Building with Gold and Silver

The apostle Paul warns the church in Corinth and God's Word speaks to us: 

"Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?  God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple."   

1 Corinthians 3:10-17 (NLT)

Jesus is the foundation of the church.  Never forget it- everything we do is built upon Christ. If we begin to build upon anything else but Christ, our work shall surely crumble.


Is your personal ministry based on Christ?  Does it speak of Christ?  In my small group, do we focus on our Savior? In my life, do I speak of Christ to my neighbors? Am I bold? Is my love of Christ greater than my love of comfort or love of self?  Am I jealous for holiness? 

 Are my attitudes and actions helpful to the church or harmful?
Am I building with gold and silver or am I building with sticks and hay?  Do I even know that I am building? On judgement day my work will be tested with fire. All will be revealed.

God says that I am his temple and he dwells in me.  I am holy.  Do I act and speak as if I am holy?

Oh Lord, have mercy on me for I often forget that you are with me always and that you consider me holy. Forgive me for the unholy things I have done with your temple and forgive me for not doing what I should have done.

 Oh Jesus, help me to stay focused on you.  Help me to build with gold and silver and help me to never forget that you are the foundation.  Help me to remember that it is not what I have done, but it is what you have done that matters.  You have given your life for me. Help me to always live for you and to share you with the people who I come in contact with.  Help me to live a life pointing to you.   Amen.

Community in Bible Study

Community:

A place where people come together for a common goal.  

A place where there is safety. 

A place that provides nourishment, strength, and accountability. 

We find community in many places-  in our locales, in our social gatherings, in our organizations.   We come together sharing like interests and goals.  We protect one another from enemies of the community. We grow and help others to grow in our communities. 

Do you have community in your Bible Study?   Is it a place that your goal is to come closer to God, to know Him, to find direction and his will for life?  Are you allowed to be vulnerable in your study?  To share your feelings and thoughts without fear.   Are there others in your study that love and honor you, that correct you when you need it, that encourage you? 

 

A Bible Study community is a place where you fall in love -- with Jesus and with people.  Jesus awaits.  He wants to work with you and through you.  Members of the community should be loving, kind, gentle, patient, good, joyful, peaceful, faithful, and self-controlled with their ways and thoughts.  Members of the community should be willing to be open enough to trust that God has placed you in this specific community.  

A Bible Study community is a treasure.  One that should be sought after and cherished.  

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 

Romans 12:10