Foundations
Last Sunday was Senior Recognition Sunday at Central. It also fell on 4th Sunday Praise and Prayer Night so I asked some of the graduating seniors to participate in the Service. The topic I chose for two of our young men was “Building on Strong Foundations”. Both Kevin and Tim did an excellent job telling us how Jesus is the rock on which we are to build and using Matthew 7:24-27, the wise and foolish builder. Some of our other youth also did great jobs leading some of the singing. Thanks Craig, Casey and Aaron.
The great thing about this passage in Matthew is that it tells us WHERE to build, not WHAT to build. If we build our “house” on an unsettled or shifting foundation, it doesn’t matter what kind of house we build, it cannot withstand outside forces. If we build our “house” on a firm and solid foundation, it also doesn’t matter what kind of structure we build, it can withstand overwhelming elements. Our house could be a ranch, two-story, Victorian, walkout, log, modular, Cape Cod, Colonial, Tudor, cottage, bungalow, Spanish, A-frame, or even a dome. We may borrow from two or more styles and gain many ideas from other houses we visit, but as long as the foundation is secure and unchanging, our house will stand.
The same goes for our faith (which is really what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7). As long as our spiritual foundation is rock solid, our “houses” may look quite different. So what “materials” are used in the construction of our foundation? Paul says it quite succinctly in 1 Corinthians when he states that his goal was to know and preach nothing except Christ crucified. Belief in Christ Jesus as THE One and Only Son of God (John 3:16). Baptism into His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7). Justification by the grace of God alone, given to us as His free gift (Romans 3:23-24). Worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Humility (Philippians 2). Service (Galatians 5:13). Encouraging others (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Titus 1:9). And, most importantly, to love the Lord our God with all our very being (Matthew 22:37) and our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
Once this foundation has been laid, nothing can topple our house of faith. Then it doesn’t matter if we read or listen to Charles Swindoll, James Dobson, Max Lucado, Rubel Shelley, Lynn Anderson, or Billy Graham. If our faith is founded in the core tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can gain insight and wisdom from a variety of men like these – and we will be able to “pick the bones” out of their “doctrines” and feast on the meat of God’s word. If we are anchored soundly to THE Foundation, we may be open to new and novel ways of expressing our faith and the Gospel to others.
We may even be able to learn a thing or two from everyday, ordinary things like laundry, theme parks, oatmeal, and baseball.
The great thing about this passage in Matthew is that it tells us WHERE to build, not WHAT to build. If we build our “house” on an unsettled or shifting foundation, it doesn’t matter what kind of house we build, it cannot withstand outside forces. If we build our “house” on a firm and solid foundation, it also doesn’t matter what kind of structure we build, it can withstand overwhelming elements. Our house could be a ranch, two-story, Victorian, walkout, log, modular, Cape Cod, Colonial, Tudor, cottage, bungalow, Spanish, A-frame, or even a dome. We may borrow from two or more styles and gain many ideas from other houses we visit, but as long as the foundation is secure and unchanging, our house will stand.
The same goes for our faith (which is really what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 7). As long as our spiritual foundation is rock solid, our “houses” may look quite different. So what “materials” are used in the construction of our foundation? Paul says it quite succinctly in 1 Corinthians when he states that his goal was to know and preach nothing except Christ crucified. Belief in Christ Jesus as THE One and Only Son of God (John 3:16). Baptism into His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7). Justification by the grace of God alone, given to us as His free gift (Romans 3:23-24). Worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). Humility (Philippians 2). Service (Galatians 5:13). Encouraging others (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Titus 1:9). And, most importantly, to love the Lord our God with all our very being (Matthew 22:37) and our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39).
Once this foundation has been laid, nothing can topple our house of faith. Then it doesn’t matter if we read or listen to Charles Swindoll, James Dobson, Max Lucado, Rubel Shelley, Lynn Anderson, or Billy Graham. If our faith is founded in the core tenets of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can gain insight and wisdom from a variety of men like these – and we will be able to “pick the bones” out of their “doctrines” and feast on the meat of God’s word. If we are anchored soundly to THE Foundation, we may be open to new and novel ways of expressing our faith and the Gospel to others.
We may even be able to learn a thing or two from everyday, ordinary things like laundry, theme parks, oatmeal, and baseball.
“I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22
posted by Carl Wheeler at 12:11 AM
1 Comments:
Carl:
Excellent thoughts!
I had the opportunity to attend several "Christian Universities". I attended York College and feel I got a solid foundation of Biblical teaching and direction. After York I went to a Catholic University and studied under some outstanding professors. I then attended a Lutheran University for my graduate program and studied with great scholars from several religious backgrounds. I believe my faith was increased by being able to discuss my beliefs and biblical knowledge and listening to other views from other religious individuals. I disagreed with several of their views but appreciated the love they had for Jesus Christ. They appreciated hearing my views and accepted me as a student in search of knowledge and truth. We must listen, read, and communicate with others the message of Hope that is found in Jesus Christ. I appreciate the books and views that others outside the body bring to my attention from time to time. It increases my faith and helps me become more sensitive to the needs of others.
Post a Comment
<< Home