The Rock and the Sand | Greg Ford | ONE CHURCH

The Rock and the Sand | Greg Ford | ONE CHURCH

ICEBREAKER:

How did you see God move this last week?

Summary:

This sermon focuses on Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24-27, where He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing His words but also putting them into practice. The parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the consequences of our choices in life. By building our lives on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings, we can withstand life's challenges and storms.

Key Points

  1. Foundation Matters: The type of foundation we build our lives on determines our stability. Jesus is the rock, and His teachings are the foundation we should strive to build upon.

  2. Hearing vs. Doing: It’s not enough to merely hear the teachings of Jesus; we must actively practice and apply them in our lives.

  3. The Reality of Storms: Life’s challenges are inevitable—rain, floods, and winds represent trials and tribulations. A solid foundation ensures we can endure them.

  4. Consequences of Choices: The response to Christ's teaching leads to differing outcomes—wisdom in following results in stability, while ignoring leads to collapse.

  5. Building Relationships: The choice to follow Jesus is not just individual; it impacts our relationships with others and our community.

    Scriptures Referenced

    • Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

      • "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Conclusion:

Building our lives on the teachings of Jesus is vital to our spiritual growth and resilience in the face of life's challenges. By actively putting His words into practice, we create a strong foundation that withstands any storm. Let us commit to not just hearing His words but living them out daily.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are building our lives on the teachings of Jesus?

  2. Can you share a time when you experienced a "storm" in your life? How did your foundation (faith) help you during that time?

  3. How do you differentiate between hearing and doing in your spiritual life?

  4. In what ways can we encourage one another to build stronger foundations in Christ?

  5. How can we apply Jesus' teachings in our daily relationships and community?

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, grateful for the wisdom and teachings of Jesus. Help us to be not just hearers of the Word but doers as well. Strengthen our faith and guide us in building our lives on the solid rock of Your Truth. May we endure the storms of life with courage and grace, reflecting Your love and strength to those around us. Empower us to encourage and support one another in our journeys. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

One Church