A Sealed Foundation

Will you turn with me here this morning to 2nd Timothy and chapter 2. We're in part 3 of our series Concerning Christ being our foundation and we're going to go into this far far more But we're just laying a foundation speaking about the foundation Because there's nothing more important than this issue of having a good foundation a solid foundation Someone who is building a house who doesn't care about foundations Someone who's going to live in a house for five years ten years twenty years or thirty years who doesn't care about the foundation Is either very ignorant or very foolish one of the other But if you don't care about the foundation of the house you live in you think it's of no consequence You really don't understand very basic things You're someone who wants to ignore what is major and just be caught up daily with things that don't really matter They're they're non essentials But we're dealing with the most essential things if you get this wrong You've got everything wrong pack it pack it all in you're going to get everything wrong If the foundation of your Christian life is wrong Your entire Christian walk for the next five years or ten years or twenty years however long It's all going to be wrong Anything else doesn't matter you better make sure at the beginning of your walk with Christ you lay down the right foundation Because the church is filled with people doing things doing right things prophesying casting out demons listening to sermons Taken to the Lord's table and their whole foundations wrong. It's all going to crumble one day. They're going to perish My message this morning part three a sealed Foundation reading from 2nd Timothy chapter 1 and verse 1 Thou there for my son speaking of Timothy Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses The same commit thou to faithful men who should be able to teach others also Then I want you to go down to verse 14 here. I wish I could preach in every verse of this chapter. It's powerful. It's profound verse 14 of these things Put them in remembrance Charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit But to the subverting of the hearers study to show thyself approved a Work man that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth but shun profane and vain babblings For they will increase on to more ungodliness and their words will eat as doth a canker of whom is hymenaeus and Philetus Who concern in the truth have aired saying that the resurrection is? Past already and overthrew the faith of some and this is my scripture I'm going to deal with here this morning primarily Nevertheless the foundation of God stand assure having this seal The Lord knows them that are his and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart From iniquity. Amen. Will you pray with me pray for yourself pray for those in this? Service here this morning father. We asked for your grace and your mercy We realize so God the foundation of God only that Foundation this one single foundation is going to stand through the hour of sorrows of chaos of confusion nor God of all the prophecies being fulfilled of this hour and generation and finally Lord God to face the judgment nor got an hour a day when we leave our bodies and Stand in the presence of God nor God only those that have built their house upon this foundation are going to be fine Standing the nor God we pray as a church that we might have a solid foundation That's grounded in the truth of God that has the light of God shining from it nor God We pray or God do you expose every error every heresy every apostasy every false teaching every? Compromise nor God that your word would shine as a bright light Then this is our then we ask that the truth of God would conquer every air father Raise up at people in this church who are grounded and founded on the truth of God a foundation That's saturated in the written scriptures that your name Might be glorified and that Jesus Christ would get all of the glory and the honor and the praise in Jesus name I'm gonna read that first again chapter 2 verse 19 of 2nd Timothy 2nd Timothy chapter 2 verse 19 and this might text to you this morning Nevertheless the foundation of God stand assure having this seal a seal This is that he's about to tell you the Lord knoweth them that are his and let everyone that Name of the name of Christ apart from an equity. That is the seal those two statements are written on the seal a seal on the foundation has something written on it and These two statements are written upon it. What is a seal? Because for the past two weeks we've been dealing with the foundation of a house Which represents what you build your Christian life on You don't build a house without a foundation. That is foolish and Yet the foundation is not seen it is the first thing that goes down It's gotta be in place before you build the house. The house is seen that's where you live. That's what you do That's where people go in and out of the foundation. Nobody visits Once you start building the house Nobody generally looks at the foundation it is unseen Sadly many who embark on the Christian life Didn't say become a genuine Christian, but they embark on it They never laid a solid foundation and you know Very sadly they're gonna build the house and one day they're gonna find out they never built on a foundation or the right Foundation but they'll have built an entire house layer after layer after layer room after room after room Yet only when it's too late. They're gonna find out there was no foundation But you know what? There's an hour when it's too late to find out your foundation was wrong most Christians pay attention to the rooms the windows the curtains the door the paint the outside of the building to Entertaining people in there to doing deeds within a Conversations around the table. I want to tell you all those things are important But they mean nothing if the foundation isn't right and so we see here again in the Bible Jesus the Apostles They talk about foundations. It is so important. It is so important But notice with me and this my message a sealed foundation This is something very unique about this verse about the foundation of God that you're to build your life upon Remember last week. We said there was two men one foolish. He built his house upon sand one wise he built his house on a rock and When the storms came the man who built his house on sand it collapsed The one who built his house on the rock Jesus Christ it stood through all of the storm Storms are coming the like of which you can't even imagine if you didn't go to a Bible and read it You could never believe it. You haven't seen anything in our world yet. You haven't even imagined what's coming It is going to come so fast and hard. It'll make the past three years seem like nothing Covered like nothing Russia and attack in Ukraine nothing The Gaza Strip attack in Israel. All of this will seem like nothing and the Bible tells us about it very accurately Are you prepared for this generation? You're going to live in this generation You're going to live through the next one or two or five years if the Lord gives you grace to be here Do you have a foundation that's going to withstand because you haven't seen The like of this storm that's going to happen. It's going to hit the church. It's going to hit our world It's going to hit your community. Will you stand through that? Now I want you to notice something about this foundation. I've got three points, but I want you to see something before we go there There is a seal on this foundation So you've got a foundation and he's talking about those who build on this foundation, but notice what's on it a seal Now what is a seal? Do you realize that buildings built in ancient Egypt all the old cultures even today You know Freemasons when they build a building they actually have a corner slab They they're very particular what they do in that building and the name that goes under it all over the city of Limerick Buildings were built and in the foundation