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"If anyone builds on this foundation..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:12

BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION

Obviously, we need to do more than ensuring the foundations are sound and strong. The next challenge is to build on the foundations!

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
each one’s work will become clear;
for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire;
and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”
1 Corinthians 3:12-13

1. “Now if anyone builds on this foundation”

a) Each individual is responsible for the kind of structure he builds.

b) Two applications may be borne in mind:

i) The individual is responsible for his own personal life.

ii) The people who are called to build the church are responsible for the kind of church it turns out to be.

2. Different materials employed

a) “Gold, silver, precious stones”

i) These may form one category.

ii) These commodities are not easy to obtain.

iii) Those who build with materials that are of good quality will build well (but it is hard work).

b) “Wood, hay, straw”

i) These would form another category.

ii) These materials are commonplace.

iii) Those who choose these materials may rue the day when it is tested by fire.

3. “Each one’s work will become clear”

a) The quality of work will be seen in the structure that is erected.

b) The quality and worth of the work would be very clear over time.

4. “The Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work”

a) Paul used the word “Day” to refer to the Day when the Lord Jesus returns.

b) The worth of our work would become crystal clear then.

c) Wood, hay and straw would never be able to pass the test of fire!