Chapter One Remember the Foundation Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, making mention of your faith and your perseverance in a world filled with noise and shadows. But I write to you now with heaviness of heart, for I perceive that many have departed from the foundation laid from the beginning, and the cracks are beginning to show. When I first preached Christ unto you, it was not with excellency of speech or wisdom of men, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Yet now, many among you build with strange materials: self-help, entertainment, shallow affirmations, and the applause of the world. You have traded the Cornerstone for comfort. The altar for ambition. The cross for convenience. Have you forgotten that no other foundation can any man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ? He is not your brand. He is not your mascot. He is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all. I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, a gospel of self, a gospel of feelings, a gospel without repentance. But let me say again what I told the Galatians: though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached, let him be accursed. For the gospel is not yours to reshape. It was delivered once to the saints, and you are its stewards, not its editors. I see many churches that appear healthy in form, but hollow in faith. The buildings are full, but the altars are empty. The music is excellent, but the power is absent. The preachers are applauded, but truth is diluted. Do you not know that your strength is not in your structure but in your surrender? You have conferences, strategies, seminars, but where is your consecration? Where is the trembling at the Word? Where are the tears for the lost? Where is the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom? The early Church had no wealth, no social status, no influence with rulers, yet they turned the world upside down. Why? Because they had the right foundation. They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine, in fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved. Brethren, I speak plainly, not to shame you but to stir you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith. Prove your own selves. Have you built upon Christ, or merely built around Him? You are called to be a holy temple, not a social club. You are called to preach the Word, not tickle ears. You are called to disciple nations, not entertain crowds. If the foundation is not Christ, then all your labor is in vain. The hour is late. The night is far spent. The storm is coming, and only that which is founded on the Rock will remain. If the winds of culture blow against your house, will it stand? If persecution arises, will your people endure? Or have you built with wood, hay, and stubble that will not survive the fire? Let every builder take heed how he builds. Return to the foundation. Preach Christ crucified. Proclaim repentance and remission of sins. Be not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. If you would have revival, it must begin beneath the surface. Dig deep. Tear up the old compromises. Remove the idols. And build again upon the only sure foundation: Jesus Christ the Risen Lord. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.