they wrote on the foundation Candace my wife she wrote on the foundation of the house. She made sure there was something good in there You know what with the foundation you have a mark. What is a seal? Why put a seal on a foundation? The Greek word seal is very very interesting and this word seal it means a thing of identification so when you see the seal You can identify who put the stone there Who owns the stone and what is the mind behind that stone being there the seal? Identifies the foundation or the person behind the building The name of the person is often laid on the foundation and we know name denotes character the author of this stone being there if you find the person you'll know why the stone is put there and so right in the foundation you have a mark that reveals his character or identifies his Personality it is the architects mark the designer the builder. It's right there in the foundation There's some Christians you find I can't find the mark of God there. I go back and look at their foundation I go where is the mark of God? Where is the seal of God? They have created a foundation that is faulty that won't hold them won't keep them it is not God's Foundation they have deceived themselves and I've got foundation, but when I go there There's a significant lack of this particular mark that we are going to speak about in The Greek language this word for seal in the Greek it means three things listen carefully First of all this word seal it means in the Greek language to be sealed and to protect you from Misappropriation, I love these words. Okay. I These impacted me 30 years ago. I don't even need to read my notes And so you're fenced in that seal means that foundation on whatever gets built on it is fenced in from Misappropriation What's misappropriation? It's someone meddling with it fiddling with it Changing it and so God says when I put my seal on this foundation It is a mark you better not touch it I am guarding this foundation anyone who builds on this foundation. I will guard them I will protect them. I will stop anything being changed build on my foundation I won't tolerate anything being changed I'm not gonna lie you to change what the Christian life is meant to be or the house how you build it When you build on my foundation, I'll protect your life right to the end of your earthly journey That's the first thing. So you see the seal is a mark of protection Second of all, it means to be stamped with a mark to show privacy In other words hands off it's mine This is talking about Ownership. I Own this foundation. I own those who? Stand on this foundation, you know when I was growing up. I haven't seen it in years. You'd go to a field We always walk through the countryside. We lived in the countryside. We went through fields and old houses We knew everything in the whole region and you know You'd come to a field and you'd see a sign saying keep out of this field The odd time a farmer would write bull Keep out as soon as you read that you'll take your head in your hands to go against that I think some of the farmers that didn't have a bull at all in there They just put it up to keep kids like me out of their field But you know what this seal when you see it It's a sign of hands-off Don't go there. It is a warning to say this foundation belongs to me I am the owner so I not only protect I am the owner they belong to me devil Don't you dare touch them? They're mine. I redeemed them by the blood of Jesus It means a third thing this word seal. It means to be stamped with a mark or a proof of Genuineness Another words that you're the real there's the real foundation So this word seal why would God seal or put a seal on the foundation? He's saying I'm gonna protect you You are mine Hands off this world hands off devil hands off anything else I own them they're building on my foundation and also he said this is real What you're building on check that there's a seal on your foundation Has God put his stamp of approval? You're still wondering. How do we identify or what's these two statements? We're gonna read it and you know what if your foundation lacks in these two statements You better get concerned about this seal Because if it doesn't contain these two two statements left out in your Christian life, then you're not genuine You're not protected and you're not owned by God and I I tell you in this hour I want to make sure my foundation has the mark the seal the Impression of God that he himself has marked it and said that's mine. I own this foundation I put it here. I built it no other Foundation can any man lay than that which was laid which is Jesus Christ no other name brings salvation and no other person is their love and forgiveness and kindness and grace and Redemption on the day of judgment than in the Lord Jesus Christ I've got three points for you here that I want to take you to as we look at this foundation or this sealed Foundation, what does it mean? number one a sealed foundation is a tested foundation a sealed foundation is A tested foundation and I want to promise you if you're on the right foundation and it has the seal of God Guess what? Your foundation not just the house Your very foundation is going to get tested by air by temptation to sin by people Disappointments storms Your foundation will get tested and we're gonna find out are you building on sand or upon a rock? Look at the context of this first. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth Sure, you know when God tells you something like this your foundations gonna stand sure It's like I'm saying don't fear You know when God tells you don't fear that means there's something you are gonna fear There's good reason to fear that means when God says don't fear what you're going into that means. Uh-oh There's gonna come so many problems. I'm gonna naturally fear. That's why he's telling me not to fear It's the same with this foundation when he actually says nevertheless the foundation of God stand is sure Why would he tell you that your foundation is gonna stand? Stand against everything if it's not going to be tested Why do you think he's telling you this fine station this foundation with this seal? Nothing's gonna move it. It's protected. It's real. It's genuine. It's eternal Nothing can move it, you know why he's telling you that because the times you're gonna go I think my entire foundations crumbling I'm not sure I can stand through this trial this trouble this temptation I'm not sure I can make it Well, that's why I want you to know here if you are built on the real foundation you are going to be tested by the devil by the world by Circumstance even by God himself Look at the context of this chapter You have in verse 1 chapter 2 verse 1 Paul is writing to Timothy This is Paul's last letter Paul is sitting in a prison Paul is about to be martyred in the city of room for the faith He spent years traveling preaching raising up churches seeing people saved seeing people delivered and healed Encouraging praying for the churches, but here he is. He knows I am about to just be offered There's a crying awake me. I can almost see it. I'm about to depart this life. My race has been run I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I'm right at the end I'm ready to go home to Jesus and that's when Paul is rightness. Who's he writing a young Timothy? Look what he says in verse 1 thou there for my son speaking a young Timothy a young preacher Be strong in the grace That is in Christ Jesus and the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men Who should be able to teach others also? That's for spiritual generations. Paul's teaching Timothy Timothy teaches faithful men Chosen men and they go on to teach many others that Timothy and Paul will never say You've got four generations Paul is telling Timothy Keep preaching the Word of God keep passing it on you have a spiritual inheritance Make sure that next generation hear the Word of God teach them the Word of God. Do you know who they are? These ones that Paul is mentioning here