Jesus Christ Our Foundation

2 – The foundation was poorly laid causing it to lean. Work on the tower began August 14, 1173. The tower began to sink when the second floor was begun in 1178. Foundation was only 10 feet thick. Pisa = marshy land. Not completed till 1372. Should have rebuilt or fixed foundation. Instead they kept building. Look closely; see that tower is actually curved. Tried to compensate by building floors that were shorter on 1 side. Closed in 90’s when stabilization efforts were begun. In 2001 & 2008 soil was removed to stabilize and tower has since not moved for the first time since being built. Foundations are important. If the foundation is flawed, the whole structure is flawed. At the same time, the foundation can be perfect and the building flawed. Only the combination of a proper foundation and careful building will result in something beautiful and useful.

Work on the tower began August 14, 1173. The tower began to sink when the second floor was begun in 1178. Foundation was only 10 feet thick. Pisa = marshy land. Not completed till 1372.

Should have rebuilt or fixed foundation. Instead they kept building.

Look closely; see that tower is actually curved. Tried to compensate by building floors that were shorter on 1 side. Closed in 90’s when stabilization efforts were begun. In 2001 & 2008 soil was removed to stabilize and tower has since not moved for the first time since being built.

Foundations are important.

If the foundation is flawed, the whole structure is flawed. At the same time, the foundation can be perfect and the building flawed.

Only the combination of a proper foundation and careful building will result in something beautiful and useful.

This year for our communion services we have been examining various truths about who Jesus is.

Today we will look at how He is our foundation.

Why does it matter that Jesus is our foundation? That is the question we must answer if we are to build on that foundation.

There are three principles laid out here by Paul.

As we grasp and apply these principles, we will have a firm foundation and a solid building that will last into eternity.

Principle #1…

1. A Foundation Requires Builders vv. 5-9

READ v. 5

Who is Paul? Former Pharisee. Persecuted the church. Miraculously converted (). Now giving His life in service planting churches and reaching the lost.

Who is Apollos? Introduced in . We studied these verses back in March. Bold, articulate, persuasive, teachable.

Good men, great men, but worthless without Christ!

Nothing but ministers used by the Lord. Vessels that allowed Christ to flow through. That’s all we are! Channels at best, dams at worst.

READ v. 6

Plant, water, God is in control of the increase. Responsibility to plant and water.

Those who plant and those who water accomplish nothing if God doesn’t give the increase.

READ v. 7

We are nothing! He is everything!

The gospel message we share only takes root at His direction!

READ v. 8

Rewarded only as we labor.

READ v. 9

There is something really important we need to notice here. Ownership.

We are His fellow workers. His field, His building.

Though we help in the building it is only profitable if it is built as He commands, when He commands, where He commands.

If we try to build on ourselves, our own reputation, or supposed might, we will fail!

Only when we see ourselves as supporters of what Christ is doing is our perspective on track!

He may choose to use us in His Work but it is HIS WORK!

Paul and Apollos were effective because they realized this truth.

If we are to build on our foundation we must have the right perspective.

We are simply builders empowered by Christ! We are His, the foundation is His, the building is His; we build at His direction.

Turn to (p. 1344).

(p. 1344)

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Part of the foundation is the Apostles and Prophets. To understand Christ and the gospel we need to understand the prophets and what the apostles wrote.

All believers from all backgrounds are the dwelling place of the HS. We are to grow and fit together.

But we cannot get away from the fact that Christ is the cornerstone!

Apart from Christ, there is no foundation.

We cannot build on our foundation unless we understand these things.

We have to use the right builders and be the right builders.

Builders who do nothing but point to Jesus Christ. Builders who say this with Paul in (S).

Galatians 6:14 NKJV

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Sing with me

“I Will Glory In My Redeemer”.

We are builders. But we build only at the direction of our Lord.

Principle # 2…

2. A Foundation Requires Building vv. 10-15

READ v. 10

First of all, we build nothing apart from grace. God gives us the ability to lay the foundation in the lives of others.

Two vital things in building. Stability of foundation, quality of materials. Paul addresses both here.

READ v. 11

Christ is the foundation. How is it laid?

Flip over to .

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 NKJV

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

The foundation of Jesus Christ is laid when men place their trust in His substitutionary death on the Cross.

When we place our faith in Him amazing things happen. These are listed for us all over the NT, but consider just a few. (S).

. That is what Christ did for you! says (SLIDE). 1John propitiation = satisfaction.

Colossians 2:13–14 NKJV

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Colossians 2:11–14 NKJV

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

That is what Christ did for you! says (SLIDE). 1John propitiation = satisfaction.

