WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.780 Will you pray with me? 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.259 Lord, this morning we need you. 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:39.579 We need your spirit to rouse our hearts and illuminate our minds. 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:46.579 So that we might not be filled with human wisdom derived by human means. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:49.240 But that we might know the wisdom of you. 00:00:50.379 --> 00:00:51.519 Wisdom from your word. 00:00:52.879 --> 00:00:57.659 Wisdom that leads us to worship Christ crucified and exalted. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.219 Lord, I ask for your help this morning as we look at your word. 00:01:04.200 --> 00:01:05.540 You would be with us. 00:01:06.340 --> 00:01:07.819 Your spirit would teach us. 00:01:08.819 --> 00:01:10.040 For your glory. 00:01:11.159 --> 00:01:13.000 We pray these things in Jesus' sake. 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:14.319 Amen. 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:19.840 A couple weeks ago it was my son Eli's birthday. 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:24.400 And if you've seen Eli or if you've seen our coffee table in our house. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:26.560 You will know that he loves Legos. 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:30.760 And he received a few sets. 00:01:31.260 --> 00:01:41.719 And it is a joy to watch him build his Chinook Lego helicopter with the double rotors and the cargo ramp that comes down in the back. 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:50.379 Or his police mobile command center which opens up with a built-in army locker for equipment. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:54.840 And a holding cell for the robbers to be captured. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:02:07.640 It's fun to watch him open up the bags and pull out the instructions and carefully begin to build his creations. 00:02:08.199 --> 00:02:09.280 His Legos. 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:14.120 It's fun to watch him love to build something. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:18.300 We build a lot of stuff in our lives, don't we? 00:02:18.439 --> 00:02:19.500 We build relationships. 00:02:20.140 --> 00:02:20.920 We build resumes. 00:02:21.219 --> 00:02:22.039 We build careers. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:23.759 We build families. 00:02:24.420 --> 00:02:27.599 When our lives fall apart, we rebuild them. 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:31.840 How do we do that? 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:35.920 What does it look like for us to build well things in our lives? 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:38.340 Another thing we build is teams. 00:02:38.340 --> 00:02:44.439 I remember when I was a sophomore in high school, I went to a small high school. 00:02:44.700 --> 00:02:53.719 And we were one of those little guys that slayed the giants in western Pennsylvania and Midwest prep school lacrosse. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:57.560 So we had this, I was in a class of 60 people. 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:04.740 We played against these behemoth schools from other cities that had 2,000 in their class. 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:08.780 And all boys schools, so they had even more athletes. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:19.780 But my sophomore year, we were the worst team that we had been in the last 10 to 15 years of the school's history. 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:25.439 As I look back on it, what I saw was that we didn't do well at building a team. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:31.060 We had leaders who were more interested in the party than the play. 00:03:31.060 --> 00:03:36.620 We had too many guys who were in it for their own glory. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:39.379 And if you've ever seen lacrosse, you know it's a team game. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:44.420 And it doesn't go well when you try to do it all on your own. 00:03:44.979 --> 00:03:49.580 We had far too many who were individualistically seeking for glory. 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:52.800 And far too many who were going through the motions. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:56.340 We didn't build that team very carefully. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:57.580 And it showed. 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:01.800 You may be wondering why I'm talking about building. 00:04:01.940 --> 00:04:07.180 Well, our passage today is talking about the church as God's building. 00:04:07.660 --> 00:04:11.480 Not as a structure with bricks and mortar. 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:15.960 God almost never describes the church as a building in that sense. 00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:22.980 But what it is, is the building is the community of God's people. 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:24.160 The relationships. 00:04:24.960 --> 00:04:29.740 The nature of what it means when God's people gather together as a church. 00:04:31.420 --> 00:04:37.759 And interestingly, Paul doesn't just use building as a noun, but he uses it as a verb. 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:44.060 It's not just something we are in, but it is something that we are actively participating in. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:48.579 And so he raises the question for us. 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:51.740 What does it look like for us to build a church well? 00:04:52.780 --> 00:05:01.860 I can remember probably less long ago than I wish, or maybe you would be surprised how recently 00:05:01.860 --> 00:05:05.180 some of these attitudes were true in my life. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:09.860 That I was careless about how I built the church. 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.180 I worked in ministry. 00:05:13.480 --> 00:05:17.340 I was in a parachurch organization that I loved. 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:22.319 And this doesn't reflect on them or their training, but it reflected on my own heart. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:26.319 I went through the motions of going to church. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:28.139 I would get there when I could. 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:31.180 I wasn't invested in it. 00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:34.879 And I certainly wasn't thinking about building it. 00:05:36.319 --> 00:05:39.879 I would come to church for what I could get out of it. 00:05:41.959 --> 00:05:45.979 Relationships, teaching, a good song that rouses my heart. 00:05:49.479 --> 00:05:53.000 I was ultimately coming to church for what it could do for me. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.240 Not building into it. 00:05:55.240 --> 00:06:04.220 Sometimes I would show up for small group as a leader and not be really prepared or careful. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:09.980 I would chunk it into my schedule and then move on to other things. 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:14.720 And so my prayerfulness for my small group was lacking. 00:06:14.720 --> 00:06:22.540 In many ways, I lacked care for the church that God had put me in. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:27.260 I wonder if I'm not alone in this. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:30.680 And this is what leads us to our passage this morning. 00:06:31.100 --> 00:06:33.780 You can turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 3. 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:39.200 It's on page 953. 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:40.200 Is that right? 00:06:41.200 --> 00:06:43.200 953 in your pew Bible. 00:06:43.199 --> 00:06:48.680 And as you're looking there, let me just catch us up on where we've been in the book of Corinthians so far. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:51.699 Paul has just addressed the church as immature. 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:56.539 Needing to grow because it had fallen into a spirit of the culture around it. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:07:01.300 Comparing themselves and competing with one another in spiritual things. 00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:04.980 In a foolish attempt to get ahead spiritually. 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:12.259 These dynamics cause quarreling and jealousy and divisions in the church. 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.740 And Paul rebukes them for it. 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:17.819 Reminding them that the church is God's work. 00:07:18.500 --> 00:07:24.920 And that the leaders that they have, that they had attached themselves to in this competitive spirit. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:28.360 Were workers under God. 00:07:29.520 --> 00:07:30.740 Servants of God. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:32.199 And servants of the church. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:34.540 Through whom God worked. 00:07:35.379 --> 00:07:38.000 And that the church themselves were God's field. 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:42.480 They were the thing that God had raised up from a fallow ground. 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:44.819 By his gracious work in their lives. 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:48.800 And that any spiritual fruit that they saw in their lives. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:51.899 Was not because of the human greatness of the leaders. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.620 Nor of the church members. 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:56.959 But it was a result of the power of God. 00:07:58.219 --> 00:07:59.899 This leads us to our passage. 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:03.159 Chapter 3 verse 9. 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:06.060 I'm going to go back and read verse 9. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:07.939 As well as verse 10 through 17. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:09.560 Which is what we'll be looking at today. 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:14.199 For we are God's fellow workers. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:15.500 You are God's field. 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.360 God's building. 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:19.819 According to the grace of God given to me. 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:21.660 Like a skilled master builder. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:22.699 I laid a foundation. 00:08:23.319 --> 00:08:25.120 And someone else is building upon it. 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:28.160 Let each one take care. 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:30.379 How he builds upon it. 00:08:31.340 --> 00:08:35.779 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:37.620 Which is Jesus Christ. 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:44.360 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:47.379 Each one's work will become manifest. 00:08:47.580 --> 00:08:49.539 For the day will disclose it. