sf162 - Building For God (1 Corinthians 3 10-17)

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

Introduction

Paul’s motivation to build

He always sought to bring glory to God.

He sought God’s approval and reward at Christ’s coming.

Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

He wanted to please the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.

Paul was compelled by Christ’s love.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;

Paul was confident in Christ’s victory.

2 Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Paul’s message about rewards

This message is not about our judging of others.

Ø We are to confront others when they sin. (Matthew 18:15-19; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13)

Ø We cannot judge the motives and heart of others.

This message is not about God’s judgment of sin.

Ø This is called the “Judgment Seat of Christ.”

The purpose is the handing out of rewards.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Ø Christ judged sin on the cross.

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

1 John 2:12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Four facts about building for God…

1A. The Unique Role of the Apostles (3:10; Ephesians 2:19-22)

1B. His title

Master builder; (architekton); designer and builder

Wise… builder; skillful, because the building was God’s doing not his.

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Colossians 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

2B. His target

He went to the Jews first.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Ø The Jews were most receptive.

Ø Then the converted Jews would help reach the Gentiles.

3B. His task

Lay a “foundation”

Ø This foundation was the principles and doctrines of God’s Word. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Leave the building to others.

Ø This refers to the work of pastors, evangelists, and teachers who are used to build-up the church.

2A. The Exclusive Position of Christ (3:11)

1B. There is a singular foundation - Christ alone (Matthew 16:16-18)

2B. There can be no substitute foundations. (1 Peter 2:6-8)

3A. The Spiritual Nature of the Building (3:12)

1B. Two types of material

Permanent materials: Gold, silver, precious stones.

Ø The gold reminds us of His person, He is God.

Ø The silver reminds us of His passion, the great price He paid. (1 Peter 3:18)

Ø The precious stones remind us of His position, He is exalted on high. (Philippians 2:9-11)

Temporary materials: Wood, hay and straw.

Ø These are those things that man has added to God’s church.

2B. Three ways by which we build.

We build by our motives. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

We build by our conduct. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Good; (agathos), inherently good in quality

Bad worthless

We build by our service.

Ø How we use our spiritual gifts.

3B. The test of our construction. (3:13)

Ø God has strict standards.

Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Ø Our work will be tested for quality not quantity.

4A. The Different Types of Workmen (3:14-17)

1B. The constructive workman (3:14)

This is a believer with the…

Ø Right motives; proper conduct; and effective service.

This is service that is done purely for God’s glory!

This is service that ends in rewards – crowns.

Ø The crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8)

Ø The crown of exultation (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

Ø The crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4)

Ø The crown of life (James 1:12)

2B. The worthless workman (3:15)

This is a believer with the…

Ø Wrong motives; improper conduct; and ineffective service.

The workman will make it to heaven without any rewards.

3B. The destructive workman (3:16-17)

What is the temple

Ø Is the body of believers, the church (3:16)

You; (oidate), 2nd person plural

Ø Is indwelt by God’s Spirit

What is the defilement? (3:17a)

Defile; (phtheiro), to defile, corrupt, destroy

Ø It is a reference to those who were dividing the church.

What is God’s judgment (3:17b)

Destroy; (phtheiro), to defile, corrupt, destroy

Ø “The word does not indicate either annihilation or eternal torment. It is not specific. It simply makes it clear that he who commits a grave sin lays himself open to a grave penalty.” (Leon Morris)

Ø God does not look kindly upon those who threaten or defile His church.

Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

1A. The Unique Role of the Apostles (3:10; Ephesians 2:19-22)

1B. His ___________________________

Master builder; (architekton); designer and builder

Wise… builder; skillful, because the building was God’s doing not his. (1 Corinthians 15:10; Colossians 1:29)

2B. His target

He went to the Jews first. (Romans 1:16)

Ø Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the

3B. His ________________

Lay a “foundation” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Leave the building to others.

2A. The Exclusive Position of Christ (3:11)

1B. There is a _______________________ foundation - Christ alone (Matthew 16:16-18)

2B. There can be ______________________ substitute foundations. (1 Peter 2:6-8)

3A. The Spiritual Nature of the Building (3:12)

1B. _____________________ types of material