INTRODUCTION: “BUILT ON THE ROCK” Matt 7:24-25
We live in a world of TikTok theology and 15-second sermons. But storms still come.
Jesus said the difference between a life that stands and a life that collapses is foundation.
These 20 truths are your spiritual foundation. Know them. Live them. Pass them on.
SECTION 1: WHO GOD IS & WHAT HE DID
1. GRACE — God’s undeserved kindness
Definition: Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve: forgiveness, life, sonship.
Why it matters: Without grace we’re hopeless. Rom 3:23-24 — we’ve all sinned, but we’re justified freely. Eph 2:8-9 — it’s a gift, not wages.
Illustration: Imagine owing a 10 million debt you can never pay. The Judge walks down, pays it Himself, and adopts you. That’s grace.
Application: Stop performing. Start receiving. Extend to others what God gave you.
Prayer: “Father, thank You that I’m not saved by my hustle. I’m saved by Your Son.”
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT — God living in you
Definition: The 3rd Person of the Trinity who indwells, empowers, and guides every believer.
Why it matters: John 14:16-17 — He’s the Helper forever. Acts 1:8 — He gives power to witness. Rom 8:26 — He prays when we can’t.
Illustration: You wouldn’t drive a car with no fuel. Don’t try to live the Christian life without the Spirit.
Application: Start each day: “Holy Spirit, fill me. Lead me. Speak to me.”
Prayer: “Spirit, I surrender control. Be my Guide today.”
3. THE TRINITY — One God in 3 Persons
Definition: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. One in essence, three in Person. Equal, eternal.
Why it matters: Matt 28:19 — We’re baptized in that Name. 2 Cor 13:14 — We experience all 3. Deut 6:4 — God is one.
Illustration: Like water: ice, liquid, steam. Same substance, different expressions. Or like a family: distinct persons, one unit.
Application: Relate to God as Father, follow Jesus as Lord, walk with the Spirit as Friend.
Prayer: “Triune God, I worship You in all Your fullness.”
4. THE DEITY & WORK OF CHRIST — Jesus: God in flesh, crucified and risen
Definition: John 1:1,14 — The Word became flesh. Col 2:9 — Full deity in Him. 1 Cor 15:3-4 — He died, was buried, rose.
Why it matters: If Jesus isn’t God, the cross is murder. If He didn’t rise, our faith is vain. Rom 4:25 — He died for our sin, rose for our justification.
Illustration: A bridge. On one side: Holy God. Other side: sinful man. Jesus is the only bridge.
Application: Your faith is not in principles. It’s in a Person. Boast in the Cross.
Prayer: “Jesus, thank You for dying my death so I could live Your life.”
SECTION 2: THE WORD & GOD’S PLAN
5. INSPIRATION OF SCRIPTURE — The Bible is God-breathed
Definition: 2 Tim 3:16 — God breathed out every word. 2 Pet 1:21 — Men spoke as the Spirit carried them.
Why it matters: Ps 119:105 — It’s our lamp. It teaches, corrects, trains. Without it, we drift.
Illustration: A pilot without instruments crashes. A believer without the Bible drifts.
Application: Read it daily. Not just for info, but for transformation.
Prayer: “Lord, speak to me through Your Word today.”
6. THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW — The Law shows sin and points to Christ
Definition: Rom 3:20 — The Law gives knowledge of sin. Gal 3:24 — It was our tutor to lead us to Christ.
Why it matters: The 10 Commandments Ex 20 show God’s standard. We fail it, so we run to grace.
Illustration: A mirror. It shows dirt but can’t be washed. The Law shows sin, Jesus washes it.
Application: Don’t use the Law to condemn. Use it to see need, then run to Jesus.
Prayer: “Lord, show me where I’ve missed Your standard and lead me to the Cross.”
7. THE KINGDOM OF GOD — God’s rule now and forever
Definition: Matt 6:33 — Seek His rule first. Luke 17:21 — It’s in the midst of you. Rom 14:17 — Righteousness, peace, joy in the Spirit.
Why it matters: We’re not just waiting for heaven. The King reigns in us now.
Illustration: An embassy. You’re in Nigeria, but you live under another King’s rule and values.
Application: In every decision ask: “What does Kingdom look like here?”
Prayer: “Jesus, be King over my money, my time, my relationships.”
8. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY & PROVIDENCE — God is in control
Definition: Ps 115:3 — He does all He pleases. Rom 8:28 — He works all things for good. Eph 1:11 — He works all things by His will.
Why it matters: When life makes no sense, we trust the One who does.
Illustration: A tapestry. From the back it’s knots. From the front it’s beautiful. God sees the front.
Application: Surrender worry. Trust His plan even in delay and pain.
Prayer: “Father, I trust You with what I don’t understand.”
SECTION 3: THE HUMAN CONDITION
9. SIN — Disobedience that separates us from God
Definition: Rom 3:23 — We all missed the mark. Isa 59:2 — It separates. Rom 6:23 — Its wage is death.
Why it matters: Until we see the disease, we won’t want the cure.
Illustration: Cancer. You can’t treat what you won’t diagnose.
Application: Don’t minimize sin. Call it what God calls it. Confess it quickly. 1 John 1:9
Prayer: “Lord, reveal sin in me and wash me.”
10. REPENTANCE & FAITH — Turn from sin, turn to Christ
Definition: Mark 1:15 — Repent and believe. Acts 20:21 — Repentance toward God, faith in Christ.
