The Church’s One Foundation

Sunday Morning Devotion: Week 33

Introduction

Thank you for joining me today as we reflect together on a very significant hymn of the Christian faith: The Church’s One Foundation by Samuel J. Stone. This hymn was written in the 19th century in response to challenges facing the church, reminding believers that our unity, strength, and identity do not rest in human efforts, but in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The hymn reminds us that the church is not a social club, not a political movement, and not simply an earthly institution. She is the bride of Christ, purchased with his own blood, sustained by his Word and Spirit, and destined for eternal glory. In a day in which division, confusion, and hostility often surround the people of God, this hymn grounds us again in the unshakable truth: the church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord. As we reflect, may we be reminded not only of what Christ has done for his church but also of our calling to live as his faithful people until that day when the “great Church victorious” becomes “the Church at rest.”

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the cornerstone and head of your church. You loved her and gave yourself for her, cleansing her by the washing of water with the Word, to present her holy and blameless before you. Forgive us when we forget our dependence on you and when we seek to build on foundations of our own making. Unite us as your people in one faith, one baptism, and one hope. Strengthen us in times of tribulation, and fix our eyes on the day when we will join the Church victorious in eternal rest. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.

The Church’s One Foundation
By S.J. Stone

The Church’s one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation,
By water and the word;
From Heav’n he came and sought her
To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her,
And for her life he died.

Elect from ev’ry nation,
Yet one o’er all the Earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With ev’ry grace endued.

‘Mid toil and tribulation
And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
Of peace forever more;
Till with the vision glorious
Her longing eyes are blest,
And the great Church victorious
Shall be the Church at rest.

O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
Like them, the meek and lowly,
On high may dwell with thee;
There, past the border mountains,
Where in sweet vales, the bride
With thee, by living fountains,
Forever shall abide!

Key Principles from this Hymn

1. Christ alone is the foundation of the Church. The Church isn’t built on human leaders, programs, or traditions, but on Christ himself. He purchased her with his blood, sustains her by his Word, and unites her by his Spirit.
2. The Church is one across nations and generations. Though diverse in language, culture, and background, all believers share one Lord, one faith, one baptism. This unity is rooted in Christ and points to our great hope of Heaven.
3. The Church lives between tribulation and triumph. On earth, the church faces struggle and conflict, yet she presses on with hope, awaiting the day of consummation when the Church militant becomes the Church triumphant in glory.

Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection

1. What does it mean to say that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church?
2. How does the imagery of the Church as the “bride of Christ” deepen your love for him?
3. In what ways do we sometimes try to build the Church on human wisdom rather than Christ?
4. How does this hymn encourage us to think about the global and historic Church, not just our local congregation?
5. What trials or “toil and tribulation” do you see the Church enduring today?
6. How can remembering the promise of the “Church victorious” strengthen us in present struggles?
7. What practical steps can you take to help your local church reflect unity, holiness, and hope in Christ?

Related Bible Verses to Reflect Upon

• 1 Corinthians 3:11 – For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
• Ephesians 2:19-20 – …members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
• Ephesians 5:25-27 – Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…
• John 17:20-21 – …that they may all be one… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
• Revelation 21:2-3 – I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Action Steps

1. Regularly lift up the worldwide body of Christ, asking God to strengthen persecuted believers and to unite his people in truth and love.
2. Resist gossip, division, or bitterness. Instead, pursue reconciliation, love, and encouragement, seeking to build up the body of Christ.
3. When you see the Church struggling, remember her destiny in glory. Let the vision of the “Church victorious” fuel your perseverance and hope.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Gracious Lord, we thank you for loving the Church and giving yourself for her. We thank you that our hope is not in shifting foundations, but in the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Thank you for calling us into your family, for making us one with believers across nations and centuries, and for the promise that one day we will join the Church triumphant at rest. Strengthen our faith, deepen our unity, and make us holy as we await the day of your return. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayer Prompts

Use the following prayer prompts to encourage you to pray beyond your usual prayer requests. These prompts are included here to help get your own creative juices flowing and not to be regarded as strict and legalistic requirements. Use them or do not use them according to your need. May the Lord bless you as you go deeper with him in the holy communion of prayer.

Petition – prayers for yourself

• Give me greater love for those who are hard to love.
• Help me to be compassionate and kind to those in need, even when it’s inconvenient.
• Pour upon me your courage and boldness to love those who do not know you and to share with them your Gospel, in word and deed.
• Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
• Other needs

Intercession – prayers for others

• My family
• My family and friends who do not have a saving relationship with Christ
• For those in my other spheres of influence who do not know Christ
• For evangelists around our city, country, and world who risk much in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are lost
• Other needs

Quotation from Church History

“The church may be assailed, it may be agitated, but it can never be destroyed; for Christ is its foundation.” (John Calvin)

Closing Thoughts

As we reflect on The Church’s One Foundation, we’re reminded that our life together as God’s people doesn’t depend on shifting sands of human strength, but on the unshakable rock of Jesus Christ. He bought the Church with his blood, sustains her with his Word, and promises her a glorious future. Yes, we face trials and conflicts, but the end of the story is sure: the Church victorious will one day be the Church at rest, dwelling forever with her Bridegroom.

So, let’s stand firm on Christ, live in unity with one another, and press on with hope until that day when faith becomes sight and the bride is joined with her Lord forever.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Thank you for joining me today. My hope is that you were encouraged and blessed by reflecting on this hymn with me. Remember, there are other resources that come out weekly that do not go out via email. You can discover more devotionals, Bible studies, and other resources by clicking here: Walking Points. Please consider sharing this post or email with others, subscribing if you haven’t, and encouraging others to subscribe as well.