Foundation Stones

Intro #1:Spiritual Building

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Preview Intro #1: A Spiritual Building’s Foundation

1. Your spiritual life is like building a house.

2. You have 2 choices for where to build: on a rock or on sand.

3. Different building materials have different qualities.

4. Hebrews 6 clearly describes the Christian foundation.

5. God has appointed people to help you build your house.

6. Building your spiritual house is a life-long process.

7. The strength of your house will be judged on the Last Day.

8. There is a way to be welcomed into heaven.

9. Jesus Christ tells us what is on the other side of death.

10. The afterlife last forever.

11. The Holy Bible came from God and is perfectly reliable.

12. Jesus is now alive, in Heaven, preparing rooms for us.

Q1:

What is a good analogy for your spiritual life? It’s like …?

Q1: What is a good analogy for your

spiritual life? It’s like …?

A1: . . . building a house.R1: Matthew 7:24-27

Matthew 7: (Jesus said,) 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (NIV).

Q2:

What are the two choices of locations for your building’s foundation, and what does each represent?

Q2: What are the two choices of locations for

your building’s foundation, and what does each represent?

A2: a rock – comes to, listens to and practices Jesus’ words; or the sand – hears but doesn’t practice the words of Jesus

R2: Luke 6:46-49

Luke 6: (Jesus said,) 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” (NIV)

Q3:

What are your choices for building materials, and how will each endure the quality test?

Q3: What are your choices for building

materials, and how will each endure the quality test?

A3: gold, silver and costly stones will be purified; wood, hay and straw will be consumed.

R3: I Corinthians 3:12-14

I Corinthians 3:12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (NIV)

Q4:

Does the Bible directly say which things make up a solid spiritual foundation?

Q4: Does the Bible directly say which things make up a solid spiritual foundation?

A4: Yes, the Bible’s book of Hebrews gives a clear list, including repentance, faith, baptisms (plural), laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. These are also called elementary teachings - just the basics.

R4: Hebrews 6:1-3

Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. (NIV)

Q5:

Who can help you to build your building?

Q5: Who can help you to build your

building?

A5: God, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and just anyone.

R5: Hebrews 3:3-6; Ephesians 4:11,12 and

I Corinthians 3:10

Hebrews 3:3 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (NIV)

I Corinthians 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. (NIV)

Q6:

Is building your spiritual house a one-time event or continuous throughout your life?

Q6: Is building your spiritual house a one-time event or continuous throughout your life?

A6: As long as you live, you are building your spiritual house. It is an unfinished task throughout your entire life on Earth.

R6: Acts 20:24

Acts 20: (Paul said,) 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. (NIV)

Q7:

How important is it to build a strong spiritual house?

Q7: How important is it to build a strong

spiritual house?

A7: The strength and quality of your spiritual house determines your reward on Judgment Day.

R7: I Corinthians 3:13-15

I Corinthians 3:13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (NIV)

Q8:

How can you prepare for a comfortable afterlife when your life on Earth ends?

Q8: How can you prepare for a comfortable

afterlife when your life on Earth ends?

A8: Believe in and actively love Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and when this life is over, you will be welcomed into heaven.

R8: John 3:16 and Matthew 25:34

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV). Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ (NIV)

Q9:

Who has gone through physical death and reported on the other side?

Q9: Who has gone through physical

death and reported on the other side?

A9: Jesus Christ.R9: Revelation 1:17,18

Revelation 1: 17 When I saw him (Jesus), I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (NIV)

Q10:

How long will the afterlife last?

Q10: How long will the afterlife last?

A10: Forever.R10: Daniel 12:2,3 and John 7:56-58

Daniel 12: 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (NIV)

John 7 (Jesus said) 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.” (NIV)

Q11:

Why is the Holy Bible the only reliable source of spiritual building instruction?

Q11: Why is the Holy Bible the only

reliable source of spiritual building instruction?

A11: because it came from God’s mouth (you can translate it, but don’t dare change it)

R11: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 & Revelation 22:18,19

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)

Revelation 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (NIV)

Q12:

Where is Jesus now and what is He doing?

Q12: Where is Jesus now and what is He

doing?

A12: He is in heaven, preparing rooms for His followers.

R12: John 14:2,3 and Revelation 21:10

John 14 (Jesus said) 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (NIV)

Revelation 21:10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. (NIV)

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Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV)

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the

foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

And God permitting, we will do so.