Christ Our Solid Foundation
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Co 15:1–11.
I'm glad you are here today. This is a significant day in the life of our church. It is significant to have a building. I know that based on having not had a building and also based on how hard it was to get into this thing! I won't take this for granted.
We made a large investment into a building because we felt it would facilitate us reaching our community. We made a large investment in a church.
I realize that may surprise some. Many will ask themselves, “Is the church still worth investing in today?” Aren’t we moving past this God stuff? Is it like investing in a company that sells flip phones, or garmins (remember when you had a separate device for gps??),
We are in a time that there is a move away from Christianity. We hear it and you know people who have left the faith.
Deconstructing. To break down; dismantle. To analyze (a literary text, for example) by deconstruction or in such a way as to expose its underlying assumptions or implicit ideological stance.
There is a noticeable move away from church and faith today.
- In 1972, 90% identified as Christian and 5% were religiously unaffiliated.
- Currently the share of U.S. adults who identify as Christian has fallen from to 63%.
- 29% of Americans now tell the GSS they have “no religion.”7
People are clearly moving away from faith.
- In the last four years the average size of the church has gone from 120 to 65.
- On top of that estimates of 4,000 churches are closing their doors every year. It may look bleak.
I believe Jesus is just as relevant today as ever. I believe his work and message needed more today than any other time.
For the grand opening of our church we wanted to do a series called Reconstructing Faith. While many are dismantling we want to talk about why faith in Christ and the church is still worth building your life on. We believe God has done something, acted in this world, and provided us with something that is still, and always will be the thing you should build your life on.
In this passage I want to look at two reasons in this passage to build your life on Christ.
- In Christ we have a Firm Foundation.
If you are building a house, one of the most important things you can do is build on a solid foundation. Many buildings fail because their foundation was not strong. In 1173, construction began on a white marble bell tower for a cathedral complex in Pisa, central Italy. After five years of work, builders finished the third of eight planned stories, the tower’s foundation had begun to settle unevenly. As a result, the structure had begun to tilt visibly toward the south. When construction resumed, chief engineetried to compensate for the lean by adding extra masonry to the short side, but the additional weight caused the structure to tilt even further. https://www.history.com/news/why-does-the-leaning-tower-of-pisa-lean
People need something of substance to build on today. We live in a time where people want to live their own truth follow your heart. Whatever they believe is what they want to do. It is an unstable foundation.
In some ways this can be seen as positivity encouraging people to reach for the stars and go hard after careers and vocations or other things. But in many ways it has done more harm than good. Relationships are breaking down. Trust seems to be at an all time low. Who can you depend on? People are doing bizarre things socially, and due to political correctness and politeness we don’t press these odd claims.
In other spheres this doesn't work. In a courtroom, a lawyer might object to something the opposing lawyer said. When that happens the judge may ask on what grounds. In other words there must be a basis for his objection. “I just feel in my heart” would never be allowed. It doesn't work. He is not free to do whatever he wants because there is a standard things must conform to. People have wide ranging beliefs today, and a key question is what is the basis of that belief. And we must take that same standard to Christianity. Is there a basis for believing it? There are a few key words that we are wise to look at.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
- according to the scriptures. This appears twice. This is significant. Paul is saying that what has happened in Jesus was planned and testified long ago.
- What happened did not come out of nowhere. Jesus is not just some random guy who showed up claiming to be king. He is in the line of kings. His great great (x14) grandfather David was a king. Even more he was promised not just a kingdom, but that one of his descendants would inherit his throne and live forever (2 Sam 7). 900bc
- The prophet Isaiah spoke about a great servant who would sit on the throne of David, who would rule the world, be called prince of peace, every lasting God, wonderful counselor. And yet this servant is also one who would be pierced for the transgression of his people. Peace would come to all by him taking the punishment. Isaiah 52-53.
- Psalms 22 speaks about one who would suffer unjustly and yet in his suffering he would be heard and delivered, and the ends of the earth will praise God for the deliverance brought. These things were spoken between 500-1000 years before Jesus ever came. They clearly point to him.
- God says he is going to do something, he does it, then he tells why he did it. This testifies that God has done something in the world. We are not left in the dark. We are not left alone.
- Witnesses.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
- Jesus' ministry, life, death and resurrection are witnessed by people. Peter and Paul and James. The best testimony for or against something, is when a person claims to have been an eyewitness of it. Paul is saying these people actually saw Jesus. He says at one time 500 people saw him. This letter being written is a public document being written to a church. Paul is saying, look, if you don't believe me then go and ask these people. He is not trying to suppress a person's own investigation. If you ever doubt, go do a search on the claims and evidence of Christianity. I have done that numerous times, and come back stronger.
James. What is amazing is that prior to the death of Jesus, James did not believe Jesus was the messiah. “For even his own brothers did not believe in him. (Joh 7:5 NIV). Something significant changed the attitude of James, and all the disciples. If the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus was made up then it does not seem James would have changed.
