])
4. The sermon warns against comparing ourselves to others and thinking we are “good enough.” Are there ways you have fallen into this trap? How can you remind yourself that everyone needs God’s grace equally? ([19:12])
5. The pastor shared about how small sins, if left unchecked, can grow and entangle us. Is there a “small” sin or compromise in your life that you have been excusing? What would it look like to bring it into the light and repent? ([37:14])
6. The message says not to trust your heart but to listen to Christ above all. What is one practical way you can let God’s Word or Spirit guide your decisions this week, especially in an area where your feelings might be leading you astray? ([32:41])
7. The sermon ends with the reminder that God’s grace is always available, no matter how many times we fail. Is there a failure or regret you need to bring to God today, trusting that He welcomes you back with open arms? ([37:52])