This sermon by Phillip Henry (father of Matthew Henry) is an excellent example of a type of sermon construction which develops the structure around a central metaphor. The text of the sermon is

1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV)

¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

From this he derives his doctrine:

Doctrine: That our Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation, and believers are the building reared upon that foundation.

After addressing certain potential objections (such as Peter is the foundation of the church), Henry begins to address the text.

Point One: Christ is the Foundation

He then considers what type of foundation is Christ? How is he explained as a foundation?

First, he was a foundation which put into place by another:

Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)

¹⁶         therefore thus says the Lord God,

“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion,

a stone, a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation:

‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

God appointed Christ to this service.

Second, he was a “low” foundation. He rested in humility:

Philippians 2:8 (ESV)

⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

“Into poverty and persecution, contempt and contradiction, to be spurned and trampled on.” Without Christ’s humiliation even to the point of death, there would be no salvation, no reconciliation.

Third, Christ was a foundation stone; something enduring and solid. Isaiah 28:16

Fourth, he a foundation we cannot see – even though he is always present. He draws this proposition from two texts:

1 Peter 1:8 (ESV)

⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Matthew 28:20 (ESV)

²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Fifth, he is a precious foundation. Isaiah 28:16.

1 Peter 2:6 (ESV)

⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Sixth, he is a permanent foundation:

Isaiah 26:4 (ESV)

⁴    Trust in the Lordforever,

for the LordGodis an everlasting rock.

Seventh, he is an elect foundation. Isaiah 28:26

Eighth, he a foundation which has been tested and tried; he will not fail

Point Two: Our duty to this foundation

First, to believe that he is the foundation appointed by God. John 3:16

Second, to see our need of him. A building cannot exist without a foundation.

Third, to renounce all other foundations.

Fourth, to go to him: “repair to Him in the way of faithful and fervent prayer. Tell Him you are sensible of your need of Him, [and] you are undone without Him.”

Fifth, build upon this foundation.

Psalm 62:1–2 (ESV)

¹           For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

²           He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

¹    God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Sixth, place all upon this foundation or it will be worthless:

1 Corinthians 3:12–14 (ESV)

¹² Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— ¹³ each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.

Point Four: What Kind of Building is the Church

First, it is a spiritual building, in but not of this world

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)

⁵ you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5 (ESV)

⁵ you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Second, it is a spacious building

Revelation 7:9 (ESV)

⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

Third, is a high building

Philippians 3:20 (ESV)

²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Fourth, it is a holy building

Ephesians 2:21 (ESV)

²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Psalm 4:3 (ESV)

³    But know that the Lordhas set apart the godly for himself;

the Lordhears when I call to him.

Fifth, it is a lively building

Sixth, it is a light building

Ephesians 5:8 (ESV)

⁸ for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Seventh, it is a secure building upon a secure foundation

Matthew 16:18 (ESV)

¹⁸ And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Eight, it is a spreading, growing building

Ephesians 2:21 (ESV)

²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Point Five: Our duty to this building

First, to see that we have a secure standing in the building. Ivy and moss may grow up and cling to the building, but are not of the building.

Second, to seek the good of the building (the entire church).