-this connection to verifiable history is unique to Christianity. If you read about Buddha, Muhammed, Joseph Smith, their writing is detached from history and eyewitness testimony.
-let me also say this. All the disciples would give their lives for the gospel. It is amazing that people would die for a hoax. Even more a hoax that did not bring them material
- Gospel and Salvation. There are problems in the world. There are problems in us. How can we be made whole, experience forgiveness, security in this life and the life to come. Deal with shame, anger, loneliness, relational rifts and conflict.
15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved,
The good news shared here is that Jesus has died for our sins. There is a moral standard we ought to conform to. A moral standard we will be judged for. We can be forgiven, not by minimizing sin but by acknowledging it. Shame is taken away. Guilt is removed. If we have God’s approval we are set free from what people think. Our future is secured. We have life with God now and also forever. The gospel of Jesus Christ meets the needs that we long to have filled.
Compare this to the Gospel of Secularization. There is a gospel that promises acceptance into society. This says that we are more enlightened now, we have evolved to be better people, the advancement of science and technology promise a blissful future. You can be in our club if you deny your faith, agree with us and there is acceptance in the world. But is this gospel delivering as it promises, is there a fault in the foundation? It is a false promise from SAtan. First of all, look at its fruit.
- 30 years of preaching tolerance and we are a more divided and less tolerant society than ever. More confusion on basic elements of life. Little trust. Little honor.
- No true standard of right and wrong. Just stay in the good graces of people.
- People have evolved into more educated criminals and liars, and many are in positions of leadership.
- Addictions are more problematic than ever.
- We are a systemically mentally ill society.
- Loneliness is an epidemic.
- Broken marriages.
- Why is chronic disease rampant with no solution?
Is the secular delivering what it promised? Only Christianity meets the unique need we have for morals, love, forgiveness, acceptance.
The secular gospel may be socially advantageous, but if God created the world and designed, then only he can redeem it, and we ought to build our lives on what he has done.
- In Christ we have A Solid Purpose.
One of the problems of our day and age, and it often occurs when you take God out of the picture, is a crisis of purpose.
In an article from Psychology Today dated June 13, 2019, Dr. Charles Johnston said this:
Modern realities frequently leave people feeling at best confused, at worst cynical and hopeless. In part, this is a reaction to specific concerns—job loss with globalization, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, and the erosion of familiar moral assumptions to name just a few. But we also confront something more fundamental. More and more often today people describe themselves as feeling rudderless, adrift in an increasingly uncertain, contradictory and often absurd-seeming world. It is possible that the aimlessness that people feel is transitory, that if reflects but a blip in history. But I suspect it reflects something more basic—and important. I speak of this as our modern Crisis of Purpose.
The modern mind has no purpose. People are floundering in confusion. Nothing to die for. Nothing to live for. Nothing of significance to give to others. Nothing significant to dialogue on. Apathetic and disinterested.
**The good news of Christ is the good purpose of our lives.**
15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
This passage oozes of purpose. Paul held this news of first importance. He passed it on. He knew how life changing, life enhancing, it was. It gave Paul direction, something to aim for. It gave the churches this too. Jesus was of utmost importance!
There is a purpose in the gospel message. Let me say this as we address reconstructing faith. The church has distinguished between essential and non essential doctrines. The deity of Christ, his life, death, resurrection are issues of first importance. There are secondary doctrines that provide more freedom of expression. You can be a Christian and think differently on. baptism: dunk or sprinkle. Church polity: elder or congregation led. View on alcohol, dancing, etc. There is a place to discuss these. But you have to see that they are not issues of first importance. You can be a Christian and have different views on this. Scripture allows for that. Problems often occur when people/church put first importance on things of secondary importance.
In C.S. Lewis’s book Mere Christianity was trying to distinguish the main elements of the Christian faith from secondary issues. He said Christianity and the different strands of it, are like a house with many rooms. The many rooms make up the house, but at times people in the attic who are in the same house get so caught up being in the attic they start to talk about those in other rooms as if they are not even in the house. They begin to think their room, maybe a couple other rooms, are the whole house. Chattraw and Carson, Surprised by Doubt p10-11.
I say this because many people who need some reconstructing of their faith, have been in places where secondary issues were elevated and emphasized too greatly. Distinguish those from the gospel. Let me also say this, we are all in process of growing and being shaped, and learning what is most important. Learning what God has done.
**Your disappointments with God and faith, just might be God showing you more of himself. ** It is the growing pains of seeing more clearly what you didn’t see before.
The gospel is what is of first importance, the life, death, resurrection of Jesus. First importance theologically, and also first importance in our lives…
This is of first importance and what fills our lives. First not in time, but in rank. What is number one in your life. The gospel is God’s solution to all that is wrong in life.
Paul address a lot of issues in the church in Corinth- church clicks, immorality, marriage, and these issues need addressing, but he reminds them over and over again the gospel is of first importance.