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:52.019 Because it will be revealed by fire. 00:08:52.539 --> 00:08:55.840 And the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 00:08:56.399 --> 00:09:00.080 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives. 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:02.000 He will receive a reward. 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:04.620 If anyone's work is burned up. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.860 He will suffer loss. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:07.879 Though he himself will be saved. 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:10.159 But only as through fire. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:14.879 Do you not know that you are God's temple. 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:17.440 And that God's spirit dwells in you. 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:20.800 If anyone destroys God's temple. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:23.139 God will destroy him. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.500 For God's temple is holy. 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:28.759 And you are that temple. 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:28.799 God's temple. 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:33.220 So we look at this passage this morning. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:36.679 Paul's exhortation for us is in some ways very simple. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:40.879 Be careful how you build my church. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:48.379 Be full of care for the church that I have built. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:50.159 That you are a part of. 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:54.899 Don't use it. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.600 But build it. 00:09:59.339 --> 00:10:01.100 And he gives two reasons for that. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:05.879 One is that there will be an eternal testing. 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:09.139 Of the value of your work in this life. 00:10:10.299 --> 00:10:10.740 Secondly. 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:15.139 Because God loves the church that he dwells in. 00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.779 And he calls you to do the same. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:21.100 So let's look at those two things. 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:22.840 First of all. 00:10:22.940 --> 00:10:25.240 We are to have care in how we build the church. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:26.820 Because. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.340 How we build the church. 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:31.580 Will have eternal consequences. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.879 And eternal testing. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:35.519 He starts out in verse 9. 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:37.220 By saying you are God's church. 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.580 You are God's building. 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:38.940 Right. 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:41.620 All of you in Corinth. 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:44.560 He uses this metaphor. 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:46.820 To discuss. 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:47.920 To talk about. 00:10:49.040 --> 00:10:52.160 The type of ministry that's going on in the church. 00:10:52.800 --> 00:10:53.480 From there. 00:10:53.540 --> 00:10:54.940 He says you are God's building. 00:10:55.160 --> 00:10:56.540 And then I Paul. 00:10:56.700 --> 00:10:58.460 Was a skilled master builder. 00:10:58.560 --> 00:10:59.620 The word there is wise. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:01.320 I was a wise builder. 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:06.180 I was building with the wisdom that God had given me. 00:11:06.280 --> 00:11:07.640 Which resonates all the way back. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:09.740 For what we've read in the first couple of chapters. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:11.419 About God's wisdom. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.500 Versus human wisdom. 00:11:13.199 --> 00:11:15.220 Paul was a wise builder. 00:11:15.319 --> 00:11:16.580 And he laid a foundation. 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:19.000 Upon which other people were building. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:21.519 Now that may seem strange to you. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.799 Some of you may be in construction. 00:11:23.939 --> 00:11:25.539 You probably know more about it than I do. 00:11:25.879 --> 00:11:27.620 But back then it took a while. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.559 To build buildings. 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:30.860 Particularly if you laid a foundation for them. 00:11:31.319 --> 00:11:32.419 So someone would come in. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.360 And lay a foundation. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:35.740 But they might not be able to actually follow through. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.620 With building the building. 00:11:36.620 --> 00:11:38.740 So someone else would come behind them. 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:40.700 And then slowly build upon. 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:42.419 What has already been built. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:45.820 The foundation gives shape to the building. 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:48.000 You can't build outside of the foundation. 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.680 Or it will fall down. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.259 The foundation provides strength. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:55.700 It must bear the weight. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:58.580 Of the building that is built on top of it. 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:01.580 And the foundation flows from. 00:12:01.580 --> 00:12:03.580 It must be in line with. 00:12:03.680 --> 00:12:04.680 And appropriate to. 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:06.540 The foundation that has been laid. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.680 So Paul says build well. 00:12:08.900 --> 00:12:10.040 On the foundation. 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:13.660 Be careful how you build. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:15.840 Upon the foundation. 00:12:16.139 --> 00:12:16.620 And he says. 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:18.280 And there is only one foundation. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:21.220 It's the foundation that's already been laid. 00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:22.240 In Jesus Christ. 00:12:22.340 --> 00:12:22.840 And by that. 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:24.620 He means two different things I think. 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.259 One is that. 00:12:25.440 --> 00:12:27.759 God himself has laid the foundation. 00:12:28.140 --> 00:12:29.080 For the church. 00:12:29.080 --> 00:12:31.600 In the person and the work of Jesus Christ. 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:34.720 That is in fact the definition of what the church is. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:36.660 It is not a social institution. 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:40.040 It is not a voluntary organization. 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:41.800 Although it is those things. 00:12:41.900 --> 00:12:42.800 But fundamentally. 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:45.740 It is the group of people who are gathered. 00:12:46.020 --> 00:12:47.540 By Jesus Christ. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.340 Those who. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.780 By his life. 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:51.800 And by his death. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.259 And by his resurrection. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:55.400 He has purchased. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:57.539 He has rescued. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.879 Out of the ravages of sin. 00:12:59.939 --> 00:13:01.500 And the brokenness of the world. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:03.399 To be his people. 00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:05.259 Those who by faith. 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.980 Identify with. 00:13:07.059 --> 00:13:07.899 And trust in. 00:13:07.959 --> 00:13:09.220 This Jesus Christ. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:10.779 Are then brought in. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.620 To the church. 00:13:15.539 --> 00:13:16.579 So Paul is saying. 00:13:16.699 --> 00:13:18.679 God has laid the foundation already. 00:13:19.079 --> 00:13:21.299 Anything that is built on any other foundation. 00:13:21.299 --> 00:13:22.539 Isn't actually the church. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.799 Whatever else it might be. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:29.179 But Paul is also saying. 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:31.059 I laid the foundation for you. 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.659 In Corinth. 00:13:31.819 --> 00:13:32.419 This way. 00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:33.839 I came. 00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:35.019 And I preached to you. 00:13:35.859 --> 00:13:36.979 Jesus Christ. 00:13:37.099 --> 00:13:38.099 And him crucified. 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:40.899 I came. 00:13:40.979 --> 00:13:41.919 And I taught you. 00:13:42.079 --> 00:13:43.539 The implications of this. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.279 If you remember. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:45.099 In Acts 19. 00:13:45.199 --> 00:13:46.639 Paul spent a year and a half. 00:13:47.099 --> 00:13:47.859 In Corinth. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:49.359 Building into the church. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:50.699 Teaching them. 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:53.419 Paul laid the foundation. 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.799 Of Jesus Christ. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:55.659 And him crucified. 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:57.159 In the church. 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:00.219 So he says. 00:14:01.219 --> 00:14:02.659 Build well on it. 00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:04.059 Be careful. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:07.240 About how you build on it. 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.399 And so he goes on. 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:09.919 Look with me. 00:14:09.979 --> 00:14:11.319 In verses 12 through 15. 00:14:11.419 --> 00:14:12.039 And he says. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:14.059 As you are building it. 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.620 Think about. 00:14:15.620 --> 00:14:16.659 What it is. 00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.460 That you are doing. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.639 What are the materials. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.200 You are using. 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:20.200 And what is the manner. 