12 Foundation Stones

of Christian Faith

Lesson 01: What Foundation?

RLBruderick, Oct. 13, 2010

Q1:
What is a good analogy for
your spiritual life?
It’s like …
Q1: What is a good analogy
for your spiritual life? It’s
like …
A1: building a house
R1: Matthew 7:24-27
Matthew 7: (Jesus said,) 24 “Therefore
everyone who hears these words of mine and
puts them into practice is like a wise man
who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain
came down, the streams rose, and the winds
blew and beat against that house; yet it did
not fall, because it had its foundation on the
rock. 26 But everyone who hears these
words of mine and does not put them into
practice is like a foolish man who built his
house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat
against that house, and it fell with a great
crash.” (NIV)
Q2:
What are the two choices of
locations for your building’s
foundation, and what does
each represent?
Q2: What are the two choices of
locations for your building’s
foundation, and what does each
represent?
A2: a rock – comes to, listens
to and practices Jesus’
words; or the sand – hears
but doesn’t practice the
words of Jesus
R2: Luke 6:46-49
Luke 6: (Jesus said,) 46 “Why do you call me,
‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I
will show you what he is like who comes to
me and hears my words and puts them into
practice. 48 He is like a man building a
house, who dug down deep and laid the
foundation on rock. When a flood came, the
torrent struck that house but could not shake
it, because it was well built. 49 But the one
who hears my words and does not put them
into practice is like a man who built a house
on the ground without a foundation. The
moment the torrent struck that house, it
collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
(NIV)
46 「你们为什麽称呼我『主啊，主
啊，』却不遵我的话行呢？ 47 凡到我
这里来，听见我的话就去行的，我要告
诉你们他像什麽人： 48 他像一个人盖
房子，深深的挖地，把根基安在磐石上
；到发大水的时候，水冲那房子，房子
总不能摇动，因为根基立在磐石上（有
古卷：因为盖造得好）。 49 惟有听见
不去行的，就像一个人在土地上盖房子
，没有根基；水一冲，随即倒塌了，并
且那房子坏的很大。」
Q3:
What are your choices for
building materials, and how
will each endure the quality
test?
Q3: What are your choices for building
materials, and how will each endure the
quality test?
A3: gold, silver and costly
stones will be purified;
wood, hay and straw will be
consumed
R3: I Corinthians 3:12-14
V3: I Corinthians 3:12 If any man builds
on this foundation using gold, silver,
costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13
his work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light. It
will be revealed with fire, and the fire
will test the quality of each man’s work.
14 If what he has built survives, he will
receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up,
he will suffer loss; he himself will be
saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames. (NIV)
Q4:
Does the Bible directly say
which things make up a
solid spiritual foundation?
Q4: Does the Bible directly say which
things make up a solid spiritual
foundation?
A4: Yes, the Bible’s Book of
Hebrews gives a clear list, including
repentance, faith, baptisms (plural),
laying on of hands, resurrection of
the dead, and eternal judgment.
These are also called elementary
teachings - just the basics.
R4: Hebrews 6
Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore let us leave
the elementary teachings about
Christ and go on to maturity, not
laying again the foundation of
repentance from acts that lead to
death, and of faith in God, 2
instruction about baptisms, the
laying on of hands, the
resurrection of the dead, and
eternal judgment. 3 And God
permitting, we will do so. (NIV)
1 所以，我们应当离开基
督道理的开端，竭力进到
完全的地步，不必再立根
基，就如那懊悔死行，信
靠神、 2 各样洗礼、按
手之礼、死人复活，以及
永远审判各等教训。
Q5:
Who can help you to build
your building?
Q5: Who can help you to build your
building?
A5: God, apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors,
teachers, and just anyone
R5: Hebrews 3:3-6;
Ephesians 4:11,12 and I
Corinthians 3:10
Hebrews 3:3 Jesus has been found
worthy of greater honor than Moses,
just as the builder of a house has
greater honor than the house itself. 4
For every house is built by someone,
but God is the builder of everything. 5
Moses was faithful as a servant in all
God’s house, testifying to what would
be said in the future. 6 But Christ is
faithful as a son over God’s house. And
we are his house, if we hold on to our
courage and the hope of which we
boast. (NIV)
Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave
some to be apostles, some to be
prophets, some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and
teachers, 12 to prepare God’s
people for works of service, so that
the body of Christ may be built up
(NIV)
I Corinthians 3:10 By the
grace God has given me, I
laid a foundation as an
expert builder, and someone
else is building on it. But
each one should be careful
how he builds. (NIV)
Q6:
Is building your spiritual
house a one-time event or
continuous throughout your
life?
Q6: Is building your spiritual house a
one-time event or continuous
throughout your life?
A6: As long as you live, you
are building your spiritual
house. It is an unfinished
task throughout your entire
life on Earth.
R6: Acts 20:24
Acts 20: (Paul said,) 24
However, I consider my life
worth nothing to me, if only I
may finish the race and
complete the task the Lord
Jesus has given me—the
task of testifying to the
gospel of God’s grace. (NIV)
Q7:
How important is it to build a
strong spiritual house?
Q7: How important is it to
