In this week’s sermon, I explore Jesus’ closing challenge in the Sermon on the Mount - will we build our lives on the rock of actually doing what he says, or on the sand of merely hearing and looking religious? (Matthew 7:24-29). We look at why The Salvation Army says it is a holiness movement, but why so many Salvationists still drift or give up, and how daily obedience, clear faith goals, and accountable community keep us storm-proof.
🎯 KEY POINTS COVERED:
• Real Salvation Army holiness is not uniforms, heritage or activity - it is a growing, obedient relationship with Jesus that produces his character.
• Jesus says you are either building on rock or on sand: storms will expose whether you only listened or actually obeyed. Obedience is the difference between a faith that endures and a faith that collapses “with a mighty crash.”
• Spiritual growth is a choice: fix a daily time with God, set FAITH (Focused, Attainable, Individual, Trackable, Heartfelt - per Pastor Rick Warren) goals, and stay in a growth group so you don’t drift - then God will finish what he started.
📖 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Matthew 7:24-29 — building on the rock vs building on sand.
Matthew 22:37 — “You must love the Lord your God…” (first priority in spiritual growth).
John 15:4-5 — “Remain in me…” (daily time with God).
Philippians 3:12-14 — pressing on towards the goal.
Philippians 1:6 — God will complete the work he began.
2 Peter 3:18 — “continue to grow…” (growth is not optional).
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Introduction & prayer: “What are we building our lives on?”
0:38 - The Salvation Army is serious about spiritual growth (Article of Faith 10)
06:34 - Build on the rock, not on sand (Matthew 7:24-29) - why storms expose shallow religion
16:07 - How to keep growing: fix a daily time with God (John 15; Matthew 22:37)
20:50 - Set FAITH goals to measure spiritual maturity (inspired by Rick Warren)
26:49 - Growth groups, accountability and finishing the race together
30:15 - Conclusion & Application: God will finish what he started (Philippians 1:6)
🙏 DAILY DEVOTIONALS:
Join me every morning at 5am GMT for 5-minute devotionals to start your day with biblical truth, holiness teaching, and practical discipleship - especially if you’re a Salvation Army soldier, officer, adherent or holiness Christian who wants to stay spiritually sharp through the week. Channels offering short men’s devotionals are growing fast, but very few are Salvation Army and Wesleyan–holiness focused, so this is for you.
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@RobWestwoodPayne
📺 MORE SERMONS:
Watch my complete sermon series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRCAfiHehjUm1Eh0PyKvt-URb7oCI4roG
These “Battle Ready Sermons” sit alongside the big evangelical sermons on Matthew 7 and holiness, but speak directly into Salvation Army life, accountability groups, and daily spiritual discipline.
💬 CONNECT WITH ME:
I’m Rob Westwood-Payne, a Salvation Army Officer passionate about helping Salvation Army soldiers and holiness Christians grow deeper in their walk with Jesus through biblical preaching rooted in Wesleyan theology, practical obedience, and real accountability - not just looking the part in uniform. If this message challenged you to pick up your Bible daily, to set a faith goal, or to join/start a growth group, tell me in the comments so I can pray for you.
📧 Questions or prayer requests? Leave a comment below.
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