MY VISION: THE FOUNDATION

I am standing.  Looking at a slab of cement.  I am trying to figure out what I am seeing.  A woman, dressed as if she is an angel in a play, appeared at my side.  “Amazing,” she said.  “Absolutely amazing and it will change the world.”

I looked at the empty slab of cement again.  What am I missing?  The woman called it amazing.  Why? And where had she come from? Maybe I needed to get a step closer.  It looks the same and I cannot get closer without stepping up onto the cement.  Turning toward the woman, “What am I missing?  It looks like every other slab of cement that is ready to build on.”

“For now, instead of stepping on the slab of cement, try walking around it.  Be observant,” she replied.

I tried to walk around it, but it seemed to grow.  Every time I got to a corner, the corner moved.  It is not possible for solid cement to move. 

“Why have you stopped?” she asked.  “Keep going.  You will figure it out.”

Eventually, I was out of breath and sat down.  From there, I looked closely at the corner … And then I knew …..

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22 NIV

I knew I was standing beside the foundation of the church.  Turning toward the woman, —- I looked behind me, to the left, and to the right.  The woman was not there.  The slab was just cement to some.  BUT, as I stepped upon the slab, I knew I was stepping onto the foundation upon which God’s church is being built.  As I stepped upon the cement, I saw them – the apostles and prophets and believers -- and realized why the foundation corner had kept moving.  The corner moved to make room for all believers who were part of his church.

THE CHURCH

Our pastor has been working through a series: What is the church?  My answer?  The church is God’s Hope.  His hope that the church will change the world, because Jesus is now the cornerstone of the church’s foundation.

Last Sunday we celebrated a risen Christ.  Jesus did not sit down, at the right hand of God, and say, “Well, my job is done.  They are on their own now.”

No.  No.  A risen Christ did not return to his Father and leave the believers helpless.  He left his disciples to go forth and teach.  He left his disciples and, those that began to follow them, to grow his church into a fellowship of believers.  Christ said he would always be with them.  He gave them and all believers the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I think Jesus sat down, at the right hand of God, and said, “You sent me the best disciples.  They listened and learned.  They will receive the Holy Spirit and will feed your children.  They will withstand the evil that will come to them and rely on your power to stand strong.”

I think God will tell his Son, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You are the cornerstone of my church.  The church is my hope for the world.”

We are the church!  We are God’s hope for the world!

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Mark 16:19-20 NIV

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.””

Luke 24:49 NIV

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.  Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

John 20:17 NIV

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:38-39 NIV

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

Acts 2:42-43 NIV

His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Matthew 25:23 NIV