Building Life's Foundation: Christ at the Center

 

Summary

Building a strong foundation in life and relationships begins with Jesus. Just as a house needs a solid base to withstand storms, our lives require a firm grounding in Christ to endure life's challenges. The unseen work of building intimacy and connection is crucial, much like the raw sheetrock that eventually becomes a beautiful wall. This process involves becoming the person you want to be in your relationships, reflecting the love and character of Christ.

In our relationship series, we emphasize the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who celebrate and challenge us. It's vital to be a friend who loves others even when we are hurting. For men, pursuing God should not be seen as a feminine act but as a powerful and spiritual pursuit. Jesus exemplified strength and passion in His pursuit of God, and men are called to do the same.

When it comes to tithing, it's about obedience and trust in God rather than the amount. Tithing is a biblical principle that Jesus affirmed in the New Testament. It's an opportunity to fund God's vision and kingdom work on earth. Our financial obedience reflects our trust in God to provide for all our needs.

Doing relationships God's way involves getting ourselves right with God first. This means building a foundation with Christ before seeking a partner. Being equally yoked in relationships is crucial to avoid the pain of a split life. Living together before marriage can blur lines and lead to temptation, so it's important to reserve certain things for marriage.

Handling external pressures in life, such as work and finances, requires prioritizing our spiritual life, family, and church. Pressure can either crush us or create something beautiful, like a diamond. Choosing joy, which is found in Jesus, helps us navigate life's pressures. Joy is not a fleeting feeling but a choice to care for what truly matters.

Key Takeaways:

- Building a strong foundation in life and relationships starts with Jesus. Just as a house needs a solid base, our lives require a firm grounding in Christ to endure life's challenges. The unseen work of building intimacy and connection is crucial, much like the raw sheetrock that eventually becomes a beautiful wall. [37:47]

- Surround yourself with people who celebrate and challenge you. Be a friend who loves others even when you are hurting. For men, pursuing God should not be seen as a feminine act but as a powerful and spiritual pursuit. Jesus exemplified strength and passion in His pursuit of God, and men are called to do the same. [47:35]

- Tithing is about obedience and trust in God rather than the amount. It's a biblical principle that Jesus affirmed in the New Testament. Tithing is an opportunity to fund God's vision and kingdom work on earth, reflecting our trust in God to provide for all our needs. [57:29]

- Doing relationships God's way involves getting ourselves right with God first. This means building a foundation with Christ before seeking a partner. Being equally yoked in relationships is crucial to avoid the pain of a split life. Living together before marriage can blur lines and lead to temptation, so it's important to reserve certain things for marriage. [01:08:39]

- Handling external pressures requires prioritizing our spiritual life, family, and church. Pressure can either crush us or create something beautiful, like a diamond. Choosing joy, which is found in Jesus, helps us navigate life's pressures. Joy is not a fleeting feeling but a choice to care for what truly matters. [01:12:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Building on Jesus as the Foundation
[05:00] - The Importance of Intimacy and Connection
[10:00] - Becoming Who You Want to Be
[15:00] - Q&A Introduction
[20:00] - Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
[25:00] - Pursuing God as a Man
[30:00] - Understanding Tithing
[35:00] - Doing Relationships God's Way
[40:00] - The Danger of Unequal Yoking
[45:00] - Handling External Pressures
[50:00] - Choosing Joy in Life
[55:00] - Prayer and Salvation Invitation
[01:00:00] - Closing and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 23:23 - "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
2. 2 Corinthians 6:14 - "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
3. Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."

Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest is the foundation for a strong life and relationships? [37:47]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of tithing in a believer's life? [47:35]
3. According to the sermon, what are the dangers of being unequally yoked in relationships? [57:29]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of handling external pressures in life? [01:08:39]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' teaching on tithing in Matthew 23:23, and what implications does it have for modern believers? [47:35]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that being equally yoked is important for relationships, and how does this relate to 2 Corinthians 6:14? [57:29]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of keeping the marriage bed pure, as mentioned in Hebrews 13:4? [57:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between joy and external pressures, and how can this be applied in daily life? [01:12:37]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any areas where you need to strengthen your foundation in Christ? How can you begin to do this? [37:47]
2. Consider your approach to tithing. How does your current practice reflect your trust in God, and what steps can you take to align it more closely with biblical teachings? [47:35]
3. Are there any relationships in your life where you feel unequally yoked? How can you address this issue in a way that honors God? [57:29]
4. Think about the pressures you face in your life. How can you prioritize your spiritual life, family, and church to better handle these pressures? [01:08:39]
5. Joy is described as a choice rather than a feeling. What practical steps can you take to choose joy in your daily life, especially during challenging times? [01:12:37]
6. How can you be a friend who celebrates others and loves them even when you are hurting? What specific actions can you take this week to be that kind of friend? [37:47]
7. For men, how can you pursue God with passion and strength, as exemplified by Jesus, in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to embrace this pursuit? [47:35]

Devotional

Day 1: Building a Foundation on Christ
Building a strong foundation in life and relationships starts with Jesus. Just as a house needs a solid base, our lives require a firm grounding in Christ to endure life's challenges. The unseen work of building intimacy and connection is crucial, much like the raw sheetrock that eventually becomes a beautiful wall. [37:47]

"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 in your life where you need to strengthen your foundation in Christ? How can you begin to do that today?


Day 2: Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
Surround yourself with people who celebrate and challenge you. Be a friend who loves others even when you are hurting. For men, pursuing God should not be seen as a feminine act but as a powerful and spiritual pursuit. Jesus exemplified strength and passion in His pursuit of God, and men are called to do the same. [47:35]

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life challenges you to grow spiritually? How can you spend more intentional time with them this week?


