GROWING UP IN THE CHURCH
(Part 2)
1 Corinthians 3:10-23
I. Jesus Christ Is the Only Foundation (vv. 10, 11).
A. I laid a foundation—Paul spent about eighteen months in Corinth. He was the one who laid the foundation (v. 10).
B. He laid the foundation that was already given by God, Jesus Christ (v. 11).
C. The foundation is extremely important. Jesus told a story about two men who built houses (Matthew 7:24-27).
1. The story never indicates that one house was better or more expensive than the other.
2. The difference was that only one had a foundation.
3. Have you laid the only acceptable foundation for the superstructure of your life?
II. Our Deeds Determine What We Build on the Foundation (v. 12-13).
A. Some deeds of the church and the individual are like “gold, silver and costly stones.” These things last.
B. Other deeds are like “wood, hay or straw.” These things simply do not last.
C. We must review the program of the local church. Are we fulfilling our God—given purpose?
1. Remember, things do not go to heaven; only people go to heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
2. As a church and as individual Christians, we must build up people.
III. The Judgment of God Will Test Our Deeds—(vv. 13-15).
A. “The fire will test the quality of each man’s work” (v. 13). I believe this refers to the judgment of our deeds.
B. Have we neglected the doctrine of rewards? The good deeds of a Christian will be rewarded (v. 14).
C. Verse 15 is a word picture of one whose house has burned. He got out but lost everything else.
