Lesson 51: The Foundation and Cornerstone of the Church
Notes
Transcript
Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 3:11
Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 3:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Introduction
Introduction
Over the past weeks, we have looked at the essence of the church. First, God purchased the church with His own blood. Second, the church must be centered on Jesus Christ. Therefore, the head of the church is Jesus Christ, and the church is the body of Jesus Christ.
Each member of the church has a unique function, and they must honor and coorperate with one another. Also, each member of the church must grow in Jesus Christ and become as one.
In this lesson, we will examine in detail how the foundation of the church and the cornerstone of the church is Jesus Christ.
1. The foundation of the church is Christ alone
1. The foundation of the church is Christ alone
(1.1) The meaning of foundation
(1.1) The meaning of foundation
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
“Foundation” here is themelios (θεμέλιος) and means the base that supports the building, the groundwork of things, the footing where work is done, or simply “the basis.”
(1.2) The importance of foundation
(1.2) The importance of foundation
but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
The Bible refers to the church in a variety of ways.
The household of God (1 Tim. 3:15)
The pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15).
God’s building (1 Cor. 3:9)
A large house (2 Tim. 2:20)
A spiritual house (Luke 19:46)
A house of prayer (Luke 19:46)
If the foundation is strong, the whole building is strong. But if the foundation is weak, the whole building helplessly shakes and collapses (Ps. 11:3).
The church that is not built on the rock, the Word of God, is shattered, crumbled, and swept away when the rain falls, the flood comes, and the wind blows (Matt. 7:24-27).
However, the church that has the living stone, Jesus, as its foundation will stand firm and never fall, nor be shaken by any threat.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
No matter how mighty the power of Hades is, it cannot destroy the church built on the solid rock.
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
(1.3) Jesus, the eternal foundation
(1.3) Jesus, the eternal foundation
Saints who have Jesus as their foundation are rooted and grounded in love and are not shaken, because Jesus Christ is the everlasting foundation.
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.
Therefore thus says the Lord God,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed.
Only the church and the saints whose foundation is Jesus Christ, the foundation stone of Zion, will be used by God as the eternally unwavering missioners.
2. Jesus Christ is the sole cornerstone of the church
2. Jesus Christ is the sole cornerstone of the church
The Bible compares the church to a huge building and says that the cornerstone of the building is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed, and the cornerstone that supports the church of God.
But Jesus looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written:
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the chief corner stone’?
(2.1) A cornerstone erects an entire building
(2.1) A cornerstone erects an entire building
A cornerstone is a stone that connects the corners of a building, determines the direction of the entire building, binds and fastens the foundation stones as one, and supports the entire building (Eph. 2:20-21). Without the spiritual cornerstone, the church cannot be built upright and firmly.
Strong whirlwinds of trials and storms of disbelief, anti-theism, atheism, and humanism may attack the church. But only the church with Jesus as the cornerstone can stand tall, unshaken, and endure until the end by having a correct view on God’s Word, a correct theology, and living an upright life grounded on the Bible.
he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
(2.2) The cornerstone determines the beginning, progress, and end of a building
(2.2) The cornerstone determines the beginning, progress, and end of a building
Just as the beginning, progress, and end of a building is determined by the cornerstone, only the church whose beginning, progress, and end is determined by Jesus Christ will be used as the leader of the movement of redemption until the end.
Apply: Let’s talk about the wrong theology, ideology, and thoughts prevailing these days
Apply: Let’s talk about the wrong theology, ideology, and thoughts prevailing these days