Building the Church on Christ: Foundations and Challenges

Devotional

Day 1: Christ as the Foundation of the Church

The church is built on the foundation of Christ Jesus, who is the cornerstone of our faith. Each believer is a stone in this ongoing construction, called, instituted, and ordained by Christ. The church's triumph is assured against the powers of Hell, as it continues to grow with new believers being added daily. This understanding calls us to recognize our role in the church and the importance of our faith being rooted in Christ. [01:28:26]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the growth and strength of your local church community, recognizing your role as a living stone in the body of Christ?

Day 2: The Authority of Scripture

The authority of Scripture is central to addressing the challenges facing the church today. A closed Bible leads to a shallow faith, and we must return to sound doctrine and theology to navigate cultural challenges. The Bible is the hub from which all other issues stem, and embracing its authority in our lives and churches is crucial for spiritual growth and understanding. [01:37:04]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional Bible study into your daily routine to deepen your understanding and application of Scripture in your life?

Day 3: Meekness as Strength Under Control

Meekness, as taught in the Beatitudes, is about strength under control and submission to Christ's lordship. It is not weakness but a life of humility and surrender, reflecting the character of Christ. True meekness involves coming under the authority of Christ, much like a wild stallion tamed by its master, and living a life that embodies the Beatitudes. [01:40:49]

Matthew 5:5 (ESV): "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you can practice meekness by submitting to Christ's authority. What steps can you take today to demonstrate strength under control in that area?

Day 4: Sharing the Gospel with Compassion

Sharing the truth of the Gospel requires compassion and wisdom. While the message of the cross is inherently offensive, we must communicate it with love, understanding the context and needs of those we engage with. This approach ensures that the Gospel is shared effectively and lovingly, drawing others to Christ through our words and actions. [01:49:19]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the Gospel. How can you approach them with compassion and wisdom, considering their unique context and needs?

Day 5: The Pastor's Role and Congregational Support

A pastor's main responsibility is to shepherd the flock, leading and feeding them with the Word of God. Congregations should support their pastors by allowing them time to study and prepare, praying for them, and understanding their role. This mutual support strengthens the church and enables pastors to fulfill their calling effectively. [02:05:03]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: How can you actively support your pastor this week, whether through prayer, encouragement, or practical assistance, to help them fulfill their role in shepherding the congregation?

Sermon Summary

The church is built on a foundation that is essential for its entire structure to stand securely. This foundation is none other than Christ Jesus, as the New Testament declares that no other foundation can be laid. Jesus, a carpenter by trade, worked with both wood and stone, symbolizing how each believer is a stone in the edifice of the church. This building is still under construction, with new stones being added daily. The church exists because it is called, instituted, and ordained by Christ. We are His people, His household, and He has declared that the powers of Hell cannot withstand the triumph of His church.

As we look forward to the 2025 National Conference, we will explore God's unchanging plan to redeem a people for Himself. Standing on this immovable assurance, we will consider how Christians engage in evangelism, missions, discipleship, and worship, all to the glory of God. The conference will be an opportunity to delve deeper into these themes and understand how we can be part of God's eternal plan.

In our current cultural context, the church faces challenges such as a lack of understanding of God's grace, legalism, antinomianism, and a disregard for doctrine. These issues often stem from a departure from the authority of Scripture. The Bible is the hub from which all other issues stem, and a closed Bible leads to a shallow understanding of faith. We must return to sound doctrine and theology, embracing the authority of Scripture in our lives and churches.

The Beatitudes teach us about meekness, which is often misunderstood as weakness. True meekness is about coming under the authority of Christ, submitting to His lordship, and living a life of humility and surrender. This is not about being a doormat but about having strength under control, much like a wild stallion tamed by its master. As we grow in our faith, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ, embodying the Beatitudes in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The foundation of the church is Christ Jesus, and each believer is a stone in this ongoing construction. We are called, instituted, and ordained by Christ, and the church's triumph is assured against the powers of Hell. [88:26]
2. The authority of Scripture is central to addressing the challenges facing the church today. A closed Bible leads to a shallow faith, and we must return to sound doctrine and theology to navigate cultural challenges. [97:04]
3. Meekness, as taught in the Beatitudes, is about strength under control and submission to Christ's lordship. It is not weakness but a life of humility and surrender, reflecting the character of Christ. [100:49]
4. Sharing the truth of the Gospel requires compassion and wisdom. While the message of the cross is inherently offensive, we must communicate it with love, understanding the context and needs of those we engage with. [109:19]
5. A pastor's main responsibility is to shepherd the flock, leading and feeding them with the Word of God. Congregations should support their pastors by allowing them time to study and prepare, praying for them, and understanding their role. [125:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[88:26] - Foundation of the Church
[89:32] - Christ's Ordained Church
[90:24] - God's Unchanging Plan
[94:19] - Challenges Facing the Church
[97:04] - Authority of Scripture
[99:51] - Understanding Meekness
[101:38] - Beatitudes and Christian Life
[109:19] - Sharing the Gospel with Compassion
[115:12] - Speaking Truth in Love
[120:21] - Pastor's Role and Responsibility
[125:03] - Shepherding the Flock
[127:08] - Supporting Our Pastors
[131:07] - Encouraging Pastors and Families
[136:39] - Closing Remarks and Resources

