House of God (Part 3)

Ephesians 2:19–22

Ephesians 2:19-22 uses three pictures to describe the church: citizens in a kingdom, family members in God’s home, and bricks in a building. These images stress the importance of being together and getting along. The church is built on the teachings of the prophets and apostles, which is crucial for us to stay united. We’ll look at what the foundation is, why it’s important, and how we can align our lives with it.

1. What is the foundation?

In both the Old and New Testaments, prophets and apostles were humble and often felt inadequate, but they were bold and powerful when they spoke God’s words. They didn’t claim their own power or authority, but admitted that their messages were direct from God. This sets them apart from self-proclaimed spiritual gurus. So, the basis of the Christian faith and the church is the Bible, the written teachings of these prophets and apostles.

2. Why is the Word of God a foundation?

The Bible is like a rock-solid base for our faith, giving us a steady and trustworthy picture of the ultimate truth about God. If we pick and choose parts of the Bible to accept or ignore based on our personal opinions or what’s popular in society, we risk disrespecting the authority of the Bible and the faultless teachings of Jesus. We are encouraged to accept the whole scripture as the base for our belief in the absolute truth, as it’s timeless and goes beyond our limited human comprehension.

3. How can you, in a practical way, make sure your life is laid on the foundation?

It’s important to immerse ourselves in the Bible’s teachings, not just as followers but as eager learners. This approach can give us independent thinking and the ability to critically examine any belief system. Studying the Bible can change our lives, and we should regard it as a personal letter from God, helping us to build a deeper connection with Him.