If the foundations be destroyed

Opening Song: 522

Scripture reading: Psalm 11:3-4

Closing Hymn: 614

Im here today to preach an Adventist sermon. Every so often we ought to

hear a sermon that we can only hear in an Adventist church. I hope that
you dont hold that against me this morning. If the foundations be
destroyed.

Introduction

One of Europes most famous tourist attractions is the leaning tower of Pisa
in Italy. The structure at one time was one of the 7 wonders of the modern
world and this tower which was started in 1174 and completed in 1350 was
built entirely of marble. It is a fine example of Roman ace architecture.
Rising 185 feet into the air, the tower is famous today however not because
of its architecture but because it leans at least 15 feet out of perpendicular.
It is said that its tilt increases at the rate of 1/16 th of an inch per year. Why
has this been taking place? You see this well known tower was built on too
shallow or too shaky a foundation. No builder worth his pay will attempt to
erect a structure without first building a firm foundation. The sub-structure
of any building is as vital and important as the super-structure, for on the
sub-structure rest both the live and the dead weights. Foundations
therefore ought to be strong, they ought to be stable and yes, they ought to
be secure. When a shaky foundation is made for a structure, chances are
when the wind raises its fist and the earth gets unruly; the structure will
tumble. Now as in the material, tangible realms so it is in the immaterial
and intangible ideas and concepts and institutions must have solid
foundations and firm bases if they are to survive.

The same applies to governments and societies. And so Im constrained to

ask this morning; on what do the foundations of society, on what do
civilized societys stand? Well on principles and values like law and order,
and honesty and truthfulness and fairness, respect and equality and
democracy and morality and yes, integrity. Cultures and societies that do
not promulgate, cultivate or do not preserve or endanger these values are
destined for difficulties if not demise. Are you listening to me out there?
Brothers and sisters History is littered with civilizations and governments
that failed because their foundations became corroded, corrupt and
crooked beyond repair. You remember Babylon dont you? Babylon was an
advance civilization centuries before Christ, Babylon was running hot and
cold water, Babylons achievements were without rivalry yet Babylon failed
Why? Because Belshazzar lost respect for Holy things. Given the seemingly
immortal rise and fall of the roman empire, asserts that Rome fell because
of a general decline in her values. Let me repeat that; any culture, any
society that allows the values that under gird it to become so compromised,
that it is doomed to experience difficulties.

Now today ours is a society of corroding foundations. The family as the

basic unit of society is under attack. Technology has rendered. Many of our
values are obsolete. Even God and Religion are under attack. The very
pillars on which society stands are crumbling thus the Psalmist ask the
question and the question begs for an answer: If the foundations be
destroyed, what can the righteous do?
David answers the question himself, in verse 4; The Lord is in His holy
temple, the Lords throne is in Heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids
try the children of men.

My Brothers and Sisters; what the Psalmist is essentially saying have no

fear God is still in heaven and He is still in control. Do not be afraid God is
still upon the throne. Take heart God is still the sovereign ruler of this
universe. God is still on the throne. Thank God for that today what do
you say out there?

I would not be an Adventist preacher if I did not pull from this passage one
more application, I would be dilapidated if I do not ask this question in the
context of Gods church; because you see the SDA Church also has
foundations as well. There are certain truths, certain beliefs and yes there
are certain doctrines that are basic and foundational to Seventh-day
Adventism. Some of these are called pillars.

Others are called way marks; still others are called landmarks. These
truths, these beliefs have made the SDA Church what it is. They have made
us who we are; distinguish and distinctive: Gods remnant truth loving
people who keep the commandments of God and who have the faith of
Jesus Christ. Again this is an Adventist sermon. Now these truths were
not arrived at by wind, chance or happenstance. They resulted from
prayerful study of Gods holy words. Listen to what Adventist pioneer Ellen
white had to say about this Many people do not realized how firmly
the foundation of our faith has been laid. (1 SM p. 206) Testimonies
to Ministers p. 24-26 she says that The early pioneers would come
together in prayer and study and that they fasted often. Many
tears were shed at these meetings as they dug for truth which laid
the foundations of the church. She later remarked that it is certain
that we have the truth of God and that Satan with all his hellish
powers cannot change it into a lie. In 1850 she exclaimed we have
the truth and we know it.