That is what Christ did for you!

says (S).

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

1 John propitiation = satisfaction.

Jesus Christ is the foundation and it is laid through faith in Him.

When the Philippian jailer asked how to be saved Paul didn’t tell him to try harder, or do more. He said believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!

Quit trying, quit working, just believe!

We are told that others build on the foundation. We are to take heed, be careful, and consider how we build on the foundation.

Look at vv. 12-13.

Construction. Use certain materials for certain things. No sheetrock for roofing or shingles on your floor. Don’t use thin set mortar to install laminate flooring. In the same way you don’t build a mud hut on a diamond foundation!

You don’t build selfish worthless works on the foundation of Jesus Christ!

No sheetrock for roofing or shingles on your floor.

Don’t use thin set mortar to install laminate flooring.

In the same way you don’t build a mud hut on a diamond foundation!

You don’t build selfish worthless works on the foundation of Jesus Christ!

The Day = judgment day when we will stand before the throne and have our works judged by Christ.

Look at the things in v. 12. What will happen to them when exposed to fire? Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw.

What material are we building with?

Only you and the Lord know.

V. 14 if your work makes it through the fire, you are rewarded.

V. 15 if it burns up, your soul is still safe, you just have no rewards.

Ananias & Sapphira. . On the surface seemed like good work. Later proved to be worthless.

Widow who gave to mites. . 1/64th of a denarius – days wage. On surface seems worthless, but in reality it is gold, silver, and precious stones.

The quality of our building is determined by the condition of our heart!

I don’t know how your works will stand on the judgment day. But I know some of mine will burn.

I also believe that there will at least be a little bit of gold, silver, and precious stones.

We only have right now to build on our foundation!

When we stand before Christ, what will happen to our works?

Sing with me

“Before The Throne Of God Above.”

There is no other foundation! The sinless Lamb of God willingly went to the Cross to pay the penalty for your sin!

What a blessing to know that we have an advocate who pleads on our behalf even in the midst of our faults and failures. Use the right builders, lay a proper foundation, and build with the right materials. # 3…

3. A Building Requires Defense vv. 16-17

These 2 verses contain some powerful truth.

READ v. 16

When you trust Jesus Christ as Savior, you are the temple of God.

Temple = sacred, holy place dedicated to the worship of the Lord.

The HS has taken up residence in you. He lives here now. That fact alone should change what we use for building.

It is a serious matter to defile the temple of God.

You are His temple!

Flip over to . What we talked about with the foundation comes into play here.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NKJV

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Christ paid the penalty for your sin.

He purchased you with His blood, healed you with His stripes, washed you and sanctified you, dressed you in His righteousness.

Because of these things, glorify God in your body and Spirit! They are His!

Context is sexual immorality.

You are not your own! Keep the temple pure!

Guard it, protect it, defend it.

Turn to (p. 1367).

(p. 1367)

2 Timothy 2:19–21 NKJV

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

If you name the name of Christ, depart from iniquity.

When we keep ourselves pure, we are vessels the master is able to use.

When we are usable vessels for His glory; that is when we build with gold, silver, and precious stones!

Keep the temple pure.

Sing with me

#196 “There Is A Fountain” (vv. 1, 3)

Turn with me to . This is a time for believers to remember the price that was paid. To be reminded of the penalty of sin. Taking part of communion does not save you. This is simply a way for us to be reminded of what Christ has done. If you know the Lord as savior this morning, please join us in bread and juice as we remember Jesus Christ. These are only symbols, they represent the body and blood of our Savior. Examination – verses 26-32

Examination – verses 26-32

OBSERVANCE OF COMMUNION

The Bread (His Body) vv. 23-24 # 206 “There Is A Redeemer” (Chorus Only)

The Cup (His Blood) v. 25 # 521 “Redeemed” (Chorus Only)

Conclusion

What is your foundation this morning?

Are you building on Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary?

Or are you building on something else?

Any other foundation leaves you headed toward an eternity apart from Christ.

Trust in Him alone, make Him your foundation.

Once Christ alone is your foundation, start building.

Use the right builders, learn from those who are wholly dedicated and committed to Christ.

Keep in mind that it is His Work!

Constantly evaluate what materials you are building with.

When we stand before the judgment, will our works burn?

Keep the temple pure.

You belong to Christ; He has made and formed you. Glorify Him in your body and Spirit.

This makes you usable and ensures your works will not burn.

May we here at Grace Church have a firm foundation.

May we build on that foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones.

I pray that we are usable vessels for Christ.

#439 “Cleanse Me”

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 3:5–17 NKJV

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 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. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

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