Building Our Lives on God's Blueprint
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to exalt the name of Jesus, recognizing His worthiness and the power of His name. We were reminded that Jesus is the name above all names, the name to which every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. As we lifted our hands and hearts in worship, we cast our cares and burdens upon Him, acknowledging His faithfulness and the victory He grants us over the enemy. We were encouraged to intentionally set aside time to encounter God, preparing our space and hearts to meet with Him daily.
We launched a new series titled "Blueprints," exploring the concept that God has a specific design and plan for each of our lives. Just as buildings and objects are created following detailed blueprints, our lives should be built according to God's divine plan. We were reminded that God's blueprints are found in His Word, and it is crucial to follow them precisely, not picking and choosing what to obey. The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5 through 7, provides blueprints for the character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God, covering various aspects of life such as love, prayer, fasting, and more.
We examined the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of building our lives on the solid foundation of His teachings. Both builders faced storms, but only the house built on the rock stood firm. This illustrates that following God's blueprint ensures our stability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. We were encouraged to reflect on whether we are truly following God's blueprints in every area of our lives and to make a conscious decision to obey His Word fully.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Worthiness and Our Worship: Recognizing God's worthiness is foundational to our faith. Worship is not just an act but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's supreme value and authority in our lives. When we declare His worthiness, we align ourselves with His truth and invite His presence into our circumstances. [30:53]
2. Intentional Time with God: Setting aside intentional time to encounter God is crucial for spiritual growth. Preparing our space and hearts the night before can help us overcome distractions and prioritize our relationship with Him. This intentionality reflects our commitment to acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. [37:26]
3. Following God's Blueprints: God's plans for our lives are detailed in His Word, and they are not mere suggestions but commands to be followed precisely. Just as builders must adhere to blueprints to ensure the integrity of a structure, we must follow God's instructions to build lives that withstand life's storms. [45:07]
4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in teaching and guiding believers. When we read the Word of God, we should invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate and apply its truths to our lives. This divine guidance helps us understand and live out God's blueprints effectively. [51:05]
5. Resilience Through Obedience: The storms of life reveal the strength of our foundation. Building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings ensures that we remain steadfast and unshaken in adversity. Obedience to God's Word is not just about avoiding trouble but about being equipped to endure and thrive through it. [56:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:53] - Exalting God's Worthiness
[35:20] - Casting Our Cares on Him
[36:03] - God Will Never Forsake You
[36:49] - Intentional Time with God
[37:26] - Preparing Your Space for God
[38:09] - Practical Steps for Morning Devotion
[39:18] - Introduction to Blueprints Series
[40:09] - Understanding Blueprints
[41:09] - God's Plan for Each of Us
[42:54] - Following God's Word
[45:07] - Blueprints Are Not Recommendations
[48:46] - Sermon on the Mount Overview
[51:05] - Character of Kingdom Citizens
[53:00] - Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
[56:10] - Resilience Through Obedience
[59:15] - God's Grace in Our Failures
[01:03:33] - Moving Forward with God's Blueprint
[01:07:02] - Importance of Reading God's Word
[01:11:46] - Building with God's Plan
[01:17:40] - Reflecting on Our Obedience
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:24-27
- Matthew 5-7 (Overview of the Sermon on the Mount)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus compare a person who hears and does His words to in Matthew 7:24-27?
2. According to the sermon, what are some specific areas of life that the Sermon on the Mount provides blueprints for? [50:34]
3. How did the pastor describe the importance of following God's blueprints precisely, using the example of the shed? [44:21]
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers understand and apply God's Word? [51:05]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings, according to Matthew 7:24-27?
2. How does the pastor's story about the shed illustrate the consequences of not following God's blueprints exactly? [44:21]
3. What does it mean to set aside intentional time to encounter God, and why is this important for spiritual growth? [37:26]
4. How can the Holy Spirit help us in understanding and living out the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount? [51:05]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current worship practices. How can you more intentionally recognize and declare God's worthiness in your daily life? [30:53]
2. What practical steps can you take to prepare your space and heart for daily time with God? Consider setting up a specific area and preparing the night before. [37:26]
3. Are there areas in your life where you have been picking and choosing which parts of God's Word to follow? How can you commit to following His blueprints more fully? [45:07]
4. Think about a recent storm or challenge in your life. How did it reveal the strength of your foundation in Jesus' teachings? What changes can you make to build a stronger foundation? [56:10]
5. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and apply God's Word? What specific prayer or practice can you incorporate into your Bible reading time? [51:05]
6. Identify one aspect of the Sermon on the Mount (e.g., love, prayer, fasting) that you struggle with. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with Jesus' teachings in that area? [50:34]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group to follow God's blueprints in their lives? Share one way you plan to do this in the coming week. [47:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing God's Supreme Worthiness
Worship is not just an act but a posture of the heart that acknowledges God's supreme value and authority in our lives. When we declare His worthiness, we align ourselves with His truth and invite His presence into our circumstances. Recognizing God's worthiness is foundational to our faith. It is through worship that we cast our cares and burdens upon Him, acknowledging His faithfulness and the victory He grants us over the enemy. This act of worship is a powerful declaration of our trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to handle all that concerns us. [30:53]
Psalm 29:2 (ESV): "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."
