Building Life on the Rock of Christ
Summary
Today’s focus is on the vital importance of building our lives according to God’s pattern, not our own preferences or the shifting standards of the world. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 7, we see that every person is building a “house”—a life, a family, a future. The difference between a life that stands and one that falls is not in the storms faced, but in the foundation chosen. Jesus makes it clear: hearing His words is not enough; it is the application—obedience—that makes us wise builders. The storms of life are inevitable, but those who build on the rock of Christ will endure.
A key obstacle to hearing God is the absence of repentance. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a continual turning from our own way of thinking to God’s way. The story of King Herod illustrates the danger of silencing the voice of repentance; when we cut off repentance, we cut off the voice and direction of God in our lives. True repentance means surrendering our right to define good and evil and instead adopting God’s standard.
Wisdom is not merely knowledge, but knowledge applied. Solomon’s prayer for wisdom, rather than riches or power, shows us that wisdom brings with it all the other blessings we often seek. Many of the struggles we face are not just circumstantial but are rooted in faulty patterns—cycles that can only be broken by aligning our lives with God’s design. Life built by default—drifting wherever the tide takes us—leads to instability. But life built by design, according to God’s pattern, brings hope, stability, and endurance.
The foundation we choose is more important than the storms we face. Even if you have built poorly in the past, God’s grace allows you to choose today to build on the rock of Jesus. Our hope is not in our circumstances, but in the unshakable foundation of Christ. Like the hymn writer Edward Mote, whose song “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” was born out of a desire to hear from God, we can find peace and strength in Jesus, no matter what storms come our way.
Key Takeaways
- Repentance is the gateway to hearing God’s voice. When we refuse to repent, we silence the very voice that brings direction and life. Repentance is not just feeling sorry, but a decisive change of mind—letting go of our own definitions of right and wrong and embracing God’s truth. Without repentance, even the most religious among us can find ourselves spiritually deaf. [03:21]
- Wisdom is knowledge applied, not just knowledge acquired. Solomon’s request for wisdom teaches us that God values our desire to discern and apply His ways above all else. Many blessings we seek are the natural result of living wisely, and without wisdom, even good things can become burdens or be lost. Wisdom is the difference between surviving storms and being swept away by them. [10:54]
- The patterns we follow determine the outcomes we experience. Repeated struggles often point to faulty patterns, not just bad luck or spiritual attack. God calls us to build according to His pattern, not our feelings or cultural trends. Changing the pattern—aligning with God’s design—brings freedom and breaks cycles of defeat. [17:18]
- Life built by default is unstable; life built by design is secure. Drifting with the tides of circumstance or emotion leads to instability and disappointment. God invites us to intentional living—making decisions rooted in His wisdom and truth. Our destiny is shaped not by chance, but by the daily decisions to build on the rock. [22:39]
- Hope for the future is found in the foundation, not the forecast. The storms of life are inevitable, but they do not determine our future—our foundation does. Even if you have built on sand in the past, God’s grace allows you to start building on the rock today. The peace, hope, and endurance you long for are found in Jesus, our unshakable foundation. [27:49]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
[02:42] - The Importance of Hearing God
[03:21] - Repentance: The Key to Hearing
[04:56] - The Danger of Silencing Repentance
[06:57] - Herod’s Encounter with Jesus
[08:02] - Choosing God’s Standard Over Our Own
[09:05] - Hearing and Doing: The Path to Wisdom
[10:54] - Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
[12:49] - Wisdom Sustains What Blessing Brings
[14:10] - Building Foundations: Lessons from Construction
[16:19] - Praying for Relief vs. Building with Wisdom
[17:18] - Building by God’s Pattern
[18:20] - Breaking Cycles: Pattern Problems
[19:18] - Living by Default or Design
[21:32] - The Story of Captain Turtle
[22:39] - Decisions Shape Destiny
[23:23] - Why Wisdom and Structure Matter
[24:49] - Is It Sin or Is It Wise?
[25:29] - The View from the Sand
[27:49] - Hope for the Future: Building on the Rock
[29:06] - The Story Behind “My Hope Is Built”
[31:57] - Hope and Peace in the Storm
[33:22] - Responding to God: Repentance and Application
[34:26] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Building on God’s Foundation
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### Bible Reading
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.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Jesus in Matthew 7:24-27, what is the main difference between the wise and foolish builders?
