Building Faith Together: A Call to Discipleship

Faith is the foundation upon which everything in the Christian life is built. It’s not just a vague hope or wishful thinking, but a deep trust in who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. Faith means believing in the unseen, trusting God’s promises even when circumstances seem uncertain. The journey begins when someone introduces us to Jesus, and we respond by confessing our sins, repenting, and placing our trust in Him. This is the starting point for everyone, no matter our background or how long we’ve been in church.

But faith is not static; it’s meant to grow and be built upon. Like building blocks, we add to our foundation through spiritual disciplines—prayer, worship, studying the Word, and living in community. God calls us to pursue godliness, self-control, and moral excellence, not as a means to earn His love, but as a response to it. Our faith is made visible through our actions—good deeds, acts of service, and leadership that points others to Christ. These are not just personal achievements, but ways we participate in building up the church and discipling others.

Yet, there are real dangers that can hinder our faith. Ongoing, unrepentant sin, pride, bitterness, and a refusal to obey God’s commands can erode our foundation. Guilt and condemnation can paralyze us, making us forget that God’s grace is greater than our failures. Ignorance—choosing not to seek or acknowledge God—can keep us from experiencing the fullness of life He offers. We must be vigilant, examining ourselves to ensure our faith is genuine and not just an outward show.

Importantly, faith is not meant to be lived out in isolation. We need each other to grow, to be held accountable, and to be encouraged. The building of faith is a communal project; as we each add our “blocks,” we become the church—a unified body that reflects Christ to the world. Our legacy is not in what we achieve alone, but in how we help others build their faith and follow Jesus. The call is to count the cost, commit fully, and allow the Holy Spirit to shape us together into a people who glorify God and make Him known.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith is a living trust in Jesus, not just intellectual agreement. It requires us to believe in God’s promises even when we can’t see the outcome, and to rest in the finished work of Christ on the cross. This faith is the starting point for every believer, regardless of background or past, and it is the only foundation strong enough to build a life that endures. [50:24]
• 2. The process of building faith involves intentional spiritual disciplines: prayer, worship, studying Scripture, and living in accountable community. These practices are not just religious routines, but means by which we grow in godliness, self-control, and moral excellence. True spiritual maturity is marked by a continual pursuit of holiness and a willingness to be shaped by God’s Word and people. [79:33]
• 3. Unrepentant sin, pride, and bitterness are serious threats to genuine faith. When we harbor sin or refuse to reconcile with others, we hinder the work of God in our lives and damage our witness. Confession and repentance are not one-time events but ongoing practices that keep our hearts soft and our faith vibrant. [65:25]
• 4. Faith must be expressed through action—good deeds, acts of service, and leadership that invests in others. Belief without action is empty; it is in serving, loving, and discipling others that our faith is made complete and the church is built up. Our legacy is not in personal achievement, but in how we help others grow in Christ. [87:20]
• 5. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. We need the accountability, encouragement, and partnership of others to build a faith that lasts. Together, as each person adds their “block,” we become the church—a unified body that reflects Christ’s love and truth to the world. Our faith is strengthened and multiplied in community, and this is how God builds His church. [96:31]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [39:25] - Upcoming Retreats and Announcements
• [40:20] - Thanksgiving Reflections and Community Joy
• [47:15] - Preparing Our Hearts in Prayer
• [48:15] - Introduction to Faith and Building Blocks
• [49:42] - Defining Faith from Hebrews 11
• [50:24] - Trusting in Who Jesus Is
• [51:56] - The Foundation: Faith, Confession, and Repentance
• [55:12] - The Joy of Repentance and Heaven’s Celebration
• [56:30] - Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
• [57:15] - Examining Genuine Faith
• [58:19] - How Sin Hinders Our Faith
• [59:29] - Living in the Light and Practicing the Truth
• [62:05] - Obedience, Love, and Claims that Hinder Faith
• [65:43] - God’s Love and Our Identity as His Children
• [67:47] - Freedom from Sin and the Power of Christ
• [69:20] - The Ripple Effect of Our Faith
• [71:20] - Guilt, Condemnation, and God’s Grace
• [74:35] - Ignorance and the Evidence of God
• [76:09] - Building Blocks: Spiritual Disciplines
• [79:33] - Prayer, Worship, and Community
• [82:10] - Godliness, Self-Control, and Moral Excellence
• [87:20] - Good Deeds and Faith in Action
• [91:51] - Acts of Service and Leadership
• [96:31] - Building Faith Together as the Church
• [99:13] - The Cost and Courage of Faith
• [101:03] - Responding: What’s Hindering and What’s Building Your Faith?
• [101:58] - Prayer and Commitment to Build Together

Bible Reading

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV) — > Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

1 John 1:5-10 (ESV) — > This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

James 2:14-17 (ESV) — > What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Observation Questions

1. According to Hebrews 11:1-3, how is faith described, and what does it help us understand about the world?
2. In 1 John 1:5-10, what does John say about claiming to have fellowship with God while living in darkness?
3. What are some of the “building blocks” of faith mentioned in the sermon, and how are they meant to be added to our foundation? ([49:42])
4. According to James 2:14-17, what is the relationship between faith and works?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says faith is more than just believing facts about Jesus—it’s a living trust in who He is and what He’s done. Why is this distinction important for someone’s spiritual life? ([50:24])
2. The pastor talked about how unrepentant sin, pride, and bitterness can erode our faith foundation. Why do you think these particular issues are so damaging to faith? ([58:19])
3. The sermon emphasized that faith is not meant to be lived out alone. What are some dangers of trying to build faith in isolation, according to the message? ([01:36:31])
4. James 2 says that faith without works is dead. How does this challenge the idea that faith is just a private or internal matter?

Application Questions

1. The sermon described faith as trusting God’s promises even when circumstances are uncertain. Is there an area in your life right now where you’re struggling to trust God? What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area this week? ([50:24])
2. The pastor mentioned that confession and repentance are not one-time events but ongoing practices. Is there a sin, attitude, or relationship in your life that you need to bring into the light and repent of? What’s holding you back? ([55:12])
3. One of the “building blocks” of faith is spiritual discipline—prayer, worship, studying the Word, and living in community. Which of these do you find most challenging, and what is one practical way you could grow in that area this month? ([01:19:33])
4. The message warned about the dangers of pride and bitterness, especially when we refuse to reconcile with others. Is there someone you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from? What’s one step you could take toward reconciliation? ([01:05:25])
5. Faith is made visible through action—good deeds, serving, and helping others grow. Can you think of a specific way you could serve someone in your church or community this week? ([01:27:20])
6. The sermon said our legacy is not in what we achieve alone, but in how we help others build their faith. Who is one person you could encourage or disciple in their faith journey? How could you reach out to them this week? ([01:36:31])
7. The pastor challenged everyone to examine what is hindering and what is building their faith. Take a moment to reflect: What is one thing you need to “cut out” and one thing you need to “add in” to help your faith grow stronger? ([01:41:03])