Have you ever thought about your priorities, if they are what they should be? I have heard a good way of prioritizing what they should be is to remember the acronym J-O-Y (Jesus, Others, Yourself) Let me give you an example of a good and a bad set of priorities.
Jimmy Johnson divorced his wife of 26 years when he left coaching a college team to become head coach for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League, saying “she no longer fit into his game plan.” He said he needed a wife while coaching on the college level for social functions and to show families that he would be looking out for their sons. In pro football, however, she was an unnecessary accouterment and a distraction to winning. He said winning football was his number one priority!
In contrast to this, Tom Landry, former coach of the Dallas cowboys said, "The thrill of knowing Jesus is the greatest thing that ever happened to me ... I think God has put me in a very special place, and He expects me to use it to His glory in everything I do ... whether coaching football or talking to the press, I'm always a Christian ... Christ is first, family second and football third."
If a football illustration doesn’t work for you, I do have one using hunting.
A group of friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for the day. That night one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under an eight-point buck.
"Where's Harry?" he was asked.
"Harry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the trail."
"You left Harry laying there, and carried the deer back?"
"Well," said the hunter, "I figured no one was going to steal Harry."
Have you ever sat back and thought about what you consider important in life? If you had to break down your week and evaluate how you spend your time and what your focuses are on, what would it reveal about you? Some would say that, “If you want to see what a person’s priorities are, look at their checkbook.” In a way this is true. The Bible does say in:
Luke 12:34 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (powerpoint)
However, it has been said that you always have time for what is important to you. So let’s break down a week: 168 hours available to us each week. Let’s subtract eight hours a day for sleep and getting ready for the day. This leaves us a balance of 112 hours. Let’s subtract two hours per day for cooking, eating, cleaning, laundry, etc. This leaves us with 98 hours. Three hours of TV a day takes our time down to 77 hours. Fifty hours a week for work takes it down to 27 hours. Two hours a day for computer usage leaves us 13 hours. The rest of our time is spent in socializing, reading, relaxing, etc.
(title powerpoint)
We did not mention church, civic, or charity obligations. So let me ask each of you a question: How much of our time do we spend on advancing the kingdom of God? Studying or meditating on the word of God? Or serving others in the name of Christ?
In this passage of Scripture, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15, Paul writes to the Corinthian church about priorities and the motives for what is done in the name of Christ.
Paul, in this passage changes from the analogy he used in verses 5-8 of 1 Corinthians 3
***** 1 Corinthians 3:5-8
In the previous passage Paul used an agricultural analogy and now verse 9 introduces the change to an architectural analogy.
1 Corinthians 3:9 – “For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.” (powerpoint)
In chapter three Paul has been talking about our works as Christians. In verses 5-8 he talks about us planting and watering. In verses 10-15 he describes those things we do for Christ as we build this life we live.
In keeping with the architectural analogy that Paul is now employing, he calls himself a “master-builder” in verse 10
1 Corinthians 3:10 – “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.” (powerpoint)
The word for “master-builder” in the Greek is architekton. This is the term from which we get the word architect. When we think of an architect we think of the individual that designs a building. In Paul’s day, it was assumed that the person who designed the building was also the same individual who would build the building. The general contractor, if you will.
Paul gives himself the adjective of “wise” in verses 10. He states this is because that this position was only given to him by the grace of God. The fact that he was wise at all is God’s doing. Paul is the first to admit that if he does anything worthy of praise or admiration it is only possible through his relationship with Christ.
Romans 15:18 – “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me” (powerpoint)
1 Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (powerpoint)
Paul realized that for any structure to be built it needs a foundation. Yet the foundation is only part of the structure. However, it is the most important part of the structure. The strength and longevity of a building will be determined by the strength of its foundation.
No matter what you do as you build a structure; You can use the finest materials, hire the greatest craftsmen, make it the most beautiful thing anyone has ever see. However, if the structure does not have a strong foundation, it will at some point crumble and fall. It may look good, but looks can be deceiving. (Tower of Pisa powerpoint)
The most famous example in relation to this concept is probably the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This bell tower, located in Pisa, Italy, began construction in 1173 but was not completed for almost 200 years due to a series of wars and conflicts. There have been numerous attempts through the years to right, or stabilize the tower.
The tower also has a curve in it because it was thought at one time that if one side was built a little higher than the others it would stabilize the tower. They have reduced the angle of the tilt but they cannot stop the tilt of this 186 foot structure.
The reason for this is because the foundation that the tower is built upon is unstable. The soil is a clay-like substance and will never support this type of structure.
Most, if not all, of us have never been to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. However, most of us at some point have walked through a cemetery. Like most small towns, the place where I pastored in PA had an old cemetery. A short walk around the cemetery brought you into contact with numerous tombstones.
Walking through this cemetery one notices that those tombstones that date prior to the early 20th century or late 19th century all seem to be leaning quite a bit. The reason for this is they have an unstable foundation. In due time, unless repaired and strengthened, they will fall over.
Paul states that for the church, the foundation needs to be Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (powerpoint)
Notice that Paul did not design the foundation. He only laid what God has made. The foundation for all we do, all we teach, all we say needs to be Jesus Christ and the word of God. It is not to be traditions, opinions, or the latest gimmick that comes down the theological turnpike. Time is too short and lives are too precious to spend our time guessing when God has given us directions already.
