The Right 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
What is the hope for humanity? It was once believed civilization would bring a utopian society. The world developed around the idea that philosophy, education, knowledge, culture, and housing would create harmony among humans. On the contrary, civilizations have produced greater and more violent wars. Civilization has ended not in utopia, but failure. In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 3:11 tilted “The Right Foundation,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explores divisions in the Corinthian church. Unity is threatened as a popularity contest ensues. The apostle Paul is compelled to deal with the problem as it affects the cross. The Corinthian problem is found in their cracked foundation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that if the foundation is not right, nothing is right. The right foundation deals with two fundamental questions. First, who is man? And second, who is God? The right foundation is laid, not by humans, but by God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without this foundation, life becomes completely meaningless, descending into chaos and division. What is the problem with humanity? The answer is not the lack of education, politics, or culture. The human problem is that humanity has built its own foundation on sand. Listen as Dr. Lloyd-Jones proclaims Jesus Christ alone as the adequate foundation.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is writing to the Corinthians to address divisions that have arisen in the church.
- The divisions were caused by certain preachers whose messages deviated from Paul's original teachings.
- Paul says these divisions affect the very foundation of the faith, which is why he is addressing them.
- Paul says that without a proper foundation, life descends into chaos.
- Civilization has ended in failure despite humanity's best efforts because it lacks a proper foundation.
- Philosophy, politics, industry, and morals all lack a proper foundation and are in crisis.
- The church also lacks a proper foundation which is why Christianity has little influence.
- The Bible says that without a foundation, life becomes chaotic. The problems of the world stem from a lack of foundation.
- Man cannot provide the needed foundation through his own efforts. "Other foundation can no man lay."
- The failure of civilization proves man cannot establish a proper foundation.
- Man fails to answer fundamental questions like "What is man?" and "How can we know God?"
- Man cannot properly deal with suffering, death, and judgment.
- The only adequate foundation is Jesus Christ. He alone answers life's questions and solves its problems.
- Christ is the only hope for individuals and the world. All other foundations have failed.
- Some may doubt whether the gospel is still adequate today, but Christ is like reinforced concrete, strengthening human nature.
- If God had created another perfect man, he would have failed like Adam. Christ succeeds because He is both God and man.
- Christ reveals God, deals with sin, enables a new start, conquers the devil, comforts in suffering, conquers death, and secures us in judgment.
- We must build our lives on Christ, the one sure foundation, or we will be without hope.
Sermon Q&A
What is the Main Message of Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on the Foundation of Life?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon, the main message is that Jesus Christ is the only true foundation upon which life can be successfully built. Lloyd-Jones argues that all human problems stem from the absence of a solid and true foundation, and that man by his own efforts can never provide the needed foundation for life.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the fundamental problem in society?
Lloyd-Jones identifies the fundamental problem in society as the absence of a solid foundation to life. He states: "There is one common cause for all the ills and troubles and problems that are perplexing the human race at this very moment. And the trouble is the absence of a solid and a true foundation to life." He observes this problem in multiple realms - philosophy, politics, industry, morals, and even religion - noting that everything is "in a state of flux" without fixed principles or great foundations.
How does Lloyd-Jones illustrate the importance of a foundation?
Lloyd-Jones illustrates the importance of a foundation through a story about a man who built a house without a proper foundation. The house began developing cracks in the walls, which were repeatedly plastered over. When an architect finally examined the structure, he determined the problem was the inadequate foundation. Lloyd-Jones also references Jesus' parable of the two builders - one who built on sand and one who built on rock - to demonstrate how a proper foundation determines whether a structure can withstand life's storms.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe human civilization has failed?
Lloyd-Jones believes human civilization has failed because it attempts to solve problems without addressing fundamental questions. Despite advances in art, literature, philosophy, politics, and science, civilization has failed to answer basic questions like "What is man?", "How can we know God?", "What is the purpose of life?", "How do we handle suffering?", and "What happens after death?" He states: "In spite of this unrivaled effort of the human race over so many centuries and especially the last hundred years, the world is in this state of terrible crisis."
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that this verse (1 Corinthians 3:11) means that humans cannot create or establish a foundation that adequately addresses life's fundamental questions and challenges. The only true foundation is Jesus Christ, who has already been "laid" by God. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ is not merely a historical figure who taught good principles, but the incarnate Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose again, conquering death. This foundation is "definite and solid" unlike the shifting philosophies of men.
How does Lloyd-Jones explain the adequacy of Christ as the foundation for modern life?
Lloyd-Jones argues that Christ is still adequate in the modern age by using the analogy of reinforced concrete. Just as modern buildings require stronger foundations (progressing from earth to mortar to cement to concrete to reinforced concrete), Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ represents the ultimate "reinforced" foundation - humanity strengthened by divinity. He states: "Christ is man, yes, but he's God. Man, the goddess, has taken humanity unto itself, reinforcing it, making it strong." This makes Christ the only foundation strong enough to bear the weight of all human problems and questions, both in ancient times and in today's complex world.
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.