Summit Church
The Kingdom Way Pt 12 | The Rich Rewards of a Radical Choice | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
The Big Idea: The Indestructible Life is built on deep trust in the person and work of Jesus.
1. The Invisible Problem
The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of Your Heart
2. Two Kinds of Builders
Wise Builders and Foolish Builders:
Foolish are all hat, no cattle. Idle Talkers
Wise are blue-collar workers, building with skill and focus.
Wise Builders and Foolish Builders:
Foolish are all hat, no cattle. Idle Talkers
Wise are blue-collar workers, building with skill and focus.
The casual observer would not have noticed any difference between them, for the difference is in the foundation and foundations are not seen.
The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery sheds further light on this illustration: "Biblical buildings and cities were only as substantial as their foundations, which were symbolically related to the behavior of the people. Thus houses and walls might be impressively painted, yet without deep foundations they were flimsy and insecure. In catastrophic judgments the exposure of foundations meant complete destruction."
Proverbs 9:1-6; 10-12
“Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
“Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
3. How To Tell The Difference
The Foundation is always revealed in catastrophic storms.
Here are five symptoms that may indicate your life is built on the sand:
1. Inconsistent Faith: If your faith wavers significantly with changing circumstances or emotions, it may indicate a lack of a solid foundation. A life built on the rock remains steadfast even in difficult times.
2. Lack of Obedience: Regularly ignoring or dismissing God's commands and teachings can be a sign that your life is not grounded in His word. Obedience is a key component of building on the rock.
3. Superficial Relationship with God: If your relationship with God is primarily based on rituals or appearances rather than a deep, personal connection, it may suggest a foundation on sand. A strong relationship with God involves genuine communication and commitment.
4. Dependence on Worldly Values: Prioritizing material success, social status, or personal desires over spiritual growth and God's will can indicate a sandy foundation. A life built on the rock prioritizes God's kingdom and righteousness.
5. Easily Overwhelmed by Trials: If you find yourself frequently overwhelmed or defeated by life's challenges, it may suggest that your foundation is not secure. A life built on the rock can withstand storms with resilience and hope in God's promises.
1. Inconsistent Faith: If your faith wavers significantly with changing circumstances or emotions, it may indicate a lack of a solid foundation. A life built on the rock remains steadfast even in difficult times.
2. Lack of Obedience: Regularly ignoring or dismissing God's commands and teachings can be a sign that your life is not grounded in His word. Obedience is a key component of building on the rock.
3. Superficial Relationship with God: If your relationship with God is primarily based on rituals or appearances rather than a deep, personal connection, it may suggest a foundation on sand. A strong relationship with God involves genuine communication and commitment.
4. Dependence on Worldly Values: Prioritizing material success, social status, or personal desires over spiritual growth and God's will can indicate a sandy foundation. A life built on the rock prioritizes God's kingdom and righteousness.
5. Easily Overwhelmed by Trials: If you find yourself frequently overwhelmed or defeated by life's challenges, it may suggest that your foundation is not secure. A life built on the rock can withstand storms with resilience and hope in God's promises.
Response:
1. Make or affirm your decision to dig a deep foundation in Jesus.
2. BLESS your Oikos this week
1. Make or affirm your decision to dig a deep foundation in Jesus.
2. BLESS your Oikos this week
Discussion Guide
Ice Breaker Question:
1. What reasons could someone have to call you a wise person? What reasons could they have to call you a fool?
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to you to say "Jesus is Lord"? How does this confession impact your daily life?
2. Someone said that “The Bible is a dangerous book to read and the church is a dangerous society to join. Do you believe this? Why or why not?
3. Why do people often confuse religious activity with doing the will of the Father? How do you understand the difference between the two?
4. Why is it often so hard to tell the difference between someone who truly follows Jesus and someone who just says they do?
5. Acts 8:9-23 is the story of Simon the Sorcerer. What can we learn from his example about the importance of having the right heart attitude?
6. What does it mean to build your life on a strong foundation, like the wise builder in Jesus' parable?
7. What storms have you faced and what have they revealed about your faith?
8. Why is it important to have a heart that is aligned with God's will, and how can you work on this?
9. What role does the community of believers (the church) play in helping you grow in your faith?
10. What is one part of the Sermon on the Mount that challenges you the most? How can you lean into that more?
1. What reasons could someone have to call you a wise person? What reasons could they have to call you a fool?
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to you to say "Jesus is Lord"? How does this confession impact your daily life?
2. Someone said that “The Bible is a dangerous book to read and the church is a dangerous society to join. Do you believe this? Why or why not?
3. Why do people often confuse religious activity with doing the will of the Father? How do you understand the difference between the two?
4. Why is it often so hard to tell the difference between someone who truly follows Jesus and someone who just says they do?
5. Acts 8:9-23 is the story of Simon the Sorcerer. What can we learn from his example about the importance of having the right heart attitude?
6. What does it mean to build your life on a strong foundation, like the wise builder in Jesus' parable?
7. What storms have you faced and what have they revealed about your faith?
8. Why is it important to have a heart that is aligned with God's will, and how can you work on this?
9. What role does the community of believers (the church) play in helping you grow in your faith?
10. What is one part of the Sermon on the Mount that challenges you the most? How can you lean into that more?