Building Life's Foundation: Choose Wisely with Jesus
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that each of us is a builder of our own lives, much like constructing a house. This analogy was drawn from Jesus' parable in Matthew 7, where He speaks of the wise and foolish builders. The core of this teaching is the power of choice that God has entrusted to us. We have the sacred responsibility to choose how we build our lives, and the foundation we choose is crucial. Jesus emphasizes that everyone is a builder, and every life will face storms. These storms are inevitable, and they test the strength of our life's foundation.
Reflecting on the story of the Winchester Mystery House, we see a vivid illustration of a life built without a solid foundation. Despite its grandeur, it was ultimately unstable. Similarly, our lives, no matter how impressive they may appear, are vulnerable if not grounded on the right foundation. Jesus calls us to build our lives on the rock, which is His teachings and His presence. This foundation ensures that when storms come, our lives will stand firm.
The parable also highlights the inevitability of storms. Jesus does not promise a storm-free life but assures us that with Him as our foundation, we can withstand any storm. The ultimate storm, as Jesus points out, is the judgment of God, which will test the foundation of every life. Therefore, the choice of foundation is not just about weathering life's challenges but about eternal destiny.
Jesus offers us a choice: to build our lives on Him, the rock, or on anything else, which is akin to building on sand. The latter may seem appealing or easier, but it is ultimately unstable. Jesus invites us to choose wisely, to build our lives on His words and His love, ensuring that we are prepared for whatever storms may come.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Choice: God has entrusted us with the extraordinary ability to choose how we build our lives. This choice is a sacred responsibility that shapes our character and destiny. Every decision we make contributes to the construction of our life's foundation. [31:19]
2. Inevitability of Storms: Life's storms are unavoidable, and they test the strength of our foundation. Jesus teaches that we cannot engineer a storm-free life, but we can choose a foundation that withstands the storms. [47:09]
3. The Foundation Matters: The foundation of our lives determines our resilience in the face of adversity. Building on Jesus, the rock, ensures stability and security, while any other foundation is like sand, vulnerable to collapse. [50:09]
4. The Universal Call to Build Wisely: Everyone is a builder, responsible for their own life and soul. Jesus' parable calls us to examine our foundation and make the conscious choice to build on His teachings. [49:12]
5. The Invitation to Choose Jesus: Jesus offers forgiveness and guidance, inviting us to build our lives on Him. This choice leads to a life of purpose and strength, capable of withstanding any storm. [57:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [31:19] - The Power of Choice
- [35:33] - The Parable of the Builders
- [40:02] - The Winchester Mystery House
- [41:18] - The Inevitability of Storms
- [42:49] - Everyone Faces a Storm
- [45:01] - Building on a Strong Foundation
- [47:09] - Jesus' Prediction of Trouble
- [48:15] - The Ultimate Storm
- [49:12] - The Storm Reveals the Foundation
- [50:09] - Building on the Rock
- [53:19] - The Human Condition
- [54:40] - The Consequences of Drift
- [56:31] - Choosing a Better Way
- [57:49] - The Invitation to Build on Jesus
- [01:00:38] - Bringing Your House to Jesus
- [01:05:42] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:24-27
- John 16:33
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 7:24-27, what are the two types of builders Jesus describes, and what distinguishes their actions? [35:33]
2. How does the story of the Winchester Mystery House illustrate the concept of building without a solid foundation? [40:02]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the storms mentioned in Jesus' parable? [49:12]
4. What does Jesus predict about the nature of life in John 16:33, and how does this relate to the parable of the builders? [47:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to build one's life on the "rock" according to Jesus' teachings, and how does this choice impact one's life and destiny? [50:09]
2. How does the inevitability of storms in life challenge the idea of a storm-free existence, and what does this reveal about human nature and reliance on God? [47:09]
3. In what ways does the parable of the builders encourage individuals to examine their life's foundation, and what are the potential consequences of building on sand? [54:05]
4. How does the sermon suggest that Jesus' invitation to build on Him offers a path to resilience and purpose, even amidst life's challenges? [57:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current life's foundation. Are there areas where you feel you might be building on sand rather than rock? What steps can you take to strengthen your foundation on Jesus' teachings? [50:09]
2. Consider a recent "storm" you have faced. How did your foundation hold up, and what did you learn about your reliance on God during that time? [49:12]
3. The sermon mentions the power of choice in building our lives. What is one significant choice you can make this week to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? [31:19]
4. How can you prepare for future storms in your life by building a stronger spiritual foundation now? What practical actions can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus? [47:09]
5. Think about a time when you felt like you were in "drift mode." What changes can you implement to reorient your life towards building on the rock? [56:31]
6. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with their life's foundation? What role can you play in encouraging them to build on Jesus? [57:49]
7. Reflect on the concept of eternal destiny as discussed in the sermon. How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and priorities? [49:12]
Devotional
Day 1: The Sacred Responsibility of Choice
Each person is entrusted with the profound responsibility of choosing how to build their life. This choice is not merely about daily decisions but about the foundation upon which one's entire life is constructed. The analogy of building a house, as seen in Jesus' parable, illustrates that every decision contributes to the strength or weakness of this foundation. The choices we make shape our character and ultimately our destiny. It is a sacred responsibility, as each choice has the potential to align us more closely with God's will or lead us away from it. The power of choice is a divine gift, and it calls for wisdom and discernment. [31:19]
"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it." (Deuteronomy 30:15-16, ESV)
Reflection: What is one significant decision you are facing today, and how can you ensure it aligns with the foundation you want to build for your life?
