“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone,” Ephesians 2:20.

Any structure or building must have a firm foundation so that the walls, and what remains, can rise securely and remain intact.

We know this in the physical but the spiritual application must follow the same pattern as well.

God has called us to be servants, and a servant is to lay his life down for the sheep. A leader is to train and equip others so that they also can do the work of the ministry.

This is actually what the five-fold ministry is to be about. It isn’t about building one’s own kingdom. It isn’t about building a name for one’s self. For when one does this then their kingdom will eventually crumble and fall to the ground.

The remaining structure of a building must rest upon the underlying foundation in order for it to be strong. The foundation of a building itself, serves the purpose of allowing the corresponding layers to be built upon it.

Whether or not a foundation is built out of stone, concrete, or whatever, its materials must be strong and firm. If the material is porous or is not solid, then eventually everything that has been built on top of it will eventually collapse.

Those who are involved in the foundational ministries must have a solid, firm foundation themselves, in the Chief Cornerstone, who is Jesus Himself. He laid the design for the building, and as such, He is the chief architect.

But He has also given His apostles and prophets the blue print, so that the rest of the building can rise to its full height and maturity in Him. Then those who do build, become as it were, master builders who help direct and instruct others in the furtherance of the building.

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord,” Ephesians 2:21.

In the Kingdom of God each individual is then like unto a living stone. This living stone then finds its place within the overall structure of the building.

It isn’t a lifeless structure, but it is a living organism, made-up of a whole host of individuals whose placement in the building becomes crucial to its overall success.

No one stone is more important than any of the other ones. And if one stone is left out, then this gap in the structure causes it to be weaker.

“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 2:5.

Furthermore, Jesus, Yeshua, is the living stone. He came as a servant, but He was rejected by many who attempted to erect their own buildings made of the materials of this world.

“He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.

Eventually, the building will rise to its full height, but it will not represent the kingdom of man, but that of God.

The structure must withstand the many winds of doctrine that are thrown at it. It must endure until the end, whether it be from persecution, famine, sword, or anything else that is thrown at it.

Those ministers who think that they can build a kingdom that penetrates every aspect of this world’s culture, or any other institution, are deceived, for then it would cease to be the true building.

For it is not to be built upon the accomplishments of any ministry or man. For only when we empty ourselves taking on the form of a servant, can anything be done to ensure the upward movement of the building.

Otherwise, it will only be through fire that anyone would be saved.

“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire,” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.

 

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

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Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

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