Building On The Word of God

We Are Builders – Week 4: Building on the Word of God

Preacher: Drex Bailey

Texts: 2 Chronicles 17:7–9; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 7:24–27

Theme: Revival is sustained when the Word of God becomes the foundation.

Big Idea: A life, a family, a church built on the Word will not be shaken.

Application: Build a Word-centric life, not a preference-driven one.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION – FOUNDATION BEFORE FINISHING

When a builder starts a house, the foundation is the most unglamorous part of the job. No one drives by and says, “Look at that concrete—what a masterpiece!”

But if the foundation isn’t right, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the roofline is or how many features are added later.

In California, they don’t build for the sunshine—they build for the shaking.

Everything is tested by what’s beneath it.

In the same way, revival that isn’t built on the Word of God will never survive the shaking.

Emotion might start a fire, but only truth can keep it burning.

INTRODUCTION – REBUILDING A WORD-CENTRIC ALTAR

“Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come near to me.’ So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord which had been torn down.”

— 1 Kings 18:30 NASB95

Before the fire ever fell on Mount Carmel, Elijah did something most people overlook—he repaired the altar of the Lord.

The prophets of Baal had an altar too. It looked spiritual, it was emotional, it was loud—but it was built to a false god.

The difference between revival and religion is the altar you build.

And the difference between a true altar and a false one is the foundation it rests on.

Elijah rebuilt the altar according to the Word of God, using twelve stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel—anchoring worship to covenant truth.

If we want the fire of revival to fall again, we must rebuild the altar of the Word in our own lives.

Because many of us—if we’re honest—have built altars to other things:

Preference – where we sacrifice obedience for comfort.

Priorities – where we sacrifice devotion for distraction.

Pride – where we sacrifice humility for recognition.

Pretenses – where we sacrifice authenticity for appearance.

But the fire of God doesn’t fall on false altars.

It falls where the altar of the Lord has been rebuilt according to His Word.

That’s what Jehoshaphat understood. He didn’t just tear down idols—he taught the Word.

He sent out teachers, priests, and Levites to rebuild Judah on the foundation of Scripture.

POINT 1: BUILD THE WORD AS YOUR FOUNDATION, NOT YOUR FALLBACK

Text: 2 Chronicles 17:7–9; Psalm 119:105

Jehoshaphat’s greatest reform wasn’t military—it was biblical.

He launched a national teaching campaign:

“They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the Lord with them; they went about through all the cities of Judah and taught the people.” (v. 9)

Martin J. Selman notes:

“Jehoshaphat may have been attempting to wean the people away from their attachment to local high places. It represents a move from a sacramental form of religion to one where worship according to God’s revealed pattern was combined with the authority of His written Word.”

— Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, p. 425

Jehoshaphat’s revival may have grown from Asa’s earlier covenant renewal (2 Chron. 15:12–15).

He knew that true reform begins when the Word becomes the foundation of daily life.

Application:

Don’t wait until your world is shaking to open your Bible.

Daily reading is your foundation, not your fallback.

Family devotions shape values more than culture does.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

POINT 2: WALK IN PEACE BECAUSE YOU WALK IN THE WORD

Text: Matthew 7:24–27; Ephesians 6:15; Hebrews 6:11

Jesus said the wise man builds on the rock—

“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them.” (Matt. 7:24)

When storms come, the difference between collapse and confidence is foundation.

Paul described the “shoes of peace” as part of God’s armor.

Rick Renner writes:

“When we are properly dressed in the armor of God, the Word becomes our sure footing. We stand firm, steady, unshaken.”

— Are You Dressed in the Whole Armor of God?

Peace isn’t the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of the Word.

Application:

In shaking times, Scripture becomes your anchor.

What we need is not more social media influencers, but Word influencers.

People who carry peace into chaos because their steps are ordered by Scripture.

POINT 3: WHEN THE WORD GOES OUT, THE FEAR OF THE LORD COMES IN

Text: 2 Chronicles 17:9–11; Deuteronomy 17:18–20

When the Word was taught, the fear of the Lord fell on the surrounding nations.

The Philistines brought tribute; the Arabians brought flocks.

Tony Evans writes:

“Jehoshaphat had a clear sense of his kingdom priorities… As a result of God’s Word being honored among the people, God honored Jehoshaphat’s kingdom.”

— The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, p. 436

Matthew Poole adds:

“They concluded from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him.”

Deuteronomy 17 commanded every leader to write out the law and read it daily,

“so that his heart may not be lifted up.” (v. 20)

When the Word goes out:

Authority is established. (Deut. 17:19)

Humility is preserved. (Deut. 17:20)

The fear of the Lord settles in His people. (2 Chron. 17:10)

CONCLUSION – BUILD ON THE WORD

Jehoshaphat built Judah on the Word of God—and God built Judah’s strength in return.

“I will honor those who honor Me.” (1 Sam. 2:30)

When the Word becomes the foundation of your life, your family, and your church, God honors what you build.

Revival doesn’t just fall—it’s framed.

And the frame that holds revival is the Word of God.

PREACHING TO MONDAY – BUILDING A WORD-CENTRIC ALTAR

How to build a Word-centric life:

Open the Word daily. Don’t treat it like a life raft—treat it like the ground you stand on.

Lead your family in the Word. Make Scripture and prayer your household rhythm.

Speak the Word, don’t just study it. Spread Gospel, not gossip.

Live under the Word’s authority. Before every decision, ask, “What does the Word say?”

📌 Sticky Line:

“When the Word is honored, God honors what you build. A life built on the Word may bend—but it will not break.”