CHRIST OUR FOUNDATION

1 Corinthians 3:9-17

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.  According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

INSIGHT

-Strong foundations are key in every aspect of our lives. In Hebrew the word foundation is yacadh, which means “to found”. In Greek there are two words for foundation, katabole which means “foundation of the world” and themelios which means the “foundation of a building or church”. From today’s scripture; we find that our temples should be built on the Rock which abides forever. God gave king Solomon great wisdom to build the Jerusalem temple on a strong foundation comprising of large stones, costly stones and hewn stones (1 kings 5:17). He also sort the help of king Hiram who availed Cedar poles from Lebanon which are known to be of great value to date. Like the Jerusalem temple was built on a strong foundation our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit and should be built on Christ. On Christ alone can we stand when tested by fire and our works will be a true refection of His truth. It is clear that, if anyone builds his temple on gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw and other perishable things, he will be destroyed during the Day of the Lord. That one defiles the temple of God and God will destroy him. We should then remain holy for the temple of God is holy, who is the Holy Spirit in us. Christ is our strong tower, we are called to run to Him and find salvation for our souls.

PRAYER

Ephesians 2:19-22

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

INSIGHT

-The word of God has laid a solid foundation for us Christians; that we may walk in it and find wisdom and grace. The scriptures have been revealed to us through apostles and prophets and we are the workmanship of God. As God the Father is the heart of God, God the Son the face of God, God the Holy Spirit the voice of God, we are the hands of God; for we are called to do the will of God for the glory of His name. Each one of us has a specific purpose here on earth with special abilities that culminate the kingdom of God. Jesus is the Chief corner stone for He made us one with Him through His death and resurrection, and fitted us together in Him for the great work of which we are called. We therefore belong to the Kingdom of heaven and fellow citizens with saints and other members of His household, and should focus on His Kingdom and righteousness. The word of God should then become the solid foundation in us, giving us faith, hope, wisdom and purpose, in which we understand God’s divine will for us, as we discern times and seasons. The word of God also becomes the light that shines to expose every form of darkness as the Holy Spirit guides us in a truth (2 Peter 1:19-21).

PRAYER

Your word Lord is a lamp to our feet and a light to our paths, lead us in all truth we humbly beseech You. You are Stone that the builders rejected and has become the Chief cornerstone, we seek to dwell in You as You are in us Jesus. You are the Rock upon which we stand; fill our hearts with Your saving grace always. You have done marvelous works in our eyes, we put all our trust in You. Deliver all those who practice witchcraft, sorcery, cannibalism and all forms of idolatry that You may grant them the gift of salvation. Fasten our hearts to hear You Holy Spirit and grant us the wisdom to seek Your divine will always above our own personal will. Grant us the wisdom to realize that we are seated with You Christ in the heavenly places. Help us to bear much fruit; for You are the Vine and we are Your branches, for the advancement of Your Kingdom. Reveal to us the hidden treasures in Your word Holy Spirit so that we may seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and all other things You will add unto us. We praise You and glorify Your holy name Lord, now and forever. Amen

Psalms 11:1-4

“In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.”

INSIGHT

-David had different experiences in life and in this text delineates a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. He was under siege as king Saul sought to kill him and he ran to the mountains. He acknowledged that mount Zion; the holy mountain is where the Lord loves and it has a strong foundation (Psalms 87:1-2). Mount Zion is also called the mountain of the Lord which endures forever and in essence is compared to the heavenly throne of God where we hope of living with Him. The righteous run to it and find salvation for their souls. David also laments that if it’s foundations are destroyed then the wicked will be destroyed. Through Jesus Christ our sure foundation, we obtain faith and hope of everlasting glory with Him (1 Peter 1:20-21).

