|
|
|
Grace Bible Church 4000 E. Collins
Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717
(307) 686-1516 “Preaching the Living
Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
|
|
|
MISUNDERSTANDING OF BUILDING ON CHRIST’S CHURCH 1Co 3:11-23 (6/29/11) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl
Hilbert
A. [1Co 3:11c]
Paul admonished that each man had to be careful how he built upon the grace
that God had given him through salvation. The believer builds upon salvation
not to obtain it or secure it but out of gratitude in service to the Lord.
That service then becomes the basis of rewards. The fact that God rewards the
believer for serving the One who saved him is another example of God’s grace. B. [1Co 3:11] -
There is only one foundation upon which any believer can build, and that is
the foundation that Jesus Christ already laid by His work on the cross. That
is indeed the foundation that the church is built upon (Mat 16:16-18; Mar
1:1; Joh 20:31; Act 8:37; 1Co 1:9) and which is the cornerstone (Psa 118:22;
Mat 21:42; Act 4:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:6-7). C. [1Co 3:12] -
The materials with which a Christian uses to build are gold, silver, precious
stones, wood hay, and straw. 1. These
materials represent the quality of “work” (vs. 13) with which a Christian
serves the Lord. 2. There are at
least three interpretations on what basis the believer’s service will be
examined. a) Service
focused on eternal values versus temporal values. b) Service
supported by true doctrine versus false doctrine. c) Service based
on Christ-glorifying motives versus self-glorifying motives. d) All three of
these would certainly come to play when the believer stands before the Lord.
Note that these are based on service and not sin. D. [1Co 3:13] -
The sin issue has been dealt with on the cross (Rom 8:1), but the jury is
still out on the believer’s service. Every believer’s work will become
“evident” (phaneros - to bring to light or
make visible) before Christ. 1. 2Cor 5:10 states
that it will take place at the judgment seat of Christ. “Judgment seat” is
the Greek word Bêmatos, which was
an elevated platform for a judge or tribunal, especially at the Olympic
Games, where the winners would receive their crowns. All believers must
appear before Christ, who will be on the bêma
seat. 2. The day of Christ’s Bêma will be a day that “shows”
(dêlóō - make plain or
declare) the “quality” (hopoios
- of what sort) of the work (i.e. service) for what it truly is. 3. It will be “revealed” (apokaluptō - unveil or uncover) and tested (dokimazō
- examine and put to the test) by fire. Here, fire is a metaphor for
Christ’s omniscient and discerning judgment (Jer 23:29; Zec 13:9; 2Th 1:7;
Rev 3:18; 18:8). Four different words therefore are used by Paul to emphasize
the revealing nature of Christ’s Bêma, “evident,” “show,” “revealed,” and
“test.” E. [1Co 3:14] - If a believer’s service stands the test
he will receive a reward. Here “reward” is the Greek word misthos, which means compensation for
labor. “Crowns” are from the Greek word stephanos
which were the victory wreaths of
garland given at the Olympic Games (cp. 1Co 9:25). The Corinthians would have been familiar with
the stephanos because the Isthmian Games, named after Corinth’s
isthmus, were held at Corinth the year before and after the Olympic Games. More is revealed in the New Testament concerning the
areas of service in which crowns are awarded to believers. The following list
may not be completely definitive, nor may these be the only crowns, but they
are the only crowns mentioned in the Bible. 1. “Crown of
Incorruption” (Victor’s Crown) - a
crown for those who gain victory over the sin nature (1Co 9:25). 2. “Crown of Rejoicing” (Soul Winner’s Crown) - a crown for those who win
souls by evangelism (1Th 2:19). 3. “Crown of Righteousness” (Blessed Hope Crown) - a crown for those who love
Christ’s appearing (2Ti 4:8). 4. “Crown of Glory” (Elder’s Crown) - a crown for those who serve in church leadership
(1Pe 5:1-4). 5. “Crown of
Life” (Martyr’s Crown) - a crown for
those endure persecution (Jam 1:12; Rev 2:10). F. [1Co 3:15] - However, if a believer’s service is
examined and found out to be inferior, then those works will be burned up” (katakaíō - destroyed by fire). 1. The believer will “suffer
the loss” (zemióō- suffer damage or forfeit) or
forfeit having an eternal testimony of how God worked in that particular
service. 2. But the believer himself “will be saved” which
reveals that the Judgment of Christ does not relate to salvation but to works
of service. 3. Obviously, the Corinthians were not thinking of
eternal perspectives or rewards when they followed Paul or Apollos.
A. [1Co 3:16] -
There is a connection between rewards for the Christian and how he guards his
body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit. 1. 2Co 5:10
speaks with reference to the deeds done in the body and the “judgment seat of
Christ.” How one conducts his body determines what kind of service he will
exercise unto the Lord. 2. Note that
even in these carnal Corinthian Christians “dwells” (oikéo - to house or inhabit) the Holy Spirit. In fact the
believer’s body is the permanent “temple” (naos - sacred place for a divine being, hieros being the temple area) of God the
Holy Spirit. B. [2Co 3:17] -
In addition, believers make up the temple of God collectively. Any false
teachers or persecutors who attempt to destroy God’s “holy” temple, the
church, will be dealt with by God.
A. [1Co 3:18-20]
- Paul admonishes the Corinthians that they have been thinking with worldly
wisdom and that is not the way to build Christ’s Church. If anyone disagrees
with Paul on this matter, they are “deceiving” (exapatáō - entice, seduce, delude) themselves.
They must become foolish in this world so that they can become wise about
eternal truths. God is wiser than the world because He catches them in their
craftiness (quote Job 5:13). God already has the unbeliever and his
reasonings figured out. They are useless (mataios - unprofitable, futile) in respect to salvation and
spiritual matters. B. [1Co 3:21-22]
- The Corinthians were boasting in men (ex. Paul, Apollos). They were in
essence building on the foundation of men rather than the foundation Christ.
How foolish, because they were co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17) and all things
were theirs. They do not need to stoop to following men like the world does. C. [1Co 3:23] -
The believer belongs to Christ and so he is promised Christ’s spiritual care
and spiritual provisions. Therefore, the believer has all things because he
has Christ. Furthermore, Christ belongs to God so therefore the believer also
belongs to God. It was time for the Corinthians to forsake the wisdom of this
world and embrace all that they were in Christ. It would change the way they
viewed and built the Church.
A. We must build
on Christ’s foundation and not foundations of men. If we do, it will change
our eternal perspective. All too often the average church goer decides
whether or not he comes to church based on whether he has something better to
do or not. What better eternal value is there than studying God’s truth,
fellowshipping with God’s people, and building up God’s people? B. Our service
for the Lord must be focused on eternal values versus temporal values, supported
by true doctrine versus false doctrine, and based on Christ-glorifying
motives versus self-glorifying motives. This is the kind of service Christ
deserves and the only kind that rewards. C. We must build
the church, the body of believers, using God’s principle and truths from His
Word as opposed to man’s wisdom. Man’s wisdom may look professional, flashy,
and admirable but it is nothing more than wood, hay, and stubble. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|