Rev. David Holwick V
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
July 15, 2001
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
|
I. Construction theme for this year's Vacation Bible School.
A. Construction signs and equipment all around church.
1) Appropriate metaphor - God is best known as the Creator.
2) We are in his image, so we create and build as well.
B. What do we build?
1) Salmon Brothers - streets and parking lots.
2) Average person - our lives and our character.
C. Someday we will answer to our Creator. Get it right!
II. Get the foundation right.
A. Faulty foundation, rest can fall. (Implosion video)
1) VBS kids built Popsicle stick homes in volleyball court
(garden hose washed them away) and cardboard box walls
in my backyard. Foundation made all the difference.
2) Faulty foundations.
a) Materialism.
(college trustee at Aimee's graduation who focused on
how to make your million - students rolled eyes in
disbelief.)
b) Education.
1> Our society worships diplomas.
(that is why I have mine on my office wall)
2> Education is an important part of life but it has
definite limits.
3> Knowledge is continually changing. It can be wrong.
4> It doesn't necessarily make you a better person.
c) Relationships.
1> Our families are important to us. Too important?
2> Families can fail us.
3> Friends and spouses may leave us.
B. No foundation other than Jesus.
1) According to the Bible, he never changes, never fails,
never leaves.
2) He can satisfy our need for material things (daily bread),
knowledge, and relationships (fellowship).
3) He gives us purpose, direction, and a future.
4) We should pattern our life on Jesus.
5) We should commit ourselves to his unlimited grace.
III. Construction is ongoing.
A. Great projects are not done overnight.
1) This church has had at least 3 building programs over 40
years, and two property expansions.
2) Your own construction will take a lifetime.
B. We are not complete.
1) Moral failings.
2) Rotten personalities.
a) We can be quick to judge shortcomings of others.
1> What do people see in you?
2> Are you liked? Respected?
b) Do you have reputation of being a genuine Christian?
3) Lack of total maturity.
a) Be a growing person. Try new things. Expand yourself.
b) Unfinished buildings on Route 80, new law with
time limits.
C. You should see some progress.
1) "God's not done with me yet" can become convenient excuse.
2) Challenge yourself to growth.
IV. We are all building something bigger than we think.
A. Most building metaphors in NT have primary focus on church.
1) 1 Corinthians 3 is no exception.
2) Foundation and building are of body of Christ.
B. Christians are stones that build up church.
1) We are part of something worldwide and dynamic.
2) We are all different types.
a) We bring wonderful talents and strengths.
b) We can also bring our weaknesses and dirt.
TEN LITTLE CHRISTIANS
Ten Little Christians, standing in a line,
One disliked the pastor, then there were nine.
Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
One slept in on Sunday, then there were eight.
Eight little Christians on their way to Heaven,
One took the low road, then there were seven.
Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks,
One disliked the music, then there were six.
Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
but one lost his interest then there were five.
Five little Christians pulling for heaven's shore,
but one stopped to rest, then there were only four.
Four little Christians, each busy as a bee
One got her feelings hurt, then there were three.
Three little Christians knew not what to do,
One joined the sporting crowd, then there were two.
Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
differed with each other, then there was one.
One little Christian, can't do much 'tis true;
brought his friend to Bible study -- then there were two.
Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
that doubled the number, then there were four.
Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late,
Each won another, then there were eight.
Eight splendid Christians, if they doubled as before,
In just a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024.
In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
You belong to The Building, Or to the wrecking crew!
#18476
C. Use your talents to make this a great church.
1) Church Expansion Proposal team - dreams of what we could
do with unlimited funds. (They ain't...)
2) What we need is unlimited Spirit.
a) Impact on people.
b) Programs can help people, not take their place.
c) VBS kids eager to learn, please teachers.
3) The church in USA is growing. (Newsweek cover this week)
D. Even the smallest can contribute something.
V. Be sure to build with quality.
A. You have a choice of materials.
1) Too many choose the wood, hay and stubble.
a) Lousy choices in life.
1> Young man in jail, track marks on arms.
(1 year addiction)
2> Another let alcohol fuel his temper.
(being transferred to state prison for 9 years)
b) Worse than failure can be vapidness.
1> Will you be remembered as a couch potato?
2) Gold, silver, costly stones...
a) Elements of quality.
b) Where do you put most of your effort in life?
c) What kind of spiritual heritage will you leave?
B. We must build according to code. (Bible)
1) New church stoop had inspectors come every other day.
a) Necessary, or bureaucratic shakedown?
2) Codes have their purposes.
A TV news camera crew was on assignment in southern Florida
filming the widespread destruction of Hurricane Andrew.
In one scene, amid the devastation and debris stood one
house on its foundation.
The owner was cleaning up the yard when a reporter
approached him.
"Sir, why is your house the only one still standing?" asked
the reporter.
"How did you manage to escape the severe damage of the
hurricane?"
"I built this house myself," the man replied.
"I also built it according to the Florida state building
code.
When the code called for 2x6 roof trusses, I used 2x6 roof
trusses.
I was told that a house built according to code could
withstand a hurricane.
I did, and it did.
I suppose no one else around here followed the code."
When the sun is shining and the skies are blue, building
our lives on something other than the guidelines in
God's Word can be tempting.
But there's a hurricane coming - for everyone.
#2429
3) What is your personal code for life?
a) In areas of temptations, what actions have you decided
to take?
b) Convictions must be made now.
4) Bible has practical, specific instructions on how to live.
C. Our work will be inspected.
1) Roxbury, NJ, building inspectors.
2) The ultimate inspector - God himself.
==========================================================================
SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
# 2429 "Obedience," by David R. Culver, Leadership Journal, Winter 1993,
page 48.
#18476 "Which Is Your Crew?" collected by Rev. Nick Lica (original
source unknown).
These and 18,000 others are part of a database that can be downloaded,
absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
==========================================================================
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Full featured Documentation generator