Building A Church
(1 Corinthians 3:9-15)
Introduction:
People have come into this church building from time to time and said, “You have a beautiful building.” I wonder if that can be said about the spiritual elements of this church.
The usual explanation of this passage is that it describes the building of the Christian life. We all build on Christ, but some people use good materials while others use poor materials. The kind of material you use determines the kind of reward you will get.
While this may be a valid application of this passage, it is not the basic interpretation. Paul is discussing the building of the local church, the temple of God. (In 1 Cor. 6:19-20 the individual believer is God’s temple; but here it is the local assembly that is in view. In Eph. 2:19-22, the whole church is compared to a temple of God.) Paul points out that one day God will judge our labors as related to the local assembly. “The fire will test the quality of each man’s work” (1 Cor. 3:13, NIV).
God is concerned that we build with quality. The church does not belong to the preacher or to the congregation. It is God’s church. “Ye are God’s building” (1 Cor. 3:9). (Warren Wiersbe)
(Paul moves from an agricultural comparison to an architectural comparison.)
I. Let’s Notice The Foundational Reality(vs. 10-11)
(1 Corinthians 3:9) For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
[God’s building] This is another metaphor. The object of Paul was to show that ALL that had been done for them had been really accomplished by God. For this purpose he first says that they were God’s cultivated field; then he changes the figure; draws his illustration from architecture, and says, that they had been BUILT by him as an architect rears a house. It does not rear itself; but it is reared by another. So he says of the Corinthians, “Ye are the building which God erects.” The same figure is used in 2 Cor 6:16, and Eph 2:21; see also Heb 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5. The idea is, that God is the supreme agent in the founding and establishing of the church, in all its gifts and graces.
(From Barnes’ Notes)
A. Let’s Think About The Foundational Contractor In This Project
(1 Corinthians 3:10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
masterbuilder – Greek 753. architekton, meaning a chief constructor, i.e. “architect.”
Paul himself was the master builder of the Corinthian project. Master builder is one word (architekton) in the Greek, and, as can be guessed, is the term from which we get architect. But the word in Paul’s day carried the idea of builder as well as designer. He was a combination architect and general contractor. (John MacArthur)
[I have laid the foundation] The meaning here is, that the church at Corinth had been at first established by Paul.
(Barnes’ Notes)
1. This Role Involved A Wonder
(1 Corinthians 3:10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
2. This Role Involved A Wisdom
(1 Corinthians 3:10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
wise – Greek 4680. sophos, meaning wise (in a most general application).
3. This Role Involved A Willingness
(1 Corinthians 3:10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
B. Let’s Think About The Foundational Caution In This Project
(1 Corinthians 3:10) According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1. There Is The Prevailing Element Of Caution In Buildinglet every man
2. There Is The Principle Element Of Caution In Buildingtake heed
heed – Greek NT:991. means to weigh carefully, examine. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
Measure twice, cut once. Oh be careful little hands what you do.
C. Let’s Think About The Foundational Christ In This Project
That foundation is Jesus Christ. When Paul came to Corinth, he determined to preach only Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:1-2). He laid the only foundation that would last. In more than thirty years of ministry, I have seen “churches” try to build on a famous preacher or a special method or a doctrinal emphasis they felt was important; but these ministries simply did not last. The Corinthians were emphasizing personalities—Paul, Peter, Apollos—when they should have been glorifying Christ. The foundation is laid by the proclaiming of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The foundation is the most important part of the building, because it determines the size, shape, and strength of the superstructure. A ministry may seem to be successful for a time, but if it is not founded on Christ, it will eventually collapse and disappear. (Warren Wiersbe)
1. Jesus Christ Is The Solitary Foundation Of The Church And Of The Christian
(1 Corinthians 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
other – Greek 243. allos, a primary word meaning “else,” i.e. different (in many applications): --more, one (another), (an-, some an-).
2. Jesus Christ Is The Superior Foundation Of The Church And Of The Christian
(1 Corinthians 3:11) For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
other – Greek 243. allos, a primary word meaning “else,” i.e. different (in many applications): --more, one (another), (an-, some an-). You can’t do any better than Christ. Mankind can’t do more than what Christ can do.
II. Let’s Notice The Fiery Revelation(vs. 12-13)
(1 Corinthians 3:13) 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.
Commentators are generally agreed that the “day” mentioned in verse 13 is the Day of the Lord, that is the Day of Judgment, which is associated with fire.
The “fire” which is here referred to, is doubtless that which shall attend the consummation of all things-the close of the world. That the world shall be destroyed by fire, and that the solemnities of the Judgment shall be ushered in by a universal conflagration, is fully and frequently revealed. The burning fires of that Day, Paul says, shall reveal the character of every man’s work, as fire sheds light on all around, and discloses the true nature of things. It may be observed, however, that many critics suppose this to refer to the fire of persecution. (Barnes’ Notes)
The nature of every one’s work or superstructure shall sooner or later be known; for the great day of the Lord shall dawn in a flood of fire. The house of gold and silver shall be lit up by its dazzling brilliancy; but the house of wood and thatch shall be burnt up. And not only so, but whereas the builder whose house is consumed will lose his reward, having nothing to show, and though he himself, as having built on a true foundation, will be saved, yet he will come out singed and scorched as by an escape out of a burning ruin. It is possible that this whole image may have been suggested or illustrated by the conflagration of Corinth under Mummius; the stately temples standing amidst the universal destruction of the meaner buildings. (Dean Stanley from The Biblical Illustrator)
The Romans under (a general named) Lucius Mummius destroyed Corinth following a siege in 146 BC. When he entered the city, Mummius put all the men to the sword and sold the women and children into slavery before he torched the city.
