God's Not Done: Trusting the Builder of Your Life

 

Click Here for Audio (Click Here)

Narrative (Detailed Notes Further Below)

On Sunday, Elder Dave shared how, even after finishing his bucket list and stepping into semi-retirement, God made it clear that his story isn’t over. He painted a picture of life as a hike with God as the Master Builder and the Holy Spirit as the warm light on the path, using Scriptures like Philippians 1 and Lamentations 3 to show that God always finishes what He starts. Through images of storms strengthening trees, trials as faith workouts, and grace powering our weakness, he reminded us that every seasonincluding trophies, tears, and all is all covered in God’s fingerprints. We were invited to repent, trade our own maps for God’s GPS, stay plugged into the Spirit, and use worship and gratitude as weapons in the middle of life’s battles. As we left, the message was clear: no matter our age, past choices, or current season, we are still God’s artwork, and He is faithfully, lovingly not done with us yet.

Scroll through detailed notes below and see all sections.

• God is not finished with your life’s story—no matter your age, season, or “completed” bucket list.

• Life is a journey under construction; God is the Master Builder of your path.

• The big “mountains” of life are not accidents; God uses every challenge with purpose.

• God always completes the good work He starts in His people.

• Spiritual growth is mostly an inside job—God shapes the heart before He changes the scenery.

• Thankfulness is powerful; grateful prayers reshape how we see hardship and blessing.

• Trials are like workouts for faith, growing patience, character, and spiritual maturity.

• Our weaknesses are not disqualifiers; they are places where Christ’s strength shines brightest.

• Trusting God means letting go of our own understanding and plans to follow His direction.

• The Holy Spirit is our daily “power source,” enabling obedience, courage, and change.

• Repentance, confession, and guarding our covenant with God keep our hearts soft and responsive.

• Worship is a real weapon in spiritual battles; it shifts atmospheres and strengthens faith.

• Nothing in our story is random—God’s fingerprints can be found in every season.

• We are God’s artwork; He is still chiseling, refining, and perfecting what concerns us.

• God’s mercy is steady and fresh every morning—like a sunrise that never fails.

• We are teammates in God’s mission, called to live on purpose and follow His playbook.

• Jesus is our anchor in every storm, holding us steady when life feels chaotic.

• Small steps of obedience matter; God is not asking for instant perfection, but faithful surrender.

Bible Verses 

• Philippians 1:3–6

• Philippians 1:9–11

• Lamentations 3:22–24

• 2 Corinthians 12:9

• James 1:2–4

• Proverbs 3:5–6

• Ezekiel 36:26–27

• Psalm 138:8

Key Points of Today's Sermon

• The "bucket list" Dave shared personal accomplishments from his bucket list completed before age 60, including earning a doctorate at 59, solo skydiving three times, winning sailing regatta trophies off Cape Cod, and having his name on a computer chip aboard NASA's Mars Perseverance rover.  (not the same as God's list)
• Scripture reading from Philippians chapter 1 verses 3-6 and 9-11 emphasized Paul's confidence that God who began a good work will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ, with prayers for love to abound in knowledge and discernment.
• Paul's message to believers was interpreted as celebrating teamwork in sharing Jesus' gospel news like passing torches, with God as a master builder who never leaves projects half done.
• God's love grows within believers like sunlight feeding plants, with the Holy Spirit acting as spiritual nourishment that helps relationships flourish, similar to how aspirin helps cut flowers last longer in water.
• Believers are encouraged to "jump into life" by understanding that hard times deepen trust in God like storms strengthen trees, with changed lives reflecting God's glory like mirrors reflecting light.
• Others notice God's fingerprints throughout every season of a believer's life rather than just snapshots, because authentic spiritual growth cannot be faked over time like social media presentations.
• Letting Jesus drive life decisions requires asking for His guidance rather than relying on personal strength, with faithfulness demonstrating that God is bigger than any painful circumstances.
• Repentance involves turning away from worldly behaviors like marijuana, lust, gambling, and smoking while turning toward God, giving Him legal access to take control of one's life.
• Worship changes the atmosphere and creates spiritual breakthroughs, as demonstrated when tissues were passed during the worship team's performance indicating God was working in people's hearts.
• Lamentations 3:22-24 was read to illustrate that God's mercy is like sunrise, always returning and never quitting, with His compassions being new every morning and His faithfulness being great.
• God's steady loyalty serves as bedrock under faithful steps, with gratitude enabling believers to see blessings while following God's playbook rather than personal bucket lists for eternal purposes.
• Second Corinthians 12:9 teaches that God's grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in weakness, allowing believers to boast in infirmities so Christ's power may rest upon them.
• James 1:2-4 explains that trials function like gym workouts that develop patience and mature faith, with grateful hearts turning storms into teaching experiences that shape complete Christian character.
• Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises God will give new hearts and spirits, removing hearts of stone and replacing them with hearts of flesh, putting His Spirit within believers to walk in His statutes.