Sermon Clips

The New Testament says there's no other Foundation which can be laid except that which is laid in Christ Jesus. Jesus was a carpenter by trade and the ancient Carpenter worked as much with stone as he did with wood. As Peter speaks of in his epistle, we are the stones; each believer is part of this edifice. [01:28:42]

The church exists because it is called out by Christ, it is instituted by Christ, it is ordained by Christ, and you are the church that God ordained from the foundation of the world. You are his people, you are his household, and Christ is the one who said, and on this rock I will build my church. [01:29:38]

Standing on this immovable Assurance, we will consider how Christians engage in evangelism, missions, discipleship, and worship all to the glory of God. When you register now to join us in 2025, you'll save 50% on your registration. This is the lowest rate we'll offer, and it's available for one week only, so register today. [01:30:36]

I would say everything goes back to the doctrine of scripture and the inherency of scripture, the infallibility of scripture, the authority of scripture, the inspiration of scripture, the sufficiency of scripture, the immutability of scripture, the invincibility of scripture. Every one of those aspects of scripture, what you believe about the Bible is really like the Hub of the wheel. [01:37:11]

There's just a shallowness today, a general shallowness, which is why I think there's been a recent call for going back to the Creeds and confessions to try to help us find our way back to sound Doctrine and theology. But I think it all goes back to a closed Bible, not an Open Bible in the Pulpit. [01:38:54]

The Beatitudes tell us it is blessed to be meek. What does it look like for a Christian to be meek in our culture? Well, that word meek is prus in the Greek, which can be translated gentle or Meek. But the idea is that there would be a wild stallion that just ran wild and had all of its Fury until the time the wild stallion would be lassoed and finally submit to a wrer. [01:39:46]

It doesn't mean to be milk toast. It does not mean to be a doormat. It means that you are one who has come under the authority of the lordship of Christ, and it's the third beatitude. There's an intentional sequence from verse three to verse four to verse 5 in Matthew 5. First, you're poor in spirit; you declare spiritual bankruptcy, and then you mourn over your own sin. [01:40:42]

Sharing the truth of the Gospel requires compassion and wisdom. While the message of the cross is inherently offensive, we must communicate it with love, understanding the context and needs of those we engage with. We can't change the gospel itself. It's a call to come to the end of yourself, to die to self, to step out of the crowd and out of darkness and to follow Christ. [01:49:19]

A pastor is one who Shepherds the flock. He's an Under Shepherd under the great shepherd, and a shepherd basically leads and feeds. He is to lead them into Green Pastures and restore their soul. He has to feed them the word of God. Those two images of leading and feeding also a pastor, it's to be tied in with being an elder and an overseer. [02:05:03]

Congregations really need to evaluate very seriously what they're expecting of their Minister. Are they expecting him to be 100% an evangelist and 100% a visitor to the sick and 100% a visitor in the homes and 100% catechist and 100% preacher? He won't be able to do that, so we have to decide what it is we want our ministers to do for us. [02:07:08]

One of the main reasons that pastors leave Ministry is because of people having expectations that are not rooted in scripture. Pastors are not the administrators; they are not fundamentally your counselor; they are not fundamentally the social organizer of the church or of the community. Pastors are not your mother, your father, or your best friend. [02:11:07]

Pray for your pastor, do remember to pray for his wife as well, not only because of her role but because she's got to live with him, and we're not the easiest people in the world. Thank you, gentlemen, thank you for your continued Ministry, and may the Lord protect us all and keep us in faithful service to his church. [02:16:39]

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