In vision Ellen White saw that the messages of the three angels of
Revelation 14 AS STEPS WHICH LED TO A PLOT FORM WHICH was solid and
immovable, she said that she saw individuals approaching that plot form
and examine the foundation. Now Adventist pioneers established their
faith on a firm foundation; the three angels messages of Revelation 14.
(Read it). These three messages form the bedrock, the pillars and yes the
foundation of Seventh-day Adventism. One Adventist author from Andrews
University puts it this way the early Adventist pioneers associated
these three messages with the Law of God, the Sabbath, the
Sanctuary in Heaven where judgment is in progress, the health
message and reform in life style and all of these were understood
in the context of the second coming of Jesus Christ and the cross.

Of course the second coming was the blessed hope, it was what give their
reason for being and these pillars differentiated Seventh-day Advents from
every other denomination in the 19th century, they constituted the great
foundation of the S.D. A Church and thank God for them (Foundation of the
Message & mission of S.D.A)

Ellen White have some council for what is modern day Adventist; Vol 5.
P.330 we should make our children familiar with the great pillars
of our faith (HMMM), we should make our children familiar with the
great pillars of our faith, the reasons why we are SDA,

Why we have been called as were the children of Israel to be a peculiar

people, a holy nation, separate and distinct from all other people on the
face of the Earth. She says we must teach our Children until the
foundations of truth have been laid broad and deep,
we must teach them why the Sabbath is important and not just another day

we must teach them why we live the way we live the way we do, soberly
and circumspectly

we must teach them why Jesus as our High Priest is now engaged in a work
of judgment in the Sanctuary

we must teach our children why we are Gods remnant end time special
people, you see because we are special a people called into existence at a
particular time in the history of this world and God is expecting something
special out of us. We are not just any and everybody (its ok you can hold
out).

But alas the servant of the lord also prophesied that Satan would attack
these pillars; she predicted that like termites, Satan would quietly yet
effectively undermine and destroy the foundations of the S.D.A Church.
The old waymarks she said would be attacked. The old landmark
would be ridiculed, the old waymarks would be verified, and
indeed before she died she wrote we have wondered from the OLD
LANDMARKS. And today the S.D.A Church bears more than a passing
resemblance to the world in many respects. Many of our foundational truths
are crumbling (I told you this is an Adventist sermon).

The Law of God we treat with malignant neglect,

the sanctuary doctrine we claim is irrelevant,

health reform is a thing of the past,

lifestyle reform, forget that,

we eat like the world. Dress like the world.

leadership is based on what credentials you have,

We even ordain women as leaders

We have compromised our education system to accommodate the world

We preach for numbers so we showcase a product at the evangelistic

meetings that the church does not supply

The pastors are paid to work the fields of soul but yet still they spend more
time at the mission office, I mean conference office and in the weighing of
table, rather than preaching, they get someone else to preach, and then
come to do the baptism for a whole bunch of un prepared candidates.
Some of these individuals have little or no knowledge of the foundational
doctrines of the Church.

Some of them even come in the church asking where is Sister White. They
want to meet her.

Even creationism is loosing its vibrancy in some circles. There was a time
when S.D.A would subscribe to what the Bible has to say in Gen 1-11 in
terms of creation and the fall and the flood, that was before the onset or
the study of Geology, Gerontology and Marine Biology and all of these
things, now theistic evolution has gained a foot hold among some of us and
those 11 chapters are now re understood as a myth, an allegory and a
fable.

Even the second coming has lost its fervency. S.D.A of old lived, studied
and preached in the context of the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. In recent times however, the doctrine of the Second Coming has lost
its prominence in our preaching and in our lives. When was the last time
you heard a sermon on the Second Coming? Yet its in our name, we
are S.D. A. Alarmed by this Francis D. Nickel, a former editor of the Review
and Herald wrote in the mid 20th century if there is one thing above
another that distinguishes the Advent people of today from the
Advent people of an earlier day, it is the subdued emphasis on the
immediacy of our Lords coming. Today we tend to hold the doctrine in
abstract, that the Lord is coming we affirm without wavering that the day of
the Lord is near and hastening greatly, we do not seem to emphasize as
much.

