GRACE IMMANUEL BIBLE CHURCH, JUPITER, FLORIDA – On Sunday, May 18, 2025, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Conrad Mbewe preach the Word of God with clarity, conviction, and Christ-centered power. Visiting from Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, Dr. Mbewe was in Jupiter to deliver the keynote address at the 2025 graduation ceremony of The Expositors Seminary – a seminary hosted by a network of churches across the United States and headquartered at my own local church, GIBC. With nine graduates being honored, the occasion brought a sense of joy, urgency, and sober reflection.

Before his keynote address that evening, Dr. Mbewe spoke at our Sunday morning services. His sermon was drawn from 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, where the Apostle Paul declared, “No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (BSB). With grace and authority, Dr. Mbewe reminded us that Jesus is not only the cornerstone of our salvation, but the only foundation upon which a meaningful life and ministry can be built.

As he opened the Scriptures, Dr. Mbewe emphasized a truth that deeply resonated with me: only God can give life to the dead. The world system, for all its promises, has utterly failed because it loves sin and hates the truth. The unbeliever, no matter how intelligent or sincere, has nothing to show for their false beliefs. In contrast, the Apostle Paul was a preacher of Christ and Christ alone – something every Christian must strive to imitate.

One of the most striking statements Dr. Mbewe made was that “…sin makes us foolish.” I have have heard this sentiment put in an even more blunt way, “Sin makes us stupid!” Indeed, the Bible is clear that we are born into slavery to sin, and we are spiritually dead from birth. No training, moral effort, or religious work can change that. Only the life-giving power and sacrifice of Jesus can bring us to spiritual life. Christ does not need our assistance to save us. Our most righteous deeds, if done in human strength or for personal glory, are no better than filthy rags to Him. Anything built on a foundation other than Christ is doomed to collapse.

Dr. Mbewe reminded us that even as God is sovereign over all things, He calls us to the work He has prepared for us. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:10, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.” We must become skilled in sharing Christ meaningfully and build lives that reflect the transformation only Jesus can bring.

I was personally challenged by Dr. Mbewe’s exhortation to abandon every work that is not done in Christ’s power and for His purposes. He did not shy away from proclaiming that our idolatries—whatever form they take—must be abandoned. We must worship Christ alone and take refuge in Him. Jesus is our unshakeable foundation. He alone can withstand the storms of this life and eternity.

Dr. Mbewe also referenced 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, reminding us that while the world demands signs and seeks wisdom, the message of Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God. This Gospel must be preached clearly, so that when people believe, they are believing the true Gospel—and when they reject it, they are rejecting the truth, not a distortion.

As I reflected on the message, I couldn’t help but feel deeply grateful for the faithful men graduating from The Expositors Seminary this year—men who, Lord willing, will go on to preach Christ and Him crucified with boldness and clarity.

Dr. Mbewe’s message was more than a sermon; it was a call to build wisely and live wholly for Christ. Jesus is not an accessory to the Christian life – He is the entire foundation. He is our Lord and Master, and if we are to endure, both in this life and in eternity, we must build on the Rock that cannot be shaken.

References

• Disclaimer: Grace Immanuel Bible Church and Dr. Conrad Mbewe are not affiliated with The Believer’s Byline. Neither party sponsored this article and they are not responsible for its content.
• Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is a project of Bible Hub. Used with permission. The Berean Standard Bible has been released into the public domain.