Foundations.
The foundations of America are shifting. Time will tell if this is a shift for the good or for our peril. A foundation is the basis on which a building stands, is founded, or is supported. When it comes to foundations of a nation, foundations of a church, or foundations of individual human lives, we are referring to moral principles, guiding truths, fundamental beliefs, and supporting values. These determine if a country will stand or fall. They arbitrate the outcome of a church’s future and they decide whether an individual Christian [or non-Christian] will stand or fall.
Where must our foundations be as a church and as the people of God? Psalm 11 gives us some good insight.
“In the LORD I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD’S throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5 The LORD tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the LORD is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.”
Verse 7 gives us hope as believers, “For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” God loves what is right. His eyes are forever seeing and testing humanity. He’s looking for those who are upright in thought, in actions and in words. He knows who is righteous; He knows who does the right thing even if the right thing is difficult. If we do what is right, we shall behold his face.
But aren’t we all sinners? YES! And don’t we all fall short of the full list of righteous requirements of God? Yes, again! In last week’s message we heard briefly about the progress that is to take place: we are to make progress from immature believer to mature believer. Ephesians 4:13-14 stresses a development that grows us; we are no longer infants or children but have progressed and matured. In the life of a Christian church and in the lives of its individual members, we are to grow up into the fullness of Christ. We are to live, speak, work, walk, surf the internet, react to my neighbors, more and more the way Jesus would. This is the Sanctified life of a believer. We have been saved by grace but not for the purpose of stagnant living. Jesus’ death saved us from the pit of hellish debris and bad, sinful decisions - now we can walk in a new way of life (Romans 6:4). We can progress as a believer. This is by God’s design. Are we making progress?
So what are those foundational stones of our faith, on which we build for the sake of maturing in the faith? This weekend we will focus on the necessity to closely listen to all the laws and counsel of God AND obey His direction for life (Sanctified living). This, of course, must build off the one essential foundational stone, Jesus Christ!
The Church’s One Foundation CW 538
The Church’s One Foundation
is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is His new creation
by water and the Word.
From heav’n he came sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life, He died.
May God bless us as individuals, building on His foundation. May God bless us as a church, building on the bedrock of Jesus Christ. May God bless us as a nation.
Blessings to you all,
Pastor Al