THE FOUNDATION | Frank Becker

Week Ten, 2024

The foundation has already been built. No one can build any other foundation. The foundation that has already been laid is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11)

It was a shocking scene. Seven stories of smoking twisted steel and rubble. They were still looking for human remains. People were on their knees and holding onto fences and praying as ashes fell on all surrounding the grim scene.

We were passing out Bibles and tracts and the out stretched hands were brisk of those who wanted answers and comfort. It had been not quite three weeks since I watched them come crashing down, first one tower and then the other. We all remember where we were on that grim day of a national attack.

When I returned to the scene a few weeks later, it looked totally different. Buildings had been replaced and there were two square pools of about one acre each in the exact footprint of each of the Twin Towers, which were the icons of New York City and at 110 stories, the then tallest buildings in the world.

There is an elevator where visitors can descend eight stories to the bedrock on which the foundations rested. It was there that the foundations initially rested… bedrock upon which the tallest buildings in the world could rest.

As I looked upon the scene with tears in my eyes, I thought of the spiritual parallel in the Bible. Paul said that Jesus himself is the foundation. Christ calls His people to turn away from the world and trust solely in His work on the cross for salvation. All other foundations are like sinking sand, but Jesus Christ is God’s appointed means of salvation as the only sure and steady foundation for all who believe.

The World Trade Center housed more than four hundred corporations, some of which were the foundations of world trade activity. As I stood there I thought what is the foundation in this life? Is it personal possessions or sense of security?

People put their hope and base life on many things. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:11 titled “Christ the Foundation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that any foundation in life that is not Jesus Christ is doomed to fail. All other foundations are passing and transient; they satisfy, but only temporarily. Jesus Christ is an eternal foundation that can never be shaken. He is a foundation that never leaves His people wanting for more. Christ alone can satisfy one’s deepest needs and desires.

The greatest tragedy is that many reject Christ as their hope and turn to everything else that is vain and passing away. Christ calls His people to turn away from the world and trust solely in His work on the cross for salvation as the foundation of life. All other foundations are like sinking sand, but Jesus Christ is God’s appointed means of salvation as the only sure and steady foundation for all who believe.

What is your foundation?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

“How do we put our faith to work?”

1) By living what we say we believe. That is by glorifying God through our day to day living… through our work… through our fun… even in the mundane.

2) By doing what Jesus did – loving others, helping others, sharing life with others. Not because we must, but because of what He first did for us.

3) By going therefore – That is, by going to make disciples. Whether next door, down the hall, across the country or around the world. Put your faith into action.

4) By loving your neighbor as yourself. And who is your neighbor? Everyone – even if they don’t look like you. Overcome hate and disdain with love. Shine where you are.

5) By taking up our cross daily and following Him… loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – loving him with all that we are. Love like Jesus. See as He sees. Respond like would respond. Allow His heart to become our heart.

Sometimes we have to do more than say it… we have to show it. We have to live what we say we believe.

Let’s be clear – Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ, the Son of God is what saves us. But as we live and grow in our faith in Him, we are called then to put our faith to work. So others can see Him in us… so others might know of His great love, grace and mercy.

Marty Stubblefield

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Drug addicts outnumber high school students in San Francisco.

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WORDS OF WISDOM FROM EDGAR APONTE:

• Jesus needs to be the center of our souls.

• If you love the Bible, do you love the God of the Bible?

• King Jesus has power over demons, for He is God and Lord.

• In this life you should expect spiritual opposition. Trust Jesus’ power to deliver you.

• It’s not knowledge but love and worship that distinguish demons from saints. Love and worship Jesus!

• Love people more than your goods and possessions.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

We often put ourselves in some pretty, miserable positions because we move ahead without seeking God. Florida Marketplace Ministry

Did you know you can fit 1.3 million “earths” into the sun? And God said, “Let there be light”. What a mighty God we serve! Pete Dail

Taking the Life of an Innocent Child is Never a Choice. Catholic Bishop

To improve is to change, so to be perfect is to have changed often. Winston Churchill

When I am in need of help now, as a believer in Christ, God Himself has my back. Rich Jensen

Just as there is no human cure for leprosy, there is no human cure for sin. Dan Shock

If God forsook His own Son because of sin, how can you ever expect God to be in fellowship with you as long as you have sin permeating your life? Florida Marketplace Ministries

A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants. Joseph Addison

Jesus is not only Savior… He is also Lord. And that’s Lord over everything – even all my junk. When will we heed the warning lights and get our hearts serviced? Marty Stubblefield

What at awesome responsibility it is to represent God to other people. Dan Shock

When God touches your heart, it fills with love and peace. Though the storms may rage, you have a glorious confidence in God’s ability to control life’s circumstances. Florida Marketplace Ministries

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Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

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