“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock”
Matthew 7:24
THE CONTEXT OF THE POWERHOUSE THEME
We will study what it takes to become a POWERHOUSE. Jesus describes two houses in Matthew 7:23-24. It is essential to recognize that Jesus is not comparing good people to bad people here. He’s comparing religious people to true disciples. Both look like Christians on the outside, but one has internalized the teaching of Christ from the inside out so that their actions conform to the character of the Kingdom. They carry the power of God. The other has tried to “appear Godly” from the outside in, but their heart is far from God because although they have heard the teachings of Christ, they have not obeyed by the power of the Holy Spirit. These people are not empowered to be witnesses for Christ, according to Acts 1:8. The purpose of the powerhouse is to be a witness. We will focus on the kingdom's principles that will enable us to become POWERHOUSES.
part 3: What Are You Built For?
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
a powerhouse
A POWERHOUSE must know what they’re built on (the rock), so they walk in what they’re built for (the outer witness). We were made to bear God’s image in the world, but too many of us live in a fractured reality where there is a disconnect between our hearts and hands. We want to build for God before we’ve been built by God, but it doesn’t work that way. In the Kingdom, POWERHOUSES are built through a process so they can last for a long time. There is an order to building. The foundation has to come before the house, but it is not more important than the house. The whole reason you want a strong foundation is so that your house doesn’t collapse. Without a house, the foundation is useless. Both are necessary for establishing the kingdom of God and revealing the glory of God.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A POWERHOUSE
Underground Foundation: This represents our heart. It is the inner life that people cannot see, but it is what God focuses on the most (1 Samuel 16:17). Our heart is the foundation on which our lives are built. Practically, this means you will build your life on whatever you place your trust in the most. However, A strong foundation without a home on top is ultimately weak because it does not serve the purpose for which it exists- to bear witness to the glory of God by revealing his power on earth.
Aboveground Home: This represents our actions or outer witness. It is what people see us doing. Your home is your lifestyle filled with actions that can shine out in the world(Matthew 5:16). While the strength of your house is determined by what happens underneath it, the structure also matters. A strong house without a stable foundation is vulnerable to collapse at the slightest shaking. However, a home that is poorly constructed will not stand. Your construction materials represent the principles, values, and beliefs you live by. Unless you build according to the wisdom of God’s word, your house (life) may look nice, but it is ultimately weak because it cannot serve the purpose for its existence- to bear witness to the glory of God by revealing his power on earth.
Next steps
Read 1 Corinthians 3 with this question in mind: Who is influencing/disciplining me in my building process? How has this enabled/hindered my spiritual growth?
Read James 1:5 and pray: Lord, reveal where I lack wisdom (the ability to use what the Holy Spirit has taught me to make Godly decisions). Show me what I’m built for, and grant me the wisdom to build.
