Church Building

 The most important part of building a building is the foundation.  The materials used to build up also need to be durable and precisely placed.  These verses tell us about it...

"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.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 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.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through flames" (1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV).

Jesus Christ has laid the foundation for His church, His bride.  It's good and solid.  It is only on Him, our foundation, we can build but we need to be careful builders and use quality materials and do quality work.  The work will be tested on the Day.  Even if our work we thought was good goes up in flames, we, God's children, will still be preserved, which is a mercy.

These few verses Paul wrote remind me of the Three Little Pigs story.  Each pig wanted to build a house, so they did.  One built a house of straw, another of sticks, and the third of bricks.  When the Big Bad Wolf huffed and puffed at the houses of straw and sticks; they fell flat and then the pigs had to run for their lives.  They ended up at the hardworking, brick-building brother pig's home and found safety therein.  The Big Bad Wolf huffed and puffed until he was exhausted but the brick house stood firm.

Similarly, when building the church we must use durable quality materials; spiritually wholesome and correct.  Thankfully, we can build on Christ the solid rock (as one hymn puts it) and His Word.  Christ is the foundation and upon whom Paul built for the Corinthians.

Nowadays, we must follow suit.  How do we live our lives - are they pleasing to the Lord?  What are our attitudes and motivations for engaging in church building work?  For attention?  Or for God's glory?

Brothers and sisters, we may not know our own hearts, nor the intentions of each others', but it will be revealed in time to come.  So saying, let us be encouraged to search our hearts and to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what's there now, so we can be blameless and pure and so build skillfully with gold, silver and precious stones.

As we build 'local' churches, the whole church will be built up and made ready for Christ at His coming call.  Build wisely, with quality materials and work.  In this 'house' there is safety, by God's mercy and grace.

Almighty Father, we look up to you for your mercy and grace.  We do so want to build Your church and to build well for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ.  He laid the solid foundation.  In fact, He is the solid foundation!  With one mind and purpose may we, your children, learn to build Your church with all due diligence.

In Jesus' name upon whom we stand secure and build, we praise You.

                                                 ~ERC November 2023

Based on 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV.

Sing, On Christ the Solid Rock.