Standing on the Rock of Christ
As God's people who desire to exalt the Lord, it's crucial to understand the foundation upon which we build our lives, ministries, and churches. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, provides a clear picture of this foundation:
"So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:19-20, LSB).
This passage reminds us that we, as members of God’s household, are firmly anchored in a foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.
A Sure Foundation
Paul uses powerful imagery. Picture a building—a structure that stands tall and strong, not because of its ornate design or the beauty of its walls, but because of the solidity of its foundation. If that foundation were to crumble, the entire building would collapse, no matter how beautiful it might appear. This is why Paul emphasizes the foundation: everything else is meaningless without it.
The apostles and prophets laid this foundation through their teachings, which are recorded in the canon of Scripture. They did not build this foundation by their own wisdom or insight but were guided by the Holy Spirit to deliver God's very words. These are the words that form the bedrock of our faith.
But at the center of this foundation is Christ Jesus, the cornerstone. In ancient construction, the cornerstone was the principal stone placed at the corner of the structure. It was the standard by which everything else was aligned. Without Christ as our cornerstone, our understanding of Scripture and our entire ministry would be misaligned and destined to fail.
The Chief Pillar: Exaltation of God
At Grace Bible Church, we believe that God's exaltation is not just a part of our ministry—it is the key pillar that governs everything we do. Our overarching goal is to exalt God, and we accomplish this through our other three primary pillars, beginning with the exposition of His Word.
Paul’s example in Acts 20:24-27 shows us that to exalt God, we must be committed to the faithful exposition of His Word. Paul testified of God’s grace to him, a wretched sinner, and many others who came to faith through his ministry. He did not shrink from declaring the whole purpose of God, knowing that the truth of God can only be found in His Word.
The Whole Purpose of God
Paul’s words to Timothy further reinforce this commitment: "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17, LSB).
The Scripture is not a mere collection of ancient writings but the Word of the living God, breathed out by the Holy Spirit. It is profitable—it is necessary for teaching us, correcting us, training us in righteousness, and equipping us for every good work. As a church, we do not rely on the shifting sands of pop psychology, cultural trends, or political ideologies. Our firm foundation is God’s Holy Word, and on it, we stand.
Peter echoes this truth when he writes, "Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:20-21, LSB). The Word of God is not subject to personal interpretation or the whims of man. It is the divine revelation given to us by the Holy Spirit.
Expository Preaching: A Commitment to God’s Word
We are committed to expository preaching at Grace Bible Church because we are committed to God’s Word. Expository preaching means that the main point and outline of the sermon come directly from the correct interpretation of the text of Scripture. This method ensures that we remain faithful to the God-intended meaning of the text and can rightly apply it to our lives today.
The heart of our ministry is captured in Don Green's words: "In days of strength, preach the Word. In days of weakness, preach the Word. In days of joy, preach the Word. In days of sorrow, preach the Word."
No matter the season or circumstance, our mission remains the same: to preach the Word of God faithfully, trusting that His Word will accomplish the purpose for which He sent it.
Conclusion
As we continue to build upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, with Christ as our cornerstone, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to exalt God through the faithful exposition of His Word. It is through His Word that we grow in grace and knowledge, and it is through His Word that we are equipped for every good work. In the end, let us hold fast to the truth that in every season, we must preach the Word.