Building a Life of Obedience on God's Foundation
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the importance of obedience to God's word and the significance of building our lives on a solid foundation. We began by acknowledging our need for God in every situation, recognizing His promises as true and His faithfulness as unwavering. We prayed for those in grief, asking for God's comfort and strength, and reminded ourselves that our strength comes from Him alone. As we navigate life's challenges, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on Jesus, the one who provides answers and guidance.
Our church's vision is to help people acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. We emphasized that God is always available to hear our cries and that there is no "dead zone" with Him. We are called to pray about everything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, because if it matters to us, it matters to God.
We concluded our "Blueprints" series, which has been exploring the Sermon on the Mount, by discussing the characteristics of citizens of the kingdom of heaven. We are reminded that our citizenship is in heaven, and we should act accordingly. The word of God serves as our blueprint, guiding us in how to live as citizens of heaven. However, it's not enough to merely possess the blueprint; we must follow it, obey it, and apply it in our lives.
The passage from Matthew 7:24-27 illustrates the importance of being doers of the word, not just hearers. Building our lives on the rock, which is Jesus, ensures that we can withstand life's storms. Obedience to God's word does not exempt us from challenges, but it does provide us with a firm foundation. We are encouraged to make the choice to obey God, as our choices determine our outcomes.
Fear does not come from God, and we are reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. We are called to make decisions based on faith, not fear, and to align our lives with God's word. As we read and apply the scriptures, we receive guidance and conviction from the Holy Spirit, leading us to make necessary changes in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Necessity of Obedience: Obedience to God's word is crucial for building a strong foundation in our lives. It's not enough to hear the word; we must apply it and live by it. Our choices to obey or not will determine our outcomes. [47:33]
- Facing Life's Storms: Building our lives on the rock, which is Jesus, ensures that we can withstand life's storms. Obedience to God's word provides a firm foundation, even though it doesn't exempt us from challenges. [52:44]
- Fear vs. Faith: Fear does not come from God. We are called to make decisions based on faith, not fear. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind, and we should operate from that place of strength. [59:19]
- Aligning with God's Word: We must choose to align our lives with God's word, allowing it to guide and transform us. It's essential to read, understand, and apply the scriptures, making necessary changes as the Holy Spirit convicts us. [01:06:02]
- The Importance of the Blueprint: The Bible serves as our blueprint for living as citizens of heaven. It's not enough to possess it; we must actively engage with it, allowing it to shape our lives and decisions. [01:11:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [37:02] - Acknowledging Our Need for God
- [38:35] - Praying for Comfort and Strength
- [41:09] - Standing on God's Faithfulness
- [42:09] - Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus
- [42:35] - The Power of Prayer
- [43:24] - God's Unfailing Presence
- [45:00] - Citizens of Heaven
- [47:33] - The Great Distinction
- [50:00] - Self-Deception and Obedience
- [51:25] - The Choice to Obey
- [52:44] - Building on the Rock
- [56:31] - Fear Does Not Come from God
- [59:19] - Making Decisions Based on Faith
- [01:06:02] - Aligning with God's Word
- [01:11:28] - The Blueprint for Life
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:24-27
- James 1:22
- 2 Timothy 1:7
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 7:24-27, what are the two different foundations mentioned, and what do they represent in the context of the sermon? [47:33]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being a "doer" of the word as mentioned in James 1:22? [50:00]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between fear and faith, particularly in the context of 2 Timothy 1:7? [59:19]
4. What examples did the pastor give to illustrate the importance of applying God's word in our daily lives? [55:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of building on a solid foundation in Matthew 7:24-27 relate to the challenges we face in life? What does it mean to build on the "rock" in practical terms? [52:44]
2. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of obedience to God's word. How does this obedience impact our ability to withstand life's storms? [51:25]
3. In what ways does fear hinder our ability to make decisions based on faith, and how can we overcome this according to the sermon? [59:19]
4. How does the sermon suggest we align our lives with God's word, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? [01:06:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it based on fear or faith? How can you ensure future decisions are grounded in faith? [59:19]
2. Identify an area in your life where you have been a "hearer" but not a "doer" of the word. What steps can you take this week to begin applying God's word in that area? [50:00]
3. The sermon mentions the importance of having a physical Bible. Do you have one, and how often do you read it? What changes can you make to engage more with the scriptures? [45:00]
4. Consider a storm or challenge you are currently facing. How can you apply the principles from Matthew 7:24-27 to build a stronger foundation in your life? [52:44]
5. The pastor shared a story about making choices based on God's word. Can you recall a time when you chose to follow God's guidance despite it being difficult? What was the outcome? [01:06:02]
6. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to ensure you are aligning your life with God's word? What specific prayers can you start with this week? [42:35]
7. Think about a fear that has been holding you back. How can you replace that fear with the power, love, and sound mind that God has given you? [59:19]
Devotional
Day 1: The Foundation of Obedience
Obedience to God's word is not merely about hearing it but actively applying it in our lives. This obedience is crucial for building a strong foundation that can withstand the challenges and storms of life. Our choices to obey or not will determine our outcomes, as illustrated in the parable of the wise and foolish builders. By choosing to obey God's word, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, ensuring that our lives are built on a solid foundation. This foundation is not just for our benefit but also serves as a testimony to others of God's faithfulness and truth. [47:33]
"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." (Matthew 7:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What specific area of your life is God calling you to obey Him more fully today? How can you take a concrete step towards that obedience?
