24-0825a Transcript

Preacher: Scott Reynolds

(1:49) Good morning. Well it’s my privilege to be up here and speak today, one of the five, (1:58) and we’re in the equipping of the saints. I’m going to tell you, and I don’t know that I (2:04) should because they say speakers shouldn’t reveal certain information, but preparing a sermon (2:13) is an adventure.

You may remember I mentioned a time or two ago that my lessons usually don’t (2:21) really develop. Not that I am constantly thinking, reading, or researching, but about (2:34) what I want to present. But usually they don’t really start developing until the Friday before (2:42) my lesson is due, and I don’t know why.

I suppose, honestly speaking, I could spend more time on them, (2:50) but a lot of times I just can’t come up with the structure and layout of a lesson (2:57) until crunch time, until Friday. I tried to remedy this the past four weeks and get off to a great (3:07) start, I thought, but somehow I got stanged, and all of a sudden I’m in crunch time again and it’s (3:13) Friday. And I don’t have a completed lesson.

And on top of that, I’m not satisfied or happy with (3:24) what I do got. I struggled all day Friday and the anxiety is building up. I went to bed early for me (3:32) with no lesson and no prospect of one.

I was exhausted. I slept about two or three hours (3:42) and woke up with the thought of a lesson that I had before we branched into the unio mystica, (3:48) or the mysterious union, and the lessons expanding on the idea of the saints (3:54) being a holy temple and a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. So I got up and over the next two (4:01) or three hours worked out a rough draft Saturday morning, which is the latest I’ve gotten going (4:10) to where I really had something started, of what will be the final lesson in our Equipping the (4:19) Saints series.

And the lesson is entitled, Take Care, How You Build. And we’ve been talking about (4:26) equipping the saints for the work of service, and that’s taken from our basic scripture of Ephesians (4:32) chapter 4, verses 11 through 13, and chapter 2, verses 17 through 22, and they’re the underlying (4:41) support and foundation of our study. So I’d like to read them for context.

Ephesians 4, 11 through (4:50) 13, and Jesus himself gave some to be apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as (4:59) shepherds and teachers to equip the saints for the work of service, for building up the body of (5:04) Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, (5:11) to become mature to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. And then in chapter 2, (5:19) verses 19 through 22, Paul says, So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, (5:27) but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the (5:33) foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the (5:41) whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord and in him. You also, (5:51) individually, being brought together, are being built together into a dwelling place (5:59) for God by the Spirit.

So we looked at that we, the saints, are a holy temple. (6:14) And in the construction metaphor that Paul uses, we came to the conclusion (6:19) that what we need to build on top of the rock and the cornerstone and foundation that is Jesus (6:25) Christ is a holy temple. And without going into any detail that we’ve already covered in previous (6:32) lessons, I’d like to read the key passages regarding the saints being a holy temple of God, (6:39) again for context for this lesson.

1 Corinthians 3, verse 16. Do you not know that you are a temple (6:49) of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 6, 19 and 20. Or do you not know (7:00) that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are (7:08) not your own, for you were bought at a price.

Therefore glorify God in your body and in your (7:16) spirit, which are God’s. And we also saw that Jesus is the first reference of the body being (7:25) a temple. In John chapter 2, verses 18 through 21, it reads, So the Jews said to him, (7:35) What sign do you show us for doing these things? And Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple, (7:43) and in three days I will raise it up.

And the Jews then said, It has taken 46 years to build (7:51) this temple, and you will raise it up in three days. But he was speaking about the temple of (7:57) his body. And in Colossians 2, 9, For Jesus dwells, for in Jesus dwells all the fullness (8:08) of the Godhead vitally.

And the Godhead, of course, is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (8:15) And all three of them dwell in the body of Jesus. Since we Christians are the temple of God, (8:23) we have a responsibility to care for and respect that temple.

And Paul gives us a warning (8:33) in 1 Corinthians 3, verse 17, If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. (8:43) For the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. So what’s involved in building on top (8:53) of the foundation that is Jesus Christ a holy temple and a dwelling place for God? (9:00) Paul says to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3, beginning in verse 10, According to the (9:07) grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder, I lay the foundation, (9:15) and another is building on it.

But each man must be careful how he builds on it, (9:20) for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (9:28) Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, (9:36) each man’s work will become evident, for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with (9:48) fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he (9:56) has built on it remains, he will receive a reward, and if any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer (10:04) loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so is through fire.

Do you not know, he says in verse (10:16) 16 there, Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and the Holy Spirit dwells in you? If any (10:24) man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is (10:32) what you are. So some thoughts on this before we study this passage. We already have an idea for (10:42) what to build on top of the foundation that we got from our study of equipping the saints in (10:48) Ephesians 2 19 through 22.

We grow into a holy temple in the Lord and are being built together (10:57) into a dwelling place for God, because after all a temple is a place where God dwells. (11:06) So commentaries on this passage don’t make that connection, that what we build on the (11:12) foundation is a temple of God. They are looking at a general building one might do to improve (11:20) themselves, to improve their lives.

