The Foundations

Apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus the Chief Cornerstone. Illustrate using Lego base-board and first row of bricks.

Prophets

This speaks of the Word of God - the Church has to be based firmly and squarely on the Truth of the Bible. Without it we are on ground which will fail. Ref 2 Peter 1:19-21. Illustrate by building Lego house on a sheet of card.

Cornerstone

Jesus is the Cornerstone. He is the Stone on which the whole building is aligned. Without Him the foundations would not be true, and the building would not be square. Every Christian has to be ‘lined up’ with Jesus. “So we too have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ,” Gal 2:16. Ref 1 Pet 2:6. Illustrate by building randomly using Lego.

Apostles

The apostles were the foundation of the Church. God used them to establish the Church after Jesus ascended to glory, and their teaching has been passed to us in the New Testament. If we move from their teaching then the building will not stand. Ref 2 Tim 3:16-4:4 Illustrate with Lego, building out and away from the foundations - eventually the wall becomes top-heavy and falls.

The building PARTS

God’s people. You and me. Without us there would be no building. . We are selected and put in the right position by Jesus. He selects us, but his Word says that anyone who calls on his name will be saved (1 Pet 2:6 again, and Rom 3:23,24). Just as building parts are different shapes and sizes and have different purposes, so we have different purposes in God’s house (Eph 2:10). Illustrate by selecting different Lego parts for the building, from the bag.

The outside bricks

Need to be strong and unmoving, resistant to all that would threaten to shake the walls.

The windows

Need to be clear, so that we don’t see them but the light that shines through them.

Inside walls

Need to be well decorated, but have to be protected from the elements

Roof Tiles

Not for looking at, nor for strength, but need to protect from the rain that would otherwise ruin the interior decoration.

JOINING the bricks together

In Christ the whole building is held together. In him we are being built together. He makes “one out of two” (Eph 2:15,16). He reconciles and brings peace, so that we fit together. We have the responsibility to share that peace and serve one another in love. Gal 5:13-15. Illustrate by Lego bricks fitting together and not fitting together.

The Purpose

A dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. He is building a beautiful building to live in and to demonstrate to all created beings the splendour of His design. I want to be part of that building, don’t you? He lives in His building today, and wants to use us to bless the world.

Conclusion

Are you a part of God’s building? And if you are, are you correctly lined up with Jesus, living in the way the Bible teaches? Are you fitting securely where Jesus has placed you, linked to those around you in peace and love? And are you carrying out the task which God has prepared in advance for you to do?