Have you ever dreamed of building the perfect home? A place where every room, every corner, and every detail is exactly what you’ve always wanted. Imagine walking through the front door, greeted by a spacious foyer leading into an open kitchen and great room—designed with family gatherings and heartfelt conversations in mind. Picture a dining area large enough to host a big table where everyone has a seat. The carport and workshop stand ready for weekend projects, while the 2.5 car garage offers ample space for your vehicles and more. An office and study provide quiet places for work and reflection, and extra bedrooms and a bunk room ensure plenty of space for guests. Finally, envision a great back porch complete with an outdoor kitchen, and the dream of a master closet and pantry that would make anyone envious.
Now, imagine taking that dream even further. What if you could design your home not just for the life you live today, but for all that the future holds? It’s exciting to think about, isn’t it? But as with any construction project, a solid foundation is essential. Without it, even the grandest dreams can crumble.
In our faith journey, the same principle applies. As we build and rebuild our lives in Christ, we need to be mindful of the foundation we’re laying. In this *Everything is Awesome* series, we’re exploring the deconstruction and reconstruction of faith—examining the materials, the blueprints, and the foundation that sustain us.
This week is part two of talking about The Five Elements of Building a Foundation of Faith. We will deal with the last three: Scripture, Discipleship, and Sacraments.
Just as we wouldn’t start building a house without a solid foundation, we can’t build our faith without the right materials. Our doctrine outlines five key elements that form the foundation of a healthy, biblical faith:
1. **Grace** – The Foundation Footings
- *John 3:16-17* reminds us that God’s grace is the bedrock of our faith. It's the foundation that upholds everything else, offering us love and salvation we could never earn on our own.
2. **Faith** – The Cornerstone
- As Jesus explains in *John 3:5-7*, faith is the cornerstone of our spiritual life. It's the first stone laid, anchoring our entire belief system and holding everything together.
3. **Scripture** – The Blueprints
- In *John 3:10-12*, Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding the truth revealed in Scripture. Like blueprints for a house, Scripture guides us, showing us where to place every element of our faith.
4. **Discipleship** – The Slab or Floor
- Discipleship is where faith meets action. In *John 3:20-21*, Jesus calls us to live in the light, ensuring that our lives are built on a solid foundation, ready to support everything that comes afterward.
5. **Sacraments** – The Pillars or Columns
- Finally, sacraments act as the pillars or columns in our faith structure. As Jesus tells Nicodemus in *John 3:3-5*, baptism and communion are means of grace that sustain and support our spiritual lives.
For many of us, there comes a time when our lived experience doesn’t match what we’ve been taught or what we’ve believed. We begin to question, doubt, and deconstruct our faith. But this isn’t something to fear; it’s an opportunity. Just as a home renovation may require tearing down old walls to build something stronger, God gives us permission to deconstruct our faith—so that we can rebuild it on a more solid foundation.
Now, imagine taking that dream even further. What if you could design your home not just for the life you live today, but for all that the future holds? It’s exciting to think about, isn’t it? But as with any construction project, a solid foundation is essential. Without it, even the grandest dreams can crumble.
In our faith journey, the same principle applies. As we build and rebuild our lives in Christ, we need to be mindful of the foundation we’re laying. In this *Everything is Awesome* series, we’re exploring the deconstruction and reconstruction of faith—examining the materials, the blueprints, and the foundation that sustain us.
This week is part two of talking about The Five Elements of Building a Foundation of Faith. We will deal with the last three: Scripture, Discipleship, and Sacraments.
Just as we wouldn’t start building a house without a solid foundation, we can’t build our faith without the right materials. Our doctrine outlines five key elements that form the foundation of a healthy, biblical faith:
1. **Grace** – The Foundation Footings
- *John 3:16-17* reminds us that God’s grace is the bedrock of our faith. It's the foundation that upholds everything else, offering us love and salvation we could never earn on our own.
2. **Faith** – The Cornerstone
- As Jesus explains in *John 3:5-7*, faith is the cornerstone of our spiritual life. It's the first stone laid, anchoring our entire belief system and holding everything together.
3. **Scripture** – The Blueprints
- In *John 3:10-12*, Jesus emphasizes the importance of understanding the truth revealed in Scripture. Like blueprints for a house, Scripture guides us, showing us where to place every element of our faith.
