Foundations
Do you remember the story of The Three Little Pigs? For those who are not familiar with the story, there were three little pigs who built their houses differently. One pig built is house with straw, one built with wood and one pig built it with brick. Before long, the big bad wolf came and he “huffed and puffed” and tried to blow each house down. Only the house built with brick was able to stand. The lesson in this story is primarily of teaching hard work but I think we can use it in the same to illustrate the importance of a strong foundation.
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God, which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. I Corinthians 3:9-10, 12-13 NKJV
Foundations have been on my mind quite a bit lately. Possibly because of all the building projects at my house right now. I have been thinking quite a bit about my own foundation in Jesus Christ, the foundation which I am helping my kids to build and the foundation in which the church is being built upon. The foundation in a building is by far the most critical piece of the building.
What you build on and the materials in which you use to build are essential. I remember years ago; Kasey and I were building a paver walkway. We spent hours digging down into the dirt, leveling the dirt, compacting the ground, and then adding a layer of gravel and repeating this same process. We did this repeatedly. Finally, we added the beautiful stone pavers!!! The last thing to be done and thing which is seen is the pavers on top. Without the foundation below the pavers would not look beautiful.
As a Christian our firm foundation is Jesus Christ alone. He is the cornerstone of our salvation. “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;” Isaiah 28:16. Every thought and action stems from our foundation in Jesus. He is a sure foundation, as sure as the sun will rise every day!
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22. Individually, our foundation is being built up on Jesus for us to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Corporately, to be the body of believers, as witness to the world.
A solid foundation can withstand the storms of life. Matthew 7:25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. I guarantee if you are not currently in a storm, you are likely just coming out of one or about to go into another one and without being established on a firm foundation, you will crumble.
Like the story of the 3 Little Pigs, when the big bad wolf comes to “huff and puff”, your foundation will not be able to withstand the storm. Like Peter, if you are firmly planted you will overcome ALL things regardless of the circumstance and nothing will triumph. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18.
