Building Life on the Unshakable Foundation of Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is Our Unshakable Foundation

Building your life on Jesus as your foundation brings strength, purpose, and stability, even when the world feels chaotic and uncertain. When you fully trust Him and commit every part of your life to His care, you discover that He is faithful to His promises and will never leave or forsake you. Though challenges and storms may come, Jesus works all things for the good of those who love Him, and His presence brings peace and hope in every circumstance. Choosing to follow Him wholeheartedly may require sacrifice, but what He offers is always better than anything you leave behind. [27:03]

Matthew 7:24-25 (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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been “half on, half off” the foundation of Jesus? What would it look like to fully trust Him with that area today?

Day 2: God’s Relentless Love and Pursuit

God’s love is relentless—He pursues each of us, no matter how far we wander or how many mistakes we make. Like the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, the woman who searches for her lost coin, and the father who runs to embrace his wayward son, God’s heart is always for restoration and relationship. Even when you feel unworthy or distant, He is waiting with open arms, ready to welcome you home and celebrate your return. [32:17]

Luke 15:20-24 (ESV)
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

Reflection: Is there a part of your story where you’ve felt far from God? How might you let yourself experience His loving pursuit and acceptance today?

Day 3: Choosing Whom You Will Serve

Every day, you are faced with choices about what or whom you will serve—whether it’s money, success, comfort, or Jesus. The call is to examine your priorities and decide if you are truly “all in” for Christ, willing to put Him first above all else. When you notice something taking God’s place in your heart, repentance and a fresh commitment to Jesus bring freedom and blessing. Serving Him wholeheartedly always leads to a life more fulfilling than you could have imagined. [34:05]

Luke 16:13 (ESV)
“No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Reflection: What is one thing that tends to compete with Jesus for first place in your life? How can you intentionally put Him first in that area this week?

Day 4: The Power of Humility and Repentance

True transformation begins with humility—recognizing your need for God’s mercy and grace. Like the tax collector who came before God with a humble heart, admitting his sin and asking for mercy, you are invited to approach God honestly, knowing that He responds to the humble and repentant. It’s not about measuring up or comparing yourself to others, but about acknowledging your dependence on Jesus, who alone is the way, the truth, and the life. [48:05]

Luke 18:13-14 (ESV)
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Reflection: When was the last time you came to God in true humility? What would it look like to honestly confess your need for His mercy today?

Day 5: Trusting God with Generosity

Giving is not just about money—it’s a spiritual discipline that reflects your trust in God and your willingness to put Him first. When you prioritize God in your finances and give generously, even when it doesn’t make sense on paper, you experience His faithfulness and provision in unexpected ways. Generosity is an act of worship and a tangible way to participate in God’s work, both locally and globally, as you trust Him to take care of your needs. [58:28]

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Reflection: Is there a step of generosity God is prompting you to take—whether with your time, resources, or finances? How can you trust Him and respond in faith this week?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the unshakable foundation we have in Jesus Christ. No matter what we bring into this place—joys, frustrations, or deep challenges—when we lay it all at the feet of Jesus and focus on Him, He meets us with His peace and presence. Over the past weeks, we’ve explored who Jesus is: our foundation, our King, our healer, the one who answers prayer, and the only way to true life. In a world that is constantly shifting, Jesus remains the same, and when we build our lives fully on Him, every part of our life finds strength and purpose.

We reflected on the cost of following Jesus, recognizing that while it isn’t always easy, it is always worth it. Jesus never promised a life free from storms, but He did promise to be with us through them and to work all things for our good. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son remind us of God’s relentless pursuit and love for each of us, no matter how far we wander. He cares deeply about every detail of our lives and invites us to return to Him with humility, knowing that He runs to meet us with open arms.