Summary of various parts of today's sermon. 

Scripture Reading and Foundation

• Elder Dave read from Philippians chapter 1 verses 3-6 and 9-11 from the New King James Version, focusing on God's ongoing work in believers' lives

• Paul's message emphasizes joyful thanksgiving for believers as teammates who fight together and win together as a family
• Confidence is expressed that God who began a good work will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
• Prayer is offered for love to abound in knowledge and discernment so believers may approve excellent things and be sincere without offense

God as Master Builder Metaphor

• God is described as a master builder who never leaves projects half done and continues working on believers throughout their lives

• Believers are compared to hikers on a journey carrying backpacks filled with memories, weaknesses, and responsibilities while facing mountain-like challenges ahead
• The warm light on the path represents the Holy Spirit as the power source guiding believers forward
• Construction imagery emphasizes that believers are still under development and God maintains control over the building process

Jumping into Life and Facing Challenges

• Elder Dave encouraged the congregation to "jump into life" rather than avoiding difficulties, comparing this to his skydiving experiences

• Hard times are presented as opportunities that deepen trust in God, similar to how storms strengthen trees
• Challenges serve as spiritual workouts that grow patience and mature faith when approached with the right perspective
• Believers are reminded that they are not alone in facing trials and tribulations

Repentance and Spiritual Direction

• Repentance is defined as turning away from worldly things like marijuana, lust, greed, and smoking while turning toward God

• This honest confession gives God legal access to take control of believers' lives
• Spiritual battles can be fought with spirit-powered praise and non-stop worship that changes the atmosphere
• Believers are encouraged to let Jesus drive their decisions rather than relying on their own understanding

God's Mercy and Faithfulness

• Elder Dave read from Lamentations 3:22-24 describing God's mercy as being like sunrise, always returning and never quitting

• God's steady loyalty serves as bedrock under faithful steps for those who stay focused on Him
• Gratitude enables believers to see blessings more clearly and recognize God's presence in their lives
• The importance of walking as teammates trusting in God's playbook rather than personal plans is emphasized

Grace and Weakness

• Scripture from 2 Corinthians 12:9 was shared about Jesus' grace being sufficient and strength made perfect in weakness

• Grace is compared to electricity powering weak hearts and fuel helping believers move through weakness
• Admitting weakness allows believers to lean on Jesus' strength rather than hiding cracks from God
• Correction comes through loving grace when believers acknowledge their need for divine support

Trials as Spiritual Training

• James 1:2-4 was referenced to describe trials as gym workouts that grow patience and mature faith

• Grateful hearts turn storms into teaching moments that shape mature lives and stronger character
• Believers are encouraged to thank God during difficulties rather than complaining, which builds stronger faith
• Avoiding spiritual workouts through skipping church, not reading the Bible, or not praying weakens spiritual development

Trusting God's Direction

• Proverbs 3:5-6 was cited about trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding

• God's guidance is compared to GPS navigation and lighthouse signals that provide better direction than personal maps
• Believers are encouraged to drop their own plans like luggage and grab God's roadmap instead
• Pausing to ask God before making any decision allows for divine whispers and guidance

Heart Transformation

• Ezekiel 36:26-27 was read describing God giving new hearts and putting His Spirit within believers

