A LIFE BASED ON A SOLID FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

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The experience of salvation in a person’s life is meant to be a radical event where they are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Often times what is promoted as a person “coming to Christ” is not that way at all. Part of the reason for this could be that we are not presenting the Gospel in a way that demands a radical response and a radical change. Many people who come to the Lord do not change that much and seem to drag most of their problems with them for many years to come.

translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Often times what is

promoted as a person “coming to Christ” is not that way at all.

Part of the reason for this could be that we are not presenting the Gospel in a way that demands a

radical response and a radical change. Many people who come to the Lord do not change that

much and seem to drag most of their problems with them for many years to come.

The Gospel and the cross of Christ have more power than that. So, the problem, if there is one, cannot be in the plan of salvation as presented in the Scripture. The problem must be in how we are preaching the Gospel.

When people are brought into the kingdom properly, they will experience a major change in their life. If we preach a Gospel that makes no demands, people will make little response. Many problems that Christians face should have been dealt with in conjunction with their conversion. Most of the counselling that goes on in the pastor’s office is over issues that should have been settled when they made Jesus the Lord of their life. Before building a Christian life there must be a strong foundation.

I. Before building a life there must be a strong foundation.

A. Our foundation Must Be God’s And Not Man’s.

If we ask the question: What are some of the things that the average person in the world would

consider as providing security in the day of trouble? Some answers that you may

If we ask the question: What are some of the things that the average person in the world would consider as providing security in the day of trouble? Some answers that you may get will include: gold, diamonds, life insurance, stocks and bonds, retirement fund, food storage, shelter, etc. But do these actually provide security in the day of trouble?

get will include: gold, diamonds, life insurance, stocks and bonds, retirement fund, food

storage, shelter, etc. But do these actually provide security in the day of trouble?

1. Man’s foundation is shaky (; ).

Job 4:18–20 KJV 1900

18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; And his angels he charged with folly: 19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Which are crushed before the moth? 20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: They perish for ever without any regarding it.

Job 22:15–16 KJV 1900

15 Hast thou marked the old way Which wicked men have trodden? 16 Which were cut down out of time, Whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

We cannot base our lives on those things that most people consider to be important. Silver and gold, money are useful but are utterly useless in the days of trouble! (; ). A life of righteousness gives us confidence to approach God in the time of trouble. As it is written, For Thou Lord wilt bless the righteous; With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield ().

more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are

crushed before a moth? They are broken in pieces from morning till evening;

Proverbs 10:2 KJV 1900

2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: But righteousness delivereth from death.

they perish forever, with no one regarding.

This foundation is “in the dust.” This is an earthly foundation that offers little or

Proverbs 11:4 KJV 1900

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: But righteousness delivereth from death.

no security. This is a house of cards just waiting for the smallest thing to blow it

over. Man’s foundation is equal to no foundation ().

2. God’s foundation is sure (; ).

2 Timothy 2:19 KJV 1900

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Proverbs 10:25 KJV 1900

25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.

knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ

depart from iniquity.”

When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an

everlasting foundation.

When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly]

righteous have an everlasting foundation. –Amp

The foundation of God is a sure and everlasting foundation. There are some buildings that you can look at and you just get the sense that they are solid. There are people like this. They are steady, solid and stable. They stand on the word of God. Standing on the Word means believing and doing what it says. It is not just believing but doing (; ).

buildings that you can look at and you just get the sense that they are solid. There

are people like this. They are steady, solid and stable. They stand on the word of God. Standing on the Word means believing and doing what it says. It is not just believing but doing (; ).

B. Our Foundation Is The Rock, Christ Jesus (; ).

Romans 15:20 KJV 1900

20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:

1 Corinthians 3:9–11 KJV 1900

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Our foundation is Jesus Christ. All other foundations, all other ground is sinking sand.

I should build on another man’s foundation…

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have

laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he

builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is

Jesus Christ.

1. He is a Rock of Offense and a Stone of Stumbling ().

Romans 9:33 KJV 1900

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

2. Christ is the Stone that the builders rejected (; ).

This is the “stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief

Acts 4:11–12 KJV 1900

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

cornerstone.” Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name

Psalm 118:22–23 KJV 1900

22 The stone which the builders refused Is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes.

under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

It is easy to reject the foundation stone when it does not come to us in a way that

we want it to come. We can be offended in the process of building our lives.

Christ will either be a stumbling stone or a stepping stone in our building process.

3. We are blessed if we are not offended in Him (; ; ; )

Luke 7:23 KJV 1900

23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

John 6:60–66 KJV 1900

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

John 16:1 KJV 1900

1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

Hebrews 6:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit.

