Ezekiel 41:12 - Homiletics

Solidity.

"The wall of the building was five cubits thick." This suggests a solid structure.

I. THE STRUCTURE OF SALVATION IS SOLID . The temple was strong as a castle. Indeed, it was used as a fortress in the time of the Roman siege of Jerusalem, and was the last part of the city to yield to the foe. The Church of God is better than an ark on the waters; it is a mighty fortress, built upon a strong foundation, and strongly protected by the presence of God. We need not fear for our spiritual shelter. It will not be blown away with every wind of doctrine. What Christ has done for us will stand the hardest strain.

II. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS SOLID . There are, indeed, some Christian people whose faith seems to be no better than the flimsiest summer tent, quite unfit to stand against the least gale of doubt, temptation, or trouble. But he who is really and earnestly endeavoring to live the Christian life by the grace of God will find that, though he is weak, God can make him strong, and build up his spiritual life into a vigor at which the man himself may well be surprised.

III. THE STRUCTURE OF TRUTH IS SOLID . There is a great deal in men's opinions of religion that will need to be swept away by widening knowledge. But this is not truth. As soon as a real fact is reached, no granite from Aberdeen can be more hard and firm. When we reach truth our feet touch the rock, and when we build up our teachings out of truths they must stand. "Truth is great, and it must prevail."

IV. THE STRUCTURE OF GOOD WORK IS SOLID . Here is the test by which to reveal showy, worthless work, and to distinguish it from that which is of real value. There are men who build on the right foundation, and yet only pile up wood, hay, and stubble. Their work will be burnt, though they themselves will be saved ( 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 ). But when a man with an honest heart toils unpretentiously to build up what is real and true—to better society, to spread the gospel by it—all on the foundation of Christ, he may rest assured that his work will stand. Such work is solid.

V. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SOLID . The Church has stood many shocks and dangers—temptations and persecutions. Still she endures. Philosophies, social systems, and political movements have risen and fallen. But the Church of Christ has outlived them all. She outlived the Roman empire and the ancient civilization. She will outlive her rivals in thought and social movements in the present day.

VI. HEAVEN IS SOLID . It is no vague cloudland. Christ spoke of his Father's house ( John 14:1 ). St. Paul contrasted the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, with the present temporary tabernacle of the earthly body ( 2 Corinthians 5:1 ). The writer to the Hebrews shows us Abraham looking "for a city which hath foundations , whose Builder and Maker is God" ( Hebrews 11:10 ).