This series was authored by Reach Out Church’s Ford Franklin
The elements of our Christ centered foundation
Your foundation in Jesus has six points, which are found in Hebrews 6: 1-2. They are:
1. Repentance
2. Faith toward God
3. Baptisms
4. Laying on of hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal Judgment
Quality. Reliability. Longevity. These are words we associate with the best. The best can be counted on. It lasts. It does not let us down. Be it people or things, we look up to and revere the best.
Today we will learn more about the best of the best – Jesus Christ. We will see how to form a solid bond with Jesus Christ, who is God. Accepting Jesus into our hearts assures us of going to Heaven, but we can also improve our walk with Him and our lives on His earth by forming a closer and greater fellowship with Him.
In Hebrews 6:1, there are six points outlined which show us how to form this fellowship with Him. What happens if a carpenter builds a house on a weak or crooked foundation? You needn’t be a professional builder to know that that house cannot stand. Without the support of a solid foundation, it will fall more sooner than later – if it goes up at all.
It’s the same with learning. You cannot build a solid education on a poor foundation. Try going to high school without first attending grade school. You’ll flunk for sure.
What do we build upon?
Likewise, trying to be a strong Christian without a foundation is a tough road. When you accept Jesus into your heart you can be sure of going to Heaven, but there is so much more! Reading your Bible is essential to knowing Jesus. Attending church services regularly and having fellowship with believers is important for growing your knowledge of and relationship with Him. Yet even these can be better – rock-solid – when you have a firm foundation in Jesus. God Himself told us in Scripture to establish foundations in the Old Testament: “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Look, I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.” Isaiah 28:16 We also find this wisdom in the New Testament. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11 The rocks and cornerstones in these two Scripture verses represent Jesus. He is our rock, our cornerstone, and our tried and true foundation. When we build our lives as believers, we must rely upon the solid rock of Jesus to assure success. Those who build upon Jesus can be excited for this life and the life to follow in eternity. Many people believe there are two ways to get into Heaven. • If you live a perfect life with no mistakes, no matter how small from conception to death, you get to spend eternity in paradise right alongside Jesus. • If you have already messed that up (hey, we all have) you get a brand-new first time. Jesus wipes away your past and gives you a fresh start with zero bad history. Now that is exciting! (For scriptural confirmation, see Romans 3:23, 10:13)
Why we must have our foundation in Christ
As golden as life with Jesus is here on earth, there will be storms until we join Him face-to-face. Here’s how we can successfully deal with the travails that come our way: “Everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his house upon a rock. The… winds blew and beat against the house, but it did not fall because it was built on the rock. But those who do not put my words into practice are like the foolish man who built on the sand. The wind blew against the house, and it fell with a great crash. “ Matthew 7:24-27 The houses represent peoples’ lives and the storms represent the troubles that happen. Storms hit believers and non-believers alike, but in the Scripture, the one house survived because it had a solid foundation underground. This foundation is Jesus, living “underground” in your heart. When you build your foundation upon Jesus you are secure … not from being battered, but secure from falling into destruction. Your foundation was laid the day you accepted Jesus. It is up to you to strengthen that foundation and the building above by acting upon it. Remember: Jesus is your foundation, and the building is your life.