Building a Strong Foundation: The Importance of Biblical Knowledge

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Not only is Jesus our foundation He is the Chief Cornerstone

Ephesians 2:19–20 ESV

What is the significance of the chief cornerstone?

The cornerstone was the first stone set in a building's foundation and was essential for the building's structural integrity.

The total weight of the building rested on the cornerstone, and if it was removed, the structure would collapse

Peter and John before the Sanhedrin

Acts 4:11–12 ESV

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Paul encouragement to Timothy

2 Timothy 2:19 ESV

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

and their message will spread[e] like gangrene, among whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated concerning the truth by[f] saying the resurrection has already taken place, and they are upsetting the faith of some.

Wes Huff and Billy Carson Debate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hahp_ktkc7w

1 Peter 2:5 ESV

you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Our identity is rooted in Jesus!

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

2. Practical Steps to Build a Strong Foundation

Acts 17:11 ESV

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

You cannot be an effective child of God if you do not know why you believe what you believe

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

3. The Role of Biblical Knowledge in Spiritual Growth

Our spiritual nourishment goes from God’s Word

1 Peter 2:2 ESV

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

We also get spiritual discernment!

Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Muslim to Atheist to believing the Bible)

The more you stay in His word, the people you thought were close to God are actually far from Him

The more you stay in His word the more you realize the people that speak for God don’t really sound like Him

In Matt 26 Peter denies Christ -during the course of that night 3 different people identified Peter

(73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.

CONCLUSION

Recap

The Foundation of Jesus

Practical Steps to Build a Strong Foundation

The Role of Biblical Knowledge in Spiritual Growth

Commit to a specific plan for increasing their biblical knowledge in the coming weeks.

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