Building Our Lives on the Foundation of Christ
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to build our lives and our church on the unshakeable foundation of Jesus Christ. We began by acknowledging the greatness of God and the privilege we have to come to Him in any circumstance. The central question posed was whether we are willing to say "yes" to God, to His Holy Spirit, and to the unique calling He has placed on each of our lives. This "yes" is not for the approval of others but for the glory of God alone. We are reminded that anything not done for God will eventually fade away, as the enemy seeks to devour those who are not firmly rooted in Christ.
We delved into 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, where Paul speaks of building on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Each of us has been graced with gifts and responsibilities, and we are called to use them to build the church, which is not a physical structure but the body of believers. The importance of building with materials that endure—symbolized by gold, silver, and precious stones—was emphasized, as opposed to those that will not withstand the test of time, like wood, hay, and straw.
The sermon highlighted the necessity of being empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables us to carry out God's work. Without His guidance, our efforts are in vain. We were encouraged to engage in prayer and fasting as means to fortify our spiritual foundation. These practices draw us closer to God, allowing us to hear His voice and align our actions with His will. The historical examples of prayer and fasting, from Jesus in the wilderness to the early church, were presented as models for us to follow.
In conclusion, we were urged to maintain a mindset of continual prayer, keeping our focus on God to withstand life's storms. The call to action was clear: to be active participants in building God's kingdom, relying on His strength and guidance. For those who have not yet accepted Christ, an invitation was extended to embrace Him as Lord and Savior, ensuring a life built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Saying "Yes" to God: Our willingness to say "yes" to God is crucial. This commitment is not for the approval of others but for God's glory. When we align our actions with His will, we become part of His divine plan, equipped by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our calling. [02:27]
2. Building on a Firm Foundation: Jesus Christ is the only foundation that will endure. Building our lives on anything else is like constructing on shifting sand. We must use enduring materials—faith, obedience, and love—to build a life that withstands trials. [14:08]
3. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to carry out God's work. Without His guidance, our efforts are futile. We must be open to His leading, allowing Him to direct our paths and strengthen us for the tasks ahead. [06:30]
4. The Role of Prayer and Fasting: Prayer and fasting are vital practices that draw us closer to God. They help us hear His voice and align our actions with His will. Through these disciplines, we gain strength and clarity to face life's challenges. [22:16]
5. Continual Communication with God: Maintaining a mindset of continual prayer keeps us focused on God. This ongoing communication fortifies our relationship with Him, enabling us to navigate life's storms with His guidance and peace. [30:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:27] - Saying "Yes" to God
- [04:16] - Trusting in God's Call
- [06:30] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
- [09:43] - Building the Church
- [11:45] - The Foundation of Jesus Christ
- [14:08] - The Importance of a Firm Foundation
- [15:53] - Lessons from the Three Little Pigs
- [17:35] - Fortifying with the Holy Spirit
- [22:16] - The Power of Prayer and Fasting
- [27:08] - Praying Until Something Happens
- [30:03] - Continual Communication with God
- [32:21] - Avoiding Deception
- [33:57] - Seeking God's Will
- [36:06] - Taking Action in Faith
- [40:09] - Building a Relationship with God
- [42:36] - Personal Testimony on Fasting
- [49:04] - Biblical Examples of Fasting
- [59:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
- Matthew 7:7
- Matthew 26:41
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, what are the different materials mentioned for building on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and what do they symbolize? [06:30]
2. In the sermon, what is emphasized as the primary reason for saying "yes" to God? [02:27]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to carry out God's work? [04:16]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of prayer and fasting in strengthening one's spiritual foundation? [22:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of building with enduring materials in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 relate to the idea of living a life that withstands trials? [14:08]
2. What might it mean to say "yes" to God in a way that is not for the approval of others but for His glory alone? [02:27]
3. How does the sermon suggest that continual communication with God through prayer can help believers navigate life's storms? [30:03]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the empowerment of the Holy Spirit is essential for fulfilling one's calling? [06:30]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance through prayer before making it? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [27:08]
2. Identify an area in your life where you feel called to say "yes" to God. What steps can you take this week to align your actions with His will? [02:27]
3. Consider a time when you faced a personal storm. How did your spiritual foundation help you, and what can you do to strengthen it further? [17:35]
4. How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your routine to draw closer to God and hear His voice more clearly? [22:16]
5. Think of a specific task or responsibility you have in your church community. How can you ensure that your efforts are empowered by the Holy Spirit rather than relying solely on your strength? [04:16]
6. Is there a particular distraction in your life that prevents you from maintaining continual communication with God? What practical steps can you take to minimize this distraction? [30:03]
7. Reflect on the materials you are using to build your life. Are they enduring like gold and silver, or are they temporary like wood and straw? What changes can you make to ensure your life is built on a firm foundation? [14:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Call with a Willing Heart
Our willingness to say "yes" to God is a profound act of faith and surrender. It is not about seeking the approval of others but about aligning ourselves with God's divine purpose for our lives. When we say "yes" to God, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who equips us to fulfill our unique calling. This commitment requires courage and trust, as it often leads us into unknown territories where we must rely on God's strength and wisdom. Saying "yes" to God is a daily decision to prioritize His glory above all else, knowing that our lives are part of a greater divine plan. [02:27]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you say "yes" to Him today, trusting in His plan for you?
