Building Lives on the Foundation of Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of building our lives on enduring foundations, both as individuals and as a church community. We began by reflecting on the values that guide us, emphasizing the importance of having principles that shape our actions and decisions. These values are not just abstract ideas but are meant to be lived out, influencing who we are and what we do as followers of Christ.

We delved into the metaphor of building on solid foundations, drawing from Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:24-27. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, our lives, when grounded in Jesus' teachings, can endure life's challenges. This analogy was vividly illustrated through a demonstration involving sand and rock, reminding us of the stability that comes from a life rooted in Christ.

Our church values, prominently displayed, serve as a constant reminder of our commitment to becoming Christ-like through discipleship. This journey of apprenticeship to Jesus involves three key goals: being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. These goals are not just theoretical but are meant to be actively pursued in our daily lives.

Being with Jesus is about cultivating a close, personal relationship with Him, living with an awareness of His presence every day. Transformation, the second goal, involves allowing God to shape us from the inside out, reflecting His character in our lives. This lifelong journey of spiritual formation leads to the fruit of the Spirit becoming evident in us.

Finally, we are called to take action, to do what Jesus did. This involves stepping out in faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to serve and love others as Jesus did. Our mission as a church is built on this enduring foundation of apprenticeship to Jesus, equipping us to impact the world for His glory.

As we partook in the Lord's Supper, we were reminded of Jesus' sacrifice and His call to mission. We are invited to remember not only what He did but also what He calls us to do. Through this sacred act, we are united with Christ and with one another, empowered to live out our faith in tangible ways.

Key Takeaways:

1. Enduring Foundations: Building our lives on the enduring foundation of Jesus' teachings ensures stability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, a life grounded in Christ can endure and thrive. [43:23]

2. Being with Jesus: The first goal of discipleship is to be with Jesus, cultivating a close, personal relationship with Him. This involves living with an awareness of His presence every day, allowing His love to flow through us. [49:32]

3. Transformation: Becoming like Jesus is a lifelong journey of spiritual formation. As we allow God to shape us from the inside out, we begin to reflect His character, displaying the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. [51:45]

4. Taking Action: Discipleship involves not just knowing about Jesus but actively doing what He did. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to serve and love others, impacting the world for His glory. [54:17]

5. The Lord's Supper: Through the Lord's Supper, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and His call to mission. This sacred act unites us with Christ and with one another, empowering us to live out our faith in tangible ways. [57:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [11:44] - Opening Prayer
- [12:56] - Sharing Important Values
- [36:30] - Understanding Values
- [37:55] - Feeling Safe in Foundations
- [38:39] - Building on Solid Foundations
- [40:25] - Demonstration of Foundations
- [43:23] - Jesus' Teaching on Foundations
- [46:15] - Church Values and Discipleship
- [48:43] - Goals of Discipleship
- [49:32] - Being with Jesus
- [50:43] - Transformation into Christ-likeness
- [52:58] - Impact of Spiritual Formation
- [53:42] - Taking Action as Disciples
- [57:28] - The Lord's Supper and Mission
- [01:00:43] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 7:24-27 - Jesus' teaching on building on solid foundations.
2. Mark 3:14 - Jesus calls his disciples to be with Him.
3. John 15:15 - Jesus calls his disciples friends.

#### Observation Questions
1. What metaphor does Jesus use in Matthew 7:24-27 to describe the importance of building on solid foundations? How was this illustrated in the sermon? [43:23]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three key goals of discipleship mentioned? [48:43]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering us to take action as disciples? [54:17]
4. What significance does the Lord's Supper hold in the context of the sermon? [57:28]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of building on rock versus sand in Matthew 7:24-27 relate to the values and principles we hold in our lives? [43:23]
2. In what ways does being with Jesus, as described in Mark 3:14, influence a disciple's daily life and decisions? [49:32]
3. How does the concept of transformation, as discussed in the sermon, align with the lifelong journey of spiritual formation? [51:45]
4. What does it mean to take action as a disciple, and how does this reflect Jesus' mission? [54:17]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal values. Are they aligned with the enduring foundations described in the sermon? How can you ensure they guide your actions and decisions? [36:30]
2. How can you cultivate a closer, more personal relationship with Jesus in your daily life? What specific practices can you incorporate to be more aware of His presence? [49:32]
3. Identify one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to transform. What steps can you take to allow God to shape you from the inside out? [51:45]
4. Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to serve or love others as Jesus did. How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [54:17]
5. How does participating in the Lord's Supper remind you of your mission as a follower of Christ? What actions can you take to live out this mission in your community? [57:28]
6. Consider the metaphor of building on solid foundations. What practical steps can you take to ensure your life is grounded in Jesus' teachings? [43:23]
7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you rely more on the Spirit's empowerment to carry out your mission as a disciple? [54:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Building on the Rock of Christ
Building our lives on the enduring foundation of Jesus' teachings ensures stability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Just as a house built on rock withstands storms, a life grounded in Christ can endure and thrive. This concept is drawn from Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:24-27, where He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing His words but putting them into practice. When we align our lives with His teachings, we create a foundation that can withstand the trials and tribulations of life. This foundation is not just about personal stability but also about being a beacon of hope and strength to others around us. [43:23]

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11, ESV)

Reflection: What specific teachings of Jesus do you need to focus on to strengthen your life's foundation today?


