I believe there are two construction projects
in which all Christians should be interested. Every Christian
should be interested in building up the church (Ephesians 4:16),
and every Christian should be interested in building personal
faith (2 Peter 1:5-11). There is not always agreement among Christians
as to how to achieve that growth. Part of our problem in the church
today is that we have turned to worldly methods, rather than the
Bible, to achieve growth. Is it any wonder that a worldly church
is the result?
Notice these words from the apostle Paul."
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."(1
Corinthians 3:10, NKJV).In this text, Paul calls himself "a
wise master builder" (expert builder - NW). The Corinthian
Christians were God's building verse 9. Let us notice some principles
for church growth from this wise master builder.
As a wise master builder, the apostle Paul knew
the things that made for growth of the church. He spoke of the
foundation he had laid." For no other foundation can anyone
lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" verse
10. Paul's determination to preach nothing "except Jesus
Christ and him crucified" had brought the church in Corinth
into existence (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Confession of faith in Jesus
Christ is the bedrock of the church (Matthew 16:16-18). The one
who hears the words of Jesus and does them is the one who has
a spiritual house built on the rock that will outlast the winds,
rains, and storms (Matthew 7:24-27).If we would build up the church
or our personal faith, we must start with Jesus as the foundation.
A proper perspective of God's servants also makes
for church growth." Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos,
but ministers through whom you believe, as the Lord gave to each
one?"(1 Corinthians 3:5).In Corinth, as in many churches
today, trust in preacher personalities caused them to overlook
God. The reasoning is, "If we will just hire a dynamic personality,
this will produce growth." This today, like then, is a fleshly
appeal instead of a spiritual one. It demonstrated itself in envy,
strife, and division (1 Corinthians 3:3-4). Paul reminded the
Corinthians that it was God, not the preachers, who gave the growth
verse 6.We need to recognize and appreciate the different capabilities
and expertise of God's servants (Romans 12:4-8). God's faithful
servants should not be dismissed and discarded but are to be highly
esteemed in love for the work's sake (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
However, we need to remember it is God who brings growth to the
church and to our lives.
A wise master builder also builds to withstand
the fire of judgment." 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" (1 Corinthians 3:12-13). Whether the
Day referred to is the final day of judgment or testing in life
is not of primary importance. The point is our spiritual building
will be tested, and we must build to endure.
In 1992, Homestead, Florida, was hit by hurricane
Andrew, the most devastating hurricane until Katrina hit in 2005.
Within hours, the damage produced by the storm was equivalent
to the creation of 20 years' worth of garbage. However, one truth
was revealed by the storm: buildings built according to code withstood
the destructive force of the hurricane.
Wood, hay, and straw are easily obtained, but
just as easily burned. Gold, silver, and precious stones are harder
to find, but they will withstand the fire! When we think of the
people material of the church or the qualities we are putting
into our own character development, we must build with materials
that will withstand the fire. Let us not build for the moment,
but for eternity!
How is your spiritual building?Care in building
up the church or building one's spiritual life will begin with
the foundation in Christ. While it will recognize and have a proper
appreciation for God's fellow workers, it will seek its growth
from God. It will also seek to have a lasting superstructure that
is comparable with its foundation.
May each one of us "take heed how we build."-64308
Warne Dr., Cambridge, OH 43725.