I asked my research assistant, Chet GPT, in first Corinthians (11:28) 3 10 through 17, what’s the meaning of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, (11:36) building materials? Are they used metaphorically? Here’s the summary of the AI’s answer. (11:45) The Apostle Paul uses the imagery of building materials metaphorically to convey spiritual truths. (11:53) Paul describes a foundation that he identifies as Jesus Christ, upon which believers build (12:01) their spiritual lives.

The connection there also says that talking about spiritual lives (12:07) makes no mention of a temple. God’s silver precious stones represent valuable, enduring, (12:14) and quality works in the life of a believer. They symbolize the righteous acts, faithful service, (12:21) and spiritual maturity that are built upon the foundation of Christ.

These are works that can (12:28) withstand trials and are of eternal value. Wood, hay, straw represent superficial, temporary, (12:36) or inferior works. They symbolize actions or efforts that are not rooted in strong faith (12:43) or done with impure motives.

These works are easily consumed by fire representing judgment. (12:51) Paul is emphasizing the importance of building a life on the foundation of Christ with works that (12:58) have eternal value. The fire in the passage represents God’s judgment or testing, which (13:05) reveals the true nature of each person’s works.

And GPT’s conclusion, the materials are used (13:17) metaphorically to encourage believers to focus on building their lives with works of eternal (13:23) significance. Those that align with God’s will and reflect true faith in Christ. The passage (13:31) calls for self-examination of one’s motives and actions in the light of God’s ultimate judgment.

(13:38) I probably wouldn’t have come up with that answer, and that’s not really too bad. (13:44) And notice, though, that the focus is building their lives versus building a holy temple for God. (13:52) And we still have the same dilemma we faced before we stumbled across the Ephesian passages (13:58) of our Equipping the Saints lessons.

We are left to our own understanding of what constitutes (14:05) righteous acts, faithful service, and spiritual maturity that we can build upon the foundation. (14:12) When the object to build upon the foundation is a holy temple, a dwelling place for God, (14:19) suggested by Ephesians, now we have some direction that is not based on our own understanding. Now (14:27) we can look at passages where God gave the Israelites in the Old Testament a template, (14:33) a pattern, to build his tabernacle and warned them not to deviate from his plan.

And on top (14:40) of that, we have a New Testament interpretation of that very pattern of construction of the (14:46) tabernacle that we may inspect for our own learning. And Paul even makes the connection (14:55) of what to build in this very passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, 10 through 17. (15:02) By finishing the discussion, by informing the Corinthians that the reason they should take care (15:10) how they build and what materials to use is because they are God’s temple and God’s spirit (15:18) dwells in them.

If anyone destroys God’s temple, it says in verse 17, God will destroy him for (15:27) God’s temple is holy and you are that temple. That said, let’s look at the passage. It will help (15:38) to keep the passage available to reference as we talk about it, and I’ve keyed to the (15:45) New American Standard for what follows, and that’s the Bible and the pews.

(15:53) So the first point, Paul, a skilled master builder in verse 10 of chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians, (16:02) according to the grace of God, which was given to me like a wise master builder, (16:08) I laid a foundation. The Greek word translated master builder here is architect time. (16:16) Do you have any idea what the English equivalent is? Yeah, architect.

Doug Hamilton, (16:26) preacher at the Junction City Church of Christ in Junction City, Kansas, says this about the (16:32) use of the word architect time. Today, architects are professionals who draw up the plans for a (16:42) structure. In the first century, they were the ones who laid the foundations of the structure.

(16:49) In ancient Corinth, there are many of the great structures for which the foundations (16:55) are still in place today. Additionally, he says, once a foundation was firmly placed, (17:03) then a regular builder would begin his structure. He might use a variety of materials like gold, (17:09) silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw.

If it was a lesser foundation, (17:16) then the lesser materials would be used. If a greater foundation was laid, then it would have (17:25) the pricier structure placed on top of it. The key was to live up to the foundation.

(17:32) And that’s what we see here. Someone else is building on it. Verse 10b, the second part of (17:41) that verse.

That another is building on it. I find this idea surprising. One would think that God (17:49) would be very particular about who could build on the foundation that is Jesus Christ.

(17:57) Like the apostles or prophets or someone inspired from God. But it appears that once (18:04) Paul laid the foundation, and that is Jesus Christ, he expected someone else to build on it. (18:12) It’s as if God provides a firm foundation founded on Jesus, and he wants to see what we will do, (18:19) what we will build on it.

It’s open to the body of believers to build on the foundation and even (18:25) expected for each of the saints to build on it. I liken it to God’s interaction with Adam (18:34) in Genesis 2 verses 19 and 20, where it says, out of the ground, the Lord God formed every beast of (18:44) the field and every bird of the sky and brought them to the man to see, there’s God’s intent, (18:51) to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.

(18:59) The man gave names to all the cattle and to the birds of the sky and every beast of the field. (19:09) Maybe God wants to see what we will build on top of the foundation that he’s given us. (19:16) So let each one take care how he built.