Day 2: Cultivating Presence with Jesus
Being with Jesus is about cultivating a close, personal relationship with Him, living with an awareness of His presence every day. This involves more than just acknowledging His existence; it means inviting Him into every aspect of our lives and allowing His love to flow through us. As we spend time in prayer, meditation, and reading Scripture, we become more attuned to His voice and guidance. This daily practice of being with Jesus transforms our hearts and minds, enabling us to live out His love in tangible ways. [49:32]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your day to be more aware of Jesus' presence?


Day 3: Embracing Transformation into Christ-likeness
Becoming like Jesus is a lifelong journey of spiritual formation. As we allow God to shape us from the inside out, we begin to reflect His character, displaying the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. This transformation is not instantaneous but requires a commitment to spiritual disciplines and a willingness to be molded by God's hands. As we grow in Christ-likeness, we become more patient, kind, and loving, embodying the qualities that Jesus exemplified. This transformation is a testament to the power of God's work within us, drawing others to Him through our lives. [51:45]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What area of your character is God inviting you to surrender for transformation today?


Day 4: Acting in Faith and Love
Discipleship involves not just knowing about Jesus but actively doing what He did. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to serve and love others, impacting the world for His glory. This call to action requires stepping out in faith, trusting that God will equip us for the tasks He sets before us. As we engage in acts of service and love, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing His light to those in need. This active discipleship is a reflection of our commitment to living out our faith in practical and meaningful ways. [54:17]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to serve someone in your community?


Day 5: Remembering Through the Lord's Supper
Through the Lord's Supper, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and His call to mission. This sacred act unites us with Christ and with one another, empowering us to live out our faith in tangible ways. As we partake in the bread and the cup, we are reminded of the depth of Jesus' love and the cost of our redemption. This remembrance is not just a ritual but a call to embody the mission of Christ in our daily lives, sharing His love and grace with the world. [57:28]

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper inspire you to live out your faith more fully today?

Quotes

"Things are important to us are things that matter to us and you could say they are the things that we value the most another way to think about values is as principles or standards of behavior the ideas that shape how we live our lives how we live our lives we receive our resistance we make choices about what to do and what to say and equally about what not to do and what not to say." [00:36:58] (27 seconds)


"See, the foundation, you can be safe in these surroundings because the foundations go deep into the soil below you. Right around these walls are what I call trench foundations. I don't know whether that is the right wording. Yeah. Trench foundations. So imagine long trenches. And I know they're there, because I dug most of them. And I can't remember exactly how deep they are, but 750 millimetres comes to mind." [00:38:54] (41 seconds)


"Now, of course, we know what that illustrates, don't we? In Matthew 7, 24 to 27, Jesus says this, anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Not just a rock, solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against the house, it won't collapse because it's built on bedrock." [00:43:24] (29 seconds)


"He's saying that only when we build our lives on him, on his truth and his ways, his teachings and on God's word, the Bible, will we be able to stay strong no matter what happens in our lives. Enduring foundations are important for buildings. And they're important for us as individuals and they're important for us as a church who wants to introduce people to Jesus so that he can be the foundation on which they build their lives on." [00:44:12] (65 seconds)


"A church who wants to help us who are the church in Redoubt North build our lives on him, his truth, his ways, his teachings and on God's word, the Bible, so that we can stay strong no matter what happens in our lives. And so that's why one of our church values is enduring foundations. Now, for those of you whose eyesight is not as good, who can't read that close, that far away, we're described as this." [00:45:18] (39 seconds)


"Our goal is to be with Jesus constantly, to become like him, and to do as he did. So the first goal. The first goal of following Jesus is simple but profound. It's to be with him. It was a starting point for his first disciples and it's a starting point for us. In Mark 3 .14, we see that Jesus called his disciples so that they might be with him." [00:49:32] (31 seconds)


"It's about being in a close, personal relationship with him. Not distant or formal, but close, personal, and full of love. When you think about those first disciples, he called them to be with him. He called them to be his friends. We read that in John 15 .15. And through him, they were connected in love to the love flowing between Jesus, his Father, and the Holy Spirit." [00:50:13] (29 seconds)


"The second goal of a disciple is transformation, to become like Jesus. This is the heart of apprenticeship. Allowing God to shape us from the inside out so that we reflect his character. Jesus said this. A disciple is not above the Lord. Not the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. When Simon, Andrew, Peter, and the others followed Jesus, they weren't just students in the classroom." [00:51:45] (33 seconds)


"For us, transformation doesn't happen, I believe, overnight, just as it didn't happen for those disciples. It's a lifelong journey of spiritual formation where we learn to think, act, and love like Jesus. It's a lifelong journey guided by God through his word, the Bible. I mean, think about it. Through the wonders of technology today, we can read about, listen to, and even watch Jesus as he lived and ministered on earth." [00:52:56] (34 seconds)


"The final goal of a disciple is to take action, to do what Jesus did. It's not enough to just know about him, or even to become like him. We're called to join him in his mission. We're called to be like him. We're called to be like him. We're called to be like him. I mean, think about an apprenticeship in the trades, like building, or plumbing, or being an electrician." [00:53:42] (25 seconds)


"In the same way, being a disciple of Jesus means learning to do his work of teaching, serving, and loving others, not just in theory, but going out and doing it. Jesus promised his disciples, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things. That might sound impossible for you right now, but as we spend time with Jesus and become more like him, it naturally leads to us doing what he did." [00:54:45] (37 seconds)


"Through the Lord's Supper, we are invited, we are required by him to remember him. Not as the son of man and the son of God who came and lived 2 ,000 years ago, who lived and died and rose again. We're invited to remember him for that. But we're also invited to remember what he has called us to do, to go on mission, whatever that may be." [00:57:28] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?