2. In the sermon, what does Pastor Jordan say is the greatest obstacle to hearing from God? ([03:21])
3. What does the story of King Herod and John the Baptist illustrate about repentance and hearing God’s voice? ([04:56])
4. What prayer did Solomon pray in 1 Kings 3, and how did God respond to his request? ([10:54])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize not just hearing His words, but also doing them? What does this say about the role of obedience in the Christian life? ([09:05])
2. How does the absence of repentance affect a person’s ability to hear from God, according to the sermon? ([06:57])
3. The sermon mentions that repeated struggles in life may point to “pattern problems” rather than just bad luck or spiritual attack. What does it mean to have a pattern problem, and how does this relate to building on the right foundation? ([17:18])
4. Pastor Jordan says, “Life built by default is unstable; life built by design is secure.” What does it look like to build your life by design rather than by default? ([22:39])
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### Application Questions
1. Pastor Jordan said that repentance is not just a one-time event, but a continual turning from our way to God’s way. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is calling you to repent or change your thinking? What would it look like to take a step of repentance this week? ([03:21])
2. The sermon teaches that wisdom is knowledge applied, not just knowledge acquired. Can you think of a recent situation where you knew the right thing to do but struggled to apply it? What held you back, and what could help you act on God’s wisdom next time? ([09:05])
3. Are there any “faulty patterns” or cycles in your life that you keep repeating? What is one practical change you could make to align more closely with God’s pattern for your life? ([17:18])
4. Pastor Jordan shared the story of Captain Turtle, who lived “wherever the tide takes us.” In what ways are you tempted to drift through life rather than live intentionally? What is one decision you can make this week to live by God’s design? ([21:32])
5. The foundation you choose is more important than the storms you face. Are you currently facing a storm in your life? How does knowing your foundation is in Christ change your perspective or response to this situation? ([27:49])
6. The hymn “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” was written out of a desire to hear from God and trust Him in the storm. What is one way you can remind yourself daily that your hope is in Jesus, not your circumstances? ([29:06])
7. Pastor Jordan said, “You can choose today to build on the rock of Jesus, no matter how you’ve built in the past.” Is there an area of your life where you need to start over or rebuild on a better foundation? What first step can you take this week? ([27:49])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for wisdom, a heart of repentance, and the courage to build their lives on the unshakable foundation of Jesus.
Devotional
Day 1: Building Your Life on the Rock
Jesus teaches that the wise person builds their life on the solid foundation of His words, not just by hearing but by doing what He says. When storms come—whether trials, temptations, or hardships—those who have built on the rock will stand firm, while those who have built on sand will fall. The difference is not in the storms faced, but in the foundation chosen. You are the builder, and God is the foundation; your choices and obedience determine the strength of your life’s structure. [01:26]
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 area of your life where you need to move from just hearing God’s Word to actually applying it today? What step of obedience can you take right now to build on the rock?
Day 2: The Power and Necessity of Repentance
Repentance is not just feeling sorry, but a true change of mind and direction—letting go of your own way and embracing God’s way. When you cut off the voice of repentance, you also cut off the voice of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life. Repentance is essential for both the unsaved and the saved, as it keeps your heart sensitive to God’s leading and opens your ears to hear Him clearly. [06:57]
Luke 23:8-9 (ESV)
“When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer.”
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have resisted repentance or ignored God’s conviction? What would it look like to invite God’s truth and change your mind in that area today?
Day 3: Wisdom Is Applied Knowledge
Wisdom is not just knowing what is right, but applying it in your daily life. Solomon’s prayer for wisdom was not for riches or long life, but for the ability to discern right from wrong and to lead well. God honored this prayer and gave him not only wisdom but everything else he could have desired. When you seek and apply God’s wisdom, many of the things you worry about will be taken care of as a result. [10:54]
1 Kings 3:9-12 (ESV)
“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.”
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you need to stop asking “Is this allowed?” and start asking “Is this wise?” How can you seek God’s wisdom for that decision today?
Day 4: Build According to God’s Pattern, Not Your Own
God has a specific pattern and design for your life, just as He gave Moses a pattern for the tabernacle. When you build according to His pattern—His Word, His wisdom, His priorities—you break free from destructive cycles and experience lasting change. If you find yourself stuck in repeated struggles, it may be time to examine your patterns and align them with God’s design, rather than living by default or letting circumstances dictate your direction. [17:18]
Hebrews 8:5 (ESV)
“They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, ‘See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.’”
Reflection: Where in your life are you following your own patterns instead of God’s? What is one practical change you can make this week to align your habits or routines with God’s pattern?
Day 5: Hope for the Future Is Found in the Foundation
No matter what storms you face, your hope for the future is secure when your life is built on the foundation of Jesus. The wise builder outlasts the storms not because of perfect circumstances, but because of a firm foundation. Even if you have built poorly in the past, God’s grace allows you to choose today to start building on the rock. Your future is not determined by today’s weather, but by the foundation you choose now. [27:49]
Romans 6:14 (ESV)
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Reflection: Are you letting today’s storms define your outlook, or are you anchoring your hope in the unshakable foundation of Jesus? What is one way you can declare and act on that hope today, regardless of your circumstances?
Quotes
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