Building Your Life on the Rock of Faith
Summary
Today’s focus is on the invitation Jesus gives to build our lives on the rock—on Him and His words. Drawing from the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, we see Jesus contrasting two builders: one wise, who builds on the rock and withstands the storms, and one foolish, who builds on sand and suffers a great crash. The heart of this teaching is not just about hearing Jesus’ words, but putting them into practice, making Him the foundation of our lives.
The crowd’s astonishment at Jesus’ teaching wasn’t just about the content, but the authority with which He spoke. Unlike the religious leaders of the day, who quoted others and hedged their interpretations, Jesus spoke as one who was in charge, who had the right to direct lives. This directness is both confrontational and invitational—He calls us to a decision: will we trust Him enough to build our lives on His words?
Living by faith is at the core of this invitation. Faith is not the absence of doubt, but the choice to trust God in the midst of uncertainty. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Without faith, it’s impossible to please God—not because He’s demanding proof, but because faith is the only way to approach a God we cannot see. Faith is what moves us to seek Him, to trust that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
To live by faith means seeking to please God above all, prioritizing the eternal over the temporary, and living as if God is truly in control—even when life feels chaotic or painful. This doesn’t mean life will be easy or free from storms. In fact, storms often reveal what our lives are truly built upon. But the promise is that a life built on the rock will endure, not because of our strength, but because of the foundation we’ve chosen.
No matter where you are or what your past looks like, it’s never too late to start building your life on the rock. Jesus meets us where we are, inviting us to trust Him, to live by faith, and to find our security in Him alone.
Key Takeaways
- Faith Is Not the Absence of Doubt, but the Choice to Trust
Faith is not about having all the answers or never questioning. True faith exists precisely because there is doubt; it is the decision to trust God even when we cannot see the outcome or understand the path. This kind of faith is what pleases God and draws us closer to Him, as we choose to believe in His promises despite our uncertainties. [32:54]
- Living by Faith Means Seeking to Please God, Not Ourselves
A life of faith is marked by a desire to bring joy to God, not just to ourselves. This is not a burdensome obligation, but a relational pursuit—like wanting to please someone you love. Our values and decisions are shaped by what God desires, not just by what feels good or makes us happy in the moment. [37:49]
- Prioritizing the Eternal Over the Temporary Requires Sacrifice
Following Jesus and building on the rock means making choices that sometimes cost us comfort, time, or resources. The temporary things of this world are real and can be enjoyed, but they are not ultimate. Investing in God’s kingdom may be hard, but it is never regrettable, because it aligns our lives with what truly lasts. [43:42]
- Faith Is Living Like God Is in Control, Even When We Don’t Feel It
Life is often messy, unpredictable, and filled with pain or unanswered questions. Faith is not about always feeling that God is in control, but about living as if He is—trusting that His promises are true and that He is working out His purposes, even when we cannot see it. This is especially important in seasons of loss, disappointment, or confusion. [48:43]
- It’s Never Too Late to Start Building on the Rock
No matter your past or how long you’ve lived by sight rather than faith, Jesus’ invitation stands. He welcomes us to begin building our lives on Him today, promising not an easy life, but a secure foundation that will endure every storm. The reward is not a trouble-free existence, but a life that is meaningful, lasting, and anchored in Christ. [50:58]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Light Issues and Announcements
[02:30] - Mother’s Day Recognition
[03:45] - Series Recap: Building Your Life on the Rock
[07:00] - Reading Matthew 7:24-29
[10:15] - The Gift of Storms and Course Correction
[13:30] - The Authority of Jesus’ Teaching
[17:00] - Wisdom and Foolishness in Jesus’ Parable
[20:00] - The Invitation to a Life of Faith
[24:00] - What Is Faith? Hebrews 11 Explained
[28:00] - Faith and Doubt: Living in the Tension
[31:30] - Living to Please God
[35:00] - Prioritizing the Eternal Over the Temporary
[39:00] - Faith Means Living Like God Is in Control
[46:00] - Are You Living by Faith?