Years ago one prominent Jewish Rabbi wrote after a visit he had made to
Israel; the greatest threat to Israel was fatigue, spiritual fatigue
brought on by the long journey and the sustained battle. Beloved if
the greatest struggle then was spiritual fatigue, then what is the greatest
struggle of S.D. Adventism? I submit to you today that the greatest peril of
Adventism today is the insensitivity showed to the nearness of our Lords
return.

Indeed in His book The church faces the ism, the author states that the
most dangerous Hiesm facing the church today is not Atheism, or
AGnosticism, or congregationism, or racism, or classism, or sexism, or
ethno-sensism, or regionism, or nationalism, or materialism, or post-
modernism, nor scholarstism, nor even secularism, the greatest threat
facing the church is Somnambulism. THATS SLEEP WALKING. That is what
that is. In fact Ellen White says we have a condition in our churches today
where we have sleeping preachers, preaching to sleeping congregations,
(tulog po kayo?) I dont know about this church but this preacher is not
sleeping.

But there is a lot of sleeping preachers, preaching to sleeping

congregations when we should be on fire looking for the Second Coming of
our Lord and living as though He is even at the door. We are Seventh-day
Adventist. We expect Him to return any day now, and we live accordingly,
and we work accordingly and we eat accordingly and we drink
accordingly and we dress accordingly and we spend accordingly and we
share with others accordingly that Jesus is coming. And He is coming soon.
Pause

If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?

Now even our style of worship is up for grabs these days; now the Devil
knows how important worship is, not just any worship but Adventist
worship. Now Satan is acutely aware of the ecclesiastic significance and
eschatological implications of worship, he knows that worship is at the
centre and lies at the foundation of the great controversy. It is significant
because the 1st Angel of Rev speaks of worship; fear God and give glory to
Him for the hour of His judgment is come and worship Him

The 3rd Angel declared if any man WORSHIP the beast and his image

So important is the issue of WORSHIP in the Great Controversy that Satan

even tries to get Jesus to worship him, all of these things will I give you if
you bow down and WORSHIP me. Who we WORSHIP is important and
Seventh-day Adventist WORSHIP should always refer or point to 3 things or
the three Ss; the Sabbath, the Second Coming and the Sanctuary.
Every time we get together to WORSHIP something in the service should
remind us of the Sanctuary in Heaven, something should call attention to
the fact that Jesus is coming again; the Second Coming and something
should underscore the importance of the Sabbath. The three Ss: the
Sabbath, the Second Coming and the Sanctuary. (Its ok you can hold out).
This is a S.D.A sermon

And who and how we WORSHIP is also very important. If you dont believe
me on how we WORSHIP I point you to Cain. When we come to worship God
is the audience. It is God who needs our homage and our reverence and
yes please dont misunderstand me now, its all right and we ought to
praise God but we need to remember that the highest form of praise is
OBEDIENCE. Obedience, the highest form of praise. So our cell phone
should be off during worship time. Our children should not be running,
eating and playing in our church services. Some of us Facebook and games
on our phone, not to mention texting.

Now even sin seems to have vanished from our presence. If the foundations
be destroyed. A little over 30-40yrs ago a Christian psychiatrist penned
these words in his book entitled whatever became of sin have the men
of our time lost the feeling of sin? He continues, today sin is
unacknowledged, unchecked, unnoticed, and unrepented, our moral
tone has plummeted, our moral chord has been repealed; we call yeah
even revoked the very notion of sin which has fallen into disrepute. Sin has
undergone a reappraisal, a reassessment and sin has been found to be very
obsolete, out dated today. Nowadays there is a little in the way of
condemnation or disapproval, no our vocabulary has been amended; old
fashioned sin is out. Today we talk of short-comings and issues, nobody sins
anymore. Everybody has issues (hmmm its ok you can hold out). We recoil,
we cringe at using the word, even using synonyms, and we prefer to use
euphemisms instead.

