Building Lives on the Foundation of Faith
Summary
Building our lives on the foundation of God's Word is a powerful commitment, as demonstrated by the 23 families dedicating their children to Christ today. This act of dedication is not just a tradition but a profound commitment to raise children in the ways of Jesus, using the Word of God as their guide. In a world filled with challenges, these families are choosing to build their lives on the rock that is Christ, trusting that He is raising a generation for such a time as this. This dedication is a reminder that our ultimate goal is to lead our children to experience God in powerful ways, ensuring they are spiritually whole and not just physically happy.
Reflecting on the story from Mark 2, where friends brought a paralyzed man to Jesus, we see a powerful example of faith in action. These friends recognized the need, saw Jesus as the solution, and were willing to do whatever it took to bring their friend to Him. This story challenges us to ask ourselves, "What am I willing to do to get people to Jesus?" It calls us to be proactive in our faith, to see the spiritual needs around us, and to act with urgency and creativity to bring others to Christ.
The growth in our church's youth and young adult ministries is a testament to the power of Jesus' presence. When Jesus is present, lives are transformed, and communities are built. Our mission is not just to fill a church but to bring people to Jesus, recognizing that He is the only solution to our brokenness. As a church, we are committed to creating environments where people can encounter God, even if it means tearing the roof off to make room for more.
As we look to the future, we are planning to expand our facilities to accommodate the growing number of people seeking Jesus. This is not just about physical expansion but about making room for more lives to be transformed by the gospel. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus, trusting that He will continue to move powerfully in our midst.
Key Takeaways:
- Building our lives on the foundation of God's Word is a commitment to raise our children in the ways of Jesus, trusting that He is raising a generation for such a time as this. This dedication is a reminder that our ultimate goal is to lead our children to experience God in powerful ways. [33:52]
- The story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2 challenges us to ask, "What am I willing to do to get people to Jesus?" It calls us to be proactive in our faith, to see the spiritual needs around us, and to act with urgency and creativity to bring others to Christ. [57:07]
- The growth in our church's youth and young adult ministries is a testament to the power of Jesus' presence. When Jesus is present, lives are transformed, and communities are built. Our mission is not just to fill a church but to bring people to Jesus. [01:03:09]
- As a church, we are committed to creating environments where people can encounter God, even if it means tearing the roof off to make room for more. We are willing to do whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus, trusting that He will continue to move powerfully in our midst. [01:06:44]
- Our plans to expand our facilities are not just about physical expansion but about making room for more lives to be transformed by the gospel. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus, trusting that He will continue to move powerfully in our midst. [01:21:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [33:52] - Child Dedication
- [37:21] - Commitment to Raise in Faith
- [40:03] - Encouragement for Parents
- [48:07] - God Moving in Families
- [50:00] - Introduction to Mark 2
- [52:02] - Jesus' Authority to Forgive
- [53:50] - Crowded Spaces and Faith
- [56:07] - The Pressing Need for Jesus
- [57:07] - Willingness to Bring Others to Jesus
- [58:18] - Recognizing Spiritual Needs
- [01:03:09] - Jesus' Presence in Ministry
- [01:04:03] - Overcoming Obstacles to Faith
- [01:06:44] - Creating a Culture for Christ
- [01:21:15] - Expanding for Growth
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Mark 2:1-12: The story of the paralyzed man brought to Jesus by his friends.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the friends of the paralyzed man take to bring him to Jesus, and what obstacles did they face? ([52:02])
2. How did Jesus respond to the faith of the friends, and what was the result for the paralyzed man? ([01:11:55])
3. What was the reaction of the crowd and the teachers of the law to Jesus' actions and words? ([52:02])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of faith in the actions of the friends who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus? ([01:11:55])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of the paralyzed man and his friends teach about the importance of community and support in one's spiritual journey? ([57:07])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of "seeing the need" and "recognizing the solution" in the context of bringing others to Jesus? ([58:18])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that physical needs can sometimes overshadow spiritual needs, and how should believers address this? ([01:14:40])
4. How does the sermon challenge the church to create environments where people can encounter God, and what does this mean for individual believers? ([01:06:44])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced obstacles in bringing someone to Jesus. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply it to future opportunities? ([57:07])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being proactive in faith. What specific steps can you take this week to be more proactive in sharing your faith with others? ([01:06:44])
3. Consider the spiritual needs of those around you. How can you better recognize and address these needs in your daily interactions? ([58:18])
4. The sermon discusses the idea of "tearing the roof off" to bring people to Jesus. What does this metaphor mean to you, and how can you apply it in your life? ([01:08:00])
5. How can you contribute to creating a church culture that makes it easy for people to encounter Jesus? What role can you play in your church community to support this mission? ([01:06:44])
6. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the importance of spiritual wholeness over physical happiness. How can you prioritize spiritual growth in your own life and in the lives of those you influence? ([01:14:40])
7. Identify one person in your life who is spiritually distant. What practical steps can you take this week to reach out to them and share the love of Christ? ([01:22:45])
Devotional
Day 1: Raising a Generation Rooted in Christ
Building our lives on the foundation of God's Word is a profound commitment, especially when it comes to raising children. The act of dedicating children to Christ is not merely a tradition but a declaration of intent to guide them in the ways of Jesus. In a world filled with challenges, parents are choosing to build their lives on the rock that is Christ, trusting that He is raising a generation for such a time as this. This dedication serves as a reminder that our ultimate goal is to lead our children to experience God in powerful ways, ensuring they are spiritually whole and not just physically happy. [33:52]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: How can you incorporate God's Word into your daily interactions with your children to help them grow spiritually?