(2 Peter 3:10-14) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. {11} Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, {12} Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? {13} Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. {14} Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
A. Consider The Types Of The Materials In The Fire
1. There Are Components Presented Here
(1 Corinthians 3:12) Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
2. There Is A Contrast Presented Here
Paul described two opposite kinds of materials:
Gold,Silver,PreciousStones / Wood,Hay,StubblePermanent / Passing, temporary
Beautiful / Ordinary, even ugly
Valuable / Cheap
Hard to obtain / Easy to obtain
What did Paul want to symbolize by his choice of materials? I personally believe Paul is referring to the doctrinesoftheWordofGod. In each section of this chapter, the Word is symbolized in a way that fits the image of the church Paul used. The Word is food for the family, seed for the field, and materials for the temple. (Wiersbe)
Not only the doctrine of the Word, but also the deeds of our work
“The materials represent believers’ responses to what they have—how well they serve the Lord with what He has given them. In other words, they represent our works.” (John MacArthur)
B. Consider The Telling Of The Materials In The Fire
(1 Corinthians 3:13) 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.
1. The Verse Indicates That All Of Our Works Are Made Public
manifest – Greek 5318. phaneros, means shining, i.e. apparent (literally or figuratively); publicly, externally.
2. The Verse Indicates That All Of Our Works Are Made Plain
declare – Greek 1213. deloo, meaning to make plain (by words):-- shew, signify.
(Romans 14:10-12) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. {11} For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. {12} So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
(2 Corinthians 5:10-11) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. {11} Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
C. Consider The Trying Of The Materials In The Fire
(1 Corinthians 3:13) 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.
1. The Fire Of Judgment Produces An Examination Of Our Worksthe fire shall try every man's work
try – Greek 1381. dokimazo, meaning to test; by implication it means to approve.
2. The Fire Of Judgment Proves The Excellence Of Our Worksof what sort it is
sort – Greek 3697. hopoios, meaning of what kind, i.e. how (as) great (excellent) (of quality), of what manner.
III. Notice The Final Reckoning(vs. 14-15)
A. The Continuing Labor Is Rewarded
(1 Corinthians 3:14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1. There Is An Abiding Work
abide – Greek 3306. meno, men'-o; a prim. verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy):--abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
2. There Is An Acknowledged Work
reward– Greek 3408. misthos, mis-thos'; appar. a prim. word; pay for service:--hire, wages.
B. The Consumed Loss Is Regrettable
(1 Corinthians 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.
1. Notice The Burning Labor
burned – Greek 2618. katakaio, kat-ak-ah'ee-o; from G2596 (with) and G2545 (burning); to burn down (to the ground), i.e. consume wholly:--burn (up, utterly).
2. Notice The Bitter Loss
suffer loss– Greek 2210. zemioo, dzay-mee-o'-o; from G2209; to injure, i.e. (reflex. or pass.) to experience detriment:--be cast away, receive damage, lose.
C. The Converted Life Is Reassured
(1 Corinthians 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.
1. There Is Salvation Because Of The Faith
saved – Greek 4982. sozo, sode'-zo; from a prim. sos (contr. for obsol. saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.):--heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
2. There Is Sorrow Because Of The Fire
yet so as by fire, i.e. with great difficulty; a mere escape; a hair’s breadth deliverance; he shall be like a brand plucked out of the fire. The apostle obviously refers to the case of a man, who, having builded a house, and begun to dwell in it, the house happens to be set on fire, and he has warning of it just in time to escape with his life, losing at the same time his house, his goods, his labour, and almost his own life. (From Adam Clarke’s Commentary)
John F.MacArthur, Jr. wrote…
The workmen will not lose their salvation, but they will lose a portion of any reward they might be expecting. They shall be saved, yet so as through fire. The thought here is of a person who runs through flames without being burned, but who has the smell of smoke on him—barely escaping! In the day of rewards, the useless and evil things will be burned away, but salvation will not be forfeited.
Conclusion:
Someone who has lost everything in the fire.
Erin Gibson wrote today in the Pensacola News Journal in Pensacola, FL…
An early-morning fire Wednesday at Admiral Discount Storage on the 8100 block of Lillian Highway destroyed about 20 units.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries.
The fire was a challenge because it involved several locked units.
“We had to cut an entrance into each unit individually,” Battalion Chief Curt Isakson of Escambia County Fire-Rescue said Wednesday as he pointed at the triangles cut into some of the metal doors. “This way they can make two cuts and get a hose in there.”
It took firefighters about two hours to extinguish the flames.
Isakson said that when heat from the fire built up inside the units, some of the metal, garage-style doors buckled, making them impossible to open.
There are 42 units in one of the buildings on the site, however, the fire only spread through half of them.
State fire marshal investigators said half the building was a total loss. The cost of the damage was not available.