Thus we may engage in unacceptable behavior but not sin.

We may practice antisocial behavior but not sin.

We may be guilty of unethical behavior but not sin.

We may engage in inappropriate behavior but not sin.

We may even engage in disgusting behavior but not sin.

We may engage in unqualified behavior but not sin, hmmm.

Nobody sins anymore. You see we are an enlightened people now. A

progressive people. A thinking people. A reasoning people. An educated
people. A sophisticated people. We have MDs, JDs, PHDs, and EDDs,
everything but God. We know better, thats our thinking. Our parents may
have considered some things wrong but they did not have the education, or
the knowledge that we have today. We are educated so much that nobody
sins anymore. Ellen White says that sin has become more bold and defiant
as intellectual knowledge and acuteness are acquired. Are you with me?

And why is the church low to talk about sin these days? Because we dont
want to offend folks, sins are strong reproachful quality, the implications of
guilt and the fact that it absorbs us of acknowledging the existence of God
are our reluctance to offend the influential and sympathy, yet 20 th century
writer Barnoff the German theologian states nothing can be altogether
cruel than the tenderness that confides another to his sin. Nothing
can be crueler; he goes on to say that nothing can be more
compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back
from the path of sin and he says failure to point out sin is the
preachers sin. Now the messenger of the Lord says even though Gods
hatred of sin is as strong as death. Gods love for the sinner is stronger than
death. Alas and did my Savior bleed and did my sovereign die, would he
devote for such a worm as I and He calls us, where sin doth abound, grace
doth much more abound.

The prophet Isaiah says And they that shall be of thee shall build
the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many
generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach,
The restorer of paths to dwell in. Isa 58:12

Ellen White says again in Vol. 5 p.137:3 We have wandered away from
the old landmarks. Let us return. If the Lord be God, serve Him; if
Baal, serve him. Which side will you be on?
Else where she says we are Gods commandment keeping people, the way
marks that has made us who we are ought to be preserved and God calls
upon us to hold firmly with the grip of faith to the fundamental principles
that are based on unquestionable authority

And the wise man says in Proverbs 14: 12 There is a way which
seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of
death.

Matthew Henry in his commentary on this text says that Sin is the ruin of
great families. RPT

Ladies and Gentlemen, young people and Children alike we must give the
trumpet a certain sound watchmen on the walls of Zion I have set thee
upon the walls, cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my
people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Isa 58:1

In REV 18; John heard the angel crying Babylon is fallen come out of her my
people that ye be not partaker of her sin and that ye receive not her
plagues.

Brothers and Sisters God is calling upon us to re-establish the old way
marks in our homes, in our lives, in our churches, in our communities and in
our neighborhood. God is calling upon us to return to primitive Godliness, to
get back to basics, to rekindle the old time Religion, the old truths, the old
path, the old landmarks, the old standards, because what was wrong back
then is STILL WRONG TODAY and what was right back then is still right
today.

Somebody ought to say this morning, give me that old time religion, give
me that old time religion if it was good for Paul and Silas it is good enough
for me, if it was good enough for the prophets and the kings, it is good
enough for me, if it was good enough for Jesus when He came here on
Earth, it is good enough for me.

We are S.D.A and we say it not with pride but with humility. God has
called us into being in this time of Earths history because there is a work to
be done we are either in or we are out. You see MGA KAPATID we have too
many Church members with one foot in and one foot out, one in the river
and one on the banks. Borderline Christians. We need some S.D.A
Christians who will purpose in their hearts that we will not change course,
we will not bow, we will not go along to get along. We are here for the
attack. We are going to fight the good fight of faith until Jesus comes. We
are not Mormon, Catholic or iglesian ni cristo, we are not Muslims but we
are S.D.A

Ladies and gentlemen/ mga kapatid/ ka kapsat God has called us to be

S.D.A. that says something but if the foundations are destroyed then we are
in trouble, we are in trouble. What can the righteous do? Asked the
psalmist.

