What are Your Motives for Serving?

1 Corinthians   •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Using the right building materials

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What are your Motives for Serving?

1 Corinthians 3:10–15 KJV 1900
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
.
Paul is building on the theme or working together and undoing the individual conflicts he had found in the church.
Illustration of working together for the common good of the church.
Psalm 133:1 KJV 1900
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Philippians 2:2–3 KJV 1900
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
phil
Different group were gathering around personalities and causing envying, strife and divisions.
1 Corinthians 3:3–4 KJV 1900
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Vs 8 each man shall receive his reward for what he has done.
vs 9 Then he gave two examples of farming and building
On a farm there are those that plow,plant, water and harvest.
On a building there are many different crafts. Plumbers, carpenters etc...
They all have to work together

I The Foundation

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 KJV 1900
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Divisions among Believers (1:10–4:21)

Continuing with the idea of building, the apostle first of all acknowledges that anything he has been able to accomplish has been due to the grace of God. By this he means the undeserved ability from God to do the work of an apostle. Then he goes on to describe his part in the beginning of this assembly at Corinth: “As a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation.” He came to Corinth preaching Christ and Him crucified. Souls were saved and a local church was planted. Then he adds: “And another builds on it.” By this, he doubtless refers to other teachers who subsequently visited Corinth and built on the foundation which had already been established there. However, the apostle cautions: “But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” He means that it is a solemn thing to exercise a teaching ministry in the local church. Some had come to Corinth with divisive doctrines and with teachings contrary to the word of God. Paul was doubtless conscious of these teachers as he penned the words.

3:11 Only one foundation is required for a building. Once it is laid, it never needs to be repeated. The Apostle Paul had laid the foundation of the church at Corinth. That foundation was Jesus Christ, His Person and Work

1 Cor 3:10-
Key - Continuing with the idea of building, the apostle first of all acknowledges that anything he has been able to accomplish has been due to the grace of God.
He came to Corinth preaching Christ and Him crucified. Souls were saved and a local church was planted. Then he adds: “And another builds on it.”
He came to Corinth preaching Christ and Him crucified. Souls were saved and a local church was planted. Then he adds: “And another builds on it.”
However, the apostle cautions: “But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” He means that it is a solemn thing to exercise a teaching ministry in the local church. Some had come to Corinth with divisive doctrines and with teachings contrary to the word of God. Paul was doubtless conscious of these teachers as he penned the words.
3:11 Only one foundation is required for a building. Once it is laid, it never needs to be repeated. The Apostle Paul had laid the foundation of the church at Corinth. That foundation was Jesus Christ, His Person and Work
Not every minister, however, labored to the same effect in this building process.
Paul had laid a foundation in Corinth with the message of the Cross.
Apollos too had labored beneficially in Corinth ().
Apparently so also had Peter, whom Paul here called “Cephas” (; ).
But as Paul wrote, someone else was ministering in Corinth, and Paul’s words to him and others like him were a warning.
3:11. Jesus Christ alone was the foundation, the basis of salvation ().
Acts 4:12 KJV 1900
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
But others had come to Corinth and preached a different gospel (). Perhaps such a one was present in Corinth when Paul wrote this letter.
2 cor 11.3-4
2 Corinthians 11:3–4 KJV 1900
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

II The Function

1 Corinthians 3:12 KJV 1900
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

The materials used in the building may be interpreted in at least four ways: (a) The gold, silver, costly stones refer to the enduring quality of the builder’s work; and the wood, hay, or straw suggest work that is temporary and valueless. This view is supported by “work” (v. 13) and “what he has built” (v. 14). (b) The three expensive materials suggest sound doctrine which the builder “builds” into people’s lives, and the three valueless materials are false doctrines. (c) The first three materials refer to the worker’s worthy motives, and the other three point to his unworthy motives (cf. 4:5). (d) The “gold, silver, costly stones” refer to believers who constitute the church (this is supported by similar uses of the metaphor in Eph. 2:22; 2 Tim. 2:20; and 1 Peter 2:5), and the “wood, hay, or straw” represent unregenerate people present in the church (chorton, rendered “hay” in 1 Cor. 3:12, is used of unbelievers in James 1:10, where the NIV renders it “wild flower”)