[50:00] - Invitation to Build on the Rock
[53:00] - Prayer and Blessing
[54:45] - Mother’s Day Prayer
[57:00] - Announcements and Dismissal
[01:05:33] - Closing Song and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Building Your Life on the Rock
---
### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:24-29
(The parable of the wise and foolish builders; Jesus’ conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount)
- Hebrews 11:1, 6
(“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see... And without faith it is impossible to please God...”)
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
(“For we live by faith, not by sight.”)
---
### Observation Questions
1. In the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 7:24-27, what are the main differences between the wise and foolish builders? What happens to each house when the storm comes?
2. According to Hebrews 11:1, how does the Bible define faith? What two things does faith involve?
3. How did the crowd react to Jesus’ teaching at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, and what was different about the way He taught compared to other religious leaders?
[[25:49]]
4. In 2 Corinthians 5:7, what does Paul say is the way followers of Jesus are supposed to live?
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount with a story about building on the rock or sand? What is He trying to get His listeners to decide?
[[29:06]]
2. The sermon says, “Faith is not the absence of doubt. Faith is the choice to believe in spite of your doubts.” Why is it important to recognize that faith and doubt can exist together?
[[32:54]]
3. What does it mean to “seek to please God” rather than just ourselves? How is this different from just following rules or trying to be a good person?
[[37:49]]
4. The sermon mentions that storms in life reveal what our lives are built on. Why do you think hard times show us what our foundation really is?
[[10:15]]
---
### Application Questions
1. Jesus says the wise person is the one who hears His words and puts them into practice. What is one area of your life where you know what Jesus says, but you struggle to actually do it? What is one step you could take this week to put His words into practice?
[[29:06]]
2. The sermon says, “Faith is not about having all the answers or never questioning.” When was a time you had doubts or questions about God? How did you respond, and what helped you keep trusting God anyway?
[[32:54]]
3. Living by faith means seeking to please God above all. Think about a recent decision you made—was your main goal to please God, or just yourself? How might your decision have been different if you were focused on God’s pleasure?
[[37:49]]
4. Prioritizing the eternal over the temporary sometimes means making sacrifices. Is there something temporary (comfort, time, money, reputation) that you sense God might be asking you to give up or use differently for His kingdom? What would it look like to take a step in that direction?
[[43:42]]
5. The sermon says, “Faith is living like God is in control, even when we don’t feel it.” Is there a situation in your life right now where you don’t feel like God is in control? What would it look like to act as if He is, even if your feelings haven’t caught up yet?
[[48:43]]
6. The pastor said, “It’s never too late to start building on the rock.” If you feel like you’ve been building on sand, what is one thing you can do this week to start building your life on Jesus and His words?
[[50:58]]
7. When storms or hard times come, what are some practical ways you can remind yourself (or others) that your foundation is in Christ? Is there a verse, a prayer, or a habit that helps you remember?
[[10:15]]
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for faith to trust Jesus in the midst of doubts, to seek to please God, and to build their lives on the rock, no matter what storms may come.
Devotional
Day 1: Building Your Life on the Rock Means Obedience to Jesus
To build your life on the rock is to hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice, not just to listen but to act. This is the difference between wisdom and foolishness: the wise person not only knows what Jesus says but actually lives it out, making His teachings the foundation for every decision, value, and priority. When storms come—whether of our own making or simply the result of living in a broken world—what we have built our lives upon is revealed. The invitation is clear: Jesus calls us to a life of faith that is demonstrated by obedience, and He promises that a life built on Him will stand firm, even when everything else is shaken. [22:16]
Matthew 7:24-27 (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. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Reflection: What is one teaching of Jesus you know but have not yet put into practice? What step can you take today to begin living it out?
Day 2: Faith Is Trusting God Even Amid Doubt
Faith is not the absence of doubt, but the choice to trust God in spite of it. True faith means being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see, even when our feelings waver or our understanding is incomplete. It is in the presence of doubt that faith becomes real, as we choose to believe God’s promises and character even when we cannot see the outcome. Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because faith is what draws us to Him, compels us to pray, and motivates us to seek Him earnestly. [31:58]
Hebrews 11:1, 6 (ESV)
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. … And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Reflection: Where are you experiencing doubt right now? How can you choose to trust God in that area today, even if you don’t have all the answers?
