The Only Foundation

My Text

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 (NIV): By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Foundations are necessary for every building. Foundations provide the structure and a support against weather, weight, earthquakes, floods, and other forces that lead to the degrading of the building. When Looking to Renew or Restore a building the first thing that is looked at is the foundation. The foundation determines the ability of the renewing and restoring to mean anything because if the foundation is flawed eventually the building will be also.

Paul here commissions the church at Corinth stating that a life living for God cannot be built upon any other foundation than Jesus Christ himself. Because it is only in Jesus that security from the elements of life is guaranteed. Jesus would say this of himself in Mathew 24:25 that “Heaven and Earth will pass away but that his words would never pass away.”

It is only in Jesus that security can be found. When life seems hopeless he promises that His joy will be revealed in you John 15:11. When it looks like death is closing in Jesus says I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly John 10:10. When it looks like the world’s agenda is winning Jesus says fear not I have overcome the world. John 16:33

It is only on this foundation of Jesus and his promises that a life of blessing, hope, joy, and newness of life can be experienced. It is those that have built upon this foundation that no matter what life throws there way the will not be moved. Paul notes that there will be a time of testing but whether or not your building seems to have a burnt down to the ground as long as there is a foundation there is hope.

The New King James Version Chapter 12

Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

Jesus is the only thing that is unshakeable. He is the cornerstone and the foundation of hope, joy, and life. He is the rock of ages, He is the stone which provided water in the wilderness, He is the rock and strong tower where the righteous run and are saved, He is the mountain that crushes the kingdoms of this world, He is the chief cornerstone upon which we the church are anchored upon. It is only upon Jesus that we can remain unshaken.