PRAYER

I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord our God who made the heavens and the earth. Lord You shall not allow our feet to be moved and You will keep us from slumber, You shall neither slumber nor sleep. Lord You are our Keeper; our shade at our right hand. The sun shall not strike us by day, nor the moon by night for You shall preserve us from all evil and prosper us in every good thing. You shall preserve our souls Lord. From Your holy temple and throne in heaven; Your eyes are upon us to test us, protect us and provide for us everything; according to a Your will. We submit our cares and burdens unto You Lord for You care for us. You shall preserve our going out and coming in, now and forevermore. Amen

1 Timothy 6:17-19

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”

INSIGHT

-Good works driven by compassion lay for us a good foundation for eternal life. Jesus reveals His judgement criteria in Matthew 25:31-46. He will separate the goats from the sheep and will give the sheep; the right to eternal life. The sheep will be put on the right and the goats on the left according to each ones works. Because the sheep fed the hungry and thirsty, provided accommodation for the homeless, gave clothing to the naked, visited the sick and the imprisoned, they will inherit the kingdom of heaven but the goats who did none of these works will be condemned to eternal fire. In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man was not condemned because he broke the Ten Commandments, but because he never provided for Lazarus’s needs (Luke 16:19-31). The rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 inquired of the Lord what he would do to gain eternal life. Jesus told him to keep His commandments which he claimed to have done from his youth. Jesus then instructed him to sell his possessions and give to the poor thus gaining heavenly treasures. It is therefore key to notice that when we give to the poor, we store up our treasures in heaven where there is no moth nor rust, theft nor any form of destruction unlike earthly wealth which is fleeting. When do good works and give to the poor, we do it for ourselves.

PRAYER

Lord You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, none can be compared to You. You are our everlasting King and Almighty Father, we worship You and give all the praise and adoration. Grant us hearts of compassion so that we may give to the poor for the sake of Your kingdom. Teach us how to do good works as we store up our treasure in heaven where there is no moth nor rust, thieves nor destruction, so that we may forever dwell with You. Train our hearts Holy Spirit to lay a good foundation for the time to come. Be with all those who are sick and suffering, those who are in prison and those who lack the basic needs, that You may visit them at their points of need Lord. We are Your disciples Jesus, use us for the furtherance of Your kingdom. Bless us indeed and expand our territories for You are our gracious Father. Help us to bear much fruit according to Your great glory. Our Father who at in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen

Matthew‬ ‭7:24-27‬ ‭‬‬‬‬

“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. 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. 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. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
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INSIGHT
-The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of knowledge, understanding and wisdom to apply these gifts. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and we are called to avoid all occasions of sin by applying God’s word through grace and follow His will. In all our getting we are called to get wisdom for wisdom is supreme. When we hear God’s word and put it into practice, we gain wisdom and a teachable spirit, and are founded on a rock.

SUMMARY
When constructing a building, the contractors must ensure that the foundation is strong lest the building falls. They dig out all the soil and sometimes depending on the proposed size of structure get to the bedrock; where the building will stand firm. King Solomon when instructed to build the Jerusalem temple, he chose the best stones to establish a firm foundation. Jesus despite being rejected; became the Chief corner stone where our faith is built on. Despite having no sin, He suffered, died, and was buried, and on the third day He resurrected from the dead and He lives forever in glory. Upon Christ then we build a strong foundation for we cannot stand upon any other rock apart from Him. We have seen many businesses, careers, relationships, marriages, institutions, churches struggle and fall because they were not build upon Christ. No other foundation can anyone lay than Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). We should always look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬), so that we may find salvation for our souls. The throne is likened to mount Zion which endures forever. We should also build for ourselves a foundation for eternal life through good works and being willing to share with the poor. We are also called to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace and always do God’s will, by which we build a firm foundation on the Rock who is Christ Jesus. ‬

PRAYER
Thank You Lord for giving us the privilege to see this new day and to hear Your word daily, we magnify Your holy name. Many Christians are persecuted all over the world and hunger for Your word but are unable to hear You, remember them merciful Father. Use us Jesus to reach out to them for the furtherance of Your kingdom and grant them the gift of salvation. Forgive us all our sins and sins of the whole world Jesus and cover us with Your precious blood. Give us teachable spirits Holy Spirit so that we may learn from You as You bring to remembrance Your word. Your word has power to heal, teach, transform, convict and save, help us to lay our foundation on Your truth especially during challenging times such as these. Help us to walk upright having faith and hope in You Jesus for by this reason You came. Restore us physically, psychologically, financially, economically, politically, socially and spiritually merciful Father, for Your love for us is everlasting. Heal all those who are sick and deliver us from the corona virus merciful Father. Answer all our hearts desires Lord according to Your divine will, according to Your merciful love. Bless our going out and coming in Abba Father and protect us from all evil. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen