A BELIEVERS FOUNDATION IS JESUS THE CHRIST

Proclamation:

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation … no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation … their work will be shown for what it is … it will be revealed with fire, and fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved …”  1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Paul began this chapter by telling the believers in Corinth that they were still “worldly, mere infants in Christ” quarreling and jealous, and he had to feed them The Word of God as milk for they were not ready for it as solid food. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)  It was not important which leader they followed for all of them were servants, vehicles which brought them The Word of God. (1 Corinthians 3:4-5)  One of them planted the seed and one watered it but only God made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)  Then he told them that he given them the foundation, Jesus Christ, and they should be careful what they build upon that foundation.  All that they built, their work in this life, would be judged and tested with fire.  Only those things which gave God glory would pass through the fire.  He ended the chapter by telling them that their body is God’s temple.  The Spirit of God dwells within them and they should be careful how they treat that temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Application:

Only what we do for Christ will be counted in the end.  As believers we will pass through the fire on Judgment Day but our work and efforts here on earth which did not glorify God will be burned up.re.  Only those things which gave God glory will survive the fire and we will receive a reward for them.  Everything that we have done in our lives from the moment we accepted Christ will constitute our works, and only that which glorified God will be counted in the final tally.  As believers, it is on Christ the solid Rock we stand and build our house. (Luke 6:48 and 1 Corinthians 10:4)

WE WANT TO DWELL IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD

Proclamation:

“For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.  I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”  Psalm 61:3-4 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  David begins this psalm with a prayer.  He is far from home and feeling overwhelmed.  He asks The Lord God to lead him to a rock that is higher than he is then. (Psalm 61:2)  Some Bible scholars believe that the rock that he is referring to is Christ, The Rock of Israel, The Rock of our salvation, and our refuge.  In the next verse he states that God has been his refuge.  The he states that he longs to dwell in the house of God and take refuge under His wings. (Psalm 61:3 and 4)  He wants to be in the presence of God here and throughout eternity. (Psalm 23:6 and 61:4)

Application:

Being far away from our home and our normal place of worship can cause some feelings of being lost, alone, and depressed.  When we are “down in the dumps” we need God’s help to climb back up on “The Rock of our salvation.” (Psalm 89:26 and 95:1)  Even though we know that The Lord God is always with us, there are times when we feel like we have fallen down and lost the joy of our salvation and we need God’s help to restore that joy. (Psalm 51:12)  We want to enjoy the presence of God now and throughout eternity.