are those built on the foundation of God Who have this seal on it? Do you know what? It's marked by real preachers preaching the Word of God the truth of God from the Bible That's what marks the whole building of this building on this foundation When you find the real foundation of God, you've got real preachers holy preachers truth based preachers and That is mark where you get an absence of preachers. There's something terribly wrong amidst God's people Preachers are ordained of God and I want to tell you they are part of the building process You see this is the fundamental thing. I think that's mentioned here in verse 1 We begin to read about Paul raising up Timothy and others and an entire People the Church of God in a very dark hour a very dark hour a day of apostasy Compromise and heresy and he's saying in the midst of this nevertheless the foundation of God stand assured Why would Paul here be saying don't worry the foundation of God stand assured? You know why in this hour it was under attack like no other hour You see Paul had seen revivals where thousands come to the Lord He'd walked in the cities where there was a one Christian and left behind churches that went throughout their entire country Telling people about Jesus, but you know where Paul is now He's in a prison cell and you know right and as he wrote this last letter to Timothy I want to tell you it was a very dark hour Sin had encroached and you know the seal this Foundation stone was under attack. It was so under attack that Paul had a say to Timothy nevertheless the foundation of God Standeth, you know what? I believe one of the primary things and the test of this foundation is is heresy the Context of Paul talking about this foundation with its seal is heresy You see there's more mention in this one letter that Paul writes concerning false teachers and men who are Troublemakers in the church than any one of his other letters. This letter is filled with it It's his last letter. He's in a prison and he's not just talking about Jesus and going home to heaven He's actually detailing and giving you names Telling you about people telling you of wrong teachings within the church That are attacking this foundation and if you get affected by those things you don't build on this foundation You will destroy yourself eternally. And so we see in this chapter the Foundation was under attack You know in this letter he goes through any names names It's a bit like David remember King David when he was on his deathbed I wonder if any of you know about one of his last messages to Solomon not many Christians do they don't even know that David's lying on his deathbed. He can't get out of bed and Solomon who's now the king he's gonna reign Comes to him his son his beloved son who's gonna reign in his place. What does David start to him? Solomon you listen to me carefully Get rid of him Get rid of him Kill him Be careful of him He goes through Putting things right. I tolerated him. You don't tolerate him That's quite a message for a man who is God's heart on his deathbed, isn't it? He's handing the kingdom over He says I'm out of here. I'm finished, but you better be careful. You know what Paul's does to Timothy I'm out of here Would you be careful of him and you be careful of that teaching because you know what it's all an attack on the Genuine real foundation. I know all these people he names. They're in the church They're teaching things about Jesus They're taking scripture, but they're twisting it and bending it and moving it out of context Don't try to teach the Word of God when you don't know what you're saying Give yourself about ten years as a Christian and Be very humble or you can make a lot of mistakes walk in the light of God's Word Look at the context in this entire letter 2nd Timothy chapter 115 Listen to what Paul writes this our newest that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me of whom are Fragile us on her her Mogan us Notice here Paul mentions two men They must be instigators in Asia Something happened in Asia an entire region and Paul says here I am at the end all those in Asia have turned away from me not the church. They're still in the church They're still making us Christians But Paul the great Apostle says Something happened that they turned away from me then he mentions two leaders. He gives their names In other words, they must have been prime and important in us. He wasn't scared You know, I get tired of ministries in the church that say you're not gonna confront anyone You just forgive everything. You don't mention anything. You just ignore all your enemies. You never respond. It's utterly unbiblical I want to tell you there's a biblical way for us to deal with heaven if your brother sinned against you or your sister You get in the phone and tell ten other people. No, you don't you get what's up and start telling it. No, you don't You know what? The Bible says, you know what Jesus taught go to a person you and them alone and tell them their sin Told about a Christian not sinners. Don't you do that with sinners don't treat sinners like Christians You're trying to put them straight and everything. Hold on. They're not saved. They don't even know the love of Christ Be very careful how you deal with people But if someone's in the church and they sinned against you not stood in your pinky, they've actually committed a sin Well, I don't like how they snore. I don't like how they sit in the meeting I don't know like this and that I don't like how they sang Don't that's not sin Go to your brother or sister if they have sinned Actively against you try to be discreet you point it out. These things are lost in the church But look at these two men they instigated a turning against the Apostle Paul in writing to Timothy He mentions them all the ages turned against me These two men are prime in it and he's going to mention this man again in the context of this Foundation shortly in 1 Timothy chapter 1 and 20. He says of whom is Hi money us and Alexander whom I have delivered on the Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme Here's another two men They have also been in the churches of Paul and yet he says they instigated something so bad I had to deliver them on to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme their men Leaders in the church. Listen what it says in verse before holding faith and a good conscience which some having Put away concern and faith have made shipwrecked. Do you know there's certain men and women in the church? They are shipwrecked spiritually, but they look like functioning Christians. They said a maintenance. They talk about the Bible They try to persuade others Spiritually when I test them with the Bible, you know what God says they've made shipwreck of their faith They do not have a good conscience. They're not living right? They want to be called Christians, but they're not right You know what? They're like a broken-up ship drifting on the water or Submerged they're a disaster and yet they are in the church You know how I test them I test them with the Word of God Then it says in 1 Timothy chapter 4 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil the Lord reward him according to his works or in chapter 4 verse 10 For Demuth has forsaken me having loved this present world and is departed on the Thessalonica Do you see all of this going on in this letter and Paul saying nevertheless the foundation of God Standeth firm solid unmovable That's why he had a talk about this foundation you see God allows the foundation to be attacked He allows it to be tested and you know It's very interesting in the church at times of revival when everything is good when lots of exciting things are happening Look at the people who are there then watch the cold times where there's lots of false teachings and movements and Compromise and worldliness comes into the church and watch the people who move Watch those who you cannot warn with the scripture. They do not listen They repeatedly disobey the Word of God. Do you