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:22.299 That you are doing it with. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.560 He uses these images. 00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.299 Of gold. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:26.919 Silver. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.360 Precious stones. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.120 Wood. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.360 Hay. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:29.779 Straw. 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:33.539 There's been lots of fun speculation. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:35.000 About what those things might. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.720 Be pointing to. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:38.519 But I'll give you two things. 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:39.659 That I think are really clear. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.360 From the text. 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.180 And from the context. 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:42.059 First of all. 00:14:42.719 --> 00:14:43.819 It's simply saying. 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:44.839 There's some materials. 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:46.299 That when they're burned. 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:47.579 They won't burn up. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.579 They won't disappear. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:51.519 And there's some that will. 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:53.039 If you burn straw. 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.259 All you have is ashes. 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:55.859 If you burn gold. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:57.459 There will still be gold left. 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.199 At the end. 00:14:59.819 --> 00:15:01.819 So there's a sense of eternal. 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:02.679 Ness. 00:15:03.099 --> 00:15:03.579 About. 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.419 The materials. 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:06.359 The building materials. 00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:06.859 He's saying. 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:08.559 Make sure you're doing it. 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.339 Like that. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:12.340 Make sure you're using things. 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.420 That are going to last. 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.340 I had the opportunity. 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.160 To live in. 00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.180 China. 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:20.080 For a few years. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:20.519 And. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:22.540 One of the fascinating differences. 00:15:22.540 --> 00:15:23.680 Between there and here. 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.160 Is that. 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.019 Often. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:25.740 When you move into. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.560 An apartment. 00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:27.600 It's an empty shell. 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.160 And. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.399 The owner. 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.180 Who's moving in. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:30.519 Will. 00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:31.440 Renovate it. 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:32.200 And. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.420 As they renovate. 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.379 They put stuff in. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.040 But there's almost. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.340 A cultural expectation. 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.320 That this turnover. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:38.960 Will happen. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:40.160 Somewhat regularly. 00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:41.040 And therefore. 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:42.140 The building materials. 00:15:42.140 --> 00:15:43.260 Are meant to last. 00:15:44.020 --> 00:15:45.300 Only for a little while. 00:15:45.420 --> 00:15:46.160 This isn't true. 00:15:46.280 --> 00:15:46.720 Everywhere. 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:47.840 And I think it's probably. 00:15:48.040 --> 00:15:48.420 Changed. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.080 Even since. 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.080 I lived there. 00:15:50.160 --> 00:15:51.040 A little while ago. 00:15:51.520 --> 00:15:52.540 But I think that. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.020 But it was fascinating. 00:15:54.020 --> 00:15:54.660 To see. 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.620 These materials. 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.260 Were built. 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.580 Not to last. 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:00.040 You guys might think about it. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.840 It's buying Ikea. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.640 Furniture. 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.060 Right? 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.420 It's. 00:16:04.420 --> 00:16:04.780 It's the stuff. 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.380 That's going to last. 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.480 Five to ten years. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.180 At most. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:11.560 Paul says. 00:16:11.780 --> 00:16:13.040 Don't build with those things. 00:16:15.640 --> 00:16:17.020 Don't build with those. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:20.180 Build with these things. 00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:21.260 And there's also. 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.300 The second meaning. 00:16:22.400 --> 00:16:23.020 Or significance. 00:16:23.020 --> 00:16:23.760 Of the things. 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:24.400 That he pulls out. 00:16:24.520 --> 00:16:24.720 I think. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.879 Have to do with the fact. 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:26.500 That gold. 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.200 And silver. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.340 And precious stones. 00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:30.100 Are the materials. 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:30.500 That are. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.260 Are. 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:33.520 Stated in multiple places. 00:16:33.520 --> 00:16:34.400 In the Old Testament. 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:36.220 As the very things. 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.319 With which God built. 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:38.539 His temple with. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.399 That God adorned. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.340 His temple with. 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.179 And we'll pick up that theme. 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:43.879 In a little while. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.980 And explore it more. 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.159 But Paul is saying. 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.500 Build things. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.480 That have a beauty. 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.840 And an eternality. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.720 About them. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.480 Then he goes on. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.139 And he says. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:57.500 Because they'll be tested. 00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:59.000 There really is. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.620 A judgment. 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:00.519 That will come. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:02.779 You might think. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.000 Ah. 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:03.659 What does it matter. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.660 How I do this. 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:05.940 Paul says. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.259 Oh. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.039 It does matter. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.539 Because one day. 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.639 There will be a day. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.059 The day of judgment. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.980 Will come. 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.940 There will be accountability. 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:15.039 For what you do. 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.900 It will be tested. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.319 As by fire. 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.660 And this fire. 00:17:18.660 --> 00:17:20.519 Is not a refining fire. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.900 That burns off the dross. 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.579 And that allows the goodness. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.160 To come through. 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:25.440 Although. 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.859 In other places. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.400 In scripture. 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:27.940 There is. 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.639 God is a refining fire. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.040 Fire is certainly an image. 00:17:31.280 --> 00:17:33.180 But here is a revealing fire. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.680 You have two houses. 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.540 Light them on fire. 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.200 What happens? 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.540 The ones built of wood, hay, and stubble. 00:17:39.780 --> 00:17:41.240 There's nothing left at the end. 00:17:41.800 --> 00:17:45.040 Those that are built of the more precious and eternal metals. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.700 They will last forever. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:50.320 They will stand first. 00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.980 And just as a side note. 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:56.380 This passage has been used by. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:59.300 Some Catholic theologians. 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:02.700 To defend the understanding of purgatory. 