Good morning everyone!
As believers can build one of two kinds of structures atop the foundation that all believers have, in the following scripture:
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
In 1 Corinthians 3:11, we learn that Jesus is our foundation.
In verses 12 and following we learn that:
1: One structure is on that foundation is made of gold, silver and precious stones.
2: The other on that foundation is comprised of wood, hay and stubble.
3: Both kinds of people attend church.
4: Both structures are here this morning!
(or are reading this online)
5: Both of these structures will be tried by fire.
Do you know what will happen to wood, hay and stubble when it is burned? That's right! It will burn up until there is nothing!
Verse 15 is actually saying that if we build using wood, hay and stubble, when the structure is tested by fire, we will barely make it out alive! And our structure will be destroyed.
We will find ourselves saved, but only saved as a man running out from inside a burning house
So, what does that mean?
It is living our lives after we are saved, for ourselves, rather than for Christ. Living it up.
Not bothering to do our part for the Kingdom of God!
We are all given free will, all of us can do what we want with our time. But it is those who are willing to sacrifice for the greater will of God, who are laying up treasure in heaven, and are building out of gold, silver and precious stones.
We all have a choice to make!
You can forget about God's will, putting anything to do with YOUR part for the kingdom out of your mind.
You can drown out your conscience with the pleasures of life.
And let's face it, the world can offer you many things that are in and of themselves innocent!
We can simply come to church, not sacrificing one moment of our lives for God or anyone else, that they may come to know God.
But God wants us to sacrifice! God wants us to minister to a lost and dying world!
I have been tempted as well as I’m sure many of you have, to think about my financial security on this earth. As a pastor I have been tempted many times to think about what secular work I could have dedicated myself to accomplish after God called me to preach.
I thought about the career I was planning and the university studies I was looking towards. There is nothing wrong with university and secular careers. But God called me to the ministry. And my calling required me to preach the Word rather than study for years at a university or focus on a secular career.
And, like many others, I thought about the money I could be making in the secular world, had I focused my efforts on that career. But God always comes near to my side and reminds me, "Fear not."
There are 168 hours in a week. Are you willing to make a small sacrifice, for eternity, YOUR eternity? To commit to 5 or 10 hours a week to do God's work?
I know, some of you will say you're too busy to come to church and commit to 5 or 10 hours every week for the benefit of others. Your family is all you can handle!
Probably, TOO MANY!
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Do you miss your loved ones when they're away? Your spouse? Your children? Then how much more does our Father miss you?
God is reaching out to all of us!
He is asking "DO I HAVE ANY VOLUNTEERS?"
In a generation does not want to sacrifice ANYTHING
What will YOU answer? Will it be HERE I AM, LORD!
Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved
Brian Monzon Ministries
As believers can build one of two kinds of structures atop the foundation that all believers have, in the following scripture:
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
In 1 Corinthians 3:11, we learn that Jesus is our foundation.
In verses 12 and following we learn that:
1: One structure is on that foundation is made of gold, silver and precious stones.
2: The other on that foundation is comprised of wood, hay and stubble.
3: Both kinds of people attend church.
4: Both structures are here this morning!
(or are reading this online)
5: Both of these structures will be tried by fire.
Do you know what will happen to wood, hay and stubble when it is burned? That's right! It will burn up until there is nothing!
Verse 15 is actually saying that if we build using wood, hay and stubble, when the structure is tested by fire, we will barely make it out alive! And our structure will be destroyed.
We will find ourselves saved, but only saved as a man running out from inside a burning house
So, what does that mean?
It is living our lives after we are saved, for ourselves, rather than for Christ. Living it up.
Not bothering to do our part for the Kingdom of God!
We are all given free will, all of us can do what we want with our time. But it is those who are willing to sacrifice for the greater will of God, who are laying up treasure in heaven, and are building out of gold, silver and precious stones.
We all have a choice to make!
You can forget about God's will, putting anything to do with YOUR part for the kingdom out of your mind.
You can drown out your conscience with the pleasures of life.
And let's face it, the world can offer you many things that are in and of themselves innocent!
We can simply come to church, not sacrificing one moment of our lives for God or anyone else, that they may come to know God.
But God wants us to sacrifice! God wants us to minister to a lost and dying world!
I have been tempted as well as I’m sure many of you have, to think about my financial security on this earth. As a pastor I have been tempted many times to think about what secular work I could have dedicated myself to accomplish after God called me to preach.
I thought about the career I was planning and the university studies I was looking towards. There is nothing wrong with university and secular careers. But God called me to the ministry. And my calling required me to preach the Word rather than study for years at a university or focus on a secular career.
And, like many others, I thought about the money I could be making in the secular world, had I focused my efforts on that career. But God always comes near to my side and reminds me, "Fear not."
There are 168 hours in a week. Are you willing to make a small sacrifice, for eternity, YOUR eternity? To commit to 5 or 10 hours a week to do God's work?
I know, some of you will say you're too busy to come to church and commit to 5 or 10 hours every week for the benefit of others. Your family is all you can handle!
Probably, TOO MANY!
"But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Do you miss your loved ones when they're away? Your spouse? Your children? Then how much more does our Father miss you?
God is reaching out to all of us!
He is asking "DO I HAVE ANY VOLUNTEERS?"
In a generation does not want to sacrifice ANYTHING
What will YOU answer? Will it be HERE I AM, LORD!
Brian Monzon Ministries