Rev. David Holwick T
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
May 30, 1993
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
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I. Testing time.
A. Final exams are soon approaching in school.
B. God's final exam is also approaching.
1) He will assess our lives in detail.
2) He looks at us as if we are building contractors.
II. Building from the ground up. 3:9
A. Church is in view, more than individuals.
1) Each of us is making our contribution to God's house.
2) What one of you does, reflects on all of us.
B. Jesus is only foundation. 3:11
1) If foundation is weak, building won't stand.
a) King Store and massive basement walls.
b) Jesus is a firm foundation.
2) Jesus is required - not just one answer among many.
a) Only name for salvation. Acts 4:12
b) No one gets to Father except through Jesus. John 14:6
III. "Be careful how you build..." The structure is up to us.
A. The Christian life is open-ended potential.
1) Are we content to rest in our salvation?
a) Or do we intend to build ourselves up?
b) Most Christians exhibit little growth.
2) New office buildings at Roxbury Mall. <<<<<<
a) Look good on outside, but an empty shell.
B. Different building materials.
1) Gold, silver, precious stones alludes to materials of
Solomon's Temple.
2) Wood, hay and straw are easily consumed.
a) (3 pigs and Big Bad Wolf)
3) What we do for God lasts, rest does not. Perishes.
IV. How to build with quality in the Christian life.
A. Know your God.
1) Bible is our blueprints.
a) Nightmare in college - I realize I have final exam in
a class I never attended, and didn't read material.
b) Do we read God's material?
c) Disciplined Bible study is surest way to grow as a
believer.
2) Prayer keeps us in God's power.
a) Most people talk about prayer, more than they pray.
b) If prayer seems remote, challenge God to reveal what
he can do.
B. Watch your inner life.
1) Mexico City earthquake - buildings looked the same, but
substandard building practices and materials caused
some to collapse.
[Building demolition: only a few supports need to be knocked
out.]
2) Moral impurity causes many Christians to fall.
a) Sin that is not checked only grows worse.
b) After a while, you will feel no pangs of guilt but the
damage will still be there.
3) Challenge yourself to do what Jesus would do in everyday
circumstances.
Charles Swindoll tells the story of a well-respected British
pastor who lived around the turn of the century.
Each day he commuted by trolley car from his home in the suburbs
to his church in downtown London.
On this particular day, he paid the driver as he got on,
preoccupied with his busy schedule and the needs of his church.
It wasn't until he was seated that he realized the driver has
given him too much change.
Fingering the coins, his first thought was an alien one,
"My, how wonderfully God provides!"
But the longer he sat there, the less comfortable he became.
His conscience telegraphed a strong signal of conviction
within him.
As he walked to the door to get off near his church, he looked
at the driver and quietly said,
"When I got on, you accidentally gave me too much change."
The driver, with a sly smile, replied,
"It was no accident at all.
You see, I was in your congregation yesterday and heard your
sermon on honesty.
I just thought I'd put you to the test, Reverend."
#1491
V. Tested by fire.
A. Diane Sloane and burning barbecue illustration.
1) Waco, Texas, conflagration. Nothing left.
B. Not purgatory here.
1) Only NT passage that is used.
2) Testing of quality in view, not purification.
3) All Christians will be saved, but some will have little
to show for their faith. (Singed smell)
C. Our lives count for something NOW, either loss or gain, for all
eternity.
1) Now is the only time we can serve Christ in this body.
2) Now is the only time we can lead another person to Christ,
the only time we can heal the sick, free the captive.
3) Each of us will stand ALONE before Jesus Christ.
a) We won't be able to blame anything on anyone else.
b) We will have to answer for what we did, with what He
gave us.
D. How do you assess your faith? HOW WILL GOD?
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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