In what ways can we ensure we are building on God's holy foundation? Our Starting Text “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Why the Foundation Matters • God calls every believer His “temple.” • A temple stands or falls with its foundation; Jesus is that one true base: “For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). • Building wrongly invites ruin, but building rightly draws God’s favor and lasting reward (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Ways to Build on God’s Holy Foundation 1. Begin With Christ Alone • Trust His finished work (Isaiah 28:16; Ephesians 2:20). • Reject any alternate cornerstone—good works, traditions, popular opinion. 2. Use Solid Materials, Not Cheap Substitutes • Gold, silver, costly stones = truth, love, obedience. • Wood, hay, straw = compromise, worldly wisdom, self-promotion. • “Each one’s work will become evident… it will be revealed with fire” (1 Corinthians 3:13). 3. Anchor Every Belief to God’s Word • “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). • Daily reading, careful study, and joyful submission guard against error (2 Timothy 2:15). 4. Pursue Practical Holiness • Because we are God’s temple, personal purity matters (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). • Flee sexual immorality, envy, bitterness, and anything that defiles (2 Corinthians 7:1). 5. Walk in the Spirit, Not the Flesh • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Yield daily—letting Him produce love, joy, peace, and the rest of His fruit. 6. Cultivate Loving Unity With Other Believers • Division cracks foundations; love binds them (Ephesians 4:3). • Build others up, never tear them down (Romans 14:19). 7. Serve Faithfully With the Gifts God Provides • “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:10). • The Spirit equips; we steward. 8. Endure Trials as Refining Fire • Hardships expose weak spots and strengthen true faith (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7). • Respond with trust rather than resentment. A Snapshot Checklist ✓ Christ is my cornerstone ✓ Scripture is my authority ✓ Holiness marks my lifestyle ✓ The Spirit guides my steps ✓ Love governs my relationships ✓ Service flows from my gifting ✓ Trials refine, not ruin, my faith Living the Lesson “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). Put His words into practice today; the foundation will hold, and the temple—your life—will reveal His glory. |
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