Welcome to Waymaker Church! We are so excited to have you join us today! We exist to Encounter, Live for, and Advance the Kingdom of God!

This morning we are going to begin a series entitled Reconstructing Faith. In this first message I want to share with you about the foundation of love.

When building anything a properly constructed foundation is key to the stability and integrity of what is being built. This understanding of natural construction reveals spiritual truth.

The foundation of the Christian life is Jesus Christ.

What do we understand about Jesus?
• He is the word made flesh. John 1:4.
• He is Immanuel God with us. John 1:23.
• He is the visible image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15.

What is foretold through types and shadows in the Old Testament is revealed in Christ. Colossians 1:26-29 speaks of the mystery of the ages. The Mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory. That through belief in Christ you can receive salvation, become justified, and through the inner working of the Holy Spirit become Sanctified.

There is a bombardment from Satan of doubt, wickedness, and unbelief against humanity. It is accompanied by a persistent effort to redefine what God has previously defined. This is nothing new, but if we are naive to it, we may become prey to it.

The cultural drift that we are experiencing was prophesied a long time ago.

What we see now happening in our culture is nothing more than Romans 1:19-32.

As people reject the truth which is God’s word, they give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. To give heed means to give consideration or attention to. When a person rejects the truth, they open their hearts to deception.

James 3:14-15 reveals that there is a wisdom that does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. This wisdom brings confusion and every evil work

To properly construct the foundation of our faith we must begin with the foundational element of truth. Without the truth of God’s word there will be no structural integrity, and what is built will crumble.

With this understanding I want to look at the foundational element of love. To construct or reconstruct faith will require love.

Love is the principal element by which all things work.

1) It is possible to learn the functions and practices of Christianity and miss the mark.

1 Cor. 13:1-3 speaks of tongues, prophecy, benevolence, and extreme sacrifice. Each of these functions and practices have great potential to build up and encourage others, but if they are void of love it not only profits you nothing, but those who hear you.

The expression of the gifts are intended to function and flow through Love. If we are void of love, we will miss the mark and walk in deception.

2) The definition of love is not subjective to culture.
If we understand that God is love, then it is His definition that we must use. Let me make this clear. God does not have love HE IS LOVE. Therefore, when we read 1 Cor. 13:4-8we must realize he is giving a description of an emotion, but of Himself.

The construction of faith begins with the Love of God. The ability to walk in love is the measuring line of maturity for the one who is in Christ.

Love is not automatic in our lives. We are born with a sin nature that is selfish. Understand this, the wickedness of the last days is rooted in self. This is why we must be born again of the Spirit.

The sin nature of man is revealed in this passage. Our lives apart from love become extremely wicked. To counter this, we must develop in the love of God.

We must mature in love by renewing our minds with the word of God Romans 12:1-2, and then put it into practice. When we do this, we develop in love.

Today, love is the essential element of our faith. It’s establishment in your life will bring surety of a strong foundation.