know what they're not building on a right foundation? They reveal themselves that they just move with all of the heresy and apostasy and the false teachers Every time it comes look at the context of this about the foundation 2nd Timothy chapter 2 Verse 16 and this is Paul speaking to Timothy. He's gonna speak about the foundation But look what he says here But shun profane and vain babblings for they will increase on to more ungodliness Be very careful about your conversations with other Christians among yourself Be very careful. You know what Paul is warning Timothy about About these vain babblings Bubbling forth these men that don't even know what they're talking about. In fact, have you ever been with that sort of person? They haven't got a clue what the Bible says, but they're constantly pouring forth about the Bible. They're ignorant They're babbling. They're pouring forth. They don't know the Word of God But you know what you have to interrupt them to answer them and to speak they won't even let you finish a sentence Be very careful about this. You know, what's happening there? Your foundation is being attacked You need to be conscious of that sort of person that is an attack on your foundation It's going to the core and it says for this will increase on the more ungodliness. It doesn't edify it doesn't help It says and their word will eat as does a canker The word canker there now watch this their words they're teaching their ideas will eat like a canker Canker is gangrene That's what he's saying spiritually their words their teachings will affect People who are in the church and if you listen to them if they get freeway They begin talking and their word becomes like gangrene. What does gangrene do? It begins to eat into the flesh and that part of the body It could be a toe a foot a leg a hand an arm you're gonna find that that member of the body stops functioning gangrene kills a Member of the body you could lose an entire limb through gangrene Paul uses this as an example to say these false teachers who aren't based on the Word of God They've got all their ideas all their thoughts and opinions But it doesn't come out of a pure stream their words are many about the gospel about religion But their word will actually Damage you it is dangerous Then notice what he says here in verse 17 their word will eat as does a canker canker of whom is hymenaeus and felidus You see we've already mentioned Hymenaeus who was delivered to Satan Hymenaeus who had let go of his hold upon the faith. He no longer had a good conscious Conscience here's Paul warning of hymenaeus again and another man called felidus and saying here's two of these their words are damaging people in the body of Christ and Paul gives them a Real warning who concern in the truth of the airs do you see that? Concerning the truth of God they've aired these men aren't building on the truth. They speak about Jesus They claim to be born again. They talk about knowing God. They're actually Saying they're in ministry led of the Holy Spirit of God. This is all through the New Testament. There's warnings like this and Yet, do you know what these men are dangerous? They have aired from the truth They have missed the mark. They have swerved off from the solid foundation Do you know what all this tells me what I'm telling you in this first point? Someone who departs from the pure stream of God's truth is not on this foundation He may be a famous preacher saying I have a solid foundation if he is an air if he Swerves off if he begins to teach things that are dangerous to a genuine Christian You know what his foundation is wrong he has no seal on his foundation That foundation will not stand in the judgment and yet in Paul's day it had come in throughout the church Guess what today it's all through the church of this generation Things have got very cold Everyone's got a different idea and opinion people learn by YouTube. I'm going on the Internet They are swayed by all these opinions and yet these men they've aired from the truth Don't tell me your Christianity's real don't tell me your Jesus is real when it doesn't line up with this this Word of God I can check your words your practice your faith your Christianity by the Word of God Oh, well, I don't believe that I wonder why oh, well, I think this oh, I'm sure you do These were dangerous men it actually gives an example of what they are teaching here. Here's the gangrene. Here's the Canker that F into members of the body listen. He gives an example here these two men are saying That the resurrection is passed already and over through the faith of some Not all See Paul's given a real warning this foundations getting tested Everyone who says they're building on this all these teachings are coming in You know these two men begin to say the resurrections past the bodily physical Resurrection of the Saints it's in the past. That's what they began to teach It's already happened. You know what they're doing. They're misinterpreting the scripture They're Spiritualizing the promise of God what God said future they said is already happened What he says will be visible and physical to every single eye they put it in the past and make it invisible personal mystical Do you see how dangerous it is to? Spiritualized truths that are meant to be taken literally Here's two men that Paul had a deal with and Tim is he was gonna have to deal with and they are Misinterpreting the scripture they are teaching the scriptures. They are preaching the Word of God They say they believe the Word of God. They say they're Christians They say they're in the church and yet their teachings. Oh, yes, they believe in the resurrection, but it's passed Oh, they believe in the resurrection, but it is spiritual it happens Invisibly what's gonna happen is already happened. There's some with Matthew 24 about the besiegement of Jerusalem They say it was all finished in a d70 Talking about the coming of Jesus that said that happened in a d70 that Jesus come in the clouds and glory You know how dangerous that is People say this is a viable teaching within the church. No, it's not There's others who say oh if you believe in evolution you can still be a Christian believe in evolution No, you can't I don't either you're a very young Confused Christian and will help you as you go along But if you're a bit down the road ten years down the road and say I believe in evolution. I believe we Come from monkeys, but I'm a born-again Christian. I want to tell you you're not saved. You're not on this foundation You're an error you've been deceived you can't believe this book and believe evolution at the same time Evolution is a created teaching by world powers to deceive the world's population There's not even a question. I've before a message is taking you through the history of that So what do you begin to see in here? It says through this teaching they over through the faith of some In other words those who had a pure faith outwardly what you could say they seem genuine They seem to be in the foundation. They seem to be real They're listening to us Paul Timothy and others But these guys come in with their gangrene teaching said no. No, no, it's happened already You know, you know one of my friends back home. He always said if a man's got air he always has to teach it You'll be around him he he cannot keep that to himself. He's got to spread it. He's got to promote it He's got to share it. He can't just sit on it. And that's the thing these guys They've got to share it with the young believers. They've got to share it with my other believers any inroads They get a target and say do you know the resurrection? It's already happened. We don't need to wait for the resurrection It's already happened. You may say that's harmless. No, it overthrew the faith of some You know to overthrow it literally means to turn upside down What does Paul say look again at verse 19 our text about this foundation with its seal? What's the first word never the less? This is the context Paul is talking about