Building God's Cathedral: Faith, Perseverance, and Purpose

There are moments in life when it feels as if God is silent, when we wonder if He is still at work in our story. Yet, just as clivias can appear dead for a season only to burst forth with new life, so too does God continue His work in us, even when we cannot see it. Each of us is being built into something far greater than ourselves—a living cathedral, a spiritual house that houses the very glory of God. This process is not instant; it is a work that spans generations, requiring patience, faith, and a willingness to be shaped.

The foundation is crucial. Just as a building with a faulty foundation will eventually show cracks, so too must our lives and our church be built on the solid foundation of Christ, the apostles, and the prophets. God chooses to partner with us in this building process, not because He needs us, but because He delights in working with us, shaping us, and even using our imperfections for His glory. Every generation, from the youngest to the oldest, has a vital role to play. Children are not just being entertained—they are being formed, and their faith is powerful.

The great cathedrals of the world were not built overnight. They took decades, even centuries, and often endured wars, plagues, and discouragement. Yet, they stand as testimonies to perseverance, vision, and the collective effort of many who never saw the finished work. In the same way, we are called to invest our best into God’s kingdom, to give willingly, and to recognize that our contributions—seen or unseen—are precious to God.

Challenges will come: wars, discouragement, loss of vision, even attacks from within and without. But the promise remains: what God builds, the gates of hell cannot overcome. Each of us, whether we feel like a new brick, a secondhand stone, a burnt or broken piece, is vital to the structure. God specializes in taking what seems unusable and fitting it perfectly into His design. Our task is to yield to His shaping, to find our place, and to trust that He is building something eternal in and through us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Work Is Often Hidden but Unstoppable Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is at work beneath the surface. Like the clivias that appeared dead but sprang to life after a season, our lives may go through periods of apparent dormancy, yet God is nurturing growth that will be revealed in due time. Trusting in His timing requires faith that He is still writing our story, even in the waiting. [01:18]
• 2. The Foundation Determines the Future A building’s strength and longevity depend on its foundation, and so it is with our spiritual lives. If our foundation is not Christ and the truth of His Word, cracks will inevitably appear. Regularly examining and reinforcing our foundations ensures that we can withstand the pressures and storms that come, both individually and as a church community. [04:47]
• 3. Every Generation and Every Person Matters God’s cathedral is not built by one age group or type of person; it is a multi-generational, multi-faceted work. Children, youth, adults, and elders all have a role, and even those who feel like “secondhand” or “burnt” bricks are essential. The diversity and unity of God’s people reflect the beauty and strength of His spiritual house. [08:01]
• 4. Perseverance Through Challenges Is Part of the Building Just as the great cathedrals endured wars, plagues, and discouragement, so too will we face obstacles in building God’s kingdom. Loss of vision, financial strain, and even internal conflict can threaten progress, but God calls us to persevere, to encourage one another, and to keep our eyes on the greater vision. Our faithfulness in adversity becomes a testimony to God’s sustaining power. [20:14]
• 5. God Uses Imperfect Materials for His Perfect Purpose No matter our past—whether we feel broken, burnt, or out of place—God can and will use us in His building. Our willingness to be shaped, to allow God to knock off rough edges, and to find our place in His design is what matters. In God’s hands, every brick, no matter its history, becomes part of a glorious, eternal structure. [28:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:38] - The Story of the Clivias: Hope in Waiting
• [02:02] - God’s Ongoing Work and Calling
• [02:37] - Cathedrals in the Sky: Earthly and Spiritual
• [03:21] - Foundations: The Importance of What Lies Beneath
• [04:47] - Lessons from the Leaning Tower: Building on Solid Ground
• [05:26] - God’s Partnership with Us
• [06:08] - Ephesians 2: The Living Temple
• [07:24] - Building for Generations
• [08:01] - The Role of Children and Every Generation
• [09:16] - Cathedrals: Magnificence and Perseverance
• [11:15] - Cologne Cathedral: Standing Through Bombs
• [12:35] - Partnership and Warnings from Revelation
• [13:51] - God Uses Every Brick
• [15:14] - Giving Willingly: Investing in God’s Kingdom
• [17:44] - The Holy Spirit Empowers the Builders
• [18:54] - Challenges in Building: War, Vision, and Discouragement
• [22:46] - Dealing with Curses and Attacks
• [24:44] - Resist the Enemy: Authority in Christ
• [26:05] - God Welcomes Every Kind of Brick
• [28:01] - Finding Your Place in God’s Cathedral
• [31:08] - Prayer for Healing and Restoration
• [32:21] - Every Person Is Valuable

Bible Reading

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) — > So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV) — > You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:18 (ESV) — > And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 2:19-22, what is the foundation of the spiritual house God is building, and who is described as the cornerstone?
2. In the sermon, what was the significance of the clivias that appeared dead but later sprang to life? [01:18]
3. What kinds of “bricks” or “stones” does the pastor say God uses to build His cathedral? [26:05]
4. In Matthew 16:18, what promise does Jesus make about the church He is building?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon compares our lives and the church to a cathedral that takes generations to build. What does this suggest about the pace and process of spiritual growth? [07:24]
2. The pastor mentions that every generation and every person, including children, are vital to God’s building. Why might it be important to recognize the value of each person, regardless of age or background? [08:01]
3. The message highlights that God uses “imperfect materials”—broken, burnt, or secondhand bricks. What does this reveal about God’s character and His way of working with people? [28:41]
4. The sermon talks about challenges like discouragement, loss of vision, and attacks from within and without. How does the promise in Matthew 16:18 shape our response to these challenges? [12:35]

Application Questions

1. The clivias looked dead for a season, but new life was growing beneath the surface. Have you ever felt like God was silent or absent in your life? What helped you keep faith during that time? [01:18]
2. The foundation of our lives and church is crucial. Are there any “cracks” in your spiritual foundation that you sense God wants to address? What practical steps could you take to strengthen your foundation in Christ this week? [04:47]
3. The pastor said that children’s faith is powerful and that every generation matters. How can you encourage or invest in someone from a different generation in our church family this month? [08:01]
4. The great cathedrals were built by people who never saw the finished work. Are you willing to serve or give in ways that may not be recognized or rewarded in your lifetime? What motivates you to do so? [17:07]
5. The message challenged us to see ourselves as “bricks” in God’s building, even if we feel broken, burnt, or out of place. Is there a part of your story or past that you think disqualifies you from being used by God? How might God want to use that very thing for His glory? [28:41]
6. The pastor warned against grumbling or sowing division within the church. Have you ever found yourself criticizing church leadership or others? What would it look like to address concerns in a healthy, biblical way? [24:05]
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to find your place in God’s cathedral. Do you feel like you’ve found your place in the church? If not, what is one step you could take to get more connected or involved? [28:01]