I'm Built Different | Hollis Thomas | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

I'm Built Different

Union Church • Jun 15, 2026 • 34 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Hollis Thomas teaches from Jesus' Parable of the Two Builders in Matthew 7, reminding believers that true spiritual strength lies in unseen foundations. While society celebrates height, elevation, and public success, God values the unseen work of excavation—digging deep through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. By aligning our daily lives with God's Word rather than merely agreeing with it, we build a resilient faith on the Rock of Christ that withstands the storms of suffering, temptation, and pressure.

Themes

Spiritual FoundationsObedience to ScriptureFaithfulness in TrialsCharacter vs. VisibilitySpiritual Maturity

Pastor's Points

1.

Three reasons people neglect their foundation: 1) Confusing visibility with value, 2) Prioritizing the wrong pursuits, 3) Assuming current conditions are permanent.

2.

Don't just agree with the Word, align with the Word.

3.

Care more about what people can't see than you do what they can see.

Key Points

1.
A strong spiritual life requires digging deep in God's presence through prayer, worship, and Scripture before external elevation can be sustained.
2.
Height without depth is a disaster waiting to happen because higher levels of life expose you to unseen pressures that demand a firm anchor.
3.
You cannot trust spiritual growth or construction in your life if you persistently ignore the instructions God has provided in His Word.
4.
Believers must move beyond intellectual agreement with Scripture and fully align their choices, habits, and daily actions with God's truth.
5.
True Biblical wisdom is behavioral rather than merely intellectual; life improves exponentially when we put into practice the Bible we already know.
6.
Prioritize the invisible aspects of your character and relationship with God over outward visibility, as hidden spiritual roots carry invaluable worth.
7.
Hardships and storms do not create your spiritual foundation; they simply expose where you are anchored and reveal hidden cracks.
8.

Sermon Moments

“The engineers on One World Trade Center had to drill support beams 150 feet deep into the ground before building 1,776 feet tall. Success requires digging deep before building up.”

“Height without depth is a disaster waiting to happen because higher levels bring environmental pressures you cannot handle without being anchored.”

“Attempting to assemble a life by looking at someone else's external results rather than following God's manual leads to broken performance under pressure.”

“We must not confuse visibility with value; the invisible parts of a building or a Christian's life are often the most invaluable components.”

“Don't just agree with the Word—align with the Word. Biblical wisdom is behavioral, not merely intellectual.”

“Your life would be exponentially better if you simply practiced the Scripture you already know rather than just accumulating more knowledge.”

“Storms don't create spiritual foundations; they reveal where you are anchored and expose where you were already cracking beneath the surface.”

“Obedience to Jesus doesn't make you storm-exempt, but it makes you storm-proof because your house is anchored to the Solid Rock.”

This Week

Commit to spending dedicated time digging deep in prayer, Scripture reading, and worship before making major life decisions.

Identify one area of Scripture you intellectually agree with but have struggled to obey, and take a practical step to align your behavior with it this week.

Stop comparing your outward progress or success to others on social media or in public; focus instead on cultivating hidden spiritual character.

Review your weekly priorities and schedule to ensure you are not letting busyness crowd out foundational spiritual disciplines.

When facing disappointment or unmet expectations, take your pain to God in prayer rather than allowing anger to undermine your trust in Him.

Prepare for moments of fleshly weakness by establishing accountability and running to God's presence instead of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

If you are enduring a prolonged season of waiting or pressure, anchor yourself in Christ, trusting that He is strengthening your foundation for the next level.

Remember This

Obedience to God's Word builds a deep, unseen spiritual foundation in Christ that keeps you standing firm when life's storms inevitably hit.

A Challenge for You

Ensure your life is built on the true rock, Jesus Christ, by confessing Him as Savior and placing your complete trust and obedience in Him today.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.