false teachers twisting scripture To change in the teaching of Doctrines in the Bible and you know what he said as these men come in with gangrenes and we're Christians We're teachers. We know the Word of God and they're twisting things They're turning upside down the faith of some they're destroying the faith of some but Paul says nevertheless He is going to Contrast this foundation with air heresy apostasy false teachers with those who are founded and grounded upon this wonderful foundation again in contracts in contrast to Heretics there are others who built on this foundation like Timothy Timothy's built on this foundation those Timothy taught there are many there's churches. There's believers young Christians You know what? They're so different from those false teachers They are building on the foundation of God and it's got a seal a mark of genuineness Privacy what they look like they love the Word of God. They listen to the Word of God They obey the Word of God. They hold fast to the scripture. There's so simple to go You know wise men intelligent men and I know brilliant intelligent men Paul was an intelligent man Some people think they're so wise they know better than God They know better than the Word of God. You need to be so careful You know, it says in 1 Corinthians chapter 8 listen carefully No, it's touching things offered unto idols food in the community of Corinth out in the city and the shops food Dedicated to idols or to false gods Paul's gonna talk through a whole chapter about this. Listen to what he says No, it's touching things offered on the idols We know that we all have knowledge about those things, you know about so die You're not special because you know about Christmas. Okay, and The whole background or Esther. Do you know Easter was actually asterisk? Oh, really? When did you find that out? Aren't you a bright spark? But listen to what it says we all have knowledge and Here's the warning knowledge puffers up the charity edifice. Do you know how food is dedicated titles? Yeah, and Do you know what Paul says here knowledge isn't sufficient knowledge puffers up can make you pride That's wrong. That's wrong. That's wrong. I can make you pride. You're right in what you're saying. You're accurate but pride You could actually take truth knowledge and begin to say I know things and it makes you a proud person you look down upon them But listen to what he puts beside it, but charity edifice you see Knowledge about something to make you proud thinking, you know something You're not a brilliant expositor. If you know Jesus wasn't born on the 25th of December. Yeah That's do you know who doesn't know that we all know that But what are you gonna do with that information love charity edifice Knowledge could destroy someone you could hinder Christians. Sorry sinners coming to the faith through knowledge Love edifice builds up say this church could be pulled apart by stupid silly Disputes and thank God that's not here in any degree. I believe Hope not. Hope it remains that way But you know what you could have knowledge over a thousand things and you could rip the whole place up You could hurt people tear people down. What's it accomplished? So, you know some things great brilliant. Well done But does your knowledge do you edify people with that is so important number one is the foundation will be tested I want to tell you we live in a generation the heresy the compromise the worldliness Oh, but all of them are socially drinking. I Don't think there's anything wrong with that Let me spend a little time with the Word of God with you I can spend 10 minutes with you and show you that to take a glass of wine Isn't just okay But you need to spend 10 minutes with me I don't tell you what to believe you don't need to believe them, but I can persuade you I can show you the scripture You'll actually have to disagree with the Bible by the time I'm finished in 10 minutes and that's fine, but number two listen a Seal foundation is a sure foundation. It's tested, but there's the second thing. Thank God. It's a sure foundation Says again verse 19 nevertheless the foundation of God Stand assure Notice this foundation it is tested all hell comes against it very gifted Heretics Apostates teachers Actually speak against us, but look the stock the foundation stand assure you can have all this swirling wrong this foundation is gonna stand Through it all eternally Don't you want to build on this foundation the word sure here for stand assure it means stable Unmovable Unaffected unchanged is your foundation such a foundation Well, I know your faith could waver your mind your thoughts your ideas But what's your foundation like are you building on a solid foundation heresy all around you lies all around you? compromise apostasy in the church Something's gone wrong. Just like Paul's day, but a revival is coming. God's gonna move again. God's gonna restore again Who are those who don't move in these dark hours those that are built on a solid foundation? You know what? I will be unmoved you watch me over the past year. You're watching a Christian unmoved or am I? My whole world's in turmoil Do you know what you see is a foundation that doesn't move? Hasn't been dented one bit. It's solid. It's kept me. I'm just on the right foundation. Sometimes. I have to fall on it But I'm telling you when you're built on this foundation you think that I'm standing. He's so secure straight Unmovable, are you kidding? You knew yourself, you know what you're like, I'm no different I'm as weak as anyone But I'll tell you what this foundation works. It will keep you you can have storms of heresy false teaching Sins sweep in the church just stay on the foundation. Do you know what you're gonna find? It's a stable foundation See here. He says the foundation of God standeth Sure The word standeth means to be established Covenanted I love the Greek language. I don't know it Okay But I know enough to research and look into it, but there's tenses in the Greek that you don't get in English So when if you have the ability of Greek and I don't I just learn these things and go and look them up But if you know this term stand as sure and the Greek it is the perfect tense Another words what it means. It's a one-off act It was laid once for all when it says stand us. It doesn't mean it's got to keep standing It's stand us once for all it is an act in the past You know what? That means this foundation was laid it was made to stand it was Established once by God in the past. We're not rebuilding this foundation again Every time the devil attacks there is only one foundation. It has never been destroyed It stands through all of the ages every century for two centuries This foundation has stood strong through it all Nothing can move it. It is established forevermore and this can never be changed It's a one-off act this foundation it stands it stands sure and it will never have another testimony Where do you want to build your house here this morning? Do you want to build on the shifting sands of heresies of movements of popular preachers? Do you want to stand on your own opinions and ideas about salvation? About the blood about the cross or do you want to stand on this solid foundation with the Word of God keeping you there? it says in Proverbs 10 25 as the world wind Passes So is the wicked no more? Your whirlwind comes. There's lots of things there. It passes. Nothing's there. It's gone that often happens in America Listen the other half of the verse, but the righteous is an everlasting foundation If I find a real righteous believer, they're gonna be here after the storm. They'll be here tomorrow Look what's written on the seal So he says this is what the seal is on this stone on this foundation stone on this sure Foundation that standeth that's immovable Let's look at it for a second what it says having this seal the Lord knoweth them That are his what makes this foundation so secure so solid so unmovable Why is it a weak Christian like me can go through terrible trials and I'm