• A house is like a life.
• The foundation is the most important part; Jesus said His words were like the material you build with.
• Paul, by the inspiration of the Spirit, said Jesus is the cornerstone and the writings of the apostles are like the foundation.

Matthew 7:24–27 24Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The 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. ²⁶But 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. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

Ephesians 2:19–22 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

• It makes sense that every believer learns to build with different material than the world uses.
• Remember we are disciples learning to make disciples within Jesus’ church.

Matthew 28:18–20 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

THIS WEEK: THE ROOF—protection for readiness in every area of life.

• The community of believers was a combination of church and family.
• The spiritual building metaphor:
  • The foundation: the cornerstone is Jesus, and the rest of the foundation the Scriptures.
  • The walls: oneness in relationship
• Notice the connection between the church and the home (Acts 2:42-47)

PAUL TAUGHT THEM TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT CREATED SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN THE WORLD.

Ephesians 4:20–25 20That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²²You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ²⁵Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Ephesians 5:21–30 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…

THE FIRST CHURCH PICTURE:

•

intertwined

Acts 2:42–47 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

WHAT DOES THE LORD’S ROOF LOOK LIKE? Here are some examples:

• Families living in close proximity, modeling their faith, supporting one another, and building friendships.
• Transparency, wise counsel, and encouragement

THE REASONS PEOPLE GIVE FOR NOT HAVING THE SPIRITUAL FAMILY:

• I don’t have time; I’m too busy.
• I already have friends. I have no time to make new ones.
• I was hurt, so I won’t step out again.
• My church isn’t like that.

THE DECISIONS WE HAVE TO MAKE IN ORDER TO HAVE THAT KIND OF FAMILY/CHURCH ROOF:

• I have to go first—prioritize it, and humble myself.
• I have to lead consistently and faithfully.
• I have to trust and forgive. People make mistakes—I make mistakes!
• I have to have courage.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:

Passages to consider: Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25

• Share what was impactful from the sermon.
  1. What experiences do you have with fixing a roof or a leaky roof?
  2. Read Acts 2:42-47 and Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25. (Bonus passage: Ephesians 5:15-21) Read them a couple of times. A) What do you see happening in the midst of relationships? B) Look for: Who is involved? What is happening? Where is it happening? When is it happening? C) What do you learn about relationships among Christ-followers?
  3. How can having spiritual friendships and a spiritual family be helpful in the journey of following Jesus? A) On a scale of 1-10, how necessary do you think these kind of relationships are?
  4. Who has modeled building a spiritual family and friendships for you? A) What has been your experience pursuing and building the relationships where you “know and are known”?
  5. What is God showing you about being in relationship with other believers? A) What are benefits? B) What could be challenges?
  6. What would it take for you to grow in this area? A) Make a commitment to what God is showing you. Who can help you? Who can you help?

Passages to prepare for next week, Built to Last (Week 4) The Doors and Windows: Mark 10:45; Matthew 28:18-20

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984,