I Corinthians 3: 10-17
“Christ the Foundation”
Sermon by
Mark A. Horne
I worked for a construction company when I was in high school. The man who owned it was a good Christian man, and he eventually became a dear friend. We shared the same birthday and a lot of long talks. He kept something for me to do and watched after me. What I liked most about him was that he did not just watch after me while I worked for him, he watched after me when I was not around. If I was in trouble or was apart of some conjured up plan for fun, you can bet if my Dad had not already found out about it, Mr. Glace had. There were many Saturdays that I went to work and as soon as he knew I was there, he would call me into his office. He would explain to me what he had heard and then talk with me about the situation. He had a knack for catching my attention as a teenager without what he said sounding like a lecture. Mr. Bill Glace passed away a few years ago and I have missed his friendship.
As I was studying our passage for today I thought about some memories I had with Mr. Glace. You see I did not realize it until this week that Mr. Glace was not just a boss, or even a friend; but he was a master-builder in God’s kingdom. And as master-builders or architects we build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.
This morning I am preaching especially to myself, for our passage deals with the conduct and attitudes of ministers. But do not let this allude you to thinking that you are off the hook. For our passage is more than my talking to myself, you all are ministers in the Kingdom of God. By your own special gifts and talents, God has placed you as a minister in the world. Men if you think that you are not, remember that if nothing else you serve the priestly role in your house. Ladies if you think you are not remember that you are helpers to your husbands, comforters for each other, and instructors to your children. No doubt as much if not more burden than we men have. That is why we are all ministers. We each play a role in the structure of God’s building. We are in constant ministering mode – even if it is to a teenager trying to make an identity for himself. And Paul gives us two things that we need to remember as master-builders of Christ and another as dwellers of the house:
1. An architect knows the importance of the foundation.
2. Though the foundation is in place, the master-builder can not use second grade wood for an eternal home.
3. As dwellers of the house, watch out for termites.
First, Paul teaches in verses 10 and 11 that as ministers within the Kingdom of God we are builders. Yet, we are not any old builders who know how to square a house, but we are master builders. We are architects.
One of my favorite television channels is HGTV. I like it because 9 times out of 10 there is something worth watching. Two of my favorite shows is The New This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop. You may be thinking that these two shows have something in common, and they do, they both feature Norm Abram. And I was watching The New This Old House pretty recently and they introduced Norm Abrams as Master Builder Norm Abrams. What makes one a master builder? He has to be knowledgeable and he has to have a good reputation.
As master builders in the kingdom that is what we have to be and have. In our passage, as we learned last week, Paul is fighting two battles. He is with confidence and fearlessness opposing the wickedness that is stirring up trouble within the congregation itself and he also has to shut down the pride of the Corinthians. This Corinthian church has its beginning with Paul. He was the one who laid the foundation and the superstructure must conform to the foundation. But notice what kind of master builder he was when he placed that foundation. He wasn’t just knowledgeable. He was wise. What significance chapter 2: 6-16 has with this verse? Where it seems Paul goes off on a tangent discussing what true wisdom was all about, does nothing but hit the target with this verse. Paul tells them, yes it is honorable and reputable to be a master builder in God’s kingdom, but what is even more important is to be a wise master builder in God’s Kingdom. And Paul makes it clear that his wisdom comes by no other means than the grace of God, which brings glory to God’s name.
Now being one of America’s real life tool-men, what do you suppose Norm Abrams would say if you asked him what the most important part of the house was? Right, the foundation! Not the Victorian style molding that is noticeable, not the Du Pont carpet with stain resistant fibers, not the shingles or the flip in windows for easy cleaning; but the foundation. The same holds true for Paul’s plea to the Corinthian church. As wise master builders we have to recognize that Christ is the only foundation of the church. There is no other! And Paul tells them, “I laid this true and faithful foundation for you. By my preaching and teaching I have rightly laid you upon Christ. And anyone who comes after me can in no other way serve the Lord with a good conscience, or be listened to as ministers of Christ, than by making their doctrine correspond with his, and retain the foundation which he has laid.” We must do this as 1 Corinthians 1:30 states read. Remember the last of the sayings in the Sermon on the Mount. Turn to Matthew 7: 24 read. Ohhh… how the foundation must be in place so that the rest of the building can stand.