• The Holy Spirit serves as an engine changing hearts to obey willingly, requiring daily connection like charging a phone
• Believers are challenged to identify what parts of their hearts remain locked from the Holy Spirit
• God's Spirit powers hearts like batteries for obedience when believers open themselves to divine influence

God's Ongoing Artwork

• Psalm 138:8 was referenced showing God as an artist finishing every detail of believers' lives with gentle chisel work

• Baby steps are encouraged rather than worrying about flawless perfection since God celebrates growth and progress
• God's fingerprints are evident throughout believers' stories as He continues writing their narratives
• Doubting God's craftsmanship is discouraged since His mercy and grace guide the shaping process

Practical Application

• Elder Dave provided specific ways to live the message including remembering God's faithfulness, looking for His fingerprints daily, and asking Him to grow love

• Believers should let God's grace shine on weak spots while spending time in faithful prayer rather than complaining
• Hard times should be viewed as faith muscle workouts that build spiritual strength
• Catching oneself complaining and switching to gratitude represents turning toward God in repentance

Next Steps

• Believers are encouraged to trust God's direction more than personal feelings or plans while letting Jesus maintain control of their lives

• Daily connection with the Holy Spirit through prayer and worship should become routine like charging phones
• Small steps toward spiritual growth should be celebrated since God desires progress over instant perfection
• Worship should be used as a weapon against worry while following God's playbook rather than personal bucket lists

Apply What We Learned Today 

• When you feel “finished” or past your prime, whisper: “Lord, You’re not done with me yet. Show me my next assignment today.” Then look for one person to encourage or serve.

• Treat each day like a construction site: ask, “God, what are You building in me today?” and write one way He might be shaping your character (patience, courage, humility, etc.).

• When you face a “mountain” (health, family, finances), instead of only asking “Why?”, pray “How will You use this, Lord? What do You want to grow in me through this?”

• When you start something good (a habit, ministry, relationship), remind yourself: “God is the Finisher.” Commit that thing to Him in prayer and ask for finishing grace, not just starting energy.

• Do a heart-check before asking God to change your circumstances: “Lord, what in my heart needs to change first?” (attitude, expectations, unforgiveness, pride).

• Build a habit of gratitude: every day list 3 things you’re thankful for—especially in hard moments. Let thankful prayers be your first response, not your last resort.

• When a trial hits, say: “This is training, not punishment.” Ask, “What kind of faith muscle are we working on right now—patience, trust, endurance?”

• When you feel weak, instead of hiding it, bring it to Jesus in detail: “Here’s where I’m not enough…” Then ask Him specifically to show His strength there today.

• Before making a decision, pause and pray: “Lord, I trust You more than my feelings. Please direct my steps.” Then be willing to change plans if He nudges differently.

• Start your day by “plugging in” to the Holy Spirit: a simple prayer like, “Holy Spirit, empower my thoughts, words, and actions today. I can’t do this without You.”

• Practice quick repentance: when you sense you’ve sinned, don’t wait—confess it, receive forgiveness, and ask God to guard your heart so it stays soft, not hard.

• Use worship as a weapon: when anxiety or fear gets loud, put on worship music, sing along, and pray the lyrics like a battle cry over your situation.

• Look back over your life and literally circle “God’s fingerprints”: answered prayers, protection, closed doors that later proved wise. Let that build trust for today’s unknowns.

• When you’re frustrated with yourself, remember you are God’s artwork. Say: “I’m under construction.” Celebrate small steps instead of quitting because you’re not “finished” yet.

• Begin each morning by claiming God’s mercy: “Your mercies are new today. Yesterday’s failures are not today’s identity.” Let that truth reset your mood and hope.

• See yourself as part of God’s team: ask, “How can I run my position well today?”—at home, at church, at work, or in your community. Look for one “play” of obedience to run.

• When life feels stormy, picture Jesus as your anchor. Pray: “Hold me steady, Lord,” and refuse to make big decisions purely out of panic or fear.

• Focus on small, faithful steps instead of giant spiritual leaps: read a passage of Scripture, obey one nudge from God, encourage one person, repent of one attitude. Trust God to multiply it.