The word “offended” means “to stumble or to be tripped up.” The word of God is

often confrontational. If we are not careful, we will trip over it. Jesus said some

hard things to people for their own good. But some were offended at His words

and ceased from following Him ().

The foundation stone of Christ is properly laid when the principles of the doctrine

of Christ are effectively operating in our lives ().

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go

on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works

and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of

resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God

permits.

Before we can build on this foundation and go on in our Christian life we need to

get a building “permit.” God will not issue the permit if we have been negligent

in establishing a proper foundation.

C. Our Foundation Is The Most Important Part of Our Christian Life ().

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

The foundation of anything is the most important part. When you buy a house, you

do not worry so much about the minor things, but you check the foundation carefully.

A damaged foundation can cause you to lose your whole house. On the other hand, a

good foundation will be a great help to the Christian life.

1. It will enable one to weather the storms of life (; ; ).

We never know what the future holds. As a result there is no way to anticipate

how strong or secure our foundation needs to be.

…and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that

house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to

the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not

according to Christ.

2. It will help establish one in the faith ().

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and

built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding

in it with thanksgiving.

D. Our Foundation Is Very Costly ().

Victorious Christianity © Bill Scheidler 14

Luke 14:28–30 KJV 1900

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Teacher’s Manual

For our building to be strong, our foundation must be costly. Our building is our Christian life. A solid Christian foundation is of great importance. It cost Christ everything to save you. It must cost you something to keep your salvation. In this Church we stand on the foundation of Holiness. Keep that foundation. Build on this biblical foundation (; ; )

Matthew 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV 1900

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

1 John 2:15–17 KJV 1900

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

cost, whether he has enough to finish it--lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is

Matthew 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, “This man began to build

Hebrews 12:14 KJV 1900

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

and was not able to finish.”

1. It involves a cross experience ().

Do not build your Christian life on the shifting sand of worldliness and corruption. Do not build your Christian life on the shifting sand of sin and slavery. Do not build your Christian life on the shifting sand of carnality. Many people are deceived by their teachers and pastors. They encourage themselves to live carnally. They think that modesty is not important. They think that the commandments of God can now be broken by them becuase they are “believers”. hear the warning of Jesus, if all you do is simply hear the Word of God but do not do what it says (; ).

Luke 6:46 KJV 1900

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 7:24–27 KJV 1900

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

2. It involves a denial of self (; ).

Mark 8:34–38 KJV 1900

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Luke 14:27 KJV 1900

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his

cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever

loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a

man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man

give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in

this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed

when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

3. It involves a digging deep ().

This means removing everything that separates you from the Rock.

separates you from the Rock.

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the

rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house,

and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

4. It involves losing your soul-life ().

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My

sake and the gospel’s will save it.

5. It involves a surrender of all of life’s possessions ().

Luke 18:22–23 KJV 1900

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

There can be no first but Jesus. Anything that we hold above our relationship to

So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell

all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven;

and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he

was very rich.

Mark’s Gospel says, “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him…” Even though

Jesus loved Him He could not make it any easier for the rich man if he was to

indeed lay the right foundation in his life.

There can be no first but Jesus. Anything that we hold above our relationship to

the Lord is a form of idolatry. Is there anything in your life that you could not

give up if God asked for it? This includes but is not limited to some of the

following:

• Certain possessions (car, clothing items, home, etc.)

• Certain activities (hobbies, alcohol, entertainment, career, etc.)

• Certain relatives and associates

6. It involves being broken ().

Matthew 21:42–44 KJV 1900

42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will

be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls

on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to

powder.”

7. It involves a total love for God (; ).

Luke 14:26 KJV 1900

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26 KJV 1900

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:37 KJV 1900

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My

disciple.

How deep is your love for the Lord? Is it really your highest relationship

8. It involves a continual pressing on toward the mark (; ; ; ).

Luke 9:62 KJV 1900

62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking

Romans 8:18 KJV 1900

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 KJV 1900

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 18:28–30 KJV 1900

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Laying a good foundation in our life is not just a time commitment, it is a life

commitment.As costly as this all seems, nothing is ever really a sacrifice, because what God asks us to

As costly as this all seems, nothing is ever really a sacrifice, because what God asks us to

give up for Him is not worthy to be compared to what He gives us back in return.

18:28-30; ; );

Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.” So He said to them,

“Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife

or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in

this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with

the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Are you building on the foundation that cannot be shaken? Are you laying hold on eternal life? Are you standing upon the promises that cannot fail? On the foundation of the living word of God by which believers prevail? Is Jesus Christ your Chief pursuit in this life of fleeting time? Are you a doer of the word and not just a hearer? Are you winning souls for Jesus? Does your life reflect the light of Christ?

inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a

moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do

not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things

which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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