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1 Corinthians 3:10-21 ESV
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours,
I.THE CHURCH BUILT FOR NOW
A.Pragmatism and relevancy will build a crowd, but in the end, will fail to construct a church.
B.Pragmatism has run rampant through the American church.
C.The church built on man’s wisdom is built for now, but in the end, it does not last and pass the test of God.
II.THE CHURCH BUILT FOR FOREVER
A.The eternal material of the church is the Word of God. (Matt 7:24-27)
B.The eternal material of the church is the Work of Jesus. (Matt 16:18-19)
C.The eternal material is the Washing of the Spirit.
III.FAILING THE FOREVER INSPECTION
A.Injury to the Church
B.Loss of Reward
C.Destruction of the Church and Ourselves
NEXT STEPS
1.Love the church.
2.Labor to build the church.
3.Look to the Cross.
4.Live the Gospel.
5.Loathe “Christless” Christianity.
NEXT WEEK:
1 Cor 3:21-23 Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World