SERIES TITLE
Upstream Week 6 Predictions
series overview
Jesus was certainly anything but a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. He taught and modeled an against-the-flow lifestyle. He taught things like: “If you want to be great, SERVE others.” “If you want to be rich, GIVE more away.” “If you want to be known for love, LOVE your enemies.” But perhaps the most countercultural teaching Jesus ever taught was: “If you want to be truly happy, you have to turn around and move UPSTREAM toward God, our true source of life.”
sermon TITLE
Predictions
Direction Determines Destination
weekend in review
In this message, Josh explores Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders from Matthew 7:24-27. The core principle is simple yet profound: direction determines destination. We can actually predict our future based on the paths we choose today. Jesus teaches that wisdom isn’t just about knowing His words—it’s about implementing them. Building on the rock requires hard work and intentionality, but it creates a foundation that withstands life’s storms. The foolish person hears Jesus’ words but ignores them, building on sand. Our decisions today have eternal consequences, and following Jesus’ way offers the only firm foundation for life.
Ice Breaker
Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here is a potential question to get the conversation going.
- Think about a time when you or someone you know “should have seen that coming.” What happened, and what warning signs were missed?
DISCUSSion
Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.
- Read Matthew 7:24-27. Josh said, “Wisdom is knowledge in action.” Where in your life do you find yourself knowing what Jesus teaches but struggling to actually put it into practice? What makes the gap between knowing and doing so difficult?
- Read Proverbs 4:26. The sermon emphasized that “direction determines destination.” If you’re honest about the path you’re currently on (relationally, financially, spiritually, etc.), where will you likely be in 5-10 years? Is that where you want to end up?
- Read James 1:22-25. Jesus never promised a “quick fix”—He promised a firm foundation. How does this truth challenge the way our culture (and sometimes our faith) approaches problems? When have you experienced the difference between a quick fix and a firm foundation?
- Read Matthew 7:25. What “storms” are you currently facing or anticipating? How does building your life on Jesus’ teachings give you confidence to face those storms differently than you would otherwise?
- Read Proverbs 27:12. Pastor Josh asked: “What has God asked me to do that I have been unwilling to do?” or “What has God asked me to stop doing that I continue to do?” Take a moment of silence to reflect, then share (if comfortable): What came to mind, and what’s one practical step you can take this week?
WRAP UP & PRAYER
Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other
- For the courage to honestly evaluate the paths we’re on and face the truth about where our current direction is taking us
- For wisdom to not just hear Jesus’ words but to actually implement them in the hard areas of our lives where obedience is costly
- For perseverance to do the hard work of building on the rock, even when shortcuts and easier paths are tempting
- For faith to trust that Jesus’ way leads to life, even when we can’t see the full picture or understand why certain teachings matter