We also considered the challenge Jesus gives us to choose whom we will serve. Whether it’s money, status, or anything else, nothing can take the place of Jesus as our foundation. When we go all in with Him, we find a life more abundant than we could ever imagine. Jesus is just—He calls us to repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation, as seen in the story of Zacchaeus. He is our King, deserving of our obedience, and when we follow Him, even through sacrifice, we discover a life of true freedom and joy.

Jesus is also our healer, and He values every person, regardless of ability or circumstance. We are called to honor and include all as indispensable members of His body. Persistent prayer aligns us with God’s will, and as we trust Him, we see Him move in ways beyond our understanding. Ultimately, Jesus is the only way—the one who makes it possible for us to live the life God intends. As we humble ourselves before Him, acknowledging our need and His sufficiency, we find grace, mercy, and a new beginning.

Key Takeaways

1. Building on the Unshakable Foundation: True strength and purpose in life come from building every aspect of our lives on Jesus. Partial commitment is like building a house half on the foundation—it simply doesn’t hold. When we fully trust and follow Jesus, even through the storms, we experience His faithfulness and provision in ways we could never achieve on our own. [27:03]
2. The Relentless Love of God: God’s pursuit of us is unwavering, even when we turn away or feel unworthy. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son reveal a God who seeks, finds, and restores. No matter how far we’ve wandered, God runs to meet us, embracing us with forgiveness and love that defies human logic. [32:17]
3. The Challenge of True Discipleship: Following Jesus requires us to count the cost and choose whom we will serve. It’s not about a life free from hardship, but about a life anchored in the One who is faithful through every trial. When we put Jesus first, surrendering our own agendas, we discover that what He gives is always better than what we give up. [34:27]
4. The Call to Repentance, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: Jesus’ justice is not about condemnation but about restoration. We are called to be people who forgive as many times as it takes, who repent often, and who make things right with others. This is not easy, but it is only possible through the grace and power of Jesus working in us. [36:21]
5. Humility and Dependence on Jesus: The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector reminds us that our posture before God must be one of humility. We cannot live up to God’s standard on our own; it is only by His grace that we are made right. When we come to Him acknowledging our need, He lifts us up and empowers us to live the life He calls us to. [48:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:52] - Kids Ministry and Announcements
[02:23] - Community Halloween Party
[02:48] - Opening Prayer
[03:20] - Worship and Prayer for Needs
[23:13] - Praying for Those Facing Challenges
[25:16] - Reflections from Pastors’ Retreat
[27:03] - Building on the Foundation of Jesus
[28:35] - Jesus is Good and Faithful
[29:48] - Counting the Cost of Discipleship
[31:36] - God’s Relentless Pursuit: The Lost Parables
[34:27] - Choosing Whom to Serve
[35:23] - Jesus is Just: Repentance and Forgiveness
[38:53] - Jesus is King: Obedience and Surrender
[41:36] - Jesus the Healer and the Value of Every Person
[43:59] - Persistent Prayer and God’s Response
[46:36] - The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Humility Before God
[49:01] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[51:47] - Celebration and Worship
[58:13] - Giving as Worship and Missions Update
[63:09] - Upcoming Events and Final Announcements
[64:16] - Benediction and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Luke 15:1-32 (ESV) — (Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Prodigal Son)

Luke 18:9-14 (ESV) — (The Pharisee and the Tax Collector)

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV) — (The Story of Zacchaeus)

Observation Questions

In the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son (Luke 15), what actions do the main characters take when something or someone is lost? What does this show about their priorities?
In the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), what is Zacchaeus’ response when Jesus chooses to spend time with him? How does he show repentance and a desire to make things right?
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), what is the difference in attitude between the two men as they pray? What does Jesus say about their prayers?
According to the sermon, what does it mean to build your life “fully” on the foundation of Jesus, rather than “half on, half off”? [[27:45]]