on moved Be opposed on every side and I still preach the same gospel Read all of the accounts of the apostates and I still know the truth of God on moved by the lies of the enemy How is that possible? Because the seal on this foundation on the real foundation listen carefully This is it the Lord knoweth them that are his He's not talking about omniscience. You know what omniscience says that means God knows all things in all generations Everywhere he knows every heart. That's omniscience. This isn't that knowing It says the Lord knoweth those that are his this is different than omniscience See God omnisciently knows every sinner But in this verse he doesn't know sinners Knowing is different than no one information What the Lord says here is the Lord knoweth those that are his Those that are real sheep real Christians real disciples real followers of Christ He actually says I know them. This is the seal on the foundation the real Christians I actually know them the word no was used of Adam and Eve Adam knew Eve It's a beautiful term for the physical sexual act Adam knew Eve. It's beautiful. You know what the word no means. It's an intimacy. It's the most private intimate real genuine act between two persons private personal between you and them That's what what it was between Adam and Eve he knew her and so when it says here the Lord knoweth them that are his He's not talking about mere information academic knowledge He says there is an experience between me and them which is very private not generally with the church Look at the seal on this foundation. God knows those that are his he has an intimate Relationship with them, you know, everybody builds on this foundation. Do you know how you know them? They have an intimate Relationship with Jesus. They love him. He loves them. He reveals himself to them They reveal themselves to him Lord. I want to be transparent. I want an open heart. I want to be real I love you. I'm going through a trial, but oh god, I love you There's a revealing you know what this is intimacy so on this foundation the Lord really knows there's an intimate Relationship of everyone who's on this foundation. Listen to what Jesus said from last week in Matthew 723 remember those who came knocking on the door saying master master open to us then will I profess unto him I Never knew you. Do you know what that means? I never at any time That's what the word never means. I never knew you. Oh, did I lose it? No, I never knew you Well, maybe I fell by the way. I never knew you at the beginning You were deceiving yourself calling yourself a Christian I never in any way or at any time ever knew you had intimate Personal fellowship and communion with you. All you had was the outward Christian life doing things mimicking the Holy Spirit Proclaiming claim in heaven. I Never knew you can ask does God know you here this morning? Does he have an intimate also? I know those that are mine because I've intimate fellowship and communion There's something very very special about that. That is the Christian life Remember the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25 verse 11. Listen to what happens Afterward came also the other virgins. This is people in the church It's gonna happen one day when Jesus comes saying Lord Lord opened us But he answered and said verily I say unto you. I know you not So when he says he knows those in this foundation, he's saying you're not a foolish virgin Neither are you those charismatic hypocrites who get moved by the spirit cast out demons heal, but you don't live holy He's making it very clear. I don't know them, but there's those that build on this foundation. I know them Intimately and this is the seal on this foundation. I know those that are mine. They are on this No one is going to be moved who has an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ Jesus says in John chapter 10 14. I am the Good Shepherd and I know my sheep and I'm known of mine Not just head knowledge Then he says in John 10 27 my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me How do you identify someone who God knows? Not omniscience But God knows and says they are mine. God says that not them not others Only God can know this. He says these are my sheep. Well, how do you identify them? Jesus said my sheep hear my voice One of the marks of a sheep I can identify a sheep you bring the Word of God to them they go, okay That's the Word of God that changes everything Maybe they have another opinion another idea. Then I bring the Word of God to them. They go. Oh boy. I didn't know that Okay. Well, you're just proving you're a sheep The person who is in God's house claims to be a Christian They never you can advise them every day of the week for the next seven years. They won't do it They won't do it. You can bring the Word of God and say I Start going you're not a sheep Because if you listen his word you would show God knows you not that you know God My sheep hear my voice. Oh, that means he knows you He knows you and it's evidenced by the fact that you listen and they follow me if the sheep isn't following Christ Obeying him then why not? How can they say God knows me has this intimate personal knowledge and Communion with me, but I don't follow him and I don't listen to his words It's a contradiction that is not a sheep. That is a goat. That's someone who is Uninterested in the shepherd. They don't listen to his voice. They don't follow him. Therefore. They're not a sheep Says in Galatians 4 and 9, but now after that you have known God or rather are known of God Do you see that Paul says, you know God, but really if you do know God, then that means you're known of God That's the important things like people saying I find God. I didn't know God was lost So you find them God was the lost. You're the lost one. You're the sinner. You're the sheep going astray He finds you the good shepherd goes looking for the sheep. You didn't find anybody Oh, I'm going looking for the Lord. Actually, the Bible says none seeketh after God Those in the church who say we can come by our own power. No, you can't No, you can't when you're seeking for the real God for truth. That means God is at work. It's a supernatural work It may not feel like that the fact that you're here this morning is the grace of God God has been very merciful unto you, but it says in Galatians 4 and are known of God How then turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements? We're on to you desire again to be in bondage going under law regulations teachings about Jewish feasts Saying we need to do this. We need to do that. We're under the law Don't you realize if you're known of God if you know God, why would you be going back to them? There's something seriously wrong but listen one other thing here very important a Sealed foundation is a sure foundation. It has this mark. I know you I know you you belong to me That's what makes it so secure. I'm staying on this foundation This foundation isn't going anywhere If you build on this foundation, if you follow the Word of God there comes a knowledge where God says I know you More than that, I've always known you Do you think we only come into a knowledge of one another one year ago and you said? Jesus is real or five years ago or whenever it wasn't go guess what everyone and then you beat them up because they Couldn't they cannot see what you couldn't see a year ago. You go. What's wrong with them? Have a bit of patience and sympathy guys Some of you guys have said that you said at first and then it took just time It's the mercy of God You think it all began at that point? Listen to what it says in Romans chapter 8 verse 29 for whom he did for know He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his son Do you know there's certain people God for knows? He doesn't for know everybody like no one everybody doesn't know everybody He has the information about but there's some he says I know them In the New Testament, you see that God had foreknowledge of certain people before he even created