A Firm Foundation

A Firm Foundation

2 Timothy 2:19

A Closer Walk With Thee

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Introduction: Whenever a foundation is laid there is a process:

The hole is dug

The Gravel compacted

The footings laid out

The steel laid in

The concrete poured

Tie bolts in place

Then we begin the foundation:

The forms are set

The steel is laid in and tied

The concrete is poured

The forms are either beaten or a vibrator is used to settle the concrete

Sill bolts are installed

The curing process begins – by heat.

And all must be done within certain mathematical tolerances so as to have a precise finished product.

There is also a standard for each peace of material used and a process by which each stage is completed:

There must be a proper mixture of sand, stone and chemicals so that the aggregate is strong

Slump testing is done to ensure proper water content and mixing procedures have been followed

The forms must be sturdy

The steel a certain temper

And the ambient air temperature accounted for.

Each of these processes and procedures must be overseen by a person knowledgeable in such construction and depending upon the size of the structure to be built there may be engineers, surveyors, scientists, etc involved in the project so that the resultant foundation will be able to support the weight of the eventual structure built upon it.

Because mankind has a creative instinct and desire for constructing edifices of all sizes we have all manner of specialized training and specialists trained to handle the building process. Add to our aforementioned list of Engineer, scientist, surveyor the following:

Architect, plumber, mason, steel worker, electricians and the list can go on.

My point is this. As men we are prone to exercising great care and diligence to erect temporary structures in this world. From single family homes to tremendous skyscrapers, all of which are appropriately engineered, and that with great care, and each structure will bear a mark, a seal, a name that we will know who it’s designer/builder is.

In our passage of scripture today we will be looking at the “Foundation of God” so turn with me to Matt. 16 first as there are several points I wish to make concerning God’s design techniques:

Firstly God is The Builder:

Mat 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

Mat 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.

Mat 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Mat 16:16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Mat 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 16:18 And 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.

We are the material:

1Pe 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1Pe 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

When the new sanctuary was being built here at JBC there was included in it’s foundation a corner stone that reads:

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Precious and exciting words for this Pastor’s eyes and ears to behold as I am sure they are for you.

Today we will expound this verse from II Timothy 2 that we may all be refreshed by the vision God has laid out for this body of believers here in Jaffrey New Hampshire.