Day 2: Embracing Life's Inevitable Storms
Life is filled with challenges and storms that test the strength of our foundation. Jesus teaches that these storms are unavoidable, and no amount of planning can prevent them. However, the focus should not be on avoiding storms but on ensuring that our foundation is strong enough to withstand them. Building on Jesus' teachings provides the resilience needed to face adversity. The storms of life reveal the true nature of our foundation, and they offer an opportunity to deepen our reliance on God. [47:09]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent storm you have faced. How did it reveal the strength or weakness of your foundation, and what steps can you take to strengthen it further?
Day 3: The Importance of a Solid Foundation
The foundation of our lives determines our resilience in the face of adversity. Jesus emphasizes the importance of building on the rock, which represents His teachings and presence. A life built on any other foundation is like a house built on sand, vulnerable to collapse. The strength of our foundation is not just about surviving life's challenges but about ensuring stability and security in all aspects of life. Building on Jesus provides a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that no matter what comes, we are anchored in something unshakeable. [50:09]
"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11, ESV)
Reflection: What are some areas of your life where you have built on sand rather than the rock of Jesus' teachings? How can you begin to rebuild those areas on a more solid foundation?
Day 4: The Call to Build Wisely
Everyone is a builder, responsible for their own life and soul. Jesus' parable calls us to examine our foundation and make the conscious choice to build on His teachings. This call to build wisely is universal, and it requires intentionality and reflection. It is not enough to hear Jesus' words; we must put them into practice. Building wisely involves a commitment to living out His teachings in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our foundation is strong and capable of withstanding any storm. [49:12]
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you be more intentional about putting Jesus' teachings into practice in your daily life?
Day 5: Choosing Jesus as the Foundation
Jesus offers forgiveness and guidance, inviting us to build our lives on Him. This choice leads to a life of purpose and strength, capable of withstanding any storm. Building on Jesus is not just about personal stability but about eternal destiny. The invitation to choose Jesus is an invitation to experience His love and grace, which transforms our lives from the inside out. It is a call to live a life that reflects His character and values, ensuring that we are prepared for whatever storms may come. [57:19]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus and ensure that He is the foundation of your life?
Quotes
"Everyone is a house builder, and like it or not, Jesus is speaking to people. You and I are responsible for our houses, and you could replace the word house with life or soul. In other words, we are responsible for our lives, we are responsible for our characters, we are responsible for our souls." [00:43:45] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The storms come to every life. And of course, the ultimate storm that Jesus is talking about here is the judgment of God, which will come one day to every house. This is not a story about storm avoidance." [00:48:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The whole deal comes down to this. And it brings us to the last observation from Jesus' story. The storm reveals the foundation. That's what the storm does. Jesus' whole story comes down to this. It comes down to the foundation." [00:49:35] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Jesus, in a sense, says, here's the deal: you have to build your life on something. You will build your life on something. You will construct your life on something or someone. It may even be yourself. You will make something your ultimate authority." [00:50:26] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Do not wait for the storm to come and decide that. By God's grace, you have been entrusted with a choice. Amen." [01:01:10] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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