Reflection: Think about a specific area in your life where you need to acknowledge God's supreme authority. How can you intentionally worship Him in that area today?
Day 2: Intentional Time with God
Setting aside intentional time to encounter God is crucial for spiritual growth. Preparing our space and hearts the night before can help us overcome distractions and prioritize our relationship with Him. This intentionality reflects our commitment to acknowledge, trust, and lean on God daily. By creating a dedicated time and space for God, we demonstrate our desire to grow closer to Him and to hear His voice more clearly. This practice not only strengthens our faith but also equips us to face the challenges of each day with a renewed sense of purpose and peace. [37:26]
Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take tonight to prepare your space and heart for a meaningful time with God tomorrow morning?
Day 3: Following God's Blueprints
God's plans for our lives are detailed in His Word, and they are not mere suggestions but commands to be followed precisely. Just as builders must adhere to blueprints to ensure the integrity of a structure, we must follow God's instructions to build lives that withstand life's storms. The Sermon on the Mount provides blueprints for the character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God, covering various aspects of life such as love, prayer, fasting, and more. It is crucial to follow these blueprints precisely, not picking and choosing what to obey, to ensure our stability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. [45:07]
James 1:22-24 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: Reflect on one specific area of your life where you have been selective in following God's instructions. What steps can you take to fully align with His blueprint in that area?
Day 4: The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in teaching and guiding believers. When we read the Word of God, we should invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate and apply its truths to our lives. This divine guidance helps us understand and live out God's blueprints effectively. The Holy Spirit not only helps us comprehend the Scriptures but also empowers us to live in obedience to God's commands. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and discernment, ensuring that our actions and decisions align with God's will. [51:05]
John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding and applying a specific passage of Scripture you read today?
Day 5: Resilience Through Obedience
The storms of life reveal the strength of our foundation. Building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings ensures that we remain steadfast and unshaken in adversity. Obedience to God's Word is not just about avoiding trouble but about being equipped to endure and thrive through it. The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates that following God's blueprint ensures our stability and resilience in the face of life's challenges. By making a conscious decision to obey His Word fully, we can withstand the storms of life and emerge stronger in our faith. [56:10]
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: Identify a recent challenge or storm in your life. How can you apply Jesus' teachings to build a stronger foundation and respond with resilience?
Quotes
1. "No matter what it is that we encounter, no matter what comes our way, today, our heart posture and our mindset needs to be, God, you will have my praise regardless. No matter what I see, no matter what I feel, I will worship you and I will give you praise in every circumstance." [36:03] (22 seconds)
2. "We need to encounter Him consistently. And the awesome thing is that God is willing to encounter us. He's waiting. He doesn't ignore our phone call. He will answer when we call. And the question that I would pose is, are we intentionally setting... Setting aside time to spend with God?" [36:49] (20 seconds)
3. "God has a plan for each and every one of us. He's got a plan for us. As a matter of fact, we can say it this way. God has a plan for me. I want you to say that this morning. God has a plan for me." [41:09] (13 seconds)
4. "Some of us have believed the lie from the enemy that we're a mistake, that we've got no purpose, that we've got nowhere to go, that there wasn't an intricate design. But God knows you from before you were in your mother's womb. And God has a purpose for each and every one of us." [41:51] (20 seconds)
5. "God's plans or blueprints, they're found in his word. And this is something that we talk about all the time at 3W Church, and I did when I youth pastored before as well. Like, I've always had a burden for telling believers the importance of following the word of God. It is our manual. It is our blueprint. It is our technical drawing or design of the life that we're supposed to follow." [42:54] (27 seconds)
6. "If we would just obey, we'll be able to get into the fullness of what God has for us. Not skipping steps. Not trying to build step seven before we've got to step number three. God's plans, his blueprints are found in the word. So here's the question. Here's the question. Are we following the blueprints God has for us?" [46:32] (24 seconds)
7. "The storms reveal how we've been building. Last year, no, is it last year? Year before, there was a hurricane that destroyed the West Coast. The West Coast of Florida. It went through that Sarasota, Sanibel, all of that area, and it ripped it. And I remember looking at a picture of all of these houses washed away and just the iron lighthouse remaining. The only thing that withstood the storm was that lighthouse that was anchored into the rock that was built deep and secure." [57:08] (49 seconds)
8. "God's mercy and grace reaches us when we determine and say, from today forward, I'm gonna start building how he says. He can supernaturally fix things that we messed up in our carnality. But we have to choose to obey what he says. We have to choose to follow the blueprint. We have to choose how we're going to do it." [59:15] (32 seconds)
9. "Are we choosing to follow the blueprint or are we choosing to do it how we think it should be done? You ever work with someone in the job site or any type of thing and they're like, yeah, yeah, I know that's what the manual says, but have you ever tried to build something without the manual? Because, you know, instructions? That's, yeah, yes. That's for the, I can put the table together. Come on, it's just a tabletop, four legs. How difficult can it be?" [01:00:52] (37 seconds)
10. "Are we spending time in the word? And not just, are we spending time? Are we then applying it? Are we doing it? Part of the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, if you didn't know, the Holy Spirit has a different role in different phases. The Holy Spirit, according to the book of John, in the life of an unbeliever, someone who does not believe that Jesus, son of God, has not accepted Jesus as the Messiah, right? Has not had a relationship with God." [01:09:08] (36 seconds)
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