build a strong spiritual
house?
A7: The strength and quality
of your spiritual house
determines your reward on
Judgment Day.
R7: I Corinthians 3:13-15
I Corinthians 3:13 his work will be
shown for what it is, because the
Day will bring it to light. It will be
revealed with fire, and the fire will
test the quality of each man’s
work. 14 If what he has built
survives, he will receive his
reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will
suffer loss; he himself will be
saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames. (NIV)
Q8:
How can you prepare for a
comfortable afterlife when
your life on Earth ends?
Q8: How can you prepare for a
comfortable afterlife when your life on
Earth ends?
A8: Believe in and actively
love Jesus Christ, God’s
Son, and when this life is
over, you will be welcomed
into heaven.
R8: John 3:16 and Matthew 25:34
John 3:16 “For God so loved the
world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have
eternal life. (NIV)
Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to
those on his right, ‘Come, you who are
blessed by my Father; take your
inheritance, the kingdom prepared for
you since the creation of the world. 35
For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a
stranger and you invited me in, 36 I
needed clothes and you clothed me, I
was sick and you looked after me, I was
in prison and you came to visit me.’
(NIV)
Q9:
Who has gone through
physical death and reported
on the other side?
Q9: Who has gone through physical
death and reported on the other side?
A9: Jesus Christ
R9: Revelation 1:17,18
Revelation 1: 17 When I saw him
(Jesus), I fell at his feet as
though dead. Then he placed
his right hand on me and said:
“Do not be afraid. I am the First
and the Last. 18 I am the Living
One; I was dead, and behold I
am alive for ever and ever! And
I hold the keys of death and
Hades. (NIV)
Q10:
How long will the afterlife
last?
Q10: How long will the afterlife last?
A10: forever
R10: Daniel 12:2,3 and John 7:56-58
Daniel 12: 2 Multitudes who
sleep in the dust of the earth
will awake: some to everlasting
life, others to shame and
everlasting contempt. 3 Those
who are wise will shine like the
brightness of the heavens, and
those who lead many to
righteousness, like the stars for
ever and ever. (NIV)
John 7 (Jesus said) 56 Whoever eats
my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just
as the living Father sent me and I
live because of the Father, so the
one who feeds on me will live
because of me. 58 This is the bread
that came down from heaven. Your
forefathers ate manna and died,
but he who feeds on this bread will
live forever.” (NIV)
Q11:
Why is the Holy Bible the only
reliable source of spiritual
building instruction?
Q11: Why is the Holy Bible the only
reliable source of spiritual building
instruction?
A11: because it came from
God’s mouth (you can
translate it, but don’t dare
change it)
R11: 2 Timothy 3:16,17 & Revelation 22:18,19
2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture
is God-breathed and is
useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, 17
so that the man of God may
be thoroughly equipped for
every good work. (NIV)
Revelation 22: 18 I warn everyone
who hears the words of the
prophecy of this book: If anyone
adds anything to them, God will
add to him the plagues described
in this book. 19 And if anyone
takes words away from this book
of prophecy, God will take away
from him his share in the tree of
life and in the holy city, which are
described in this book. (NIV)
Q12:
Where is Jesus now and what
is He doing?
Q12: Where is Jesus now and what is He
doing?
A12: in heaven, preparing
rooms for His followers
R12: John 14:2,3
John 14 (Jesus said) 2 In my
Father’s house are many
rooms; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I am going there
to prepare a place for you. 3
And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come back and
take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am. (NIV)
Revelation 21:10 He carried me away in the
Spirit to a great and high mountain, and
showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming
down out of heaven from God, 11 having the
glory of God. Her light was like a most
precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone,
clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high
wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates
twelve angels; and names written on them,
which are the names of the twelve tribes of the
children of Israel. 13 On the east were three
gates; and on the north three gates; and on
the south three gates; and on the west three
gates. 14 The wall of the city had twelve
foundations, and on them twelve names of the
twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
10 我被圣灵感动，天使就带我到一座高
大的山，将那由神那里、从天而降的圣
城耶路撒冷指示我。 11 城中有神的荣
耀；城的光辉如同极贵的宝石，好像碧
玉，明如水晶。 12 有高大的墙，有十
二个门，门上有十二位天使；门上又写
著以色列十二个支派的名字。 13 东边
有三门、北边有三门、南边有三门、西
边有三门。 14 城墙有十二根基，根基
上有羔羊十二使徒的名字。
 Hebrews 6:1-3
12 Foundation Stones
1. Repentance from dead works
2. The mighty Law of Faith
3. Faith towards God, especially faith in Jesus Christ
– who He is, what He did, and what He plans to do
4. Water baptism
5. Holy Spirit baptism
6. Baptism of Fire
7. Praying for, Blessing & Appointing church leaders
by laying on hands
8. Healing by laying on hands
9. Imparting the Spirit and the Spirit’s Gifts by laying
on hands
10. Spiritually dead resurrected
11. Physically dead resurrected
12. Eternal Judgment for absolutely everyone