the world This word to foreknow Everyone argues about predestination. Why would you argue about predestination in my lifetime? I've heard of at least five preachers stood up in the pulpit and said see that word Predestination. I don't believe that well, it's written in your Bible Immediately got a problem. Why not rephrase and say I don't believe what some people say about it. That's okay to say But for a preacher immediately, he says I go. This is an ignorant man. I don't believe in predestination You've got to it's in the Bible Okay, and I don't want to get off into that but everyone wants to argue over Predestination there's something before predestination. It's foreknowledge whom he foreknew he predestined I'm why are you arguing about? Predestination that means there's a plan before creation before the world Concerning certain people what to make them like Jesus What you're opposed to predestination that God has predestined. He is pre-planned He has a plan of a final destiny to make you like Jesus. That's predestination. What's your problem with predestination? But before that is foreknowledge Whom he foreknew he predestined see this word knowledge again, that means before creation before time Before the earth was here before Adam and Eve were in the garden God and his eternal covenant and counsels looked on through time and said there's some not all I foreknow I Foreknew to know what that means before time he had intimate personal experience Experiential knowledge of those built on this foundation. I know you I've got a seal in this foundation You're mine. You belong to me and you know what that knowledge of that I could keep you here all day I need to be careful very very careful. I've got another meeting to go to and preach here And I'm halfway through my second point listen very carefully here This this is extremely important to understand this foreknowledge that God and eternity past had intimate Personal knowledge of people who didn't even exist as yet That hadn't even sinned yet yet God looked on through the corridors of time and said I know them You know after you really get born again. I'm in you make Christ and you think I found him I saw this nobody else worked this out. I found the real Christ This is wonderful, and it all began on this day last week last year ten years ago, and this is glorious Do you know if you study the Word of God you begin to find out this goes right back into eternity? Do you realize how secure you are on this foundation? Saints of God I'm the first and I've taught many times the possibility of fallen from grace the warnings of Scripture But here let's not preach eternal Insecurity that's air. That's heresy as well. There has to be a security in Christ There has to be a foundation I preach and warn everyone constantly the warnings of departing But let's not overdo this Let's go to the Scripture. There's this teaching of God's foreknowledge of me. He knew me before time He talked to the father about me. Do you realize that if you're born again here first time? Realize this it blew my brain I was a kid and and to think I looked up at the stars and when he knew me an eternity past He talked to the father about me. They actually Covenanted and talked and planned concern of me. I wasn't even created yet. I wasn't even born yet I was I hadn't even believed yet Saints of God when you get born again, you need to begin understand. What does the Apostle say says make your calling? an election sure After you make your calling to Christ to follow him sure as soon as you know, I'm born again. I'm saved I've responded the call of God after that you go on and make your divine election Sure, you come to learn God chose you an eternity past Don't get into arguments over that thing, but that's not fair. How does this work out? What about this if the Bible teaches it? It's truth Listen to what it says in John chapter 17. That's Christ praying to the father About people who believe including you you are in John chapter 17. You weren't there 2,000 years ago You're not alive. And yet when you read John 17, he's talking about all those who will believe the truth through all the preachers down through the generations, they're gonna believe in the future and Christ prays for them every genuine believer. He prays for in that prayer Listen quickly. It says while I was with them in the world. I kept them in my name Those that thou gavest me I have kept do you see that God the Father gave Jesus? Certain ones whom he foreknew says I know them you weren't even born yet This includes you, do you know the father gave you to the son? It wasn't yesterday Wasn't last year when you got born again This is way back. Jesus is praying this 2,000 years ago about what happened in eternity What's he saying? Father I have kept all those that you gave me then he says I Kept them and none of them is lost not one Not one the father gave to the son is lost not one single one of them But the son of perdition that the scripture might be fulfilled in John 17 in this prayer we read seven times Jesus mentions that the father gave him certain people to keep or to protect That means to grant To commit to entrust to hand over for you to care for and It says none of them are lost. That means eternal loss damnation hell eternal punishment rejection Jesus said I kept them. That's a military term. It means To keep by guarding to keep under guard to garrison to surround them to him the men This is a remarkable thing, but practically how does God keep you because it's practical Well, Jesus tells us in John chapter 10 27 My sheep hear my voice and I knew them and they follow me. You knew that don't you but listen to what else it says and I give on to an eternal life and they shall never perish Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand My father which gave them me is Greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand. I And my father are one Don't try to nullify scriptures when we preach about someone falling from the faith. I don't try to build all sorts of opinions I preach that as truth But when you get a scripture like this says they'll never perish. Don't you dare change that? You don't have the right to do that Do you hear me with the word of God? Just believe it all when it when it's warned you about falling away from the faith. Just take that warning tremble in your shoes But there is security on this foundation those who I know they're secure. I will keep them Do you think you're keeping yourself? Jesus shows us how this works out in John chapter 18 7 then asked he them again Whom seek ye and they said Jesus of Nazareth Jesus answered and said I have told you that I am he if Therefore you seek me let these go their way notice carefully. What's happening? This is when Christ is about to get betrayed Taken in prison and crucified he's gonna die and the soldiers come What does he actually say here? I'm he There's the man you're looking for But let these go Do you see what he's doing here? Let these ten because Judas has betrayed him. So it's only ten Said let these ten go. I'm the one you're looking for. You're not looking for them. You're looking for me here. I am And they let the ten go Listen the next verse. It's very important the very next verse verse 9 That the saying might be fulfilled which was spake of Them which thou gavest me. I've lost none. I haven't lost any What does that mean? Do you realize at that point to be taken? Do you remember what happened when they got away they ran? Peter denies him three times Thomas starts him They all scatter apart from young John It was devastating. It's an hour of darkness. These are genuine believers and they're utterly devastated They're in fear. They're locking their doors. They're hiding. They're denying the Christ Do you know what Christ done? I actually believe at this time if they would have been taken and Threatened with martyrdom with crucifixion. It would have been too much for them. They couldn't have handled it They're only saved three years. They're only born