The Foundation Of God Stands Sure

Eph_2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

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.

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.

Paul is writing this second epistle to Timothy his son in the faith while a prisoner at Rome. It is the mid AD 60’s and Pauls life is coming to a close. Therefore he desires to exhort Timothy one last time regarding church issues.

Context: Albert Barne’s Notes

This chapter, 2 Tim. 2, is made up of various exhortations and encouragements to duty. The apostle exhorts Timothy to be strong in the Christian graces 2Ti_2:1;

to commit the great trust which he had received to faithful men 2Ti_2:2;

to endure hardships like a good soldier 2Ti_2:3-7, and refers him:

(a) to the case of one who goes to war, whose great business it is to

(b) please him in whose service he is 2Ti_2:4;

(b) to the case of one who strives for a crown at the games 2Ti_2:5, and,

(c) to the husbandman who looks onward for the reward of his labor; 2:6

In order to encourage him to be patient in enduring the trials to which he would be exposed, Paul refers him.

(a) to the certainty of the truth of that religion in whose cause he would suffer 2Ti_2:8;

(b) to his own case, reminding him how much he had endured in that cause 2Ti_2:9-10;

(c) to the fact that our sufferings here will be crowned with certain glory hereafter 2Ti_2:11-12; and,

(d) to the assurance that the Lord Jesus will be faithful to all his promises to his people; 2Ti_2:13.

Timothy has been experiencing great division and strife within the church and Paul needs to give both comfort and instruction.

The Church today is in turmoil all around the world. Persecution, heresy,conflict, strife, all exist within the body of Christ – and it will only become worse the closer we get to Christ’s return.

But despite the persecution, heresy, and turmoil Paul says to Timothy remember:

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.

a meteorologist stated that they had all been “Living in a fool’s paradise hoping that the levees would hold”

The problem is that New Orleans, built on organic swamp land, is shrinking. The land is made up of decaying organic materials.

While Katrina did greater damage in other areas, no place had a weaker foundation

The storm surge and rain overwhelmed the inadequate defenses of New Orleans

Paul was facing storms that would have devastated many lives

False doctrine is being taught, good people are going astray, Paul is imprisoned for preaching the Gospel He is separated from friends and partners in ministry

It sure seemed as if the world was haywire, as if no one or nothing was dependable

But Paul could withstand the storms because the Foundation of God stands sure!

God’s foundation “stands solid” and is impenetrable and reliable

When our world is in disarray, we can trust God implicitly- He won’t leave nor forsake us

Though Paul was chained and imprisoned, he said, "But the word of God is not bound."(2 Tim 2:9)

Paul could be safe and call Timothy and other believers to faith and faithfulness because of a sure foundation

Jesus is the foundation of our faith and none of the storms of life can shake Him

False doctrines will not shake the foundation of God.

Isaiah 28:16 - "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."

1 Corinthians 3:11 says, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."