Creating a firm foundation

(The following is a condensed version of two sermons Pastor Michael preached in June 2025.)

Life is like building a building—you can build something strong, meaningful, and lasting, or waste your life chasing temporary pleasures. Things like entertainment, wealth, or physical appearance might feel good for a time, but they don’t last or bring true happiness. The only life that endures is one built for God and His purposes.
In 1 Corinthians 3:9–15, Paul compares our lives to buildings, urging us to build wisely on the only foundation that lasts—Jesus Christ. Our actions and motivations will one day be tested by fire. What survives will earn a reward; what doesn’t, will be lost.
So what kind of life are you building? A life that glorifies God and serves His kingdom? Or one centered around personal goals like beauty, career, or wealth? You were made for more—God created you to be a Kingdom Builder, someone who helps bring about His will on earth.
To build a meaningful life that impacts eternity, we must do five key things:

1. Make God the foundation of your life.
A strong life requires a strong foundation. Everything else in life changes—jobs, circumstances, health—but God does not. He is the rock we build on. Proverbs 24:3 says a house is built by wisdom and established by understanding. Jesus Christ is the only unchanging foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11).

2. Remember what matters most—love.
Life without love is worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). God created us to be loved and to love others. Yet, the world praises accomplishments and appearances, not compassion or humility. But Galatians 5:6 says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” We must never forget: life minus love equals zero.

3. Gather the right companions.
The people you spend time with influence your direction. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Bad companions ruin good character.” Choose friends who lift you up in faith, not pull you down. Church is a great place to find those companions who will walk with you toward God.

4. Commit to a great purpose.
Greatness doesn’t come from living for yourself, but by committing to a cause greater than yourself—God’s kingdom. We serve God by serving others (Matthew 20:26). Your job is not your boss’s business—it’s God’s ministry. Colossians 3:23 tells us to work as if working for the Lord. Whether you’re a teacher, nurse, or truck driver, your vocation as a Christian is to serve others in Jesus’ name.

5. Have the courage to stand alone.
Don’t follow the crowd, especially when they go against God’s ways. Great people stand for what’s right, even if unpopular. Exodus 23:2 says, “Never follow a crowd in doing wrong.” If we want to build a lasting life, we must care more about God’s approval than the world’s.
In a world of shifting values, build on the unchanging truth of God. Seek His will first, and everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:33). Build your life on the rock—and you will build something that lasts forever.