4. **Discipleship** – The Slab or Floor
- Discipleship is where faith meets action. In *John 3:20-21*, Jesus calls us to live in the light, ensuring that our lives are built on a solid foundation, ready to support everything that comes afterward.
5. **Sacraments** – The Pillars or Columns
- Finally, sacraments act as the pillars or columns in our faith structure. As Jesus tells Nicodemus in *John 3:3-5*, baptism and communion are means of grace that sustain and support our spiritual lives.
For many of us, there comes a time when our lived experience doesn’t match what we’ve been taught or what we’ve believed. We begin to question, doubt, and deconstruct our faith. But this isn’t something to fear; it’s an opportunity. Just as a home renovation may require tearing down old walls to build something stronger, God gives us permission to deconstruct our faith—so that we can rebuild it on a more solid foundation.
As we reconstruct our faith, we need to distinguish between foundational bricks and designer bricks. Foundational bricks are the essential elements that uphold our faith—grace, faith, Scripture, discipleship, and sacraments. Designer bricks, on the other hand, are the beliefs and practices that may vary from person to person but can still add beauty and structure to our spiritual lives.
Foundational Bricks
Over the years, I’ve learned that while designer bricks can vary, the foundational bricks of grace and faith remain true and unshakeable. These are the materials that God uses to build His kingdom, and they are the elements that must form the foundation of our faith and our church.
Designer Bricks
When we think about constructing a home, we make choices that reflect our personal style—shiplap or smooth walls, carpet or hardwood floors. These choices, while important, don’t affect the foundation of the house. Similarly, in our faith journey, there are *designer bricks*—biblically guided positions on social issues—that shape how we live out our beliefs in the world. These aren’t about salvation itself, but about how we work out our salvation in everyday life.
Designer bricks represent our interpretations of Scripture as they apply to modern issues like social justice, sexuality, environmental care, and more. These positions help us navigate complex topics, ensuring that our lives reflect the teachings of Christ in a meaningful way.
However, it’s important to remember that our salvation is based on grace through faith—not on perfectly adhering to these positions. While designer bricks guide our Christian lifestyle, they don’t determine our salvation. But when we ignore or reject these principles, we stray from God’s intended path, and this can lead to sin. Sin, in this context, is the failure to align our lives with the biblical principles that these designer bricks represent.
In community, we are called to live out these designer bricks with love and truth, knowing that God’s Kingdom will ultimately prevail. No earthly kingdom can replace it, and our task is to align our lives with God’s will as revealed through Scripture.
As we build our faith, let’s ensure that our lives are shaped by both foundational elements like grace and faith, and by the designer bricks that guide our actions. When we follow these biblical principles, we align ourselves with God’s blueprint for life. But when we stray, we fall into sin—missing the mark of what God intends for us.
So, let’s commit to using both foundational and designer bricks wisely, building lives that reflect God’s Kingdom on earth.
Scripture: The Blueprints
Scripture is not just a rule book or an instruction manual; it’s the playbook for life. It’s the testimony of the builder and the designers—God’s Word showing us how to live out our faith. Just as blueprints take a floor plan and make it come to life, Scripture brings clarity and direction to our spiritual journey.
Discipleship: The Slab or Floor
Discipleship is the everyday living space of a Christian life. It’s where faith meets action, where we practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fellowship, and generosity. It’s the slab upon which we build, ensuring that our lives are stable, level, and ready to support the rest of our spiritual structure.
Sacraments: The Pillars or Columns
The sacraments are the pillars that sustain us in our pursuit of God’s kingdom. Baptism and communion are not just rituals; they are means of grace that nourish and strengthen us, offering ongoing support as we grow in faith.
As you reflect on your own faith journey, I encourage you to examine the foundation of your faith. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to doubt, and to wrestle with your beliefs. God gives us permission to deconstruct, realign, and rebuild our faith, so that it may become stronger and more resilient.
If we, as God’s people, embrace this process, we will become the people God has called us to be, capable of changing our worlds. We are part of the greatest cause in the history of the world—the cause of Christ. And as witnesses who tell and builders who construct, we are called to establish God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Foundational Bricks
Over the years, I’ve learned that while designer bricks can vary, the foundational bricks of grace and faith remain true and unshakeable. These are the materials that God uses to build His kingdom, and they are the elements that must form the foundation of our faith and our church.