Interpretation Questions

What do the actions of the shepherd, the woman, and the father in Luke 15 reveal about God’s character and His pursuit of people who are far from Him? How does this challenge our own view of God’s love? [[32:17]]
Why do you think Jesus emphasizes humility in the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector? What does this teach us about how we should approach God? [[48:05]]
The sermon mentions that following Jesus comes with a cost, but it is always worth it. What are some reasons people might hesitate to go “all in” with Jesus? How does the story of Zacchaeus illustrate true repentance and transformation? [[38:18]]
The pastor said, “Partial commitment is like building a house half on the foundation—it simply doesn’t hold.” What are some signs that someone might be trying to build their life only partly on Jesus? [[27:45]]

Application Questions

The sermon talked about laying down our joys, frustrations, and challenges at the feet of Jesus. Is there something specific you are carrying right now that you need to surrender to Him? What would it look like to do that this week? [[02:48]]
The parables in Luke 15 show God’s relentless pursuit of us. Have you ever felt like you were “lost” or far from God? How did you experience His pursuit or welcome back? If you haven’t, what do you think it would feel like? [[33:28]]
The story of Zacchaeus shows a willingness to make things right with others. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to seek forgiveness or offer reconciliation? What is one step you could take toward that this week? [[38:18]]
The pastor challenged us to choose whom we will serve—Jesus or something else (money, status, etc.). Is there something in your life that is competing with Jesus for first place? What practical step can you take to put Jesus first? [[34:27]]
Persistent prayer was highlighted as a way to align ourselves with God’s will. Is there something you have been praying for a long time? How can you keep praying with faith, even if you haven’t seen an answer yet? [[43:59]]
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector reminds us to come to God with humility. Are there areas where pride might be keeping you from fully depending on Jesus? How can you practice humility before God this week? [[48:05]]
The sermon said, “When we go all in with Him, we find a life more abundant than we could ever imagine.” What is one area of your life where you sense God is asking you to trust Him more fully? What would it look like to say “yes” to Jesus in that area? [[28:58]]

Sermon Clips

Who are we going to serve? Are we going to kind of build their lives on the unshakable foundation of Jesus? Are we all in? Are we all in saying, yes, I'm going to serve you, Jesus. And when I notice I'm putting something else before him in my life, I'm going to repent. I'm going to say, I'm sorry. And I'm going to choose Jesus. [00:34:36] (22 seconds) #AllInForJesus

I serve my king because of what he did for me. You see, he didn't wear a crown of gold and jewels, but he wore a crown of thorns and went to the cross to die for us. It is Jesus who is king of kings and Lord of lords, and he must be first in our lives. [00:39:40] (19 seconds) #ServeTheKingOfThorns

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I think sometimes in the salvation call, we skip over the part where we need to sit down and consider the cost because as we follow Jesus, there are things that we have to give up. There are challenges we are going to face, but like I said earlier, it always is better. It's always better. [00:40:14] (22 seconds) #CountingTheCostOfDiscipleship

The things that I've had to give up in life, the challenges I faced, I am so glad for them. I might not always be glad while I'm in them, but I'm glad for them because I want to recognize that he has taken me through them and he has worked it all out for the good of those who trust him and obey him. [00:40:35] (23 seconds) #GratefulForTrialsAndTrust

Sometimes we have to be persistent because Jesus answers prayer and in the parable that Jesus shared there it was the unjust judge but the unjust judge wasn't a representation of God but it was Jesus setting up a how much more argument—how much more if that unjust judge was going to respond to the widow, how much more would God respond to us. [00:44:22] (25 seconds) #PersistentPrayerTransforms

Have you ever noticed as you read throughout the scriptures that have to do with giving, where it talks about tithing or offering, maybe it's like in Acts, where it says that the people sold their properties and possessions or whatever it was and brought money to the disciples, to the apostles, to help those in need, to help support missions that were going all over the world? Have you ever noticed that they have little to do with actual money but with our spiritual disciplines, about our spiritual journey with Jesus? It's about what are we going to prioritize? What comes first? [00:58:23] (40 seconds) #TrustGodProvides

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