A Firm Foundation
Notes
Transcript
Logistics
Logistics
For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
Any building project starts with logistics. the discussion about what to do where to build what you need who to hire. Time is taken to identify different things before anything happens. Ideas are birthed and then discussed and then only when the logistics have been worked out does the work start. It’s important to understand the Logistics of how being a Christ follower works.
When we read what Paul is saying here we realize a few things. As he is talking to the Corinthians he is making a few things clear. Faith in Christ does not exist in a vacuum, in fact it can’t.
God, for whatever reason, in setting out his plan to reconcile humanity back to himself, he put humans in the mix,not just as the ones to be reconciled back but then as cogs in the machine to bring others to that same state of reconciliation. At the beginning of this chapter we find Paul talking about I planted and Appllos watered but God is the one who did the work God is the one that completes the transaction. Still What verse 9 says is important, Paul and Apllos both teachers or missionaries or evangelists or preachers are God’s co_workers. Does God NEED them. Technically the answer is no, God could just do everything himself but the plain answer is yes. In order for people to be reconciled to God there has to be planting and watering and the chosen workers for this to happen are in this instance Paul and Apollos. In the plan to bring humanity back to right relationship with himself, God chooses to use the very creation that broke the relationship in the first place.
All that means we have a job to do when it comes to building God’s Kingdom.
Digging In
Digging In
According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it.
Foundation matters we have talked about that before but as we move into this series called design and build I want to hit the importance of foundation, and Answer some questions about it. So lets dig in!
Foundation:
Foundation:
The Gospel, Good News, Jesus Christ. That is our foundation. Specifically a genuine personal relationship with Jesus one that begins with the realization that I am messed up, in fact I’m more than messed up, I’m broken, and the reason I’m broken is a three letter word, this word has been called many things, people don’t like to use it, it’s a hard word to say for some reason but it’s one that we have to be willing to say. Sin. the foundation is the stone that the builders rejected that has become the chief cornerstone.
Haven’t you read this Scripture:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
Something Solid
Something Solid
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.
We know that Jesus is the cornerstone the chief cornerstone but the rest of the foundation is made up of Christ followers. Teachers, Preachers, Evangelists, Pastors, Elders, disciples. The great commission was given to Christ followers the mission to Go and Make disciples matters. As we grow in our faith in Christ, as we share that faith with others that we know we are a part of a foundation of belief for that person. Do we save people, no of course not. But as Followers up Christ and we do make a difference in the formation of faith for people we lead to the lord. That responsibility is not to be taken lightly. And in case you were wondering if people not called into some kind of vocational ministry are exempt look at what Peter says.
you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Tools of the Trade
Tools of the Trade
Once that Solid foundation is in place there are tools that are used in every Christ followers life that make them into the that spiritual house.
Worship
But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him.
Word
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,
Work
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.
This Week’s Challenge
This Week’s Challenge
Check your foundation. Are you a growing into a living stone or have you dropped the tools of your faith in favor of the tools of the world?