Founded on the Lord Jesus Christ

1. THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION
1. The Church Is Likened to a Building.
1. God has always been interested in dwelling in the midst of His people.
1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:7-8 [7] And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. [8] And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
   See All...)
2. Enoch (Genesis 5:22-24 [22] And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: [23] And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: [24] And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
   See All...)
3. Noah and the ark (Genesis 7:1And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
   See All...)
4. The children of Israel (Exodus 15:16-17 [16] Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. [17] Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.
   See All...; Exodus 29:45-46 [45] And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. [46] And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
   See All...)
5. The New Testament (Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
   See All...)
6. The churches (Revelation 1:10-15 [10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, [11] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. [12] And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; [13] And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. [14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; [15] And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
   See All...)
2. Every New Testament believer is the dwelling place of the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 [19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? [20] For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
   See All...).
3. In addition to this, the church is the dwelling place of the Lord.
1. Ye are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
   See All...).
2. Ye also are builded together for an habitation of God (Ephesians 2:21-22 [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
   See All...).
3. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
   See All...).
2. Jesus Christ Is the Foundation.
1. He offered Himself to the Jewish people (John 1:11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
   See All...).
2. The Jewish builders rejected Him (Acts 4:10-11 [10] Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. [11] This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
   See All...).
3. He became the foundation for the New Testament church.
1. He is the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22 [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
   See All...).
2. He is the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
   See All...).
3. Jesus Christ Owns the Church.
1. He said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
   See All...).
2. He purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
   See All...).
2. BUILDING UPON THE FOUNDATION
1. We Are Likened to Builders.
1. Paul was a wise masterbuilder (1 Corinthians 3:10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
   See All...).
2. Paul did not want to build on another man’s foundation (Romans 15:20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
   See All...).
2. We Must Take Heed How We Build.
1. Others built before us (1 Corinthians 3:10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
   See All...).
2. The foundation is predetermined (1 Corinthians 3:11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
   See All...).
3. There are good and bad building materials (1 Corinthians 3:12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
   See All...).
4. There is accountability for the work (1 Corinthians 3:13-15 [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
   See All...).
3. DEPARTURE FROM THE FOUNDATION
1. A Gradual Departure
1. Churches do not depart from the foundation overnight.
2. It occurs one truth at a time.
3. Consider the church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22 [14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; [15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. [22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
   See All...).
1. The Lord was still willing to make an appeal.
2. For the most part the Lord had been rejected.
3. The Lord was interested in fellowshipping with individuals.
2. A Complete Departure
1. Some churches continue down the path of apostasy until they completely depart from the foundation.
2. If the people were saved, they are still saved.
3. The Lord, however, can remove the candlestick (Revelation 2:5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
   See All...).

Founded on the Word of God

1. THE SOURCE OF THE WORD OF GOD
1. Men Who Knew the Lord
1. John (1 John 1:1-3 [1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; [2] (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) [3] That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
   See All...)
2. Peter (2 Peter 1:16-18 [16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. [17] For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. [18] And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
   See All...)
3. Paul (Galatians 1:10-17 [10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. [11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. [12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. [13] For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: [14] And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. [15] But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, [16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: [17] Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
   See All...)
2. From Heaven (Psalm 119:89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
   See All...)
3. The Words of God
1. Words which the Holy Ghost teacheth (1 Corinthians 2:13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
   See All...)
2. The words of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
   See All...)
2. THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD
1. Based on the Authority of the Author (Mark 1:22And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
   See All..., 27; Luke 4:36And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
   See All...)
2. Based on Its Ability to Last (Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
   See All...)
3. Based on Its Ability to Survive Attacks (Genesis 3:1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
   See All...)
3. THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD
1. The Power to Enlighten (Psalm 119:130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
   See All...)
1. Men are blinded by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:3-4 [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: [4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
   See All...).
2. The only resource that we have to break through the scales on the eyes of men is the written Word of God. The entrance of God’s words will give light.
2. The Power to Discern (Hebrews 4:12-13 [12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
   See All...)
1. The reception of light is not good enough for salvation. Men can receive some light, but then they must act upon it.
2. We can not discern the heart of men to see if true faith is working.
3. Only the Bible is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
3. The Power to Accomplish (Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
   See All...)
1. Right thoughts and intents are still not enough to save a man. Even if we were there to witness a person come to this point, we still have no power to take him/her to the next step.
2. Once the thoughts and intents of the heart are in line with the Word of God, the Bible is able to work in the heart to accomplish the Lord’s will.
4. The Power to Save (Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
   See All...; James 1:21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
   See All...)
1. The Bible begins to work in a man’s heart but must also complete this work in the salvation of the soul.
2. No matter what methods we may use, we do not have the power to save a soul. We must have the Word of God for this to occur.
5. The Power to Perfect (2 Timothy 3:15-17 [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
   See All...)
1. Salvation will place a person in the body of Christ, but salvation does not automatically make the person mature in the Lord’s will and work.
2. The Bible also has the power to take a man from a newborn babe in Christ to a perfect man. Note: The biblical meaning of the word perfect is not sinless .
6. The Power to Judge (John 12:48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
   See All...)
1. The Bible begins the process by giving light.
2. The Bible will end the process by judging.