Let me bring this home now. Im going to land this message so please
prepare for landing. And the truth is I will enjoy the rest of this message all
by myself if I have to.

If the foundation be destroyed?

You see brothers and sisters/ mga kapatid we cannot destroy the
foundation. Uulitin ko.Hindi mo Masicera ang foundation. We cannot
destroy the foundation. Sabi ko we cannot destroy the foundation. Apay?
Bakit? Why? Kasi ang foundation po ay si Jesus. Because Jesus is the
foundation. ANG IGLESIA PO AY MAY ISANG FOUNDATION, ITO PO AY SI JESU
CRISTO mga kapatid. The church, the church, the church has one
foundation tis Jesus Christ the Lord. Beloved Paul says in 1Cor 3:10,11
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise
master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth
thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ.

It was Christ Himself who declared and upon this Rock I will build my church
and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. Can I preach like I feel it?
brothers and sisters all of our standards,

all of our beliefs,

all of our landmarks,

all of our pillars,

all of our doctrines are anchored in Jesus Christ.

On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand. Jesus, Jesus
Christ is our foundation. The centre of every doctrine that we Adventist
holds near and dear is anchored in Christ.

Christ is the truth about God. He is Gods word incarnate; before

Abraham was I am He declared.

In Christ was and is life unborrowed, original and underived.

Christ is the truth about my salvation; the Sanctuary and the

judgment. I am come that they might have life and have it more
abundantly.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have ever-lasting life.

Jesus is the truth about the resurrection; every funeral He ever

attended He broke up including His own. He is the death of death, when He
died death died. And if you dont believe me, Ill point you to an empty
tomb. Christ turned death from an eternal nightmare into an afternoon nap.
And now Jesus Lives, Jesus lives and because He lives I can face tomorrow,
because He lives all fear is gone. Jesus lives, Jesus lives. Yall better pray for
me but I feel

Now Christ lives to make intercession in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Christ

lives as my mediator, ever making intercession for me.

Christ lives; the second Adam. My righteousness by faith

Christ lives, my presiding judge the one who rules in favor of the saints

Christ lives; my reconciler, ransom, surety, atonement, justification,

sanctification, glorification.

Christ lives; establishing my right to the tree of life

Jesus lives

He is also the truth about Heaven.

Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God believe also in me. In my
fathers house are many mansions. If it were not so I would have told you.

MGA Kapatid Ladies and Gentle men soon Ill be done with the troubles of
this world. Trouble doesnt last always. Weeping you many endure for a
night but joy, sweet joy, wonderful joy, hallelujah joy comes in the morning

Were going home, no more wheel chairs, rocking chairs, dental chairs or
electric chairs.

Were going home; the lion and the lamb will lie down together and a little
child shall lead them.
Were going home; no more false hair, false nails, false flowers or false
eyelashes

Were going home; no more visa, itinerary or airplanes

We are going home: no more Adobo, caldereta, baguong, esaw or tokwa

Were going home; no more Pandisol, Putok or whole wheat bread

We are going home: no more bankrupt, recession, low batt, unli, globe,
suncell or bayot

We are going home: no more night shift, IV or board exam

We are going home: no more high blood, diabetics, cataract, fever or

varicles vein.

We are going home: no more arthritis, appendicitis, tonsillitis or halitosis

We are going home: no more bucco pie, cinaman bread or baboy.

We are going home: no more pre school, high school, or Sunday School

We are going home: no more board meeting, no more vestry days, no more
week of prayer or pre marital counseling

We are going home: the sun shall not smite thee there, no more sunog for
Jesus is the light of the world.

We are going home: flowers will bloom. Streets of gold, walls of Japer. A tree
with 12 manner of fruit. We are going home.

We are going home: no more sickness, no more tears, no more death. We

are going home.

I know that it has been awhile but He that shall come will come and will not
tarry. It wont be long now. It wont be long.
John heard then in Rev_6:10 crying with a loud voice, saying, How long, O
Lord, how long, how long, not long.