1 Cor 3:12
The materials used in the building may be interpreted in at least three ways:
(a) The gold, silver, costly stones refer to the enduring quality of the builder’s work; and the wood, hay, or straw suggest work that is temporary and valueless. This view is supported by “work” (v. 13) and “what he has built” (v. 14).
1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV 1900
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
This view is supported by “work” (v. 13) and “what he has built” (v. 14).
1cor
Teaching - lasting -
Teaching temporary - Revelation and theorys
(b) The three expensive materials suggest sound doctrine which the builder “builds” into people’s lives, and the three valueless materials are false doctrines.
healings, health and wealth , excessive teaching on the spectacular
Teaching temporary - Revelation and theorys
(c) The first three materials refer to the worker’s worthy motives, and the other three point to his unworthy motives (cf. 4:5).
Motives for Work
To glorify God
To gain position
To help others
To help self
Brokenness over the lost
Number to fill a church
1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV 1900
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Teaching temporary - Revelation and theorys
Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Divisions among Believers (1:10–4:21)

Subsequent teaching in a local church may be of varying degrees of value. For instance, some teaching is of lasting worth, and might be likened to gold, silver, or precious stones. Here precious stones probably do not refer to diamonds, rubies, or other gems but rather to the granite, marble, or alabaster used in the construction of costly temples. On the other hand, teaching in the local church might be of passing value or of no value at all. Such teaching is likened to wood, hay, and straw.

This passage of Scripture is commonly used in a general way to refer to the lives of all Christian believers. It is true that we are all building, day by day, and the results of our work will be manifested in a coming day. However, a careful student of the Bible will want to note that the passage does not refer primarily to all believers but rather to preachers and teachers.

Subsequent teaching in a local church may be of varying degrees of value. For instance, some teaching is of lasting worth, and might be likened to gold, silver, or precious stones. Here precious stones probably do not refer to diamonds, rubies, or other gems but rather to the granite, marble, or alabaster used in the construction of costly temples. On the other hand, teaching in the local church might be of passing value or of no value at all. Such teaching is likened to wood, hay, and straw.
This passage of Scripture is commonly used in a general way to refer to the lives of all Christian believers. It is true that we are all building, day by day, and the results of our work will be manifested in a coming day. However, a careful student of the Bible will want to note that the passage does not refer primarily to all believers but rather to preachers and teachers.
Cultural Standards - wood
To glorify God
To gain position
Salvation by grace - stone
To help others
Entertainment - wood
To help self
Brokenness over the lost
Number to fill a church

III The Final Judgement

1 Corinthians 3:13–15 KJV 1900
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

3:13. The day of judgment is when Christ will judge the quality of His servants’ work (2 Cor. 5:10). It is not a question of salvation which is a gift (Rom. 6:23), or a matter of individual deeds (Eph. 2:8–9), but of service which is judged on the basis of quality not quantity. Considerable apparent success can be had by dint of human effort and wisdom (cf. 1 Cor. 2:4), but unless it is empowered by God in accordance with His plan it cannot last (Ps. 127:1).

3:14–15. The image of fire associated with the coming of Christ is used elsewhere in the New Testament (2 Thes. 1:7; Rev. 18:8). What the reward for the expert builder consists of was not detailed, though praise (1 Cor. 4:5) is certainly a part. The inept builder will see the loss of his labor, but he himself will be saved, like a burning stick snatched from a fire (Amos 4:11; Jude 23). Before such judgment the various materials may coexist and appear indistinguishable (cf. Matt. 13:30).