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:06.659 That what happens between death and final judgment. 00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:08.519 There can be this refining process. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:12.599 And I hope that you will see that in fact it doesn't seem to be. 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:15.139 To bear the weight of the argument of the text. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.419 That this text is about. 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:19.379 There will be one judgment at the end. 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:21.799 And what you have built on will be tested. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.960 It's not a refining. 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.139 It's not an improving. 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.639 There's no sense of process. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:30.380 It's simply an evaluation. 00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.800 It's like if you live in San Francisco. 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:36.140 And the earthquake comes. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:38.520 There's no process of saying. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.400 Well how do we do? 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.680 And can we do it better next time? 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:43.040 Your house either stood or it fell down. 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:45.960 It's like having a house. 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:47.200 A beach house in Florida. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.460 When the hurricane hits. 00:18:49.220 --> 00:18:51.540 Either your roof was attached to the frame. 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:52.160 By code. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.060 Or it wasn't. 00:18:53.059 --> 00:18:55.440 And if it wasn't it probably blew off. 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.559 And your house is destroyed. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.980 This is the picture that Paul is giving us here. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:06.139 And he's saying love the church. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.839 And he says. 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.419 And there will be a reward for it. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.019 What is the reward? 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:13.839 Oh. 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.960 There's another fun thing. 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.679 The commentators go all over about. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.579 What is the reward? 00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.619 But you know. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:20.500 Paul in 1 Timothy 2. 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.659 Says this. 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.859 What is our reward? 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:24.599 What is our crown and joy? 00:19:25.699 --> 00:19:27.119 As we stand before the Lord. 00:19:27.199 --> 00:19:28.179 Is it not you? 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.899 I think for Paul. 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.679 The reward. 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:34.359 For those who labor. 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.579 As builders. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:37.079 In building the church. 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.000 Is to see. 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:42.279 Those that you've built into. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.359 And built with. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.639 Standing with you. 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.579 Before the throne of God. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.740 And the community of worship. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.559 That happens. 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.159 On that day of judgment. 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.079 Where those who. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:56.220 Have been built with. 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:57.199 Eternal things. 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:57.859 Will stand. 00:19:59.240 --> 00:20:00.779 Will be a glorious thing. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.639 And that's Paul's great reward. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.059 For this. 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.839 Now having said that. 00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:08.799 Might raise the question. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.980 Well who's being judged here? 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.619 Is this just talking about. 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.319 Christian leaders? 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:15.000 Is it just talking about. 00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:16.399 The Paul and Apollos. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.460 Well clearly. 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:19.100 It is talking to Christian leaders. 00:20:20.600 --> 00:20:22.200 Because that's a key part. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.360 Of what Paul is getting at. 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.160 In this whole section. 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:24.540 Is. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:27.440 He's instructing the church. 00:20:27.540 --> 00:20:28.880 Partly on how to evaluate. 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.540 Their leaders. 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:31.140 And how to esteem them properly. 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.680 But when you look through. 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.740 The language of this. 00:20:35.660 --> 00:20:36.900 Do you notice how often. 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.040 Paul says each one. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.560 Let each one. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.160 Take care. 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.019 How he builds. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.600 No one can build. 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:44.299 A foundation. 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.879 Anyone who builds. 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.559 A foundation. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.399 Over. 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.599 Each one's work. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.639 Over and over. 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.339 And over again. 00:20:50.439 --> 00:20:50.879 He's saying. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:52.639 This isn't just for leaders. 00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:54.240 Although it certainly is for them. 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:56.039 This is for everyone. 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:56.799 In the church. 00:20:58.699 --> 00:20:59.719 How are you building? 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.559 How are you building? 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:04.839 All right. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.639 So practically. 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.700 What does this mean? 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:08.839 Interestingly. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.940 Paul doesn't actually give us. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.700 A lot of instruction. 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:11.440 On how to build. 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.480 In this passage. 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:12.759 Right? 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.759 It's more of an exhortation. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.200 To just. 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.879 Be careful how you do it. 00:21:17.379 --> 00:21:18.579 But in the context. 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.559 What do we see? 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.919 We see that Paul. 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:25.159 Has been preaching about. 00:21:25.659 --> 00:21:26.839 The eternal things. 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:27.419 That are aligned. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.720 With Christ crucified. 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:32.759 Are you pointing people. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:34.019 To boast in God. 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.920 Or do you want. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.799 To look impressive. 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.000 In their eyes. 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.779 Are you developing. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.600 In others. 00:21:41.120 --> 00:21:41.640 Humility. 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.460 And dependence. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.120 Upon God. 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:43.980 And his spirit. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.640 To lead. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.360 And to teach. 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.819 Or are you making people. 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:50.079 Who are dependent on you. 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.819 Are you talking about. 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:58.059 Jesus and him crucified. 00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.039 Over and over. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:00.940 And over again. 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.319 Like Paul. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:02.720 Who said. 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.579 I determined to know. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.460 Nothing among you. 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.740 But Jesus Christ. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.559 And him crucified. 00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:11.940 When we do these things. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.819 When we talk about. 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.480 These things. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.259 With one another. 00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:15.039 We are building. 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.079 Into the church. 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.700 With eternal. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.000 Materials. 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.900 That will last. 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.700 There are temporal things. