Building on the Foundation

Last week we looked at the first of two illustrations used by Paul.

Agriculture 1 Cor. 3:6-8 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”

Architecture 1 Cor. 3:10-2

Verse 9 is a transition verse between the two. Notice how Paul describes himself in verse 10...

A Wise Master Builder

He was not in charge though, he was just following God’s blueprint! He had come in and followed God’s plan laying the proper foundation: Jesus Christ!

Any contractor will tell you that a building is only as good as its foundation!

Jesus Christ is our foundation 1 Cor. 3:11

1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV 1900

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

With Jesus as our Foundation...

We something to build on

Jesus is a perfect foundation, whatever we try to build that is set upon Him will stand!

Where should our focus be?

Once the foundation is down, the builder begins to focus on the quality of materials used...

My dad is a “Jack of all trades”. I remember going with him to the hardware store and watching him pick out lumber…it was not an easy or a quick process. He would look at boards from all angles making sure they were straight and proper. Why? When he was finished, he wanted it to be done right!

Six Types of Materials

1 Corinthians 3:12 KJV 1900

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Gold

Silver

Precious Stones

Wood

Hay

Stubble

Choose Wisely

You may choose to build on the foundation of Christ, from any of the six materials listed...

Three will bring reward

The other three will bring about loss of reward

*Next week I’m devoting an entire lesson to rewards, tonight I’m briefly explaining the judgment seat of Christ

The Judgment Seat of Christ

1 Corinthians 3:13 KJV 1900

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

This verse is so important for Christians to understand:

It does not determine if you are saved, 1 Cor. 3:15 “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

If you find yourself standing at the judgment seat of Christ, you are saved!

What then does this judgment determine? 1 Cor. 3:14 “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”

1 Corinthians 3:13 KJV 1900

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

Jesus is keeping a record of EVERYTHING you have done from the moment you were saved

This should motivate us to consider closely everything we think, say, and do…because Jesus is watching!

The Materials

They type of materials represent the two types of works as those done for:

God’s glory - gold, silver, precious stones. Materials which fire will purify and improve.

Man’s glory - wood, hay, and stubble. Materials which fire will consume.

Remember: we get to choose which materials we build with.

Our Motivation

Next week when we evaluate the rewards we will receive based on our work we will come back to the materials, but I want to close out tonight by look at our motivation

Why should we strive for reward?

Look at 1 Cor. 3:16

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV 1900

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

3 Warnings About Having a Proper Motivation

Don’t defile the temple vv. 16-17

Later we will see that believer have not rights over ourselves, we belong to Jesus

Here we see that we should strive for purity in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds

Do not trust worldly wisdom vv. 18-20

The Corinthians struggled with letting go of their worldly culture which emphasized man’s wisdom

Paul reminds us that God’s way does not make sense to human wisdom

“The first shall be last and the last first”

That is nonsense to the world, but not to God

Do not glory in man vv. 21-23

This final warning brings us back to the rood of Corinth’s problem: division

Paul says to them, “Do what you do not because of me or any other teacher, but because of Christ.”

Let us be encouraged by this same thought: Do what you do not because people are watching you, but because Jesus is watching you!