Build to Last

BUILT TO LAST 15 Sep 2019 LHCC

(NIV)

9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Main Idea: We ought to build that which lasts, because its foundation is Jesus Christ

We all want to build something which lasts? Are we willing to put in the labor>? What foundation to erect? What materials to use? What kind of attitude you bring?

Opposite: Kastilyong buhangin

Campaign promo; Built to last

Oldest structures on earth; Pyramid; wailing wall

Corinth, a progressive city, center of trade, home of the wise, the businessmen, traders (ie Hongkong)

This letter is a sharp reproof; After spending a year and a half in establishing this church, Paul received a letter about the state of the church in Corinth. So, he wrote them back.

Fleshly behavior, (V1-6) Divisions (1-4) , sexual immorality, pagan worship, temple prostitutes

1> Appeal for UNITY

1 Corinthians 3:9-15 (KJV)

9 For we are labourers together with God

Paul specifies what kinds of faithful service is required; God is not looking for planners/bosses, but labourers

It was a divided church (looking into man, instead of Christ (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ) Man centered religion spells trouble. Paul tries to correct carnal Christians, acting ungodly; essential oneness of God’s servants

God’s work is not about competition, but cooperation

For we are labourers…. V9

.1. A Challenging work – WE, not you , included himself (field labourers)

1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV)

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Laborer – wearying at work, hardwork, bringing one to the point of exhaustion

Labor of love

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2. A demanding work ; nature of the bees, ants, carrying 10x their body weight

Proverbs 30:25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer

Fact: there are more ants than any other insects; ants in the bag of bread, though it was securely tied; jar of jam even if tightly closed. Ants everywhere

Matthew 9:37 (NIV)

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Every man has his own labor/gifts; V6 some planted, watered

3. An Inclusive work – unity of the labourers

John 4:35 (NIV)

35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

Can not do it in heaven, today is given lost souls to win

Co-laborers with God Almighty’ work for God, with God

Who God is Genesis 18:27 New International Version (NIV)

27 Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes,

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the things thy hands had made

How great thou art

9 For we are labourers together with God

The work cannot fail. Cause of God will triumph

Ps 127:1 Unless the Lord build the house, laborers in vain

Mark 16:20 (NIV)

20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Acts 11:21 (NIV)

21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

Humbling, heartening, happy thought

Nobody in heaven get there feeling cheated; varying degrees of joy

II. TO BUILD TO LAST:

1. BUILD WITH THE CORRECT ATTITUDE

a) As a wise builder v10a

We are saved to serve, to help build the body of Christ

Begin with the end in mind!

What are you doing? I am cutting a stone; I am trying to make a living; Im helping build a cathedral for the gory of God

b) Build with care v10b

But each one should build with care

Paul urges EACH PERSON to be a careful builder. Jesus said He will build his church, but we are the laborers, and we must carry our assignment with care:

2 Tim 3:7 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

1st picture- good soldier, 100% available for Jesus, please His commander

Athlete, farmer

2. BUILD WITH THE RIGHT FOUNDATION v11

Each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, Jesus Christ

This is not a shed or a dog house, this is the building designed and designated by God to reflect His magnificent Glory on earth. The foundation of any aspect of the kingdom has to be the centrality of Christ. Any ministry must have Jesus Christ and him crucified as the main foundation. If the foundation is bad, the building is shaky. Even though we partner with one another in building of the temple, there is individual responsibility for faithful service, God’s chosen vehicle to reflect His glory is the church, people, Christians. This building has no other foundation other than Jesus Christ himself.

No other foundation will do. Don’t mess with the foundation. It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Only a matter of time, it will fall. Scientists travel yearly, to measure the buildings slow descent. They report the 179 foot tower moves about 1/20th of an inch a year, and is now 17 ft out of plumb. Quite significantly, the word pisa means marshy land, which gives some clue as to why the tower began to lean even before it was completed. Also, its foundation is only 10ft deep.

How do you view Christ? High Christology; Not a great teacher, not a Prophet, not just a king; but The King of all Kings, the only Son of God, the Cornerstone, the Foundation of everything I believe, the One I can trust not only my life, my whole eternity with! He save me by His grace, he will come again to judge the living and the dead, and one day I will stand face to face with him

3. BUILD WITH QUALITY MATERIALS v12

12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light.