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.620 There are other options. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.180 Paul's been going at them. 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.039 For quite a while. 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:30.120 Human wisdom. 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.060 That's characterized. 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:32.779 By self-promotion. 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.580 A competitive spirit. 00:22:34.580 --> 00:22:35.000 To say. 00:22:35.160 --> 00:22:36.160 I can get ahead of you. 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.940 By showing you. 00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:37.920 How great I am. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.820 Dependence on. 00:22:40.340 --> 00:22:40.620 Skill. 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.539 Of human gifting. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.620 Of oratory. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.259 And rhetoric. 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.759 At the core of it. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.360 It's all a. 00:22:47.600 --> 00:22:48.380 Look at me. 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.100 See how great I am. 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:55.219 See I think. 00:22:55.219 --> 00:22:56.859 At the core of it. 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.039 Paul is saying. 00:22:59.219 --> 00:22:59.899 There are two ways. 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.799 That we can build. 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.939 We can either. 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.639 Use the church. 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:06.099 For our own glory. 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.719 That is. 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.539 We come. 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.879 Only for what it. 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.139 At the end of the day. 00:23:11.219 --> 00:23:12.819 Only for what it gives us. 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:16.299 And so we only come. 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.480 When it's convenient. 00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:20.200 When it meets our needs. 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:23.480 When it fulfills our standards. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.579 It means that. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:32.099 We find places of ministry. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.439 That make us look good. 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:36.119 And boost our ego. 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:41.159 It also can mean. 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:43.279 That there are times when. 00:23:43.559 --> 00:23:44.699 If we are feeling. 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.939 Extremely broken. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.939 And helpless. 00:23:48.199 --> 00:23:48.639 And weak. 00:23:49.199 --> 00:23:50.699 We can come to the church. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.399 And just be. 00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:52.659 Extremely demanding. 00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:56.699 And in both ways. 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.919 We find ourselves. 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.399 Making it ultimately. 00:24:00.719 --> 00:24:01.319 About me. 00:24:03.619 --> 00:24:05.339 And we use the church. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.419 For our good. 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.699 What Paul is saying is. 00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:12.939 Don't use the church. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.279 Love it. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.179 Don't use the church. 00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.019 But build it. 00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:18.339 Follow the pattern. 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.339 Of Jesus Christ. 00:24:19.379 --> 00:24:19.980 Who came. 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.859 Not to be served. 00:24:21.959 --> 00:24:22.659 But to serve. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.500 And to give his life. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.579 A ransom for many. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.579 Sacrificially love. 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.699 Those around you. 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.759 Serve them. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:35.159 Even when you don't feel. 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.720 Gifted. 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:37.920 Give. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.660 When it hurts. 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.320 To give. 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.660 Ask the Lord. 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.860 Is my heart. 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.960 Filled with a desire. 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:48.259 For God's glory. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.759 Not in my own life. 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.480 But in the lives. 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.519 Of those around me. 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.940 And not in a. 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.720 Pretentious. 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.220 Haughty. 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.300 I'm going to take you. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.500 To glorious places. 00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:59.380 But in a broken. 00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.180 Oh. 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:01.640 That we would together. 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.220 See. 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.800 The greatness. 00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:04.500 Of the God. 00:25:04.560 --> 00:25:05.200 That we serve. 00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:06.300 Who has rescued us. 00:25:09.660 --> 00:25:10.600 When we love. 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.620 The church like that. 00:25:11.660 --> 00:25:12.200 When we build. 00:25:12.280 --> 00:25:13.160 The church like that. 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:15.120 We become owners. 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.920 And investors. 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.180 Not consumers. 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.440 And Paul says. 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.500 And there are eternal. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.519 Consequences for this. 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.740 Interestingly. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.380 Not salvific ones. 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:29.700 Right? 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.839 You look at verse 15. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:34.940 If we build poorly. 00:25:37.400 --> 00:25:38.940 We may still be saved. 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:40.220 We may get through. 00:25:40.299 --> 00:25:41.460 By the skin of our teeth. 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.440 We may get out. 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:44.180 With the shirt on our back. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.279 But nothing else. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:49.980 And Paul says. 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.160 That's an impoverished. 00:25:51.160 --> 00:25:52.079 Place to be. 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.640 It is a tragic. 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:54.620 Place to be. 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.759 Because it has lessened. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.640 God's glory. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:58.480 And it has robbed. 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.400 God's people. 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.720 Of their enjoyment. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.500 Of God. 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.280 Both in this life. 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:05.120 And their glory to God. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:06.100 In the life to come. 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.200 I don't know. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.280 If you're here this morning. 00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:12.740 And you're exploring. 00:26:13.040 --> 00:26:13.360 Christianity. 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.460 And you're hearing. 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:15.340 This whole sermon. 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:16.220 About the church. 00:26:16.560 --> 00:26:17.020 You're thinking. 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:17.620 Okay. 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.759 I'm not even part of this. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:19.820 And like. 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:20.660 Y'all are crazy. 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:22.140 So what are you doing here? 00:26:24.280 --> 00:26:25.320 I hope you're getting. 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:25.820 A glimpse. 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.460 Of what it is. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.759 That God wants to do. 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.319 And what it is. 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.920 That God. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.120 Has designed the church. 00:26:33.120 --> 00:26:33.539 To be. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.680 We are not always that. 00:26:37.340 --> 00:26:38.860 But by the grace of God. 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.840 And by the instruction. 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.579 Of his word. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.180 We are being taught. 00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.420 To increasingly be. 00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.819 What God has called us to be. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.980 Laid on the foundation. 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.799 Of the savior. 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:51.180 Who came and died for us. 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:52.680 I hope you'll see that. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.299 This morning. 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:57.519 So Paul tells us. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.359 To come and. 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.779 Build carefully. 00:27:00.919 --> 00:27:01.779 Because there are. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.500 These. 