66 but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon; for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus." Isaiah testifies of the laying of this foundation, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation." And Peter takes it up and tells us it is so, and says, "To whom coming," implying that though numbers have built upon it and proved it, you and 1 must build upon it and prove it; and we are encouraged so to do by the words, "To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious, ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, that ye may offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." Then there can be no hesitation that all who are building upon any other foundation than Christ Jesus are building upon the sand. "He is the rock; His work is perfect, and all His ways are judgment, a God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is He." Peter acknowledged Him to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God;" and He answered, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My father which is in heaven;" then, Peter, "upon this Rock will I build My Church," and you, as a lively stone upon it, "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Implying that as soon can the foundation be rased as that the gates of hell should prevail against any of these lively stones. But just, simply looking at the foundation, we know it is that upon which all the building is built. It is the security of the foundation that leads to the security of the building. But we are not to speak of this in an abstract sense, but in a gracious, living sense. It is not only Christ the foundation, but Christ the chief corner stone, so that it is by Him we are united and builded together, "growing up into Him, an holy temple in the Lord." And, oh, what a noble structure that!" the temple of God," "the pillar and ground of the truth." What a glorious building that is which is built upon Him! By these things is set forth the infinite sufficiency, the infinite efficiency, the infinite power, the infinite grace of Him as the foundation. "Other foundation can no man lay.' But wherein is Jesus Christ the foundation of the Church? Shall we not rather say (and, looking at all His gracious characters, His gracious thoughts and acts, who would not say), "Wherein is He not?" If His people need a root, He is that gracious root. "I am the vine," He says, "ye are the branches." If they need these openings of mercy that are set before us as the door and the way, He is all we want. Hart and Watts both give us rather large descriptions of what Jesus Christ is in all His gracious capabilities and in all that He has provided for us in His person, character, and offices. But He is especially the foundation of His Church as the mighty God, the infinite "I am," one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and infinitely divine in all His attributes. He has undertaken the support of His Church and people as chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. He is the foundation also as being purely and actually human; so that, having taken our nature, being made in the likeness of men, He is perfectly God and man in one complex person; and so He is capable of doing all needful for the salvation of poor, ruined sinners. He offered Himself without spot to God; He made an end of sin; He finished transgression, and made reconciliation for iniquity. "Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth;" for "the Lord is well pleased for His righteousness' sake." Here is the complete atonement and the perfect righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ for poor, needy sinnersfor vile and unholy sinners to commit themselves to build upon; and such are invited to come and build upon Him as a living stone, who is life to all who build upon Him; and while man rejects Him, and builds upon other foundations, we must build upon Him; there must be none of our own will, for it must be-"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy," and "it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy," showing that God's salvation is most contrary to the will of man, opposed to it, diametrically opposite to it and to all that is pleasing to the flesh. All false religion has some charms in it, either in one way or in another; but this sets it all down for nothing, for it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." Now these things are revealed by the Spirit of God in a way of uniting communication; thus, Jesus Christ says, "I am the vine, ye are the branches," and 'My Father is the Husbandman;" and "every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." Now is there in us this uniting faith in Him? Have we proved and felt the blessedness of such a union-of such a foundation? Do I know the blessedness of having it to lean upon-the blessedness of being assured, without hesitation, that it will bear me? Then, "Venture on Him; venture wholly; Let no other trust intrude; None but Jesus-Can do helpless sinners good." Mr. Hart confesses, and so do we, 16 Believers own they are but blind, "That we're unholy needs no proof; But Christ has holiness enough "Exposed by sin to God's just wrath, Is the substance of these things wrought in your heart and mine by the Spirit of God? Are we willing -are we necessitated to lean on Him in accordance with the language of the Apostle, "Other foundation can no man lay; so that, whatever may present itself to our minds to draw us aside from the simplicity of the truth, God has raised the standard in our hearts against all delusion, against all superstition, against all heresy ? It won't do. We must have His atonement; we must have His righteousness; we must have His grace and truth; for nothing but these will do to live by; nothing but these will do to die by. Then, says the soul, “Öther foundation can no man lay than that is laid, Christ Jesus." Oh, what a blessed testimony! It "IS LAID." Christ is given, the object of the Father's love. Jesus Christ gave Himself in the way of perfect submission and delight in all the will of God, so that nothing can fail in His work; all is finished. The Holy Ghost is given: "He shall not speak of Himself, but shall show you things to come;" and this blessed testimony is most clear, plain, and irresistible. IT IS FINISHED." What Jesus Christ said on the cross the gates of hell cannot prevail against. Whenever Christ has been revealed from heaven, that revelation has been maintained by the Holy Ghost, though Jews and Greeks have disputed the matter. He is to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but unto them that are save saved Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God." 66 Now, is there in your heart and mine a gracious response to the truth that there is no other foundation, that the life of our souls consists in coming to Him as a living stone, in staying upon Him and receiving out of His fulness, proving that all His communications are living communications? If it is so, the language of your heart and mine is "No other stay have I heside; If this can alter, I must fall. with all. . May God in mercy bless His own Word. Amen. SUMMARY.-Profession not from life in vain. . . God must give the increase. Christ, the sure Foundation, the Rock, makes all built on Him secure; and He, the Corner-stone, unites them-a glorious temple!.. Infinite power and grace is in Christ, the Root, the Door, the Way, and ALL... Christ " SUNDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 6, 1874. "As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there : all my springs are in Thee."-PSALM lxxxvii. last verse. THIS Psalm begins in rather a peculiar manner— "His foundation "--but it is evident there was something prominent on the mind of the Psalmist; and "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Oh ! he says, "His foundation is in the holy mountains." You may find plenty of foundations; but, if you want 'HIS," it can only be found "in the holy mountains." I was trying to speak a little on this foundation last Sunday. "Other foundations can no man lay than that that is laid, which is Christ Jesus." Now, there are false lights, as in things made to amuse children, but when withdrawn all is darkness. Oh, if God by His Spirit do not reflect His light into your souls, you will be damned eternally, as surely as God is true. What have you been singing ? 66 "He that better knows than we Bids us all to Jesus flee." Kneel to Him; fall before Him; don't give it up; "Humbly take Him at His word. And your souls shall bless the Lord." Now, if I am not able to say more to you to-night, you may take that home with you. Search the Scriptures, and see if these things be so. |