Day 2: Faith in Action
The story of the paralyzed man in Mark 2 challenges us to ask, "What am I willing to do to get people to Jesus?" This narrative illustrates the power of faith in action, as the friends of the paralyzed man recognized the need, saw Jesus as the solution, and were willing to do whatever it took to bring their friend to Him. It calls us to be proactive in our faith, to see the spiritual needs around us, and to act with urgency and creativity to bring others to Christ. [57:07]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to be brought to Jesus, and what creative steps can you take this week to help them encounter Him?
Day 3: Transformative Presence of Jesus
The growth in our church's youth and young adult ministries is a testament to the power of Jesus' presence. When Jesus is present, lives are transformed, and communities are built. Our mission is not just to fill a church but to bring people to Jesus, recognizing that He is the only solution to our brokenness. As a church, we are committed to creating environments where people can encounter God, even if it means tearing the roof off to make room for more. [01:03:09]
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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."
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating an environment in your community where others can experience the transformative presence of Jesus?
Day 4: Overcoming Obstacles for Christ
As a church, we are committed to creating environments where people can encounter God, even if it means tearing the roof off to make room for more. This commitment reflects a willingness to do whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus, trusting that He will continue to move powerfully in our midst. It challenges us to overcome obstacles and barriers that may prevent others from experiencing Christ. [01:06:44]
Isaiah 57:14 (ESV): "And it shall be said, 'Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way.'"
Reflection: What obstacles in your life or community need to be removed to make way for others to encounter Jesus, and how can you actively work to remove them?
Day 5: Expanding for Spiritual Growth
Our plans to expand our facilities are not just about physical expansion but about making room for more lives to be transformed by the gospel. This vision is rooted in a commitment to doing whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus, trusting that He will continue to move powerfully in our midst. It is a call to prepare for growth, both spiritually and physically, as we anticipate the work God will do in our community. [01:21:15]
Isaiah 54:2-3 (ESV): "Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities."
Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your heart and your community for the spiritual growth that God is calling you to embrace?
Quotes
1) "Child dedication originated in 1 Samuel, an Old Testament story where a lady named Hannah prays. She says, God, if you give me a son, I will give him back to you. And that's exactly what happens. God blesses her, and when the child's of age, she brings him back to the temple and dedicates him to the Lord for the work of the ministry. It doesn't guarantee the salvation of the child. What it does as parents is it commits to raise the child in the ways of Jesus. To use the Word of God as the guide, as the standard for living. And while this is an incredibly challenging time to raise a child, we believe that every child that's on this stage, God has brought for such a time as this." [37:21] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "God is doing something incredibly special in the youth ministry, in young adults ministry, kids ministry, all of next-gen ministries. And parents, I just want to encourage you, do whatever you can to get your kids in environments where they can experience God and be ruined for normal forever. Come on, whatever it takes, make it happen." [40:03] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "What are we willing to do to get people to Jesus? I normally begin by giving you a title slide and talking through my title slide, but I found myself stuck on this question the entire time that I was communicating, the entire time I was reading the passage, the entire time that I was writing this message. I could not shake this question. It's a question that every single one of us, I believe, should ask ourselves every single day. The question is this. What am I willing to do to get people to Jesus?" [57:07] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Do we realize how broken people are without Jesus? John 10:10 says it this way. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they might have life and have it to the full. That true life is found in Jesus. So what does that mean for those that never return to their creator in trust? Look at the way Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, Ephesians 2:4. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us, what is it? Alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our transgressions. It's by grace we have been saved." [58:18] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The Word of God is being preached here, and Jesus is the Word, according to John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word is God. What I'm saying is, if Jesus is the Word, and the Word is being taught here, then Jesus is in this place, church. Amen? He's here, and He wants to speak to you every single day. Why is the youth ministry growing? Because Jesus is there. Why is the young adult ministry growing? Because Jesus is there." [01:03:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Forgiveness is God's greatest gift because it meets our greatest need. We struggle to understand how the creator of the universe would go to a cross for us. But he says, no, you're forgiven. Look, I love you this much. This is what you mean to me. He doesn't just heal him. He makes him whole. And this man, I believe if we were able to pull him from heaven right now, this paralyzed man, and bring him to this stage and he were to tell us what it was like, I think he would say, look, when my buddies went to my house and they pulled me from my home that day and brought me to Jesus, my primary focus was my physical healing. But now looking back, I realize that my greatest need, my greatest need, my biggest shortcoming, was to know that I was forgiven and that I could be made whole." [01:15:34] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "What am I willing to do to get people to Jesus? Tear the roof off if we have to. God, whatever it takes. As a leadership team, what are we willing to do? As a church, what are we willing to do to get people to Jesus? Many of you know that we've been praying as a church for months. We ran all of our growth trajectory stuff, what we've seen as a trend over the last two and a half years, and did the math and realized that right about now, we would start having issues seating people. 70% full, you're turning people away. We've had conversations with people, they're like, ah, it's a little too tight for me. 80% full and you're at capacity. Look at our room. God has been so faithful, and I believe it's because the word of God is being taught. But what do we do as a church? We've been praying, we've been seeking God's face, but prayer without a plan is just wishful thinking." [01:21:15] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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