A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Thursday,
April 15,
2021
Yesterday we crossed the Dingman's Ferry Bridge, a private bridge over the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the Delaware Water Gap. A toll taker collects for both lanes. Toll is $1.00!
"The
Foundation That Will Stand!"
"The
Firm
Foundation of Jesus Christ"
Today
and tomorrow we plan to share two messages
concerning "Foundations
That Will Stand!" The
spiritually discerning are aware of the sinking
sands all around us. May we find great assurance
in the solid foundation.
Message summary: Jesus Christ is the firm foundation.
Podcast not prepared for this message.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:10,11). "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:19-21).
Joe
Sherer is a friend of ours who for
many years pastored a church here in Mount Joy
when we first met him. Presently he
serves a congregation south of Lancaster that celebrated
their 300th year anniversary in 2010. The church has remained Biblically
faithful since 1710 and is resisting the spirit
of this age which it seems many churches succumb
to.
Several years ago the church moved into a new worship facility which is attached to the historic building. The fan shaped sanctuary creates a more intimate worship experience by not only bringing the seats much closer to the platform, but also by allowing people to view the faces of their fellow worshipers. Three large windows face the old cemetery where the first settler Hans Herr who fled persecution in Europe is buried. What an inspiration to have this visual evidence of those who have gone before us, who made a difference in their community and in the community of Christian believers.
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:10,11). "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:19-21).
How
firm, our foundation
How sure, our salvation
And we will not be shaken
Jesus, firm foundation
How sure, our salvation
And we will not be shaken
Jesus, firm foundation
Joe
Sherer is a friend of ours who for
many years pastored a church here in Mount Joy
when we first met him. Presently he
serves a congregation south of Lancaster that celebrated
their 300th year anniversary in 2010. The church has remained Biblically
faithful since 1710 and is resisting the spirit
of this age which it seems many churches succumb
to.Several years ago the church moved into a new worship facility which is attached to the historic building. The fan shaped sanctuary creates a more intimate worship experience by not only bringing the seats much closer to the platform, but also by allowing people to view the faces of their fellow worshipers. Three large windows face the old cemetery where the first settler Hans Herr who fled persecution in Europe is buried. What an inspiration to have this visual evidence of those who have gone before us, who made a difference in their community and in the community of Christian believers.
We visited the building when it was
under construction and as Pastor Joe took us
through the facility building materials littered
the sanctuary and drywall dust coated the power
tools and sub-flooring. I asked him to stand on
the platform where he'd be preaching so I could
take his picture. He did so (as seen in photo
above). Afterwards Brooksyne and I looked down
on the plywood sub floor where the pulpit will
stand and noticed a message that was written on
the plywood. After further observation we
recognized the Scripture written with a large
marker: "For
no man can lay a foundation other than the one
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" I
Corinthians 3:11.
Joe had written the Scripture as a reminder to himself and a statement to others, that as the current pastor of this church, his ministry must be founded upon Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone, and his sermons must be grounded in God's holy Word.
Paul, in asserting his apostolic authority, stated, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation." Paul had established the church in Corinth essentially laying the Biblical foundation (Acts 18). His description "wise master builder" perhaps alludes to the teaching of our Lord where He stated how the wise man builds his house upon the rock in Matthew 7:24-27. The wise church planter will build a church on the foundation of Christ.
In the seventies following our Bible School training we planted a church in northern Pennsylvania. Although some of the early attendees had a Christian background, many did not. We essentially were able to establish a spiritual foundation. However we acknowledge this was not in the same sense as Paul and the other early church leaders who originated a Biblical foundation. We are indebted to their spiritual labors and inspired writings that gives guidance to those of us who come along later.
"And another is building upon it" Since the early forming of the church by the apostles all who have followed are really building on their foundation. In the context this is referring to those who followed Paul in Corinth but in a more general sense it refers to all involved in the work of the church since that time.
"But each man must be careful how he builds on it." What a solemn word for the serious minister of the Gospel. "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). These words are echoed by James, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly" (James 3:1).
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." In response to Peter's powerful expression of faith, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”, Christ said to him, "upon this rock I will build My church", speaking of Himself, the Solid Rock.
Let us all continue to build our faith and life upon Christ, the solid rock!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, it is in Christ alone that my
hope and reason for living can be found. There
is no Rock, no foundation that can hold me
steady on solid ground except that of the master
builder of my faith, Jesus Christ, my Master,
Savior and Lord. It seems that there is always a
new or recycled ideology that grabs the
attention of those who are seeking after the
latest ear tickling thrill that
fits their worldview. We're
even warned about this in Scripture when people
will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to
suit their own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear. There is only one
Teacher that has authority from heaven to
teach truth from error, and to give life in
place of death. It is Jesus that I choose and
it is by His teaching that I live. And it is
through His name that I pray to You, Father
God. Amen.
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