have you built your foundation?. every man must chose and build the foundation for his life. jesus...

Have You Built Your Foundation?

Every man must chose and build the foundation for his life.

• Jesus urged all to carefully and with much effort build a foundation. (Lk 6:48-49)


• Luke 6:48-49 - "He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."


• A foundation is that which you first build and upon which all other things are built upon.

• A foundation is strong when it is built upon reality and when that reality is known by the individual. This takes a desire for truth. (1 Pt 3:15; Jn 8:32)


• 1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;


• John 8:32 - "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."


• The challenge that every man must face is whether Jesus will be in their foundation.

• Many reject Jesus because of prejudice (worldview). (Rom 9:31-33; 1 Pt 2:8)


• Romans 9:31-33 - but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."


• I remember the effort spent in building my foundation. I wanted to ask questions and challenge the religions of the world.

• Real security and happiness is found when you have such a foundation.

We face a great challenge in bringing different groups together.

• Psalm 11:3 - If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?

We face a great challenge in bringing different groups together.

• It is easy to cast aside “traditional” teachings without serious examination. Some react emotionally to bad experiences with a few brethren. (Rom 3:4)

God gives us the opportunity to build our lives upon Him

• The first question we need to ask: “Is there a God?”

• We can know this from the creation. (Rom 1:20; Ps 19:1)


• Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,


• Psalm 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.


• Where there is design, there must be a designer!

• The next question we must ask: “Has God spoken?”

• I found the answer in the resurrection of Christ. (Rom 1:3-4; Acts 17:30-31)


• Romans 1:3-4 - concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.


• Acts 17:30-31 - "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."


• There are other evidences that we could appeal to. What do you believe?

• Because I know that Jesus was raised from the dead, then I can know exactly how God has revealed Himself and His will to me. (Mt 5:17-18; Jn 17:6-8, 20)


• Matthew 5:17-18 - " Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.


• John 17:6-8 - " I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 "Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 "For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.


• John 17:20 -" I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;


• The next question we must ask: “Can I know God and become a servant of God?”

• God reveals Himself as the Creator whose power and mercy are extended to those who will build their lives upon Him! (Ps 89:11-15; Isa 48:12-14)


• Psalm 89:11-15 - The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them. 12 The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name. 13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.


• 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. 15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.


• Isaiah 48:12-14 -" Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last. 13 Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together.


• 14 "All of you, assemble yourselves, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; He shall do His pleasure on Babylon, And His arm shall be against the Chaldeans.


• Our God is a foundation that will not change. (Psa 102: 24-28)


• Psalm 102:24-28 - I said, "O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. 25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed.


• 27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end. 28 The children of Your servants will continue, And their descendants will be established before You."


• These things are my foundation; the resurrection of Christ, the Bible and the character of God.

• When you have such a foundation, then you will react in a predictable way to challenges and trials. Every foundation will be tried. (Lk 22:31-32)


• Luke 22:31-32 - And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren

How should I respond to scientific “knowledge”?

• There is much confusion and misrepresentation in the reporting of “findings in science.” What is science?

• Science – “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.


• The process of “observation and experiment” is a valuable one. Science has its limits. It must be repeatable and observable. Also scientist must be honest.

• Sadly, money and personal agenda has greatly affected institutions and individuals. Ethics must be a part! Some engage in “political science.”


• Do you know the difference between a law and a hypothesis?

• What can I know about creation?• There is the evidence from the creation

based upon human observation and reason. There is also the testimony from God as revealed in the Bible.

• Sincere human reasoning is very limited. (1 Tim 6:20 KJV)


• 1 Timothy 6:20 - O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:


• What is the age of the earth?• There is significant evidence for an old

earth. There is also evidence for a young earth. How should I handle inconsistencies to what I see in the Bible?

• I will always let a careful study of the Bible be my guide.

• How long did creation last? (Ex 20:8-11)


• Exodus 20:8-11 -" Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.


• 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.


• Where Adam and Eve real people? (Mt 19:4-5; Rom 5:14-15)


• Matthew 19:4-5 - And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?


• Romans 5:14-15 - Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.


• Recent controversy among brethren.• About 15 years ago there was controversy

from the “Lord I Believe” seminars held by Hill Roberts, Rod Summers and others. Much good was taught in their material. There was also controversy about the age of the earth.


• “Some of my well-meaning brethren wish we would just drop all aspects of time discussions from our presentations. That would certainly be the easy way. Todd [a former young-earth believer who, like "R", decided to stop believing in the Bible and Jesus when he was confronted with the if-if-then dilemma] is why we cannot go that way.”


• Brethren discussed these matters and some misrepresented others.

• Should this issue cause one to fall away? Not if they have a foundation!

• An alleged contradiction or confusion about a Bible passage should not cause one to stumble. Consider the challenge John the Baptist faced. (Mt 11:3-6)


• Matthew 11:3-6 - and said to Him, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 "The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 "And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

How should I respond to disappointing people?

• The larger test to our foundation is found in people. Brethren will disappoint you.

• How should I handle misrepresentation and hypocrisy? What is your foundation? (Mt 5:10-12; Jn 16:1-2)


• Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.


• John 16:1-2 - These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.


• A foundation upon God will change your heart. (Rom 12:17-19; 1 Pt 2:23)


• Romans 12:17-19 - Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.


• 1 Peter 2:23 - who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;


• A failed foundation will give way to anger and bitterness. (Heb 12:14-15)


• Hebrews 12:14-15 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;


• Some teach being motivated by pride and are easily toppled into bitterness.

• Beware of those who broadly label all brethren. (“Throw-away people”)

How should I respond to inconsistent interpretations of the Bible?

• Jesus often let men struggle with apparent contradictions! (Jn 1:45-46; 7:41-43)


• John 1:45-46 - Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see."


• John 7:41-43 - Others said, "This is the Christ." But some said, "Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?" 43 So there was a division among the people because of Him.


• They had to dig deep or quit!• He also gave them abundance of proof.

(Jn 5:36, 39-42)


• John 5:36 - "But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish -- the very works that I do -- bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me.


• John 5:39-42 -"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 "I do not receive honor from men. 42 "But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.


• A young preacher decided to abandon all examples and inferences as binding because “churches of Christ” were inconsistent in their application.

• In my exchange with him I readily admitted brethren were inconsistent. Irven Lee once said, “my brethren take both sides of almost any issue you can name!”


• I first look to the foundation of scripture! (Jn 7:16-17; Jn 12:48-50)


• John 7:16-17 - Jesus answered them and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17 "If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.


• John 12:48-50 - "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak


• 50 "And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."


• How did Corinth learn about the Lord’s Supper? An example! (1 Cor 11:23-24)


• 1 Corinthians 11:23-24 - For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."


• Conclusion: What is in your foundation? (Isa 28:16-17; Eph 2:20)


• Isaiah 28:16-17 - Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.

have you built your foundation?. every man must chose and build the foundation for his life. jesus...

Documents

fear slide

reject jesus

rock of offense

law of righteousness

prejudice worldview

stumbling stone

lord god

fear1 peter