Soon and very soon we are going to see the king

How long? Not long: The Golden morning is fast approaching. Jesus soon
will come

How long? Not long: Lo He comes, He comes all glorious, Jesus comes to
reign victorious

How long? Not long: Lift up the trumpet, loud let it ring. Si Jesus muling
darating

How long? Not long: we have this hope that burns within our hearts, hope in
the coming of the Lord.

How long? Not long: hail Him, hail Him Jesus our blessed redeemer

How long? Not long: face to face shall I behold Him, face to face how will it
be

How long? Not long: weeping you may endure for a night But Joy comes in
the morning.

How long? Not long: the Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some
men counts slackness but is long suffering towards us.

How long? Not Long Jesus. Si Jesus. Senor. Jesus. Lo He comes, He comes all
glorious. Jesus is coming. Sabi ko MGA kapatid. Si Jesus muling darating.
Sya Po ay daratiing, Sya po ay darating.

And on that day (repeat) MGA Kapatid it is going to be a day we will never
forget. What a day that will be. What a day.
Somebody said the last time I saw him He was on an OLD rugged cross BUT
the Next time I see Him, He will be riding on a WHITE Horse. How long?

The Last time I saw Him His hands were nailed with the rusty nails BUT the
next time I see him they will be holding a golden scepter

The last time I saw Him He had two thieves beside Him BUT the next time I
see Him He will be surrounded by the Angelic Host.

The last time I saw Him He had a crown of thorns on His head, and the
words written above His head Jesus King of the Jews BUT the next time I see
Him He will have a name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords

The last time I saw Him He was naked as the day He was born But the Next
time I see Him He will be clothed in WHITE LINEN.

The Last time I saw Him His eyes were tired Pagud na pagud na SHA BUT
the next time I see Him they will be like flaming fire

The last time I saw Him Evil men shouted If you are Jesus come down from
the cross, they shouted CRUCIFY HIM BUT the next time I see Him, every
knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that JESUS, JESUS, JESUS,
JESUS, Si Jesus is Lord

The last time I saw Him with His tired voice He cried out Father Into thy
hands I commit my Spirit But the next time I see Him He shall descend with
a shout and the dead in Christ shall rise. Oh yes Jesus is coming again. How
Long? Not long. Not Long.

When he cometh , when He cometh to make up His Jewels. I want to be

there. MGA Kapatid. I want to be there.

How Long? Not long I shall see the King where the angels sing, I shall see
the king some day. In the better land, on the golden strand and with Him
shall ever stay. In His glory, I shall see the King and forever endless praises
sing. Twas on Calvary Jesus died for me,at para sayo. I shall see the King
some day. Slow down

Some of the songs that we are singing today as Seventh Day Adventist are
not foundational and they dont compliment our doctrines and beliefs but
brothers and sisters we shall sing on that beautiful shore the
MELODIOUS songs of the blest, and our spirits shall sorrow no
more, not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

Many of us have a longing desire to go to Canada and America BUT Theres

a land that is fairer than day and by faith we can see it afar, for the Father
waits over the way to prepare us a dwelling place there.

I am leaving the Philippines soon and I may not see you again but In the
Sweet by and by we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

It was Robert Lowry who asked the provoking question in his song shall we
gather at the river? Hindi po alam BUT one thing I can tell you for sure
brothers and sisters when we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that
will be, whether you are talking with Adam or Eve, Peter or Moses, or
Abraham and the theif who was on the cross. If you want to know where I
will be on that day Just ask where is Jesus. I want to see Jesus.

I want my faith to become sight: I want to see Jesus

I want to touch those nailed printed arms: I want to see Jesus

I want to kiss those nailed printed feet like Mary: I want to se Jesus

I want to reach out and touch the Lord as he passes by: I want to see
Jesus

I want to hear His voice: I want to see Jesus

Its ok if you find him before be I dont mind: I will wait 1000 years until it
is my turn to sit in His lap. I said I can wait a thousand years while He is
occupied with you. Bakit? Apay? Why? When weve been there 10,000
years bright shining as the sun weve no less days to sing Gods grace than
when weve first began.