A Sure Foundation

Scriptural Text: 2 Tim. 2:19

Foundation, Importance of

If you have ever lived in or visited a large city, you probably have had the chance to watch a skyscraper under construction. For the first six months or so of the project, all the workmen do is make a great hole in the ground. To build a tall building by starting far below the surface level seems absurd, even crazy. But, as you would suspect, there is a good reason for the large hole. To build a mammoth building, it is first necessary to dig down until a strong foundation can be built, one that is capable of supporting the skyscraper.

A doghouse needs no foundation, and an ordinary house can be built on little more than a concrete slab. But a skyscraper, that’s different. It requires a deep and solid foundation.

So it is in our Christian life. Our upward potential is totally dependent on the foundation underneath it.

The foundation

The solid base on which a secure structure may be built; used chiefly for the base of the temple. It is used figuratively of Jesus Christ and the apostles and prophets as the secure foundation on which the church is built. Obedience to the teaching of Jesus Christ is the true foundation of Christian living.

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The foundation of the church is Jesus Christ (1 Co 3:11; Is 28:16)

1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV) — 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV) — 16 therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

There is no way that a person can construct a life unless the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the central and foundational figure.

In our text Paul is writing to the young pastor, Timothy. He had been called upon to pastor the church at Ephesus at the conclusion of Paul’s three year ministry there. The work at Ephesus was difficult to say the least. Timothy faced false teachers, false doctrine, disorder during worship, and much materialism.

In the face of such adversity, Paul reminds Timothy of the sure foundation upon which he stands. He has been called to pastor the church of the living God. While the world around him may have been crumbling at its foundations, the church was built upon the Rock, the Chief Cornerstone.

A Foundation that is Sure (2 Tim. 2:19)

I. The Stability of this Foundation

A. Its Sovereignty—This foundation is of God. (The plan of God for humanity)

B. Its Substance—What makes our foundation so special and unique? (Jesus is the substance of the foundation)

1 Cor. 3:10–11—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. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

C. Its Surety—The foundation of God standeth sure. (The word sure means “strong, firm, immovable, and steadfast.” So, the foundation of God is established, upheld, and sustained by God Himself.)

The saved are sealed and secure in the Lord. Those who build upon this sure foundation are forever kept by the God who knows them.( Eph 1:13-14)

The need for a firm foundation in the Christian life (Mt 7:24–27; Mt 16:18; Eph 2:19–22; Heb 6:1–2; 1 Pe 2:4–5)

Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)

24“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

26And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

1 Peter 2:4–5 (ESV)

4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

5you 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.

We must be careful how we build a upon this foundation

Holiness as separation from the worldly

Synopsis

God’s people are called to holiness, which involves being distinct from other people. In the OT, this is seen in the command to separate from other nations and from everything that can compromise commitment to the Lord. In the NT believers are called to distance themselves from the ways and values of the world, which can be dishonouring to God and destructive to obedience to him.

Christians are called to be separate from the ways of the world (Jn 15:19; Jas 4:4; 1 Pe 2:9–11; See also Jn 17:14–16; 2 Co 6:14–7:1; 2 Ti 2:19; Jas 1:27)

John 15:19 (ESV) — 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

James 4:4 (ESV) — 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 Peter 2:9–11 (ESV) — 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.