REWARDED THROUGH THE FIRE!
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
INTRODUCTION: Some Christians are carnal; almost everything they do is led by their fleshly desires. Other Christians are spiritual; most of what they do is led by the Spirit of God. If what a Christian builds their life on is of the flesh, it will be wood, hay and straw and it will all be burned up. If what a Christian builds their life on is Spirit led they will build with gold, silver, and precious jewels and it will go through the fire of judgement and be rewarded.
I. A TIME OF REWARD!
Not only will the Judgment Seat of Christ be a time of revelation, it will also be a time of reward: 1 Corinthians 3:14. We are not saved by our good works: Ephesians 2:8-10. However, we are saved unto good works: Ephesians 2:10. We are not saved by works of righteousness: Titus 3:5-7. However, Paul told Titus to stress to those who have been saved by God’s grace to go to work! Titus 3:8; Revelation 14:13. Our Bible teaches that the Lord will reward every good work done for His glory: Revelation 22:12; Matthew 6:20-21; 1 Corinthians 3:8.
II. THE LEAST SHALL BE GREAT!
Many of God’s servants are little known here in this life but they serve God by serving His children. Many precious, but not well-known saints who are nobody’s down here will be somebody’s up there. Matthew 5:1-12.
III. IT WILL BE A TIME OF REGRET!
For many Christians the Judgment Seat of Christ will be a time of regret: 1 Corinthians 3:15. Many will suffer loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The carnal builder, the man who has been a Christian: he has been born-again but all his works were made up of wood, hay, and stubble. This believer’s aspirations have been selfish rather than victorious and now that carnal believer faces the fire. You may say: “That won’t be so bad, I will still be in heaven. 1 John 2:28; Matthew 5:19; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 3:11. If all the works of your life are burned up in the fire it won’t be alright! You are going to suffer loss. Don’t be a carnal builder or you will suffer loss!