1 Corinthians 3:10-15
Introduction
Wouldn’t it be a miserable experience to almost win the lottery? Let’s say you played the lotto and decided to listen as the winning numbers are announced. Your excitement would rise as you realize that you’ve got the first number, then the second number, then the third number and then the fourth and fifth numbers. You’d be severely deflated when they call out the last number and you realize that you’ve missed winning by one digit. You’d probably be pouting, crying, screaming, and agonizing over this close call. For a long time, every time you pay your bills, you would remember, “I could have been a millionaire!” What God is going to do on judgment day is show you what you could have had, what you could have been and what He could have done with you in the kingdom that is to come.
God will evaluate every believer’s work to determine rewards to be gained or lost based on their usefulness to Him. The foundation of this judgment is based on grace, truth and Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are to be in relationship with Jesus Christ by first accepting Him as Savior and then making Him the Lord of our lives. When we do these two fundamental things, we have begun to set the groundwork for a foundation worth building on; anything less will result in a faulty foundation.
When Christ examines the foundation on which we’ve laid our faith, He will also examine its function. Christ will want to know that your work was for Him, that it was good quality work and that it was motivated for the glory of His Kingdom. There will come a day when our works will be revealed by the fire. The fire, which is the means of God’s judgment, will reveal what the foundation was made of. The fire of the judgment will reveal the works to be rewarded, the works to be destroyed and affirm the proof of eternal security.
As we approach the impending Day of Judgment, my hope is that Christ is the chief cornerstone of your foundation. Whatever you do, work heartily as for the Lord and not for people. Know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Col 3:23-24).
Getting Started
- What do you do when you know you are going to have an evaluation?
- What does judgment mean to you?
Let’s Get Personal
- In light of this message, what areas do you need to improve upon your foundation? What tools and resources can you use to strengthen your foundation?
- In what ways are you using your gifts and talents to honor and serve the Lord?
- What motivates you to serve God with your time and talents? How often do you consider what drives you to serve the Lord?
Take the Next Step
- What can you do to build a lasting foundation for your family? What are you doing to resource your family with proper building tools?
- In light of this message, what can you do to determine if your works are useful for the kingdom?
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: 2 Corinthians 5:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Peter 1:17; Matthew 12:36-37; Matthew 10:42; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Mark 10:28-31; Romans 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matthew 16:27; Ephesians 2:8-10; Revelations 21:4; Ephesians 6:8; 1 Corinthians 10:31
Renew Your Mind
“For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds.”
Matthew 16:27