Day 2: Building a Life on Christ's Enduring Foundation
Building our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ is essential for spiritual stability and growth. Unlike the shifting sands of worldly values, Christ offers a solid rock upon which we can construct a life that withstands trials and challenges. This foundation is built with enduring materials such as faith, obedience, and love, which are symbolized by gold, silver, and precious stones. These elements reflect a life committed to God's truth and purpose, ensuring that our efforts are not in vain but contribute to the eternal kingdom of God. [14:08]
1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV): "As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Consider the foundation of your life. Are there areas where you are building on shifting sands instead of the solid rock of Christ? What steps can you take to strengthen your foundation today?
Day 3: Relying on the Holy Spirit's Empowerment
The Holy Spirit is our guide and source of strength in carrying out God's work. Without His empowerment, our efforts can become futile and misaligned with God's will. The Holy Spirit leads us into truth, equips us with spiritual gifts, and provides the wisdom needed to navigate life's complexities. By being open to His leading, we allow Him to direct our paths and empower us for the tasks ahead. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is crucial for living a life that honors God and fulfills His purposes. [06:30]
Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you in your daily life? How can you become more attuned to His voice and leading?
Day 4: The Transformative Power of Prayer and Fasting
Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual disciplines that draw us closer to God and align our actions with His will. Through these practices, we gain clarity, strength, and the ability to hear God's voice more clearly. Prayer is an ongoing conversation with God, while fasting is a way to humble ourselves and focus on spiritual growth. These disciplines have been modeled throughout biblical history, from Jesus in the wilderness to the early church, and they remain vital for our spiritual journey today. [22:16]
Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "'Yet even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer and fasting into your spiritual routine this week? What specific intention or need will you bring before God during this time?
Day 5: Cultivating Continual Communication with God
Maintaining a mindset of continual prayer keeps us focused on God and fortifies our relationship with Him. This ongoing communication is essential for navigating life's storms with His guidance and peace. By cultivating a habit of prayer, we remain connected to God's presence and open to His direction. Continual prayer is not limited to specific times or places but is a constant awareness of God's presence in every aspect of our lives. It is through this relationship that we find strength, comfort, and the ability to persevere through challenges. [30:03]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can incorporate continual prayer into your daily routine? How can this practice help you stay connected to God throughout the day?
Quotes
God, I thank you for your your graciousness, just in who you are, for you are great and you are greatly to be praised. We thank you for your son, Jesus. We thank you that we can come to you for whatever it is, wherever we are, whatever we're in the midst of, no matter how bad, how good, how far, we can come to you. [00:00:06] (40 seconds)
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now, if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear. For the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one's work, or what sort it is. [00:06:34] (40 seconds)
Paul, who had gone out, Paul was graced by God to build. To build a church. Not a building. But the universal church. The church is you and I. You and I. We are the church. And so we, as the church, we have a certain work that we should be doing. Each and every one of us. [00:09:01] (38 seconds)
It matters how you build. You matter. That which God gave you, you are supposed to use it. And you're supposed to use it to build the church. Not using it is an atrocity. Because God says that he wants his kingdom built. And he wants each of us, participating in that, to build. [00:11:14] (37 seconds)
It is now to be built upon, but everyone in the church, ministers, lay people alike, must take heed how we ought to build on it. Each one of us. Jesus Christ, the foundation. Christ is that foundation. Christ is that foundation. There's no other foundation than that of Jesus Christ. He's the only one. [00:12:58] (35 seconds)
The pigs crying wolf, wolf, wolf all day long. One running into a house of straw. One running into a house of wood, I believe. And one running into a house of bricks. The house of straw. Burns up. There's no safety there. It goes every which way the wind blows. And it's toppled, but whatever comes by is gone, no good. [00:15:37] (40 seconds)
The things that you have gone through can make you stronger. If you trust God. God's word says that we must build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Well, what can we use that's fortifying? That's going to hold the foundation together. That's going to stand up when the storms of life come. [00:18:02] (36 seconds)
We talked about the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who leads us and guides us and helps us. Who teaches us. And it's all upon us saying yes to the Holy Spirit when he says go. What he says do. When he says to do it. And we can't balk. We can't hesitate. We have to be obedient. [00:18:47] (30 seconds)
Sometimes when you're praying you might have a tendency of wanting to give up nothing happened there's an acronym that we use yes push pray until something happens have you ever been in a position to where you didn't know what was going to happen you didn't know the outcome and you done prayed and you still yet waiting [00:26:28] (33 seconds)
Prayer encourages us to pray for everything with a thankful heart pray for everything with a prayerful heart and when we are open and present all to him he will protect you with his peace peace and so we want to do that to be continually in prayer have you ever had a friend [00:38:12] (32 seconds)
Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness fasting and praying before he began his God's work on earth he needed time alone to prepare for what his father had called him to do there in Matthew 4 1 and 2 we go we fast to seek God's wisdom Paul and Barnabas prayed and fasted for the elders of the church [00:49:09] (30 seconds)
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