Christ: The Foundation of Faith and Salvation

 

Summary

In this sermon, I emphasize the foundational principles of the Christian faith, particularly focusing on the centrality of Jesus Christ in our salvation and daily living. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, I stress the importance of having a solid foundation in Christ, as all Christian growth and joy stem from this. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, consistently reminds the early church of these foundational truths because many of their problems arose from forgetting them. Just as in geometry, where understanding axioms is crucial to solving problems, in Christianity, understanding and applying foundational truths is essential for spiritual growth and resolving issues within the church.

I highlight that salvation is entirely of God, initiated and completed by Him, and it is through Jesus Christ that we receive this salvation. The Apostle Paul mentions Jesus Christ nine times in the first nine verses of 1 Corinthians to emphasize His centrality. Many Christians today, like those in Corinth, tend to overlook the significance of Christ, focusing instead on God in a general sense. However, the New Testament consistently presents Jesus as the focal point of our faith.

A Christian is defined by their relationship with Christ: believing in His testimony, being called into fellowship with Him, and awaiting His return. This relationship is not just about acknowledging Christ's existence but involves a deep, personal acceptance of His teachings, His work, and His role as Savior. The testimony of Christ includes His revelation of God, His interpretation of the law, and His claims about Himself. Believing in this testimony is crucial for true Christian living.

Key Takeaways:

- The foundation of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ, and all spiritual growth and joy depend on this foundation. Without a solid understanding of Christ's role, we cannot hope to resolve the issues within the church or in our personal lives. [00:49]

- Salvation is entirely of God, and it is through Jesus Christ that we receive it. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this by repeatedly mentioning Christ in his letters, reminding us that our faith must be centered on Him. [06:32]

- A Christian is defined by their relationship with Christ, which involves believing in His testimony, being called into fellowship with Him, and awaiting His return. This relationship is essential for true Christian living. [13:06]

- The testimony of Christ includes His revelation of God, His interpretation of the law, and His claims about Himself. Believing in this testimony is crucial for understanding and living out the Christian faith. [17:13]

- The centrality of Christ in our faith is not just a theological concept but a practical necessity. Without Christ at the center, our understanding of God and our approach to life will be flawed. [32:40]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians
[00:29] - Importance of a Solid Foundation
[01:08] - Purpose of Paul's Letters
[02:01] - Understanding First Principles
[03:22] - Problems in the Corinthian Church
[04:09] - Christ as the Foundation
[06:03] - Salvation is of God
[07:04] - God's Provision Through Christ
[08:12] - Centrality of Jesus Christ
[09:11] - Repetition of Christ's Name
[11:08] - The Testimony of Christ
[13:06] - Definition of a Christian
[17:13] - Christ's Revelation of God
[20:16] - Belief in Christ's Testimony
[24:18] - Apostolic Preaching of Christ
[31:09] - Exclusivity of Salvation in Christ
[36:26] - Conclusion: Christ as the Center

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 1:4-9

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Observation Questions:

1. How does the Apostle Paul emphasize the centrality of Jesus Christ in the first nine verses of 1 Corinthians? ([09:11])

2. What foundational principles does Paul remind the Corinthians of in his letter, and why are these important for resolving issues within the church? ([03:22])

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Paul mentioning Jesus Christ nine times in the first nine verses of 1 Corinthians? ([09:11])

4. What are the three main aspects of a Christian's relationship with Christ as outlined in the sermon? ([13:06])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the sermon suggest that many problems in the Corinthian church arose from forgetting foundational truths about Christ? How does this apply to modern churches? ([03:22])

2. The sermon states that salvation is entirely of God and through Jesus Christ. How does this understanding impact a believer's daily life and faith journey? ([06:32])

3. How does the testimony of Christ, as described in the sermon, shape a Christian's understanding of God, the law, and themselves? ([17:13])

4. What does it mean for a Christian to be "called into fellowship" with Christ, and how does this fellowship influence their anticipation of His return? ([13:06])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your personal foundation in Christ. Are there areas in your life where you might be overlooking the centrality of Jesus? How can you strengthen this foundation? ([00:49])

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of believing in the testimony of Christ. How can you deepen your understanding and acceptance of His teachings in your daily life? ([17:13])

3. Consider your relationship with Christ. How do you actively engage in fellowship with Him, and what steps can you take to enhance this relationship? ([13:06])

4. The sermon highlights the necessity of Christ being at the center of our faith. Identify any distractions or misconceptions that might be hindering this focus. How can you address them? ([32:40])

5. How does the understanding that salvation is entirely of God influence your approach to sharing the gospel with others? What practical steps can you take to communicate this truth effectively? ([06:32])

6. Reflect on the role of Jesus Christ in your life. How does His centrality affect your decisions, relationships, and priorities? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this truth? ([32:40])

7. The sermon discusses the importance of awaiting Christ's return. How does this anticipation shape your daily actions and mindset? What can you do to live more expectantly? ([13:06])

Devotional

Day 1: Christ as the Foundation of Faith
The foundation of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ, and all spiritual growth and joy depend on this foundation. Without a solid understanding of Christ's role, we cannot hope to resolve the issues within the church or in our personal lives. Just as in geometry, where understanding axioms is crucial to solving problems, in Christianity, understanding and applying foundational truths is essential for spiritual growth and resolving issues within the church. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, consistently reminds the early church of these foundational truths because many of their problems arose from forgetting them. [00:49]

1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV): "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to deepen your understanding of Christ as the foundation of your faith?