, each man’s work will become evident

. If you use substandard materials it may not be noticed now but one day each materials will be tested whether they were imperishable or perishable materials by fire

gold silver, precious stones; inferior – wood, hay, stubble; difference between quality and inferior has to do with focus on eternal, not temporal things. If we build with truth and love, we get eternal results. If we build with gimmick, human charisma or persuasion and temporal values, no lasting fruit.

Quality – hope, faith, love. Paul told the Ephesians about the body building itself in love through the speaking of truth in loving relationships. How about the spirit filled walk, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness , self control

Fire will test quality of each mans work; if any work remains, he will receive a reward. If any mans work is burned up, it will result in loss of reward and fruit, but he himself will be saved

It is essential to note that Paul is talking about the loss of reward, not loss of salvation. Unfaithful service results in loss of reward, not salvation. We will be rewarded according to our faithful service in the kingdom

Bema judgment, similar to Olympics, Corinthians knew the language

Romans 14:12 New International Version (NIV)

12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God; if here, can be monitored red by cctv, satellite; what more with God. One day, we will face him.

1 Peter 4:5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Rewards or Regret

a) Most rewards are received in heaven, not on earth. There are earthly rewards, but when it comes to servanthood, God reserves special honor for that day when “each mans work will become evident” and He shall receive a reward

b) All rewards are based on quality, not quantity. We are impressed with size, and volume, noise and numbers, But God’s eyes are on the motives

Illustration: An elderly woman who prays before an audience of one will be rewarded as much as the evangelist who preaches before an audience of thousands

c) No reward that is postponed will be forgotten. God doesn’t settle his accounts at the end of everyday. Nor does he close out his books at the end of everyone’s life.. However, when that day in eternity dawns, when time shall be no more, no act of serving others , be it well known or unknown to others , will be forgotten. Unlike many people today, God keeps His promises.

Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Promises in the Bible

We forget, God remembers. We see an action, God sees the motive. This qualifies Him as the best record keeper and judge. If what I do is done for Christ, I will not lose my reward. When any servant has served, given, sacrificed, and then willingly step aside for God to receive the glory, our Heavenly Father promises he will receive back.

2 temporal rewards

a) We receive a quiet awareness that the life of Christ is being modeled

b) the joyful realization that a thankful spirit is being stimulated

Eternal Rewards

1 Imperishable crown, Crown of exultation, Crown of righteousness, Crown of life,

Ex. Alfred Nobel – creator of weapons for mass destruction. Then But he decided he wanted his life to count more than that. He decided he wanted to build a life, to last. He started making changes. Hence Alfred Nobel died, he left his immense wealth gained from his invention of dynamite, to a foundation to honor people who made a difference. Thus was born the Nobel foundation, with prize each year in five areas, including peace. Winners of this prize includes Mother Theresa, Desmund Tutu, Henry Kissinger, Martin Luther King jr, and others..

APPLICATION:

1. CORRECT attitude - Love God unconditionally

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. ...

2. Right foundation – know Jesus personally

John 14:6 (NIV) 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

3. Quality materials – Serve him passionately

Matthew 4:10 : ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Conclusion: What you build matters v13

The Day will declare it, it will be revealed by fire

Rope Illustration

Imagine this rope goes on forever, it can go around the world. Imagine the rope to be the timeline of your existence. It goes forever.

You see the red part? It represents your time on earth. We live few short years on earth, and eternity somewhere else. What blows my mind is that many of us are always concerned with this part. We are consumed by it. Cant wait unit… retire, travel, work, finish school, etc. Work hard, save, save save..really enjoy this part right here.

Are you kidding me? what about this?.. this.. What I do with this red part determines how I live in the next millions of years… forever. Why would I spend this red part trying to live comfortably, enjoyment.

Im looking at that moment when I face God, cross the finish line. I only get one shot, one chance on earth, and it can end any second for any of us. Some people say, you are stupid, its gonna affect this? No, you are stupid, its gonna affect this! Look at how people live, its crazy. Everyone lives that way , lives for the red part

Paul says – I keep my eyes on the future, forgetting what is behind, straining forward, stretching forward. Ill come to him in judgment, he wll hand me my reward. Not there yet, but by Gods grace,, every one I have in me will be towards that end.

We are free to chose, but we are not free to escape the consequences

Are you living for this do? Or this line

Acts 20:24 New International Version (NIV)

24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

We ought to build that which lasts, because its foundation is Jesus Christ

Recognizing I am a fellow laborer for God, and with God; building with the correct attitude, right foundation, with quality materials, so that when I face him I will receive the rewards he has for me… only to give them back to him, lay them at his feet.