What is a Solid Foundation
Summary of a Lesson from John Ortberg
The Golden Gate Bridge stands when the world shakes because of its foundation. Its two towers, deeply embedded into the rock underneath the sea, firmly hold the rails that link every part of the bridge.
Many build their foundation on weaker grounds, such as their reputation. They want to appear smart, rich, strong, honorable, and even spiritual.
Paul did the opposite. He described himself as a fool for Christ, weak, poor, brutally treated, laborer, scum of the earth, and garbage of the world (1 Corinthians 4:10-13). Others’ opinion could not sway him because only God was his judge (1 Corinthians 4:4).
A solid foundation cannot be based on transient things such as money, fame, power, health, and look.
Solid foundation depends on our thoughts, desires, intentions, habits, and character. These internal things form our inner world, governing our life. What we take to eternity is not our resume or our houses, but the person we have become.
Let Christ be our foundation, we be God’s building, under God’s construction (1 Corinthians 3:9), transformed into Christ’s image and becoming glorious (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our eternal glory far outweighs our momentary troubles (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Gradually, we will be filled with goodness that lasts, with love, joy, and peace; instead of always in a hurry for our ego and envy, filled with chronic anxiety. We will be truthful and authentic, instead of hiding, faking, and making us look better than we really are.
We will not be arrogant because we know we are nothing without Christ. We will not be judgmental toward others because we know we are not even qualified to judge ourselves. Even a clear conscience does not mean innocence because we do not know many of our hidden faults (1Corinthians 4:4, Psalm 19:12). Let God be the judge. One day He will bring everything to light (1 Corinthians 4:5).
To conclude, listen to and follow Christ. Let Christ be our foundation, and let God build us up. Then even in severe storms with rising streams, we will firmly stand (1 Corinthians 3:9, Matthew 7:25).
Summarized from the following sermons from John Ortberg:
https://menlo.church/series/cross-examine#/modal/message/4756/mlo
https://menlo.church/series/cross-examine#/modal/message/4791/mlo
Many build their foundation on weaker grounds, such as their reputation. They want to appear smart, rich, strong, honorable, and even spiritual.
Paul did the opposite. He described himself as a fool for Christ, weak, poor, brutally treated, laborer, scum of the earth, and garbage of the world (1 Corinthians 4:10-13). Others’ opinion could not sway him because only God was his judge (1 Corinthians 4:4).
A solid foundation cannot be based on transient things such as money, fame, power, health, and look.
Solid foundation depends on our thoughts, desires, intentions, habits, and character. These internal things form our inner world, governing our life. What we take to eternity is not our resume or our houses, but the person we have become.
Let Christ be our foundation, we be God’s building, under God’s construction (1 Corinthians 3:9), transformed into Christ’s image and becoming glorious (2 Corinthians 3:18). Our eternal glory far outweighs our momentary troubles (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Gradually, we will be filled with goodness that lasts, with love, joy, and peace; instead of always in a hurry for our ego and envy, filled with chronic anxiety. We will be truthful and authentic, instead of hiding, faking, and making us look better than we really are.
We will not be arrogant because we know we are nothing without Christ. We will not be judgmental toward others because we know we are not even qualified to judge ourselves. Even a clear conscience does not mean innocence because we do not know many of our hidden faults (1Corinthians 4:4, Psalm 19:12). Let God be the judge. One day He will bring everything to light (1 Corinthians 4:5).
To conclude, listen to and follow Christ. Let Christ be our foundation, and let God build us up. Then even in severe storms with rising streams, we will firmly stand (1 Corinthians 3:9, Matthew 7:25).
Summarized from the following sermons from John Ortberg:
https://menlo.church/series/cross-examine#/modal/message/4756/mlo
https://menlo.church/series/cross-examine#/modal/message/4791/mlo