My friends, the only foundation of the church and of Christian living is Jesus Christ. Without that foundation no spiritual building will be of God or will stand. Those who have tried to build their foundation on anything else have fallen, are in the process of falling, or will someday cease to be.
The builders of Israel, God’s chosen people, tried to erect a religious system of tradition and works. They have no foundation. There are those religious sects in our day who have built there denominations and doctrines upon traditions and the wisdom of men. They are also dwindling and in the process of failing.
Matthew 7:24-27 – “"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ///// 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (2 powerpoints)
A strong foundation is a necessity, but it does not give us a completed work. Now comes the question of what type of building you want to build. Will it be a house of prayer, a house of service, or a house of sacrifice? Will it share its wealth, its time, or the gospel?
Or will your house be a house of luxury, a house of ease, or a house Jesus would not be comfortable in? Will it be built to enjoy the here-and-now, or will it be built to bring others to the there-and-then?
Paul gives an illustration as to the types of things that we can use to build our structure.
1 Corinthians 3:12 – “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw” (powerpoint)
We have given to us here by the apostle Paul two main categories: High quality materials represented by gold, silver, and precious stones. Secondly, we have low quality materials represented by wood, hay, and straw.
These materials do not represent spiritual gifts. These are not things the Lord gives to us. Instead, it represents what we do with what the Lord has given to us in the way of giftedness or goods.
Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (powerpoint)
Colossians 1:10 – “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (powerpoint)
These materials represent our works for God. There are things we do for God in our lives that are valuable to Him. Conversely, there are also things we do that have little or no eternal value.
The problem is this: We think we are the ones who ascribe value to our works. Sometimes, we even like to determine the value of others work for God. This is a terrible mistake. It is God alone who will decide which of our works is valuable and which are not.
There are three basic ways by which we gather, or use, these materials: First, we build based upon our motives. Why we do things is as important as what we do.
1 Corinthians 4:5 – “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.” (powerpoint)
Secondly, we build by our conduct. Our conduct can be good, like valuable things such as gold, silver, or precious stones. Our conduct can be bad, this is called sin. By this our conduct can serve no purpose when it comes to God’s kingdom. Essentially worthless like wood, hay, or straw and will be burned up when exposed to the testing fire of our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
(powerpoint)
Lastly, we build by our service to the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 – “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (powerpoint)
There will come a day beloved, when God calls us home—that we will stand before Him and our works will be evaluated. This will not be a day of punishment, because those of us who have placed our faith in Christ have been forgiven for all our sins. Instead, this will be a time of reward.
1 Corinthians 3:13-14 – “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.” (powerpoint)
The “fire” here speaks of God’s discerning power and judgment. In scripture fire is the symbol for testing. God will test, or inspect, our building of works done in His name.
Fire has the power to purify those things which are valuable. When you expose precious metals such as gold or silver to intense flame it actually makes those things more valuable. It burns off the dross, or solid impurities, that accumulated during the forming process. What is left is an item that is more valuable than before it went into the fire. On the other hand, the wood, hay, and straw are consumed by the fire.
God will then reward us for our labor unto Him. God’s rewards are not based on what we think. They will be given to each of us after God judges our motives, conduct, and service to Him.
1 Corinthians 3:15 – “If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (powerpoint)
We come to an interesting verse here. I believe that when I get to heaven there will be a mixture of valuable things and worthless things that I have done. This is the case for most of us. Unfortunately, there will be those at judgment day who will be left with nothing to show for the life they lived as a Christian. They will have been too preoccupied with self that serving their Savior was not at the forefront of their thoughts or plans.
There is still good news for those in this situation. You are still in heaven! Paul has been very clear in his letter to the Corinthians that, though sin was plentiful and disappointing, they were still children of God and his brothers and sisters in Christ.
Verse 15 states that these individuals will be saved yet so as through fire. The picture here is of one who loses everything in a fire but escapes with his life. (title powerpoint)
Example of fire school training in boot camp. Man in front of me disoriented so I had to get us out of the structure.
Why would anyone want to knowingly build a structure made of those things which will burn up in a fire and escape with nothing but a smoky odor on them? I would suggest that for some this is not intentional. Sometimes we don’t know any better.
Example of smelling like cigarettes even though I thought I was Mr. Cool.
The object for Paul in writing this letter was not to encourage the believers in Corinth to be content in their misguided walk. Only a fool would read this letter and say, “Well I’m still saved and that’s good enough for me.”
It was Paul’s intention that the readers of this letter, and this includes us, would see the overpowering, unending, undeserved grace of God and give themselves over completely to Him.
He states it later in this letter
1 Corinthians 6:20 – “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (powerpoint)
So what will it be for you? Is it your desire to take stock of the things in your life and to place an eternal value on them? Are you willing to put God first?
We all like nice things, valuable things, and important things. So does God. May the things we do be seen as valuable to Him.
A Builder Or a Wrecker
As I watched them tear a building down
A gang of men in a busy town
With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell
They swung a beam and the side wall fell
I asked the foreman, "Are these men skilled,
And the men you'd hire if you wanted to build?"
He gave a laugh and said, "No, indeed,
Just common labor is all I need."
"I can easily wreck in a day or two,
What builders have taken years to do."
And I thought to myself, as I went my way
Which of these roles have I tried to play?
Am I a builder who works with care,
Measuring life by rule and square?
Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan
Patiently doing the best I can?
Or am I a wrecker who walks to town
Content with the labor of tearing down?
"O Lord let my life and my labors be
That which will build for eternity!"
PRAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