Why it matters: You can’t grab Jesus with one hand while holding sin with the other.
Illustration: U-turn. Repentance is turning away from, faith is turning toward.
Application: Daily: “Lord, I turn from self. I trust Jesus.”
Prayer: “Jesus, I repent. I believe. Save me.
SECTION 4: HOW WE LIVE
11. OBEDIENCE — Love in action
Definition: John 14:15 — Love = obey. 1 John 2:6 — Walk as He walked.
Why it matters: Obedience is the evidence of love. It unlocks the next word from God.
Illustration: A child who says “I love you” but never listens.
Application: Ask: “What’s ONE thing God told me?” Then do it this week.
Prayer: “Lord, give me a heart to obey even when it’s hard.”
12. PRAYER — Talking with God
Definition: Heb 4:16 — Bold access to the throne. 1 Thess 5:17 — Pray without ceasing.
Why it matters: Phil 4:6-7 — Prayer brings peace that guards heart and mind.
Illustration: A phone. God is not silent. He’s on the other line.
Application: 3x daily: Morning surrender, Midday check-in, Night thanksgiving.
Prayer: “Father, teach me to pray.”
13. WORSHIP — Giving God worth with our lives
Definition: John 4:24 — In spirit and truth. Rom 12:1-2 — Your body as a living sacrifice.
Why it matters: Worship is not a Sunday event. It’s a Monday lifestyle.
Illustration: A mirror reflects the sun. Worship reflects God’s worth to the world.
Application: Work, parenting, business — do all for His glory.
Prayer: “Lord, let my life be worship.”
14. THE CHURCH — God’s family on mission
Definition: Eph 2:19-22 — Household of God. 1 Cor 12 — One body, many parts. Heb 10:25 — Don’t forsake gathering.
Why it matters: You can’t grow alone. You need family, gifts, and accountability.
Illustration: A coal out of the fire goes cold. Stay in the fire.
Application: Get planted. Serve. Use your gift. Do life together.
Prayer: “God, connect me to my church family.”
SECTION 5: GROWTH & PURPOSE
15. FAITH AND WORKS — Faith alone saves, but saving faith works
Definition: James 2:17 — Faith without works is dead. Eph 2:10 — Created FOR good works.
Why it matters: Works don’t save you. They show you’re saved.
Illustration: A tree. Faith is the root, works are the fruit.
Application: Ask God: “What good work did You prepare for me today?”
Prayer: “Lord, let my faith be seen in my works.”
16. DISCIPLESHIP — Follow Jesus. Lead others to follow Him
Definition: Matt 28:18-20 — Make disciples. Luke 9:23 — Deny self, take up cross daily. 2 Tim 2:2 — Multiply.
Why it matters: Jesus’ last command was not to make converts, but disciples.
Illustration: Pay it forward. Who discipled Paul? Jesus. Who did Paul disciple? Timothy. Who did Timothy disciple? Faithful men.
Application: Ask: “Who am I following? Who am I leading?”
Prayer: “Jesus, make me a disciple who makes disciples.”
17. GIFTS & CALLING — Every believer is gifted to serve
Definition: Rom 12:6, 1 Cor 12:7 — The Spirit gives gifts for the common good. 1 Pet 4:10 — Be a steward of God’s grace.
Why it matters: The Church needs your gift. The world needs your calling.
Illustration: A body. The eye can’t say to the hand “I don’t need you.”
Application: Discover your gift. Use it. Don’t bury it.
Prayer: “Spirit, show me my gift and give me courage to use it.”
SECTION 6: LAST THINGS
18. JUDGMENT — We will all give an account to God
Definition: Acts 17:31 — A day is fixed. Rom 14:12 — Each will give account. 2 Cor 5:10 — Judgment seat of Christ.
Why it matters: This creates urgency and holy living.
Illustration: Final exams. How you live now affects your reward then.
Application: Live with eternity in mind. Be faithful in small things.
Prayer: “Lord, help me live for an audience of One.”
19. HEAVEN & HELL — Eternal destinies are real
Definition: John 14:2-3 — Jesus prepares a place. Matt 25:46 — Eternal life or eternal punishment. Rev 21:4 — No more tears in heaven.
Why it matters: This is why we evangelize. People’s forever is at stake.
Illustration: Two roads. One leads to the King’s house. One leads away.
Application: Share Jesus with someone this month.
Prayer: “Lord, break my heart for what breaks Yours.”
20. THE LORD’S SUPPER & SECOND COMING — Remember the Cross. Anticipate the King
Definition: 1 Cor 11:26 — We proclaim His death until He comes. 1 Thes 4:16-17 — He IS coming back. Rev 22:20 — “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Why it matters: Communion looks back. The Second Coming looks forward. Both shape how we live now.
Illustration: An engagement ring. It remembers the proposal and anticipates the wedding.
Application: Take communion often. Live holy. Tell people Jesus is coming.
Prayer: “Come, Lord Jesus. Make me ready.”
CONCLUSION: “SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW AND LIVE” 1 John 5:13
Truth without action puffs up. James 1:22
These 20 truths should: ANCHOR YOU, SHAPE YOU, SEND YOU.
FINAL PRAYER:
Father, don’t let us be hearers only. Make us doers.
Write Your Word on our hearts. Fill us with Your Spirit.
Let our lives point to Jesus until He comes. Amen.
