This month our focus will be on the “Fundamentals of the Faith” — those foundational teachings which are vital to our understanding and spiritual well being as the people of God at 9th & Main. Just as the disciples asked the Lord Jesus to increase their faith, we must increase the stability of our foundation in Christ. In order for us to strengthen our foundation, we have to ensure the fundamentals of the faith. It is in this we gain confidence and courage to be empowered by God, building up each other and showing the world the goodness of God through His church.

When Jesus was concluding His sermon on the mountain, He gave the illustrationof two builders (Matt. 7.24-29). They heard the same instructions and had the same opportunities to build correctly, however one built on the sand and the other on the rock. Of course we know when the winds and waves came, the one who built on the sand fell and the fall was great. We want to be those who build their houses on the solid rock of truth. The foundation we have is the fundamentals of the faith. We have to be mindful to search them out and keep them solidified in our hearts and minds. For this reason, we will study them this month for clarity and stability.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11.1). A few of the fundamentals of the faith are subjects like:

● Loving God and Neighbor

● The Oneness of the Church

● Marriage

● The Role of Elders, Deacons and Ministers

● The Hope of Eternal Life

● Glorifying God

● The Promises of God

● Trusting God and His Word

● Faithfulness to the Father and the Son

We can go on and on with some of the foundational subjects in the scriptures. The plan is to either have an article or present from the pulpit or classroom setting the above subjects mentioned. These lessons will be taught to increase the stability of our foundation. Let us do all we can to make every lesson and glean the truths needed to please God, build ourselves up and edify one another.

We must be reminded of the need to be vigilant in our study of God’s word. Paul told the brethren to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” (2 Tim. 2.15), and it would do us well to demonstrate the same diligence in our studies. For instance, we can learn more about loving God and our neighbor in the word of God. When this foundation is laid and built upon, then we can show more concern, care and compassion for one another and our fellow man. Unfortunately, many in the world (and some in the church) have a faulty view of God and this is shown in their treatment of their fellow man. Let’s do our best to get to know God deeper and seek to apply these great values in our lives.

Increasing our foundation must include our knowledge of the church and the oneness of it. Jesus promised to build His church and stated clearly, “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16.18). Friends, the church of Christ is the body of Christ according to the words of Paul (Col. 1.18). She is identified by a few designations in scripture and it would do us well to become familiar with some of them. For example, Paul identified her as, “the body of Christ” and “the church of God” (1 Cor. 12.27; 1 Cor. 1.2). She is tasked to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3.15). This teaches us the need to support the truth as a body of Christians and never allow the truth to fall by the wayside.

As we increase our knowledge of these principles, we should also strive to increase our understanding of what we have learned and be assured of it. With this being said, we want to understand the purpose of the church. She has the responsibility to put Christ’s teachings into practice thus being the very essence of the teachings the Lord has left us. For this reason we should be zealous for good works and allow ourselves to grow in those works (Tit. 2.14-15), recognizing that we were created for them (Eph. 2.10). . Brethren, God did not send His Son to simply save us, but rather to develop a special people to demonstrate His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2.9).

As we conclude these thoughts, we want to transition into our article for next week. God’s teachings on marriage are necessary for us to learn and understand as well. Why? Because the church is the bride of Christ and she has the responsibility of being faithful to her husband as any wife is to her own husband (Eph. 5.22-33). Being faithful to the Lord is necessary if we are going to be a benefit to one another in our marriages while also influencing the dark world around us (Matt. 5.13-16; Phil. 2.15). Friends, these must be part of our sure foundation and it is vitally important for us to solidify ourselves in the teachings of Christ to help the world learn what God expects from them. Let God be true.