BARELY SAVED!

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

INTRODUCTION: Do you want to see God’s temple? God’s temple is not the church building. We are the temple of God. The Holy Spirit lives in every one of us: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. In the Old Testament God had a temple for His people. In the New Testament God has a people for His temple. Now the foundation of God’s temple today is our Lord Jesus Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:11; Isaiah 33:6. Some teach that the apostle Peter is the foundation of the church because Jesus said: Matthew 16:18. I for one am glad the church of Jesus Christ is not built upon Peter because just a few verses later Peter spoke for Satan: Matthew 16:13-23. Peter “Petros” is a small rock. “Petra”, Jesus Christ is a large rock and on Christ Jesus the church is built. Now we build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:12. The builders here are carnal and spiritual Christians. One day each will find out what he or she ha  built upon the Foundation of Christ: 1 Corinthians 3:13. It will take a life time for our works to be revealed: 1 Corinthians 3:13. Our God does not look at things the same way we do: 1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 16:15. What criteria will our God use on that day?

I. OUR ATTITUDE!

It is not just what we do but why did we do it! 1 Corinthians 9:16-18. Paul is saying if I want to get a reward out of preaching the gospel I better do it with the right attitude. Your attitude during the times of your service are extremely important to your God: Matthew 6:1-6.

II. ON WHOSE AUTHORITY ARE YOU DOING IT?

Second, we will be rewarded according to the authority of who told you to do your good work. Gold, silver, and costly stones are those things our Lord has led you to do for His glory. 2 Timothy 2:5.

III. ACCORDING TO YOUR ABILITY!

God truly expects more from some people than He does from others: Luke 12:48. If God has given you great gifts He expects far more from you than He does from those who have received smaller gifts from Him. 1 Corinthians 4:7. The little widow who gave less than a quarter of a penny Jesus said she gave more than all the rich people that day: Mark 12:41-44. Mary of Bethany was put down by some of the apostles for waste, but it wasn’t waste to our Lord Jesus: Mark 14:6-9. Are we doing what we can for Christ’s glory?

IV. ACCORDING TO YOUR ASPIRATION!

It is not only what you do, but what did you truly aspire to do for God’s glory. King David wanted to build a temple for his God but he could not, but our Lord knows our hearts and we will judged at least in part according to our aspiration. Here is what Solomon said about his father David: 1 Kings 8:17-19. David never built the temple of the Lord, but he will be rewarded just as if he had because he desired to do it. Our God is not looking just for quantity, He is looking for quality. This will be a day of revelation; the fire will test every man’s work of what sort it is and it will be revealed with fire. Are you building with a good attitude? Are you building according to God’s authority? Are you building according to your ability? Are you building with the proper aspiration?