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:04.619 There will be this eternal testing. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.519 There will be this final. 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.579 Proving. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.359 This revealing. 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.940 Of what we've actually done. 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.279 And he says. 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:12.240 Build carefully. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.759 Secondly. 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.220 He says. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.960 Build carefully. 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:19.839 Because in verse 16 and 17. 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.900 Because God cares. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:24.579 Because this is God's church. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.720 And he has called his church. 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.920 To be his temple. 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.839 His dwelling place. 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:32.200 The place where his spirit resides. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.180 In this world. 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.220 When you read verses. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.660 16 and 17. 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.240 Look with me. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:40.200 Paul uses these rhetorical questions. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.180 To be stinging. 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:43.680 Don't you know. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.900 That if you put your hand in the fire. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.880 You'll get burned. 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.940 Don't you know. 00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:50.160 That if you step out. 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.080 In front of a truck. 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:52.039 You're going to get hit. 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:54.680 Don't you know. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.360 That you. 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.440 Are God's temple. 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.120 And that God's spirit. 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:02.519 Dwells within you. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:05.500 Why aren't you acting like it? 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.620 Why are you quarreling. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.380 And competing. 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:09.259 And fighting. 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.100 And dividing. 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:12.539 And promoting yourself. 00:28:14.459 --> 00:28:16.079 Because you are God's temple. 00:28:18.439 --> 00:28:19.519 And for those. 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:21.159 Pagans in Corinth. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.279 They would have understood that. 00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.099 To be the place. 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.799 Where the deity actually dwells. 00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:25.459 On the hills. 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.980 In the temples. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:28.159 In the actual structure. 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.959 But for those from a Jewish background. 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.019 There's even a deeper. 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:34.019 Resonance. 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.740 In this passage. 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:39.759 Omolotuke read earlier. 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.699 From Exodus 25. 00:28:41.699 --> 00:28:43.599 The beginning of this idea. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.339 God will come. 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.119 And dwell. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.199 With his people. 00:28:47.699 --> 00:28:48.559 He will actually. 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:50.159 Manifest his presence. 00:28:50.399 --> 00:28:51.480 The omnipresent God. 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.980 Will manifest his presence. 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.399 In a particular way. 00:28:54.639 --> 00:28:56.139 Among his people. 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:59.740 And so they built the tabernacle. 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:01.219 Having received the law. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.099 On Mount Sinai. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.159 They built the tabernacle. 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:03.759 Tabernacle. 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:05.660 And it traveled with them. 00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:08.620 And then the center of it was. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.120 The Holy of Holies. 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:12.440 Where God's glory. 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.880 Would show itself. 00:29:14.540 --> 00:29:15.680 Moses would go in. 00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:17.140 And talk to God. 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:19.100 As he talks to a man. 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.140 Face to face. 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.620 In this place. 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.600 When. 00:29:25.320 --> 00:29:27.000 Hundreds and hundreds of years later. 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:29.340 Solomon builds his temple. 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.040 In Jerusalem. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.579 And the kingdom is consolidated. 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:33.460 And at the height of its glory. 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.359 Second Chronicles 7. 00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:35.940 Tells us. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.299 That the glory of the Lord. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:39.440 Descended upon the temple. 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.759 And shone. 00:29:40.859 --> 00:29:42.159 In that Holy of Holies. 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:43.980 Behind the curtain. 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.259 Behind the wall. 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.099 Where the Ark of the Covenant. 00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:47.920 Reminded. 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.859 The people. 00:29:49.659 --> 00:29:50.899 Of the need for a sacrifice. 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.680 For sin. 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:54.159 And of the glorious grace of God. 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.759 That he would provide a lamb. 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:55.859 Him. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.099 Tragically. 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.660 In the Old Testament story. 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.440 In Ezekiel 10. 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.619 The prophet. 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.400 In a. 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.099 Apocalyptic vision. 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.799 Talks about the glory of the Lord. 00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:09.559 Departing. 00:30:09.940 --> 00:30:10.900 From the temple. 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.980 Maybe you've seen. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.660 Some of the recent movies. 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.940 Come out in the last 10 years. 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.799 I've watched a little bit too much. 00:30:19.920 --> 00:30:21.059 TNT late at night. 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:23.579 Independence Day. 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.059 Or. 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:26.399 What was the one with Channing Tatum. 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:26.960 He was the. 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.919 Secret Service. 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:28.539 Anyway. 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:30.119 All of these are about how. 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.119 Whatever happens. 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.720 The White House gets blown up. 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:33.539 Right. 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.939 That's the bottom line of these movies. 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.379 The White House gets blown up. 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.539 But people are saved at the end. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:42.139 But what I want you to see. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:44.879 The reason why that's such an iconic picture. 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.539 For us. 00:30:45.639 --> 00:30:46.099 Is because. 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.699 To blow up the White House. 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:50.139 Is to take the very gut. 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:51.220 Out of what America. 00:30:51.939 --> 00:30:52.319 Is. 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:54.960 And it's the closest thing. 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:56.059 That we would have. 00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.759 To understand. 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:59.359 How devastating. 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.899 A faithful Jew. 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.220 Would have felt. 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.419 When the glory of the Lord. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.599 Departed from the temple. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.359 That has defined them. 00:31:07.439 --> 00:31:08.059 Who are we? 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:09.220 We are God's people. 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.659 And he dwells in our midst. 00:31:11.659 --> 00:31:13.279 And now that God has said. 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:13.799 No more. 00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:16.919 And he has withdrawn his glory. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.099 In judgment. 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.299 Upon their unfaithfulness. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:24.639 And even in Ezekiel 6. 00:31:24.899 --> 00:31:25.819 Or Ezra 6. 