The day of judgment is when Christ will judge the quality of His servants’ work
2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV 1900
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
It is not a question of salvation which is a gift (), or a matter of individual deeds (), but of service which is judged on the basis of quality not quantity.
(). It is not a question of salvation which is a gift (), or a matter of individual deeds (), but of service which is judged on the basis of quality not quantity. Considerable apparent success can be had by dint of human effort and wisdom (cf. ), but unless it is empowered by God in accordance with His plan it cannot last ().
Considerable apparent success can be had by dint of human effort and wisdom (cf. ), but unless it is empowered by God in accordance with His plan it cannot last ().
3:14–15. What the reward for the expert builder consists of was not detailed, though praise () is certainly a part. The inept builder will see the loss of his labor, but he himself will be saved
Believer’s Bible Commentary A. Divisions among Believers (1:10–4:21)

In a coming day, each one’s work will become clear. Day refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ when all service for the Lord will be reviewed. The process of review is likened to the action of fire. Service that has brought glory to God and blessing to man, like gold, silver, and precious stones, will not be affected by the fire. On the other hand, that which has caused trouble among the people of God or failed to edify them will be consumed. The fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

3:14 Work in connection with the church may be of three types. In verse 14 we have the first type—service that has been of a profitable nature. In such a case, the servant’s life work endures the test of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the worker will receive a reward.

3:15 The second type of work is that which is useless. In this case, the servant will suffer loss, although he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. E. W. Rogers points out: “Loss does not imply the forfeiture of something once possessed.” It should be clear from this verse that the Judgment Seat of Christ is not concerned with the subject of a believer’s sins and their penalty. The penalty of a believer’s sins was borne by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, and that matter has been settled once for all. Thus the believer’s salvation is not at all in question at the Judgment Seat of Christ; rather it is a matter of his service.

Through failure to distinguish between salvation and rewards, the Roman Catholic Church has used this verse to try to support its teaching of purgatory. However, a careful examination of the verse reveals no hint as to purgatory. There is no thought that the fire purifies the character of a man. Rather, the fire tests a man’s work or service, of what sort it is. The man is saved despite the fact that his works are consumed by the fire.

An interesting thought in connection with this verse is that the word of God is sometimes likened to fire (see Isa. 5:24 and Jer. 23:29). The same word of God which will test our service at the Judgment Seat of Christ is available to us now. If we are building in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, then our work will stand the test in that coming day.

In a coming day, each one’s work will become clear.
Bus numbers 1980’s - get them in …broken over the condition of the home....
Music ministry - glorify God through music or get my song sang.
Teaching ministry - its my SS class and I will teach what I want or what can I do to unity and encourage the believers.
I am only here because of the kids program or teen program ....
I will only serve if its something I like ; while other do double duty as people sit and watch
Day refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ when all service for the Lord will be reviewed.
The process of review is likened to the action of fire.
Service that has brought glory to God and blessing to man, like gold, silver, and precious stones, will not be affected by the fire. On the other hand, that which has caused trouble among the people of God or failed to edify them will be consumed. The fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
3:14 Work in connection with the church may be of three types. In verse 14 we have the first type—service that has been of a profitable nature. In such a case, the servant’s life work endures the test of the Judgment Seat of Christ and the worker will receive a reward.
3:15 The second type of work is that which is useless. In this case, the servant will suffer loss, although he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
E. W. Rogers points out: “Loss does not imply the forfeiture of something once possessed.” It should be clear from this verse that the Judgment Seat of Christ is not concerned with the subject of a believer’s sins and their penalty. The penalty of a believer’s sins was borne by the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, and that matter has been settled once for all. Thus the believer’s salvation is not at all in question at the Judgment Seat of Christ; rather it is a matter of his service.
What asking you to Know?
What are your motives for building upon the foundation?
What are your motives for building upon the foundation?
An interesting thought in connection with this verse is that the word of God is sometimes likened to fire (see and ). The same word of God which will test our service at the Judgment Seat of Christ is available to us now. If we are building in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, then our work will stand the test in that coming day.
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