Bible Lesson 16

Types and Metaphors

Christ The Only Foundation

Isaiah 28:16

 

Introduction:

While every part of a building structure is important, there is none so vital as laying a good and strong foundation.  In Scripture, the church of God is compared to a house, of which Jesus Christ is THE FOUNDATION, I Corinthians 3:11.  That word means to put or place, but is also used in the sense of ‘appointing.’  Using this as our standard, let’s consider in what ways the Lord Jesus Christ is put, or appointed, as the foundation of His Church.

 

  1. The foundation and the house are all part of the design of a chief architect.  God the Father is the wise Master-builder who has purposed to build a spiritual house to the glory of His Son, Hebrews 3:1-6.
  2. The foundation must be laid with care and in accord with the size of the proposed building.  The Lord Jesus Christ is described as a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation, Isaiah 28:16. In the matter of salvation, God the Father has ordained Him in the eternal covenant of grace, and brought Him into the world, and laid upon Him the whole matter of the salvation of those He has purposed to save.

·         He is a chosen and select Stone, picked out from among men and above angels, Heb. 1:1-12

·         He is a tried Stone, having been put through the furnace of God’s wrath, and every form of temptation of Satan and men.

·         He is a Sure foundation for any that build their hope and salvation on Him.  None has ever been ashamed who ever trusted in Him.

·         He is a suitable and safe foundation, and is called the Rock- Matthew 16:18.

·         The idea of a rock or stone is that which is solid, sure, and immovable- I Cor. 10:4

  1. The foundation of a beautiful structure is laid deep and out of sight and cannot be perceived with the natural eye.  It is not with the natural eye that we are to perceive Christ, but by faith in God’s Word, and as evidenced in and through the Church, John 3:3 and I Peter 1:8.
  2. The foundation is laid with the purpose of placing many other stones on it and joining them all together as one.  All whom God saves are chosen and precious stones, hewed out of the quarry of sin and condemnation, and brought to Christ and laid on him.  See I Kings 5:17,18; 6:7 with I Peter 2:4-7; Ephesians 2:21-22.

·         Stones made ready before they were brought to the foundation- All whom God brings to Christ were chosen and ordained to salvation before they are ever brought to Him.

·         No hammer, or axe, or tool of iron is to be heard in the house while it is building.  Salvation is of the Lord and to be accomplished by faith through the preached word, not earthly, fleshly means.

5.      The foundation is the strongest part of the building, and must be able to support the whole.  All of the salvation of God’s elect rests upon Christ alone.  It is on His strength, grace, and righteousness alone that they rely.  Their redemption, justification, sanctification, and glorification all depend on Him.  They rest in Him for safety, direction, and life eternal, I Cor. 1:30.  Christ told His disciples, ‘Without me ye can do nothing,’ John 15:5, and all believers gladly say, ‘In the Lord we have strength,’ Isaiah 45:24.