again three years. They're only beginning in this journey To face martyrdom a martyrs crying So Christ saved them and protected them. You know why that was a trial too much for them at that point So he protects them But give it 30 years. All of them are gonna face martyrdom Thomas is gonna face it and Peter's gonna face it Peter says I'm not worthy to be Crucified like my master turn the cross upside down Thomas was killed in India. They killed him for taking the gospel to India This is remarkable. What you have here is those built on this rock You know what if you're not able to withstand a trial he's gonna say protect them keep them guard them And then a bit down the road he'll say okay Lord now let the devil come against them or test them You know why they're ready for us You're kept You're kept by the real power of God Certain finally, I'm not gonna preach at all. I'm gonna mention us My third point a seal foundation is a sanctifying foundation One half of the seal is the Lord knows them that are his the other half of it is What's it say at the end of verse 19? Let everyone that name is the name of Christ depart from iniquity This is the two sides of this seal I'm known by God. I'm kept by God Okay, great But if you don't depart from iniquity, you're lying Don't tell me God for knew you and he's keeping you and he's guarding you And he's hedging you around and you're building on the foundation if you do not depart from iniquity when I see a Someone claiming to be a Christian liquid. It says let everyone that name is the name of Christ. They are professor I'm a Christian. I'm born again. I believe in Jesus great Improve it depart from iniquity You're claiming it Then this is going to be the mark of your life. How do I tell people how to identify them who are building on this foundation? This foundation that has a seal that says they're secure. They're protected. They're genuine. They're real They depart from iniquity That word depart is the Greek word Epistemio, it's the word used elsewhere for a apostasy or rebellion against the truth of God It's used for apostasy from the truth But you know here it's talking about a real Christian. You can tell those building on this Foundation with this seal, you know why they actually react to iniquity This is what the Greek word means separation from to remove yourself from withdraw yourself revolt Against it means an uprising Sudden immediate. It's actually a military call this Depart from iniquity as a military term violent immediate total absolute Do you know how you identify the sheep and those on the solid foundation of God they depart from iniquity Well, I'm born again. I'm still sleeping with my girlfriend Still get drunk still blaspheme still swear Someone said to me. Oh, you know you kick your foot and just something slips out I actually don't understand that if you curse and then you go forgive me I understand. It's a process sanctification. I understand it But I don't do that Please don't test me, but you could test my drop something on my foot. I promise you something's not gonna slip out of my mouth It's not even there But I'm I want to tell you the mark of a real sheep. They depart from Iniquity the word iniquity literally means to be wicked unrighteous or Against what is just or right? That's what iniquity is It's a moral act against the law of God It is you by actions Disobeying God's clear command in the scriptures. It is someone Disobeying who thinks that they will escape the justice of God. I Looked this up listen very carefully. I love this I have to finish with this the word iniquity in the Greek is a DQ a DQ a DQ a so I looked up a DQ a Wikipedia help me may not be totally reliable, but in history it is often. What's a DQ a? This word for iniquity. You can look it up when you go home a DQ a was one of the ancient Greek gods a woman a hideous woman a barbaric woman covered From head to toe and tattoos and When you see her in Greek mythology, this is iniquity This is a picture in Greek culture of what she looks like this is what a neglect you say that's horrible. That's gross. Yes You as a Christian are meant to react have a rebellion against this woman You know who she is. She's a lover of iniquity Joyce Meyer getting her tattoo Don't speak to me about it These drunkard pulpiteers these immoral men Or a preacher since unfaithful to his wife commits adultery unfaithful to her devastates her First thing you hear Christian say oh, but he can come back into ministry. He hasn't even repented yet Hasn't even repented hasn't even begun. Oh, make sure you protect the guilty one. That's what we do as the church, isn't it? No, it's not No, it's not You're unfaithful to your wife. You'll never preach in this pulpit. You don't deserve to and so we see that this Adikia in Greek mythology She's always got another Goddess with her called Dyke the goddess of justice who is pulling her by her hair with the big rod hitting her constantly Justice being made it out So what's Adikia iniquity? I know it's a gross picture It's Greek culture not the Bible, but it gives you a feel how do I explain otherwise to you what iniquity is? disobedience to God's Word Careless attitudes, I don't care what it says. I'll be fine. God loves me. I'm under grace. I Disobey the Word of God. I don't even try to work on the Word of God I don't listen to the advice of God's Word, but you know what? I'm saved. I'm under grace Do you know what you look like you look like the goddess Adikia? All your tattoos your vile your blasphemous and you're claiming to be under the grace of God utterly impossible Utterly impossible can a real Christian sin. Yes King David dead and he wrote a psalm out of it heartbroken Take not by Holy Spirit from me Saints of God, I'm gonna tell you that this foundation This this seal foundation is a tested foundation It's a sure and secure foundation you build your life in this You're secure what brother Clinton always say about those washed in the blood are As safe as a man who's in heaven with the door locked Please don't undermine the teaching of our security in Christ because you're trying to prove that someone can fall away from the faith and Someone can fall away from the faith and they can depart from the right way and enjoying the blessings of God But let's not deny the truth of this that there's a security a safety for the sheep of God to say he knows me and he's never lost one sheep not once in 2,000 years and you know what if you will if you don't like that teaching you're gonna have to throw your Bible out Because it's intrinsic there, but it's a foundation It's a sanctified foundation where we have a mighty rebellion against iniquity God help you. I hope you never forget the picture of Adikia if you want to enjoy iniquity But building this foundation, I hope it comes up in your mind is the tattooed Adikia goddess Justice is gonna be made it out to her. She's vile But she's trying to say that she's right Please stand with me Father we love you. We bless you this morning Lord God, we know that we're dealing with foundations We're dealing with beautiful things Lord God that I can read in this book that you knew me from before the foundation of the world that you chose me before the foundation of the world that you for knew me that you Predestinated you had a plan to make me like the Lord Jesus Christ Lord God What an inheritance those that build on this solid foundation not only forgiven not only washed from their sin Not only picked up out of the rubble and the ruin of this world But they begin on that foundation stone to realize that there's been an eternal plan that they were known Intimately in a very unique and special way by the creator the God of heaven from before the foundation of the world And Lord God we do ask Oh God save souls. Oh God in this hour It's not your desire that any man perish But that all repent and come to faith on the Lord Jesus Christ Lord God We pray that hearts would be melted by your loving kindness and built up as the house of God in Jesus name Amen