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:27.579 When they rebuild the temple. 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:29.159 After return from the exile. 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.559 There's no report. 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:33.460 That the glory descends again. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:34.879 One of my kids. 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.779 Children's Bibles. 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.539 It's fascinating. 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:38.559 They talk about the rebuilding of the temple. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:40.279 And they talk about the old men. 00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:41.899 Weeping. 00:31:43.099 --> 00:31:43.559 Weeping. 00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:44.779 Because the temple. 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.079 Did not have the glory. 00:31:46.419 --> 00:31:47.680 Of what it once had. 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:49.720 And so in some ways. 00:31:49.820 --> 00:31:51.200 The whole Old Testament. 00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:54.039 Leaves us hanging with this question. 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.980 What will God do? 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.539 Where will God dwell? 00:31:57.860 --> 00:31:59.940 What will God's people be like? 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:05.440 And Jesus comes. 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:07.680 And Jesus tabernacles among us. 00:32:07.680 --> 00:32:12.440 And after his death. 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.460 And his resurrection. 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:17.900 The church is filled with his spirit. 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.660 And Paul says. 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:24.060 You are God's temple now. 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.779 Ephesians 2. 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:26.360 20. 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.420 Pictures. 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.660 You are God's temple. 00:32:28.820 --> 00:32:30.160 Built together. 00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:33.220 From the diversity of Jew and Gentile. 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:35.320 Brought together into one household. 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:39.779 Peter writes in 1 Peter 2. 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.379 About how. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.960 You are God's building. 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.899 And Jesus Christ. 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:44.559 Is not only the cornerstone. 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:46.299 That is the stone that's laid. 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.919 From which everything else. 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.859 Finds its alignment. 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.700 But Jesus is also the capstone. 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.599 He's the one at the top of the arch. 00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:53.759 That holds it together. 00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:58.079 And so this house is seen to be. 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:59.179 From beginning to end. 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:01.139 To be built by Jesus. 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:02.859 And held together by Jesus. 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:05.559 You as living stones. 00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:10.759 This is what God calls his people to be. 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.199 And when we gather together. 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:14.959 This is where. 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.679 We meet with God. 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:20.219 It is striking. 00:33:20.479 --> 00:33:20.919 In the English. 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.819 We don't see it. 00:33:22.919 --> 00:33:24.359 Verses 16 and 17. 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:24.959 You. 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.719 Plural. 00:33:26.199 --> 00:33:27.299 Are God's temple. 00:33:27.899 --> 00:33:28.759 In chapter 6. 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.240 It will be. 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:31.339 You individually are God's temple. 00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:32.799 And the spirit dwells within you. 00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.859 But here. 00:33:33.979 --> 00:33:34.399 It's you. 00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:35.240 Plural. 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:37.199 Are God's temple. 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:40.259 So not only does God indwell. 00:33:40.379 --> 00:33:41.619 Each individual believer. 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:44.199 But God dwells with us together. 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.599 In a community. 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.779 And Paul says. 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.740 Do not destroy. 00:33:50.439 --> 00:33:51.039 This. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.740 Do not destroy. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.919 What God has built. 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.759 And what God. 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:55.799 Loves. 00:33:57.479 --> 00:33:59.019 There is a warning here. 00:33:59.099 --> 00:33:59.939 If you continue. 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:01.379 In your factionalism. 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.360 If you. 00:34:03.120 --> 00:34:03.600 Continue. 00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.420 To promote. 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.740 A self-centered. 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:06.940 Using. 00:34:07.340 --> 00:34:07.880 The church. 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:08.920 Perspective. 00:34:09.200 --> 00:34:10.320 You will erode. 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.300 Its true foundation. 00:34:11.300 --> 00:34:12.440 And you will replace it. 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.440 With something else. 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.440 And the church. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.579 Not the church universal. 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.820 But the local church. 00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.800 Will be destroyed. 00:34:21.720 --> 00:34:23.460 By your building it poorly. 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:26.059 And those who are responsible. 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.740 Will be destroyed with it. 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.840 Though verse 15. 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.820 Seems to have a. 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.220 You can skate through. 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.460 Though by fire. 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:37.000 There is a stronger warning here. 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:39.300 That if you stubbornly. 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.639 And persistently. 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.179 Build. 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:44.380 The church. 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:47.000 For your own glory. 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:52.260 There will be grave consequences. 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.840 For you. 00:34:53.840 --> 00:34:55.639 It is not the fruit of a heart. 00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:57.739 That has been rescued by Jesus. 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:03.639 God loves his church. 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:06.559 Where he is ordained. 00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:10.800 That the world would see. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:12.059 Who he is. 00:35:12.780 --> 00:35:14.400 Because that's where he dwells. 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.239 By his spirit. 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:18.659 I wonder this morning. 00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:19.399 As you come in here. 00:35:19.479 --> 00:35:20.839 What do you think about the church? 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.359 Maybe you're. 00:35:24.339 --> 00:35:24.899 Disillusioned. 00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:27.659 By its imperfections. 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:27.939 You think. 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:28.859 Well what do you expect? 00:35:28.919 --> 00:35:29.639 It's only human. 00:35:31.399 --> 00:35:32.559 Maybe you're demanding. 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.559 This church stinks. 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.319 There are so many ways. 00:35:36.359 --> 00:35:36.959 It could be better. 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:40.419 Maybe you're dismissive. 00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:41.779 Yeah the church is nice. 00:35:41.959 --> 00:35:42.819 It's not that important. 00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:45.720 It's an add-on. 00:35:46.120 --> 00:35:46.800 It's an app. 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.800 In my phone. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:51.720 Maybe you're disappointed. 00:35:53.180 --> 00:35:54.700 The church hasn't been. 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:56.180 What I hoped it would be. 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.980 And I'm broken hearted. 00:35:58.700 --> 00:35:59.920 Maybe you're devastated. 00:36:00.580 --> 00:36:01.740 Maybe you've been abused. 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:03.140 By your church experiences. 00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.539 Friends. 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:09.579 Paul has a different. 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:09.779 The church. 00:36:09.779 --> 00:36:09.940 The church. 00:36:09.940 --> 00:36:10.539 The church. 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:10.900 The church. 00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.179 The church. 00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:12.900 He says. 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:15.199 Devote yourself to the church. 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:18.679 Devote yourself in love. 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:21.480 Recognize that the church is not perfect. 00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:23.579 It is not all this. 00:36:24.699 --> 00:36:26.619 It is not going to be. 00:36:27.500 --> 00:36:28.059 Everything. 00:36:29.519 --> 00:36:31.179 That you might want it to be. 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:33.960 But even in those imperfections. 