Foundations (part 2 of 2) - Building On The Foundation

As mentioned in part 1, one of the most memorable portions of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is his conclusion.  He described the difference between those who hear his words and do them and those who hear and do not.  Choosing to initially obey Jesus’ words and become a Christian is an absolutely critical step.  If we do it in our youth, we can avoid many of the temptations, sins, and heartaches that plague young people.  But regardless of when we initially become a Christian, it is just the first step, just the beginning.

After conversion, many figures are used to help us understand what Jesus expects of us.  Christians are:
  • Children of God Phil 2:15; 1 Jn 3:1-3, 10
  • Children of light Eph 5:8; Jn 12:36
  • Sons of the day I Th 5:5
  • Children of the promise Gal 4:28
  • Sons of Abraham Gal 3:7
  • Sons of the Most High Lk 6:35
God also tells us being a Christian is (or is like):
  • Running a race Heb 12:1
  • Competing in the Games I Cor 9:24-27
  • Wrestling against wickedness Eph 6:10-19
  • Fighting the good fight I Tim 1:18; 6:12; II Tim 4:7
  • Contending for the faith Jude 3
  • Being a soldier of Christ II Tim 2:3-4; Phil 2:25; Philemon 1:2
Effective service to Jesus includes:
  • Mt 25:31-46 Caring for the comprehensive (physical/spiritual/emotional) needs of our brethren!
  • Heb 10:24-26 Wanting to provoke our brethren to love and good works; never forsaking our assembling
  • I Pet 3:15 Sanctifying Jesus as Lord and being ready to give an answer to everyone
  • Col 4:5-6   Walking in wisdom toward those outside buying up opportunities
  • Mt 5:13-16 Let your salt savor and your light shine.
  • Col 3:5-17 Put off...  put on the new...
  • Phil 3:1-21 Suffer the loss of all things and count it refuse.  Press on to the goal
  • I Jn 3:15-17 Love not the world or the things of the world.
  • II Pet 1:3-11 Supplying virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness brotherly kindness and love to our faith.
  • Gal 5:22-23 Producing the fruits of the Spirit.  Etc.  etc.  etc.
These and many other things make up the foundation of Jesus Christ’s words that we are building upon.  They are all part of the foundation that cannot be shaken, that we are building upon.  To the degree that we do these things we are effective, and we are doing our part to be the best we can at the things God has made us to be.

How do we remain effective in these things year after year?  Where does the motivation to do these things come from?
  • Gratitude James 1:16-17;  Eph 5:20;  1 Th 5:18;    Heb 13:15; 1 Chr 16:8-12, 24-34;  Ps 100:1-5; 105:1-4; 106:1-2 107:1-11, 21-22, 31-32; 118:1-2
  • Faith Prov 3:5-7; Heb 11:6.
So, how are we building on the foundation of Jesus’ word?  Are we daily both hearing AND doing what he said?  
  • Vessels in a great house: Gold or clay?
  • Living stones in God’s temple: Gold, silver or wood, ha
  • Children in God’s family: Faithful or unfaithful?  How do we treat our brothers and sisters?
  • The bride of Christ: Chaste virgins?
  • Citizens in Christ’s kingdom: Loyal and obedient?
  • Soil (God’s word is the seed): Hard, rocky, thorny, or fertile?
  • Branches in a vine: Bearing much fruit?
  • The salt of the earth: Savor or lost savor?
  • The light of the world: Under bushel or brightly shining?
  • Traders, making gain for our Lord: How diligent are we?
  • Stewards of God’s grace: How faithful are we?
  • The body of Jesus Christ: Are we strong and intense?