Day 3: Trusting God Through Tithing
Tithing is about obedience and trust in God rather than the amount. It's a biblical principle that Jesus affirmed in the New Testament. Tithing is an opportunity to fund God's vision and kingdom work on earth, reflecting our trust in God to provide for all our needs. [57:29]

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to trust God more with your finances?


Day 4: Pursuing Godly Relationships
Doing relationships God's way involves getting ourselves right with God first. This means building a foundation with Christ before seeking a partner. Being equally yoked in relationships is crucial to avoid the pain of a split life. Living together before marriage can blur lines and lead to temptation, so it's important to reserve certain things for marriage. [01:08:39]

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14, ESV)

Reflection: Are there any relationships in your life that are not aligned with your faith? How can you address this in a way that honors God?


Day 5: Choosing Joy Amidst Pressure
Handling external pressures requires prioritizing our spiritual life, family, and church. Pressure can either crush us or create something beautiful, like a diamond. Choosing joy, which is found in Jesus, helps us navigate life's pressures. Joy is not a fleeting feeling but a choice to care for what truly matters. [01:12:37]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one pressure you are currently facing, and how can you choose joy in the midst of it today?

Quotes



That's really good. And you talked about, I want to hit on two things, then we're going to question two. You talked about relationships and getting around the right people. Yeah. Let me say this, get around people, number one, that will celebrate you and challenge you. Right. But also don't get around, like celebrate others. So here's what I'd say, learn how to celebrate other successes and learn how to be a friend that even when you're hurting, you love other people. [00:43:58] (26 seconds)


And I don't know about you. I love the church I grew up in. I love the people. Here's the thing. Chasing after God became a feminine thing at some point in the growth. It became, I'm too emotional if I worship. It's too feminine to chase. I want to tell you, the greatest thing a man can do to be everything that God created you to be is to chase God first. And you chase him with passion, and you chase him with power, and you don't have to sit there and go, well, I feel real feminine. Why? Jesus flipped over tables and was one of the most yoked people you probably would have ever seen. [00:44:48] (32 seconds)


And so tithing is not about the amount. It's about the obedience. And so if God is who I say he is, who am I to say you can save my soul, but you can't take care of my bank account. Okay. Tithing matters. Now for everybody that says, well, tithing is not a new Testament thing. That is actually a very big misconception. In fact, in Matthew chapter 23, verse 23, Jesus says you tithe, but you ignore justice, grace, and mercy. [00:48:25] (32 seconds)


That's really good. And it reminds me of our series in December where we talked about shame and condemnation are opposite of the kingdom. They have no place in the kingdom of God. And so we've got to, the enemy uses it to separate us from the love of God or try to. So, all right, great. All right, here's another question. It's often mentioned doing it God's way. I hear that a lot, but can you explain what that really looks like in a relationship? And I actually love this because it gives me an opportunity to lay it out very clearly and very plainly. [00:57:14] (31 seconds)


We've already talked about that in the series. We've already talked about that. Megan said something about it just a minute ago. Get yourself right first. Right? Not perfect. Don't get yourself perfect. Just get yourself a foundation with Christ first. Because what happens if I'm not depending on Christ first, then I will, as a man, I'll begin to depend on the woman. As a woman, I'll begin to depend on the man. And now I'm asking them to fill roles that they were never meant to fill. [00:58:59] (27 seconds)


In that day, being yoked meant it was some kind of cattle. Maybe it was a donkey, a horse, a cow, whatever. And there was a literal yoke around their neck connected to a cart behind them or a plow behind them. And what they would do is if they had a big cart or a big plow, they'd have multiple. So let's picture two cows, okay? Two horses, yoked together, pulling one cart or one plow. What do you think is going to happen if this horse wants to go this way and this horse wants to go that way? It's going to split. [00:59:34] (34 seconds)


And so that's the danger. Don't put yourself in a situation to where you have to constantly say no and eventually you're not going to say no anymore because it's blurred lines and it's all these things, right? So that's the danger of all that. So I think the greatest way to do it is walk away from the temptation as much as possible. Love them the way that Christ loves them, right? Walk away from the temptation. Save some things for marriage because it's going to be greater that way and it's built that way and then begin to love them after marriage, pursue them and love them and build a relationship on Christ that is plugged into the local church, that expands the kingdom of God, that builds relationships with others and makes a difference everywhere they go. [01:01:11] (41 seconds)


Pressure can crush rocks or create diamonds. It crushes rocks. It creates diamonds. And so what I hear a lot, right? And I'll even say it sometimes, not thinking, or I hear it a lot in conversation. How are you? Oh, my God. There's so much going on. I can't take one. And what you're saying is, is I'm crushed. I'm a crushed rock. I'm nothing but a bunch of pebbles of myself. And so I will spread those out as much as I can. And what happens is whenever you allow pressure to crush you, there's nothing to give anybody. [01:08:42] (34 seconds)


And so correct priorities predetermine what's allowed to create pressure in my life. And so like my number one priority is my own personal spiritual life. That's allowed to create pressure in my life. My number two priority is not this church. It is my family. And so my family is allowed to create pressure in my life. Number three is my church. This is my call. This is what I know God's asked me to build and to be a part of. This creates pressure. [01:10:34] (35 seconds)


Joy is the ability to choose every single day. I'm going to care about those that I care about, and I'm going to care about what's a priority to me. Come on. And I'm going to choose to walk around and go, I may not be happy today, but I am joyful. I may not be happy today, but I'm going to smile, and I'm going to go, I'm going to get through it because I am joyful. And here's the truth. Some of you are sitting in the room, and you got so much pressure on your life that you don't know what choosing joy looks like, and I can tell you it's only found in Jesus. [01:12:13] (29 seconds)


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Transcript
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