Day 2: Salvation Through Christ Alone
Salvation is entirely of God, and it is through Jesus Christ that we receive it. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this by repeatedly mentioning Christ in his letters, reminding us that our faith must be centered on Him. Many Christians today, like those in Corinth, tend to overlook the significance of Christ, focusing instead on God in a general sense. However, the New Testament consistently presents Jesus as the focal point of our faith. [06:32]

Acts 4:12 (ESV): "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Reflection: How can you ensure that your daily life reflects the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ?


Day 3: Defining a Christian by Relationship with Christ
A Christian is defined by their relationship with Christ: believing in His testimony, being called into fellowship with Him, and awaiting His return. This relationship is not just about acknowledging Christ's existence but involves a deep, personal acceptance of His teachings, His work, and His role as Savior. Believing in this testimony is crucial for true Christian living. [13:06]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to strengthen your personal relationship with Christ?


Day 4: Believing in the Testimony of Christ
The testimony of Christ includes His revelation of God, His interpretation of the law, and His claims about Himself. Believing in this testimony is crucial for understanding and living out the Christian faith. The Apostle Paul mentions Jesus Christ nine times in the first nine verses of 1 Corinthians to emphasize His centrality. [17:13]

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV): "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

Reflection: How can you actively engage with the testimony of Christ in your daily Bible study and prayer life?


Day 5: The Centrality of Christ in Faith
The centrality of Christ in our faith is not just a theological concept but a practical necessity. Without Christ at the center, our understanding of God and our approach to life will be flawed. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, consistently reminds the early church of these foundational truths because many of their problems arose from forgetting them. [32:40]

Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV): "And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."

Reflection: In what ways can you re-center your life around Christ today, ensuring He remains the focal point of your faith and actions?

Quotes


I come back once more to this great statement here at the beginning of this first epistle to the Corinthians and because it held this as I was indicating last Sunday morning face to face with some of those primary and foundation principles without which we cannot hope to live a full and a true and a successful Christian life nothing indeed is more important in the Christian life than to be certain of our foundation. [00:12:43]

There is no hope of development and of increase there is no prospect of joy not of happiness unless we are truly on the right foundation and that is why you will notice everywhere always in the epistles of the New Testament that the writers invariably remind the people to whom they're writing of these things. [00:44:03]

The form of the writer gets down to the particular metals which produced the need for the nether he invariably reminds them a certain thing certain basic foundation principles and of course there is a very good reason for that and it is this that according to this truth you can never understand the problem if you are not right about your first principles. [01:01:56]

Now it is essential since the Apostle that you should be equally clear about this it's all there in God he is purposed it and brought it to pass well hell isn't that a very vital question how does this become mine and what does it do to me what does it make me what does it mean to me well once more there is no question at all about this the Apostle leaves us in no doubt or uncertainty whatsoever with respect to it. [07:12:02]

The Apostle emphasizes that it is indeed all of God is equally careful to emphasize that God gives it to us in and through and only in untrue the Lord Jesus Christ look at him here how carefully is to safeguard us against this danger have you noticed that in these first nine verses of this epistle the Lord Jesus Christ it mentioned nine times. [08:50:32]

A Christian is a manifest and foremost has believed and received and assure on the testimony of Christ verse 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in christianism ni se was believed and received the testimony of Christ the second thing about him is this that he is one was being called into the Fellowship of Christ and the third thing is that he is one who is waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. [13:15:30]

The testimony of Christ concerning God yes not only that the testimony of Christ concerning the law of God that's the whole object of the Sermon on the Mount isn't it again the Pharisees and others were giving a false interpretation of the law and our Lord has come to give the true interpretation of the law the testimony of Christ will regard to the spirituality of the law. [17:57:11]

The Christian is a man who has believed what this person has said about himself we call some of his own statements about himself he says before Abraham was I am who is this that was the question to be blessed who is this and it's still the most momentous question who is this is a better carpenter from Nazareth easy but a men easy but a great religious genius. [19:09:11]

The Christian is a man who has believed and accepted this testimony that the Son of God has come down on earth it's the whole message of the Incarnation I say and the virgin birth that when the fullness of the times had come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law if only we were thinking about this this morning and that all other times as we look at our present problems and troubles in the whole course of history and everything in this world. [28:16:09]

The testimony is this that God's Way of salvation is in his son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and in him alone there is no other way there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved saved this name none there is no second there is no addition he is alone you've noticed now it was put there in that chapter which I read here at the beginning John at the end of his life and old men once these people to be absolutely certain about it. [31:04:17]

The Apostolic preaching this isn't my narrow theory this isn't my own little personal theology this is the testimony the witness of all these Apostles and they are not repeating the testimony of their Blessed Lord and Master who said I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh can come unto the father but by me my friend your phone's eternal salvation depends upon this don't talk to me about knowing God if Christ isn't at the center of it. [32:37:97]

The one who owns us the one who's purchased us whose possession we are oh look of the apostle works out all these great themes in this epistle when he's dealing with the particular fleshly carnal sin he says know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Ghost and then he says you are not your own you've been bought with a price you don't belong to yourselves you have no right to do what you think with yourselves not what you like with yourselves your Christ he's bought you he's abandoned you he's rescued you he's redeemed you you belong to him he's your law. [29:08:02]

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Transcript
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