Moses was also warned in Exodus 25 40, and it’s emphasized (19:26) again in Hebrews 8 5, when God instructed Moses to build a tabernacle, a place for him to dwell. (19:36) Hebrews 8 4 and 5. Now, if Jesus were on Earth, he would not be a priest at all, (19:45) since there are those who offer the gifts according to the law, who serve a copy and shadow (19:52) of the heavenly things. Just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle (20:00) for sea, he says that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you (20:08) on the mountain.

And the writer of Hebrews tells us that the Mosaic tabernacle was a copy (20:16) and shadow of heavenly things. And Moses was warned to be careful even in making a copy (20:25) of the spiritual tabernacle. That said, the warning is there.

Take care how you build. (20:34) Building a holy temple, a dwelling place for God is a serious matter not to be taken lightly. (20:42) And no one can lay a foundation other than Jesus Christ.

(20:48) Verse 11, for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (20:54) The foundation is set. There is no other foundation given other than Jesus Christ.

(21:00) We are not at liberty to alter the foundation. Doesn’t this remind you, excuse me, (21:07) of the wise and foolish house builders in Matthew 7 verses 24 through 27, (21:21) Jesus speaking, therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them may be compared to (21:30) a wise man who built his house on the rock and the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew (21:36) and slammed against that house and yet it did not fall for it had been founded on the rock. (21:46) Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man (21:52) who built his house on the sand and the rains fell and the floods came and the winds blew and slammed (22:00) against that house and it fell and great was its fall.

An interesting point here is that it seems (22:10) the building material in this parable is the words of Jesus. Anyone who hears these words (22:17) and acts on them and working with the material is our acting on the words of Jesus. Another point, (22:30) the audience in this passage is the Corinthian church, not outsiders who might choose another (22:37) foundation.

So the saints are being told build on the foundation that is Jesus but we are at liberty (22:46) to carefully build our house on it. Now if anyone builds on the foundation (22:57) with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, did you expect that list of building (23:07) materials? We’re talking about metaphors here and if you’re going to build a building I would (23:12) have expected it’s got precious stones in there but if we’re going to build a building, (23:19) can you think of Solomon’s temple and the stone involved in that possibly? You’ve seen (23:30) the Greek temples that still survive, some of them in their massive columns, (23:39) and that’s not in the list here. Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw.

(23:46) All of these materials except hay are mentioned in the Bible, often metaphorically, (23:52) in descriptions of common building materials of that time according to my research assistant (24:00) Chet GPT. Straw was used in the making of bricks and gold, silver, precious stones, and wood, (24:08) especially acacia wood, were used in the construction of the tabernacle specifically. (24:15) A summary of the materials mentioned in relation to the tabernacle, (24:19) gold was used extensively for the Ark of the Covenant, the mercy seat, the lamp stand, (24:26) and various other items.

Silver was used for the bases of the tabernacle’s frames (24:31) and other details. Precious stones were used for the breastplate of the high priest with 12 stones (24:40) representing the 12 tribes of Israel and acacia wood was used for the construction of the Ark, (24:48) the table, and other parts of the tabernacle. So what is this list of materials? Is it (24:55) representative of the characteristics that the saints need to build their temple? (25:01) If so, what could those characteristics be? The fruit of the Spirit? (25:05) Or is it just a list of things that are refined by fire or burned up in fire relating to the (25:13) test of fire mentioned next in our text? Certainly understanding how God had the tabernacle made (25:21) and for what purposes and function He made it will help us construct our temple for Him.

(25:30) One would think the discussion of the tabernacle in Hebrews would be useful for our understanding. (25:37) Understanding our role in the temple is necessary. Peter tells us that we are a royal priesthood, (25:46) so we are priests, all of us, individual.

We should endeavor to learn what the role (25:54) and responsibilities of God’s priest are. Jesus is our high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (26:04) Now all of a sudden, that piece of information is more than a trivial Bible quiz question, (26:11) more than just a mental exercise in typology.

Now it directly relates to how we should construct (26:18) our temple and dwelling place for God and what our role and activities are once the temple is (26:25) constructed and functioning. It’s like a working farm. You know, there’s farms for display and then (26:33) there’s working farms that actually have a function.

Our temples are not just a dormant, (26:43) a pretty palace. They’re places to dwell and work, and God has temple work for us to do (26:50) as His priests. Have you ever thought of, (26:56) we have all heard that we’re a royal priesthood and that we’re priests, but have we actually (27:02) thought what that meant? What are our duties as priests? How would we know that? Have we (27:09) left to our own understanding to figure out what a priest does? What’s a function of a priest? (27:22) And that’s actually where I’m going to stop today.

(27:28) We’ll continue in 1 Corinthians, verse 13 because we don’t have time to go through the rest (27:36) of the material, and I don’t want to actually get started on it and be interrupted and have to pick (27:43) it up like that tonight. Tonight we will finish on this picking up in verse 13. (27:54) All right, so we’re going to extend the invitation at this time, (27:59) and if you’re subject to it, come while we stand and sing.