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:35.960 God will use it to refine you. 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:38.119 And if you see. 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.519 That the foundation of it. 00:36:39.619 --> 00:36:40.519 Is Jesus Christ. 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:41.639 And him crucified. 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:43.519 He who came to rescue. 00:36:43.940 --> 00:36:44.539 Sinful. 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:46.139 Broken people like us. 00:36:46.380 --> 00:36:48.360 He who came to save us. 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.980 From our pride. 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:51.220 And self-promotion. 00:36:51.400 --> 00:36:52.220 And egotism. 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.340 And our desire. 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:55.039 To use everything around us. 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:56.019 For our good. 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.780 Rather than for God's glory. 00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:01.860 Then friends. 00:37:01.860 --> 00:37:03.500 You will see. 00:37:04.620 --> 00:37:05.500 The glory. 00:37:05.640 --> 00:37:06.519 Of what God means. 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:07.120 When he says. 00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:08.160 You are God's temple. 00:37:09.200 --> 00:37:10.880 Where God's spirit dwells. 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.780 If you are. 00:37:17.180 --> 00:37:18.300 Profess faith in Christ. 00:37:18.400 --> 00:37:18.960 This morning. 00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.160 You are. 00:37:20.640 --> 00:37:21.900 A part of the church. 00:37:24.320 --> 00:37:25.519 The question is not. 00:37:25.620 --> 00:37:27.260 Whether you will build into it. 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:27.920 The question is. 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:29.300 Whether you will build it well. 00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:30.420 With care. 00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:32.440 Or whether you will be careless. 00:37:34.280 --> 00:37:35.500 What does it look like? 00:37:36.880 --> 00:37:37.860 What does it look like. 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:38.700 At the end of the day. 00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:40.900 Well. 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.940 Here are a couple of things. 00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:43.700 I just thought of. 00:37:43.800 --> 00:37:44.680 That might be helpful. 00:37:45.300 --> 00:37:46.400 Some practical things. 00:37:47.740 --> 00:37:48.500 For leaders. 00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.559 If you are a small group leader. 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.659 Or a Sunday school leader. 00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:52.200 Or a worship leader. 00:37:53.420 --> 00:37:54.200 Take your pick. 00:37:54.900 --> 00:37:55.260 Prepare. 00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:57.740 Pray ahead of time. 00:37:58.500 --> 00:37:58.920 Plan. 00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.840 Think about. 00:37:59.960 --> 00:38:00.420 What it is. 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:01.720 That God would have you. 00:38:02.099 --> 00:38:03.380 Bring to the group. 00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.460 Make sure. 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.200 It's not just. 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:08.000 The next thing. 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:08.800 You run to. 00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:09.579 In your schedule. 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:10.320 From one thing. 00:38:10.400 --> 00:38:10.880 To another. 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:12.099 But see. 00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:13.180 That you have the opportunity. 00:38:13.180 --> 00:38:13.980 To be a part. 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:15.220 Of building God's temple. 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.200 In the world. 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.960 And treat it. 00:38:18.680 --> 00:38:19.960 With the kind of respect. 00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:20.579 And dignity. 00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:22.519 That God wants you. 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.599 To give it. 00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.780 Make room. 00:38:25.780 --> 00:38:26.559 For it to be. 00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.860 A valuable investment. 00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:27.980 It. 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:33.059 But how about you. 00:38:33.160 --> 00:38:33.940 Small group attender. 00:38:37.039 --> 00:38:38.660 How can you go to small group. 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.760 With an attitude of. 00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.960 I want to build here. 00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:44.000 Do you pray for the other people. 00:38:44.099 --> 00:38:44.880 In your small group. 00:38:45.440 --> 00:38:46.400 Have you read the passage. 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.039 Ahead of time. 00:38:47.120 --> 00:38:47.740 And thought about. 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:48.000 What. 00:38:48.620 --> 00:38:49.519 You may see in it. 00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.900 That you could share with others. 00:38:52.240 --> 00:38:52.980 Are you thinking about. 00:38:53.059 --> 00:38:53.960 How you can serve. 00:38:53.960 --> 00:38:54.640 One another. 00:38:55.099 --> 00:38:56.599 Outside of the meeting time. 00:38:56.599 --> 00:38:59.779 Or is it just this slot. 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.279 That you. 00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:01.239 Get there. 00:39:01.339 --> 00:39:02.139 Ten minutes late. 00:39:02.319 --> 00:39:02.900 And sneak out. 00:39:02.980 --> 00:39:03.659 A little bit early. 00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:06.179 Because you've got. 00:39:06.299 --> 00:39:07.360 So much else to do. 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:14.299 Not everyone's in small group. 00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:15.699 But hopefully. 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:16.619 And obviously. 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.940 I'm preaching to the crowd here. 00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:22.059 How about when you come to service. 00:39:22.720 --> 00:39:24.179 How do you prepare for it. 00:39:25.099 --> 00:39:26.579 Do you think about going to sleep. 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.119 Well enough. 00:39:27.220 --> 00:39:28.159 So that you can be awake. 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:28.780 When you're here. 00:39:30.340 --> 00:39:31.500 Do you think about. 00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:32.599 Reading the passage. 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:34.260 Following the sermon card. 00:39:34.720 --> 00:39:35.500 So that you know. 00:39:35.619 --> 00:39:36.240 What we're going to be. 00:39:36.460 --> 00:39:36.920 Studying. 00:39:37.059 --> 00:39:38.099 And talking about. 00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:40.480 But even more than that. 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:42.000 Have you prayed. 00:39:42.139 --> 00:39:43.300 Before you walked in here. 00:39:43.300 --> 00:39:43.840 This morning. 00:39:43.980 --> 00:39:45.219 God how can I bless. 00:39:45.219 --> 00:39:45.840 The saints. 00:39:46.240 --> 00:39:47.099 How can I point them. 00:39:47.179 --> 00:39:47.940 To Jesus Christ. 00:39:48.019 --> 00:39:48.760 And him crucified. 00:39:49.159 --> 00:39:50.380 How can I love the people. 00:39:50.539 --> 00:39:51.539 Who are sitting around me. 00:39:51.619 --> 00:39:52.260 In my pew. 00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:56.099 How can I treasure. 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:58.719 The gift of gathering together. 00:40:02.320 --> 00:40:03.219 This may sound. 00:40:03.380 --> 00:40:04.619 Just way too much. 00:40:04.699 --> 00:40:04.820 But. 00:40:05.420 --> 00:40:06.159 Have you ever thought about. 00:40:06.300 --> 00:40:06.760 Just making. 00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:08.240 Sunday about church. 00:40:08.239 --> 00:40:09.819 Come to Sunday school. 00:40:10.939 --> 00:40:12.000 Stay for service. 00:40:12.619 --> 00:40:13.799 Stay for fellowship hour. 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:15.079 Go out for lunch. 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:16.059 With people afterwards. 00:40:16.859 --> 00:40:18.259 Enjoy the opportunity. 00:40:18.259 --> 00:40:19.879 That's built into your schedule. 00:40:20.699 --> 00:40:22.199 To be with God's people. 00:40:22.319 --> 00:40:23.599 And to build into his church. 00:40:28.639 --> 00:40:29.439 Don't come here. 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:30.359 Just to use it. 00:40:30.439 --> 00:40:31.399 Just to get your. 00:40:31.859 --> 00:40:33.019 Gas tank filled up. 00:40:33.099 --> 00:40:33.959 So you can run off. 00:40:35.619 --> 00:40:36.539 But come here. 00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.719 And be with God's people. 00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:42.719 God loves his church. 00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:45.139 Because he calls us. 00:40:45.479 --> 00:40:46.839 To build it carefully. 00:40:47.759 --> 00:40:48.879 For his glory. 00:40:49.239 --> 00:40:49.959 And for our good. 00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:51.199 Let's pray. 00:40:57.939 --> 00:40:58.459 Lord. 00:40:58.579 --> 00:40:59.339 We are. 00:41:00.279 --> 00:41:02.359 Thankful that it is by your grace. 00:41:02.619 --> 00:41:03.959 That you have called your church. 00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:04.059 Church. 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:06.139 And. 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:09.740 It is in Jesus Christ. 00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:10.900 That you have bought us. 00:41:11.980 --> 00:41:13.099 And brought us. 00:41:13.460 --> 00:41:13.820 Into. 00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:15.860 Communion. 00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:16.380 With you. 00:41:16.460 --> 00:41:17.240 And with one another. 00:41:19.760 --> 00:41:20.159 Lord. 00:41:20.240 --> 00:41:21.720 I pray that you would give us. 00:41:21.840 --> 00:41:22.460 Your heart. 00:41:23.199 --> 00:41:24.260 Your understanding. 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:26.300 Lord. 00:41:26.340 --> 00:41:27.720 Of what it is you have called us to. 00:41:27.780 --> 00:41:28.960 To be a part of your church. 00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:29.800 For your glory. 00:41:29.800 --> 00:41:30.260 To be a part of your church. 00:41:31.519 --> 00:41:32.000 Lord. 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:33.199 That we would build well. 00:41:34.360 --> 00:41:35.360 Not use. 00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:36.280 But love. 00:41:37.780 --> 00:41:38.760 For your glory. 00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:39.980 We pray in Jesus name. 00:41:41.099 --> 00:41:41.539 Amen. 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:41.639 Amen.