Designer Bricks
When we think about constructing a home, we make choices that reflect our personal style—shiplap or smooth walls, carpet or hardwood floors. These choices, while important, don’t affect the foundation of the house. Similarly, in our faith journey, there are *designer bricks*—biblically guided positions on social issues—that shape how we live out our beliefs in the world. These aren’t about salvation itself, but about how we work out our salvation in everyday life.
Designer bricks represent our interpretations of Scripture as they apply to modern issues like social justice, sexuality, environmental care, and more. These positions help us navigate complex topics, ensuring that our lives reflect the teachings of Christ in a meaningful way.
However, it’s important to remember that our salvation is based on grace through faith—not on perfectly adhering to these positions. While designer bricks guide our Christian lifestyle, they don’t determine our salvation. But when we ignore or reject these principles, we stray from God’s intended path, and this can lead to sin. Sin, in this context, is the failure to align our lives with the biblical principles that these designer bricks represent.
In community, we are called to live out these designer bricks with love and truth, knowing that God’s Kingdom will ultimately prevail. No earthly kingdom can replace it, and our task is to align our lives with God’s will as revealed through Scripture.
As we build our faith, let’s ensure that our lives are shaped by both foundational elements like grace and faith, and by the designer bricks that guide our actions. When we follow these biblical principles, we align ourselves with God’s blueprint for life. But when we stray, we fall into sin—missing the mark of what God intends for us.
So, let’s commit to using both foundational and designer bricks wisely, building lives that reflect God’s Kingdom on earth.
Scripture: The Blueprints
Scripture is not just a rule book or an instruction manual; it’s the playbook for life. It’s the testimony of the builder and the designers—God’s Word showing us how to live out our faith. Just as blueprints take a floor plan and make it come to life, Scripture brings clarity and direction to our spiritual journey.
Discipleship: The Slab or Floor
Discipleship is the everyday living space of a Christian life. It’s where faith meets action, where we practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fellowship, and generosity. It’s the slab upon which we build, ensuring that our lives are stable, level, and ready to support the rest of our spiritual structure.
Sacraments: The Pillars or Columns
The sacraments are the pillars that sustain us in our pursuit of God’s kingdom. Baptism and communion are not just rituals; they are means of grace that nourish and strengthen us, offering ongoing support as we grow in faith.
As you reflect on your own faith journey, I encourage you to examine the foundation of your faith. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, to doubt, and to wrestle with your beliefs. God gives us permission to deconstruct, realign, and rebuild our faith, so that it may become stronger and more resilient.
If we, as God’s people, embrace this process, we will become the people God has called us to be, capable of changing our worlds. We are part of the greatest cause in the history of the world—the cause of Christ. And as witnesses who tell and builders who construct, we are called to establish God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
CONNECT GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. What foundational elements have shaped your faith the most (e.g., grace, faith, Scripture, discipleship, sacraments)? How have they been challenged or reinforced over time?
2. In what ways can deconstructing certain beliefs or practices lead to a stronger reconstruction of faith? Share a time when this process helped you grow spiritually.
3. How does Scripture act as a blueprint for your faith? Are there particular passages or teachings that guide how you live out your beliefs?
4. Discuss the role of discipleship in your life. How do you ensure that your daily actions reflect the foundation of your faith?
5. How have the sacraments (such as baptism or communion) served as pillars in your spiritual journey? What significance do they hold for you today?
6. When you think about the "designer bricks" of your faith, what issues or beliefs do you feel have been shaped by your interpretation of Scripture in today’s context?
2. In what ways can deconstructing certain beliefs or practices lead to a stronger reconstruction of faith? Share a time when this process helped you grow spiritually.
3. How does Scripture act as a blueprint for your faith? Are there particular passages or teachings that guide how you live out your beliefs?
4. Discuss the role of discipleship in your life. How do you ensure that your daily actions reflect the foundation of your faith?
5. How have the sacraments (such as baptism or communion) served as pillars in your spiritual journey? What significance do they hold for you today?
6. When you think about the "designer bricks" of your faith, what issues or beliefs do you feel have been shaped by your interpretation of Scripture in today’s context?
Posted in Sermon Outline
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