WHO IS YOUR FOUNDATION?

INTRODUCTION

Our Lord Jesus is the foundation upon which we should build our lives as His disciples. Anything that prevents us building our lives on Jesus as the foundation should be removed by the help of teachings from scripture, prayer and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus desire for every believer is that we grow into maturity in Him. If we lay the right foundation, he will take us from spiritual milk to solid food.

Scriptures:

Luke 1:80

 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Luke2:40, 52

40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.

52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Eph 4:13-16

13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

MATURITY IN THE FAITH

After we become born again, there is still some work to be done to mature us in the faith.

In 1 Tim 3:6 Paul commented on this " He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil" .

Scriptures:

Heb 5:11-14

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 2:1-5

1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.4 As you come to him,

MOVING ON TO MATURITY

 INTRODUCTION

One has to make a conscious effort to mature. Many of us who should be teaching and training others in the word are still spiritual babies in Christ still in need of spiritual milk instead of solid food.

How will you know if you are still a spiritual baby in the church?

1. Immature Christians are unwilling to commit themselves in any way to the vision of the local church.

2. They are not responsible for anyone or anything in the church

3. Immature Christians do not contribute much to church growth.

4. They do not know how to distinguish good from evil. Their counsel to other members brings bitterness, resentment and pain to the church.

5. They have difficulty in taking instruction from the leadership of the church. Undermining those put in leadership positions is normal with them.

6. "Spiritual butterflies" is a good description of immature Christians. They are always flirting from one church to another.

7. Every problem or challenge knocks them down. Murmuring and complaining about everything and nothing.

Scripture:

Heb 5:11-14

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers,

A SURE FOUNDATION 2

INTRODUCTION

Without the sure foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ it is impossible to go on to maturity. In Hebrews 6:1-3 the basic foundational truths upon which our Christian lives are to be built are listed. Many Christians are immature though they have been believers for years.

If we do not lay the right foundations God cannot have a hand in our spiritual building.

1. How many years does a Christian need to mature in the faith? 

Scriptures:

Math 7:24-27

 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

James1:19-25

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,

BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

Our Lord Jesus describes two ways we can build:

a. On sand; An unstable foundation.

b. Upon a rock; A stable foundation.

1. Why must the house be built on the rock?

2. How can you build your Christian life on the rock?

Scriptures:

Luke 6:46-49

46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

 1 Cor. 3:10

10 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.

James1:19-25

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

BUILDING A SURE FOUNDATION IN CHRIST

INTRODUCTION

Many Christians are building their lives on unstable foundations. The only stable bedrock foundation is our Lord Jesus Christ who is the living word of God. Unstable foundations will not stand the test of time. Soon depression, disappointment and frustration will be part of your daily life. If we build on the sure foundation, our Lord and Master Himself will captain our ship.

Scriptures:      

1 Cor. 3:5-11

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.

10 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.

Heb 4:12

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

HOW STRONG IS YOUR FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

When the foundation is good the building will be able to stand, no matter the storm that comes against it. Our lives are spiritual structures. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We need to build it up strong to be able to stand firm in trying times.

1. In our Christian lives we should not build anything unless it is founded on Jesus Christ.

   It becomes important then to use his teachings to shape our lives in all areas daily.

   It is wrong to introduce a new foundation, teaching or doctrine because of how you feel,

    what you think or circumstances which have come your way.

Scriptures:

 Heb 6:1-3

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

1 Cor. 3:10-15

10 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.

Luke 6:46-49

46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation

A SURE FOUNDATION 1

 INTRODUCTION

A foundation is a substance on which you build a structure. The foundation does not only support the building but determines how strong the building is.

1. A building will always move when it is built. It can sink, rise, slide, or combine these motions.

2. Foundations ensure that the load of a building is spread evenly over the ground underneath the building.

3. As trains need a railway and stations, as orchestras needs orchestrations, as a brain needs a skull, as a ship needs a hull, so buildings must have their foundations (Jim Dewar, North Gosford)

Scriptures:

 Heb 6:1-3

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

1 Cor. 3:10-15

10 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,

STEPS TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY

1 Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

Ephesians 4:11-13

 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

SCRIPTURES

 Phil. 2:12-13

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Gal. 5:22-24

Rom. 12:1, 2

Introduction

i)Is there a need for SPIRITUAL GROWTH?

ii)Which will be beneficial, STAGNATION OR GROWTH?

iii)How can one CONTINUE growing into SPIRITUAL MATURITY?

iv)Is it automatic for Christians to grow into maturity after they received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour?

v)Does the number of years you have been in the faith equal your maturity?

Join me look into God's word to get a clear understanding of how we can GROW INTO SPIRITUAL MATIRITY.

I want to suggest the following steps

1. Spending QUALITY time with the Lord Jesus Christ DAILY.

SCRIPTURES

Joshua 1:7-9, Psalm 1:2; 8:3-4; 19:4; 119:148

This is a time you communicate with the Lord just as you did or still do with your earthly parents. Communing with God on a daily basis should not be taken for granted. It is the key to spiritual growth.

AN EXAMPLE

a. If possible chose a place where disturbance is minimal, let your siblings, spouse know you are going into the Lord's presence.

b. Take along a bible,