The Only Foundation
A Sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:11
Scripture
11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Sermon Description
After Paul’s departure from the Corinthian church, it had started to divide itself into factions. He perceived that the trouble lay at the very foundation itself. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:11 titled “The Only Foundation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains that it is the same today when the world tries to deal with the symptoms of evil while avoiding the problem at its foundation: it has no foundation. Neither can humanity provide its own foundation. People have astounding knowledge and accomplishments, yet they are unable to find a solution to all their troubles. The human approach is wrong. They are in too much of a hurry and they do not understand themselves. They sense that there’s something or someone greater than themselves, yet they have no desire for the church or Christ. The Bible, on the other hand, deals with the great question of the foundation of life itself. It tells of one who is a flawless inspector, who will judge the foundation of all lives based on His own perfect standards. Yet, this inspector is also the one who came to seek and save the lost. He offered Himself up as God in flesh to become the church’s one exclusive and firm foundation.
Sermon Breakdown
-
The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians because the church was dividing into factions and false teaching was creeping in. He wanted to call them back to the foundation of their faith.
-
The first point Paul makes is that a foundation is absolutely necessary for life. Without a firm foundation, the whole structure will collapse.
-
Secondly, Paul asserts that man cannot provide an adequate foundation for himself. All of man's efforts apart from God will come to nothing.
-
Man's approach is wrong because he is in too much of a hurry. He doesn't take the time to consider foundations.
-
Man at his best can never provide a foundation big enough and strong enough to support the necessary superstructure of life. Man needs to know himself, his purpose, how to live, how to face difficulties, and what comes after death. But man cannot answer these questions.
-
Even if man succeeds in erecting a building on a foundation he thinks is adequate, there is another inspector, God, who will determine if the foundation is truly adequate. Man's standards are not the same as God's standards.
-
The only foundation that can satisfy man's needs is Jesus Christ. He alone can solve the problem of man and save us. The gospel of Christ is exclusive and intolerant. There is no other way.
-
The foundation of Christ is definite, not vague or nebulous. The Christian faith can be defined and proclaimed. It does not change.
-
God himself has laid this foundation in Christ. It is the only material adequate to meet man's needs. Christ, as the God-man, is the only one who can save us.
Sermon Q&A
Key Questions from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Foundation of Faith
What is the main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon based on 1 Corinthians 3?
The main theme of Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon is the absolute necessity of having a proper foundation for our lives, specifically that Jesus Christ is the only true foundation. Based on 1 Corinthians 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ," Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that mankind needs a solid foundation to withstand the storms and challenges of life, and Christ alone provides this foundation.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the modern world lacks a foundation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the modern world lacks a foundation because it has forgotten the absolutes without which life can never be successful. He points to the uncertainty in modern thinking about truth, morality becoming relativistic (with amorality replacing immorality), and people living aimless lives without standards or certainty. This results in a world that is "tossed about, thrown hither and thither, the victims of circumstance and chance."
What are the fundamental questions that humans cannot answer without Christ, according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, without Christ, humans cannot answer these fundamental questions: - Who am I? (Man needs to know himself) - Is there someone greater than myself? (The relationship to God) - What is the meaning and purpose of life? - How can one live in a clean, decent, and upright manner? - How does one face the storms of life (illness, aging, disappointments)? - What happens after death?
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say man cannot provide his own foundation?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that man cannot provide his own foundation because: 1. Man is in too much of a hurry and doesn't take time to consider foundations 2. Man cannot provide a foundation strong enough to support life's superstructure 3. Man cannot discover the truth about himself through his own wisdom 4. Human righteousness is inadequate before God's standards 5. Even if man builds what he considers adequate, God is the ultimate inspector and judge
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the foundation that is Jesus Christ?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the foundation that is Jesus Christ as: 1. Exclusive - "Christ is the only savior. He's not one of a series. He is unique." 2. Definite - Not vague or nebulous but specific and clear 3. Unchanging - Not subject to "new insights" or developments 4. Laid by God Himself - Not of human origin but divine 5. Made of adequate material - The God-man who can bear the weight of our needs 6. Able to save completely - Capable of keeping us from falling
What does Lloyd-Jones say about the modern tendency to blend religions or redefine Christianity?
Lloyd-Jones strongly opposes the modern tendency to blend religions or redefine Christianity. He calls the Gospel "an exclusive gospel" and "an intolerant gospel," rejecting the idea that all religions lead to the same goal. He criticizes interfaith services and the bishops who wanted to abolish the concept of heresy. He asserts that Christianity is not something nebulous or undefined but "the faith once and forever delivered to the saints" that can and should be defined with clarity.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones contrast human righteousness with God's righteousness?
Lloyd-Jones contrasts human righteousness with God's righteousness by referencing Romans 10, where Paul speaks of the Jews "going about to establish their own righteousness" while being "ignorant of God's righteousness." He explains that people may consider themselves good because they've never harmed anyone, have been honest in business, and have avoided major sins. However, God's standard is much higher: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy soul and all thy mind and all thy strength. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Human righteousness focuses on outward morality, while God's righteousness demands complete devotion to Him.
Itinerant Preaching
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.