II
This brings me to my second point. Though this foundation is properly in place as Paul clearly states he did, in verses 12-15 we learn that the architects that come after him can’t use second grade wood to build an eternal home. As workpeople in God’s kingdom, whether we are the cement mixers or the stone layers, we have to be careful of what we place on top of the foundation. Paul pursues his metaphor. Notice what he compares his and Appolos’ doctrines with the others that are in opposition. They are putting precious stones (which in 1st century Corinth would be marble and granite), gold, and silver on top of the foundation of Christ. This can be nothing else but the truth that is in Jesus Christ and nothing else.
If it is anything else, one is using materials such as hay, and wood, straw. These materials are perishable. Though they adhere to the foundation, they depart from the mind of Christ in many particulars. And as the winds and the rains and the floods come in, they cannot withstand the test. We must be careful what sort of teachings we place in building up the Kingdom for God will have his church trained up in the true preaching of his own word, not by made up ideas of men and women, who want nothing more that their pride shine. God will not allow it. What looks glorious in the eyes of men, must before the face of God fall down, and are regarded as worthless.
This reminds me of the story of the Three Little Pigs that I read to Tanner the other night. Not the recent one where the three pigs end up in the brick house together, but the old one where the wolf ate the first two up. Remember what the first two pigs used to build their house. They used wood and straw. Then there was discipline and testing before the first two pigs and what looked glorious to them, perished because they were worthless. But the third little pig built upon a strong foundation. He laid bricks, stones of strength and truth, and when the testing came, he was safe inside.
But even if the works of these prideful men are allowed to stand by God when the day comes (and this isn’t any day, this is the Day with capital “D” – the NIV loses this emphasis), an account will be given by every person created, and truth will be brought to light. What is in darkness will be made manifest. As fire purifies metal and burns up hay – so the fire of the Lord, which is the Holy Spirit, will purge and consume all that is false that has been taught. And though it is hard to tell the Lord’s true servants from false workmen, rest assured that our Lord always discovers the honest and upright Christian. The nearer the doctrine of God is brought to this fire; so much the brighter will be its luster. Look back at the Sermon on the Mount in Chapter 7, and the passage right before “building on the foundation” verse 21 read. Yes, we have to be careful and guard ourselves to what we listen to and trust; because when the final judgement day is here there will be much disappointment. But those of us who build with the gold and silver of the truth of doctrine will receive the reward of eternal glory with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – our Lord.
III
This brings us to the third point, in verses 16 and 17 Paul reminds us that as dwellers in God’s house called the church, we have to watch out for termites. It is believed that Paul may have been referring to the temple in Jerusalem at the time and then alluding to the dissentions that was corrupting God’s temple. Though it is possible for Paul to be thinking this, I believe there were only a few within the congregation that cared. I believe Paul wanted to make it clear for his readers that they need not fear what is to come, because they have been made holy by God, and this true church is who they are. For God doesn’t reside with just anyone – the Philistines sent the ark back because of the boils He had placed on them – no God only dwells within his temple, and Christian Churches is that temple. Some want to use this passage for proof that we should take care of our body – we should, but this isn’t the passage to use – that passage is in chapter 6 and we will get to it in a few weeks. What Paul is referring to here is the corporate body, the church. Within this body or building we each have our different function, just as floor joists and roof trusts do, we are set apart for God and his service. He himself has set us apart and appointed us to be the guardians of his temple. And when Christ sets us apart, he exhorts us to have our faith and obedience rest in him alone. God will not allow defilement to spoil his temple. Corruption will not pass through it with out impunity, especially when people intrude themselves, so as to bear rule in the Church in the place of God. For it is sacred, holy and built upon the foundation of Christ. We are the temple.
Let us pray: Dear heavenly father, I miss my friend Bill Glace, and my mother, and my grandfather, and many more who have had influence in my life and have passed away; but not just me have they influenced, for they were people who have influenced your Kingdom by being master builders for it and dwelt within it. Heavenly father, help us that are still here to remember that Christ is the only foundation of the church; and that as we live our life we use only precious stones, and gold and silver - for these are the only truths that can withstand the fire of the Holy Spirit; and finally Lord, help us be true guardians of your holy temple, the church. As you wont allow spoil within it – let us not become one to try to spoil and try to eat it away. In your name, Jesus Christ, Amen.