Day 2: Resilience in Life's Storms
Building our lives on the rock, which is Jesus, ensures that we can withstand life's storms. While obedience to God's word does not exempt us from challenges, it provides us with a firm foundation that helps us endure and overcome. The storms of life are inevitable, but when our lives are anchored in Christ, we have the strength and resilience to face them. This resilience is not about avoiding difficulties but about having the inner strength and peace to navigate through them with faith and trust in God. [52:44]
"For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?—the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless." (Psalm 18:31-32, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith in Jesus help you navigate through it? What can you do to strengthen your foundation in Him for future storms?
Day 3: Choosing Faith Over Fear
Fear does not come from God. Instead, He has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. We are called to make decisions based on faith, not fear, and to operate from a place of strength that God provides. This means trusting in God's promises and His character, even when circumstances seem daunting. By choosing faith over fear, we align ourselves with God's perspective and open ourselves to His guidance and provision. This choice is not always easy, but it is essential for living a life that reflects God's power and love. [59:19]
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a decision you are currently facing. Are you approaching it with faith or fear? How can you shift your perspective to trust in God's power and love?
Day 4: Aligning with God's Word
We must choose to align our lives with God's word, allowing it to guide and transform us. This involves reading, understanding, and applying the scriptures, making necessary changes as the Holy Spirit convicts us. God's word is not just a set of rules but a living guide that shapes our thoughts, actions, and character. By aligning with His word, we open ourselves to His wisdom and direction, enabling us to live lives that honor Him and reflect His kingdom values. [01:06:02]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific scripture that has been speaking to you recently? How can you apply it to your life today to align more closely with God's will?
Day 5: Living by the Blueprint
The Bible serves as our blueprint for living as citizens of heaven. It's not enough to possess it; we must actively engage with it, allowing it to shape our lives and decisions. This means not only reading the Bible but also meditating on it, seeking to understand its deeper truths, and applying them in our daily lives. By living according to this divine blueprint, we reflect the values and principles of God's kingdom, becoming a light to those around us and drawing others to Him. [01:11:28]
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you make the Bible a more integral part of your daily routine? What steps can you take to ensure that it guides your decisions and actions consistently?
Quotes
1. "And things happen in life, but God remains faithful. And things happen that we never understand, but God is still good and He's still on the throne and He's still faithful. And so no matter what the circumstance or the trial or the situation that you may be navigating this morning. Keep your eyes on the one that brings the answer. Keep your eyes on the one that is the way. Keep your eyes on the one that is the truth and the life. And make the choice to keep your eyes on Jesus. Don't choose any other way. Keep your eyes on Him. And on Him alone. In Jesus' name." [42:09] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And church, we need God every single day. And the amazing thing is that God is always waiting for us. And He always answers the call. I was trying to have a conversation with someone this week and the call just kept dropping, wouldn't go through. And they're like, I'm just in a dead zone. But there's no dead zone with God. He always hears our call. He always hears our cry. He always sees us. And so no matter what you're facing or you're going through, call on His name. And take it to the bank. Because He doesn't bounce a check. That He will be with you. That He will be with you. That He will remain faithful. And that He will hold you and see you through. In Jesus' name." [43:24] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The choice to do or not do what God instructs is the choice to do or not do what God instructs. The choice to do or not do what God will determine our outcome. And let me say this again. It's a choice. We choose to obey God or we choose not to. It's a choice. Throughout all of scripture, we see people doing the dance with God. They start to obey him. Then they get comfortable and walk away from him." [51:25] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Obeying God does not exempt us from storms. Obeying God does not exempt us from storms. Every single one of us is going to face storms. So I'm going to quote this guy who we should all follow. And his name is Jesus. And Jesus said this, in this world, you're going to have tribulation, but have peace. I've overcome the world. So it's not a matter if storms will happen. It's when storms happen. And the choices that we make of obeying God are going to determine the outcome at the end of the day." [52:44] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When we build on the rock, we don't need to fear the storm. When we build on the rock, we do not need to fear the storms. You know, we've been very, very blessed in the city of Miami that we have not gotten a direct impact of a storm in a very long time. And we pray that that continues to be the case. And we pray for the areas that have been affected by these hurricanes that have caused a lot of destruction." [56:31] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Fear does not come from God. Fear does not come from God. What does Paul write to Timothy? And he's writing it to us for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind church, anything that brings fear or any decision that we make on fear is not of God. If you and I are making choices on who we're voting for based on fear of what's going to happen or what's going to take place, that's not the way that we're supposed to do it because that is fear. We need to operate not in fear." [59:19] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Before reading the word of God, have we already predetermined our choice? See, many times that's what we do. We try to adjust God to us as opposed to allowing God to change us. This week, I was doing my daily Bible reading and we're in the book of Jeremiah as a church. If we're following the one -year Bible, we're in the book of Jeremiah right now. I think today we're like in Jeremiah chapter 51 or 52." [01:00:34] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And some of us are placing or facing fines in our life. And we're looking, we're saying, why is this happening? I thought that fill in the blank. And God says, because you haven't obeyed. And the foundation is on sand. And so as the worship team comes to the altar this morning, I want to wrap up this series with this. Get a blueprint. Read the blueprint. Follow the blueprint." [01:11:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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