10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man´s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Introduction : If a house built with wood, hay, or straw is on fire, nothing will be left except the ashes. But if a house is built with steel and cement, its structure will remain even after the fire. Our life of faith has the same principle. When the Lord´s judgment comes, a house of faith that is built with worldly things will lose everything, but the one built with gold, silver, or costly stones will survive the fire, last forever, and receive a reward. We are all building a house of faith. Some may build well, but others may not.
1. A house and laying a foundation.
1) A foundation of humanism: a foundation of human effort-philosophy, knowledge,
moral training, hard work and religious practice (Col 2:8).
2) A foundation of syncretism: a foundation of joint effort between God and human
beings, which insists that humankind should add their share to the foundation that
has been laid by God.
3) No other foundation but the one that has already been laid (1Co 3:11).
① The foundation of Jesus´ redemptive death and resurrection is eternal and perfect
(Ac 4:11-12).
② The foundation is the gift of grace from God. There is absolutely no price attached
to it (Eph 2:8-9).
2. Building a house.
1) A house made of gold.
① Gold represents the absolute sovereignty of God. Everything in the Most Holy
Place was made of gold.
② Gold represents love: a life of faith that obeys God and puts love into practice
(Ps 19:9-11).
2) A house made of silver.
① Silver represents salvation.
② A life of faith that believes in the redemptive grace of Jesus and has a clear
identity of faith (1Pe 1:18-19).
3) A house made of costly stones.
① Costly stones represents beautiful ornaments and decorations (Isa 61:10).
② A life of faith that has the gifts of the Holy Spirit: word of wisdom, word of
knowledge, distinguishing spirits, speaking in tongues, interpretation, faith,
power and healing (1Co 12:7, 11).
4) A house made of wood, hay or straw.
① These represent worldly things that vanish by fire (2Pe 3:10).
② A life that pursues worldly desires, fame, high status, power, wealth and pleasure
(1Ti 6:17-19).
3. What makes gold, silver or costly stones different from wood, hay or straw?
1) Gold, silver or costly stones.
① Located deep underground.
② Required to be melted and refined.
- Through the tunnel of tribulation and through fiery trials, one can break his/her ego,
repent, and experience change (1Pe 1:7; 4:12-13).
2) Wood, hay or straw.
① Located above ground.
② Easily burnt and perishable.
- A life that chases after worldly desires in pursuit of things that are fleeting and
never repents, with an unbroken ego (1Co 3:15; Ro 2:5; Rev 22:12-13).
Conclusion : Humankind receives salvation through Jesus Christ. But it is our way of living that decides our status-whether it is of gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. With our spiritual eyes, we are able to see whether we are building a life of gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. When the time comes for us to leave this house of flesh for the kingdom of God, what do you think our status should be? We should watch ourselves to avoid the shame we might likely feel on the Day of Judgment, if we receive salvation like a burning stick snatched from the fire.
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