The Bible compared the believer’s life to the construction of a building. The first and the most important feature of a solid and permanent building is the FOUNDATION. The foundation is so important because it sets a limit to the weight and height of building erected. A foundation can either be strong or weak depending on the type of material used in it. Many Christians wish to have a big and solid Christianity but fails to ensure that the solid foundation can help them achieve their dreams .In fact, some building without thinking or considering the foundation. In this study we shall remind ourselves of the only true and solid foundation of Christian faith. We are building our faith on our Lord Jesus Christ or not and to make a quick correction.
Lesson outline:
1. God’s foundation for the Christian (1 peter 2:4-10)
2. Media of revelation to this truth (Mathew 16:17)
3. Other witnesses to his identity (psalm 62:1-18)
1. God’s Foundation for the Christians (1 Peter 2:4-10)
a) Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11); Christ the son of the living God
b) He is the foundation established by God (1 peter 2:4)
c) He is a sure foundation; whoever put his trust in Him cannot be put in shame (1 peter 2:6)
d) It is not Peter or any other thing as some wrongly assume. The statement in verse 18 is not referring to peter. The original Greek meaning of peter is ‘Pebble’. Making a pebble a foundation cannot be reasonable.
e) The personality of peter cannot be said to be a true foundation. Peter was;
i. A man influenced by opinion of men.
(Matthew 6:21-23)
ii. A man who feared men and quickly compromised the quickly compromised the truth of the
Gospel (Galatians 2:11-14)
2. Media Of Revelation To This Truth(Matthew 16:7)
a) The Holy Spirit; Jesus Christ told peter that the Revelation came from His Father, not flesh and blood.
b) Peter had personal experiences with Christ.
c) Peter had persona revelation from God the father. It was not a natural reasoning or intellectual understanding (Matthew 16:17).
d) Peter made an open and public confession of Christ (Matthew 16:16).he also confessed Christ to be the head corner stone (1 peter 2:7). This revelation is still possible today.
e) Peter knew Jesus of Nazareth as the carpenter’s son, but Jesus Christ is divine, eternal, unchanging son of God was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. The same spirit who gave peter the revelation is still at work revealing same Christ to us today.
3. Other Witnesses To This Identity (Psalm 62:1-8)
a) David, inspired by the Holy Spirit simultaneously used the word “ROCK” and “SALVATION” for our lord Jesus Christ. He is the only Rock, the Rock of Ages in whom there is salvation (psalm18:2; psalm62:1 and 2, 5-7).
b) Apostle Paul confirmed also that Christ had laid down foundation.
c) Apostle peter said “”therefore it is also contained in the scripture ,Behold lay in Zion a chief corner stone elect and precious(1 peter 2:6-7)
d) prophet Isaiah also said that’ behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,”
The Old Testament and the New Testament therefore agrees to this vital fact that Jesus Christ is the True foundation of the Christian faith.
Conclusion:
God salvation is by personal faith in Jesus Christ who is the true foundation that cannot change he is eternal. if we build our faith on him we are secured because he can never disappoint us. Have faith in him and you will find Him faithful.
God Demand For Holiness.
Bible Reading: Leviticus 11:44-45:19:1-12
Memory verse:
“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (Thessalonians 4:7)
Introduction:
Because God is holy, he demands that His people should be holy too. Holiness is living a life acceptable to God in thoughts, words and action. Holiness is a life lived through the total control of the indwelling Christ it starts as salvation.
Lesson outline:
1. Man’s Sinful Nature (Jeremiah 17:9)
2. Why GOD Demands Holiness (Habakkuk 1-13)
3. The Call unto Holiness (Leviticus 19:2)
1. Man Sinful Nature (Jeremiah 17:9)
The bible says that he who is habitually commits sins is of the devil for the devil had sin from the beginning (1 john 3:8).we will all admit the fact that we have at one time or the other serve the devil. The nature of sin is in man and this cannot go together with our service with GOD. We have all sinned and come short of his GLORY (Roman 3:23).We are sinners by nature and by way of life. But GOD who wants us reconciled unto him he sent his only begotten son to die for us by whom we received forgiveness of sin(john 3:15;Acts 26:18;Ephesians 1:7).Through Christ we have been given the right to become children of God(john 1:12)
2. Why God Demand Holiness(Habakkuk 1:13)
Everything about God is holy (1-13)
a) He is glorious in Holiness (exodus 15:11)
b) He dwells on the throne and in his beauty of holiness (psalm 47:8; psalm 29:2)
c) He has holy eyes that cannot behold iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13)
d) He has holy hands
e) His spirit is the spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4)
f) His words are spoken in holiness (Psalm 60:6; psalm 108:7)
g) Angels sing of his holiness (Isaiah 6:2-3)
We must strive for his holiness for the following reasons
a) To be a vessel unto honour (2 Timothy 2:21)
b) To meet for his use
c) To be prepared unto every good work
d) To see him (Hebrews 12:14)
e) To have our prayers answered.
3. The Call unto Holiness (Leviticus 19:2)
The lord GOD saved us also call us with a holy calling (2 timothy 1:9).our call unto holiness is not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace which was given in Christ Jesus before the world began. We have been chosen before the foundation of the World to be holy without blame before him in love (Ephesians 1:4).
Through the pages of the old testament before Christ came in the flesh, God has been calling for holiness (Leviticus 19:2). We have been redeemed, purified and made ready for good works (Titus 2:14).Every Christian must yield to holy call because it is written ‘Be you holy for I am holy’ (1 peter 1:16)
While on earth Christians are engaged in warfare with the devil. The secrets of the overcoming Christian life is to live holy. The way to heaven is the way of holiness. The unclean shall not pass through it, but the redeemed holy men of God shall walk there.
Conclusion
It is a command for every true Christian to be holy. We must be like our Holy Father who is in heaven. Jesus himself lived a holy life all through his walks on earth. The devil found nothing against him. His conception, baptisms, ministry crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension were all in holiness. The spirit of God who dwells in us is as holy. The Bible tells us that our body is the temple of the lord (1 Corinthians 6:9).