Day 3: Living by Faith, Not by Sight
Followers of Jesus are called to live by faith and not by sight, which means making decisions and setting priorities based on trust in God rather than just what is visible or logical. The world teaches us to rely on what we can see, measure, and control, but Jesus invites us to a different way—a life where we trust Him with the unknowns and walk forward even when the path isn’t clear. Living by faith means seeking to please God, asking what He wants from us each day, and letting His Word shape our values and actions, even when it goes against the grain of our culture or our own desires. [36:39]
2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you are tempted to rely only on what you can see? How might you approach it differently if you chose to walk by faith?
Day 4: Prioritizing the Eternal Over the Temporary
A life of faith means valuing what is eternal above what is temporary, recognizing that our time, resources, and energy are limited and that investing in God’s kingdom often comes at a cost. The world around us is filled with temporary pleasures and pursuits, but Jesus calls us to consider what will last beyond this life. This may mean making sacrifices, giving up personal comfort, or choosing God’s priorities over our own, but the reward is a life that matters and endures. Even when it’s hard, and even when it costs us something, prioritizing the eternal brings a deeper joy and purpose that the temporary cannot offer. [43:42]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV)
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Reflection: What is one way you can invest in something eternal today, even if it means giving up something temporary you enjoy?
Day 5: Living Like God Is in Control
Faith is not always feeling like God is in control, but choosing to live as if He is, especially when life feels messy, uncertain, or painful. In the midst of heartache, disappointment, and unanswered prayers, a person of faith trusts that God’s Word is true and that His promises will be fulfilled. Even when we don’t know how the story will unfold, we know how it ends—Jesus is alive, He is in control, and His kingdom will come. Living like God is in control means trusting Him with our present and our future, and letting that trust shape our actions, attitudes, and hope. [48:43]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to act today as if God is truly in control, even if you don’t feel it? What would it look like to trust Him with that situation?
Quotes
Faith is not feeling like God is in control. Faith is living like God is in control. Faith is the belief that ultimately God's kingdom will come and his will will be done. [00:47:13] (17 seconds)
You may not know how the story will go, but you do know how the story will end. Jesus is alive. He's in control. And one day, God's kingdom will come and his will will be done on earth as it is in heaven. [00:49:49] (24 seconds)
Jesus invites us to live a life of faith and the reward, the reward is not that your life will be perfect and you will have no problems. The reward is that your life will not be worthless. It will not fall apart when the storms come. It will survive the test of time. Not because you're such a good builder, but because you've built it on the rock. [00:52:48] (27 seconds)
Without faith, it's impossible to please God. Why? Because anyone who comes to God must first believe that God exists. You will not come to a God that you do not believe in. You will not pray to a God that you do not believe exists. And faith is what gets you to come to God. [00:34:48] (21 seconds)
But faith, faith reminds us God is in control. We may not always feel like it, but a person of faith lives like it's true. In the midst of your heartache and your disappointment and your sadness, a person who builds their life on the rock, a person of faith, trusts that God's Word is true, what God has promised He will do, that the part of the story you're in is not the final chapter, and that the final chapter has already been written, and you've gotten to read it because Jesus Christ died on the cross and took care of everything, past, present, and future. [00:48:51] (59 seconds)
So along comes a man. He chooses in faith. How does he know that his life will withstand the storms? He doesn't. He chooses in faith to build his life upon the teachings of Jesus and this act of faith makes him wise and the reward that God gives to the person of faith is that when the storms come, the house doesn't come down. [00:35:30] (30 seconds)
There is a cost to follow jesus and we should be honest about that cost a life of faith will take you places you never expected you would go it will ask things of you that you never thought you would be asked you will consider choices you would have never ever dreamed of considering except for you've chosen to follow jesus and you are tempting to live a life of faith it's not always easy [00:41:41] (37 seconds)
Every dollar you give to God's kingdom is actually one dollar you cannot spend on yourself. Every moment of time you invest in God's kingdom is a moment of time you cannot spend on what you want. Your abilities, your desires, your hopes and dreams, every moment you spend pursuing them is one moment that you can't spend pursuing God's desires for your life. [00:43:42] (36 seconds)
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