The gospel shows us the love of God. It shows us the justice of God. It shows his truthfulness in that he did what he said he would do. The puritans used to call the the perfections of God. As you live out this day battling fear and anxiety, you don't need some new esoteric understanding. You need to see how the gospel gives you hope right now. As you navigate what it looks like to be a husband or wife, do you know God designed marriage to be a reflection of his redemptive purposes in the world? So look to the gospel. Do you lack joy or hopelessness? The gospel changes everything. In heaven we will be singing about what the gospel has secured for us. Do you lack purpose in life? The consider how your gifts and skills can most advance the cause of Jesus.
When we see that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the solution to all life’s problems, the source of hope and life, the promise of a future eternity, we begin to see that it shapes and guides all that we do. Its relevance is in every day life and not just 1.5 hrs on a Sunday morning. We live by it, and we cannot live without. It is of first importance to us. It enriches us in everyway, all our thinking, acting, doing. In relationships, marriage, sexuality, hurts, loss, community. Church- do you care for the people that Jesus died for? What are you doing for them? The gospel informs all of these. How can so many claim to be Christian and yet give so little thought as to what he calls them to do in every area of life.
Importance and devotion usually go hand in hand. If something is important you hold on to it.
Paul tells them to hold fast to this message. He passed it on as of first importance.
There is a false gospel today, perhaps the American Gospel, of Easy believism. In American Christianity a view of Jesus is preached in which you walk the isle, give your heart to Jesus, lock in your salvation and then you go live however you want. That is not the gospel. That is not what it means to follow Jesus. There is some truth to it. The worst lies have a little truth in them. We do nothing to earn our salvation. It is a free gift. He died for us and promises that if we believe in him we can be saved. But true faith means having confidence, but it also means there is an allegiance to that thing believed in. People believe their team is going to win the national championship then they are devoted to that team. Believe a person is going to win presidency and fix everything then there is a following.
Allegiance to him means we devoted to him and not other things. There is a devotion to it every day. But it is more than go tell people the goodnews. It is something we live out each and everyday. It structures my marriage. I want my kids to know how Jesus changes today. It guides what I do and dont do.
Some reduce salvation to being little more than a ticket to heaven. I prayed a prayer, got my ticket, and one day I will use it, but until then I don't have much use for it.
- We need a solid Grip on What Christ has done.
When I am doing a project around the house I will sometimes ask a helper to hold a board. They often come to reluctantly and with minimal interest. Minimal conviction. I have to tell them hold it with two hands. Brace yourself, the saw is going to pull. If we are building our lives on the gospel you need to brace yourself. Paul tells them to hold fast. Hold fast because there is an enemy in the world. People are going to pull you away from Christ.
Persecution is ramping up. The world is living contrary to Christ. Dont be surprised by that. The person writing this new testament letter was one who at one time was seeking to destroy the church. But God changed him. Showed him who he was.
He is calling this community of people this church to stand strong and hold fast. Look at this passage, every time you see the word you, it is plural. You were never intended to live the Christian life alone. And you just might be struggling in your faith because you are disconnected from the church, from people who are pursuing Jesus. From conversations about applying the gospel in your life.
15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
This is our mission as a church. To be a community of people committed to making Jesus known in our community. We want to build our lives on him and what he has done.
So where does that leave us? At our mission as a church. And this bring us to our mission and strategy.
Ed Stetzer, a church guru, has said that while many people are crying that the church is dying, that is not what is happening. Most of what is happening is cultural Christianity is dying in the west. Those who areChristian bc they were born in America. They are not hindu or muslim. Those who have never had a born again experience, don't really read their Bible, not committed to a church, not that into Jesus, Jesus isnt of first importance, those are the people dying away. He says it is paving the way for convictional Christianity, its is holding steady. Since 1972 it has been around 19-21%. People who know Jesus, committed to him, making him number one, living each day with the hope of the gospel and committed to holding fast. I think this is the kind of church that is going to thrive today. It is the church our community needs. We are trying to be this and build this.
We don’t need gimmicks. Not going to give away free iphones for getting baptized. Not trying to pressure you into giving or making a decision for Christ. I want to teach you the gospel in all its fullness, and give you time to let it work in, so that you would come to a settled conviction on who Jesus and what he calls you to. See it is utterly from God, takes care of all our needs, and is better and more reliable than anything else the world has. I want you to grow in your conviction of what God calls you to do.
Are you a Christian? Is Jesus of first importance? Is he the foundation and purpose of all you do? Those are essentially the same question. But for many people there are two different answers to that question. If you are serious about following Jesus, or serious about getting answers, then come back next week. You can join a small group too. You can pray now. Those may be appropriate. But I want to call you to conviction faith, where you believe and are devoted. This is why we are here. We are trying to build a community of people that are following Jesus. Taking him seriously, treasuring him, holding fast, making him known.
