Greetings to all of you, dear brothers and sisters. We continue our series of sermons on the First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. Last week we talked about two things from 1 Cor. 3:1–9.
First, what does it mean to be a carnal Christian? Paul compares such a person to an infant who cannot eat solid food but constantly needs milk. This is a picture of a Christian who is immature and who needs to be constantly reminded of the simple truths of faith, for example, that quarrels and disagreements are bad. Paul says in 1 Cor. 3:3: “For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?” This means that Christians who show jealousy and quarrel with each other demonstrate their spiritual immaturity. And even more strictly — Paul calls them “carnal Christians.” That is, they are led by the flesh and do not act as spiritual people.
Second, we also spoke about rewards besides our salvation. Paul says in verse 8: “…each will receive his wages according to his labor.” We noticed two things: there is a reward for labor, and a reward according to the measure of labor — one will receive more, another less. This is not about salvation, because salvation is either there or it isn’t. This is about rewards for spiritual service that a person does on earth for God’s glory. We read the parable of Jesus in Luke 19, where Jesus Himself explains the rewards of those who inherit the Kingdom when He returns as King of kings to this earth.
Today we will be reading a few more verses — up to verse 15, where Paul expands on the thought of rewards and gives the example of building a house. This illustration shows three things:
- In the Christian life, there is only one foundation — Jesus Christ. Our faith rests on the confession that Jesus Christ is the only Savior and Son of God, who died for our sins and rose again to give us new life. This is the standard; it is the same for all.
- Although the foundation is one, the house can be built in different ways. One can use precious materials — gold, silver, precious stones — they withstand fire. Or one can use wood, hay, and straw — they burn up.
- A day will come when Jesus returns and will judge our works. Rewards depend on whether your work withstands the " fire," that is, God’s judgment. If it survives — the reward is great. If not — the person will “suffer loss,” although they will not lose their salvation because it is based on the foundation that no one can destroy. The house may burn, but the foundation remains.
Let’s read the text.
Only One Foundation
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10–11).
We see here that Paul says he laid the foundation for the Corinthian believers. We read about this in Acts 18, where Paul comes to Corinth, preaches the Gospel to them, and founds the church there. God Himself said to Paul: “…Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people” (Acts 18:9–10). Therefore, Paul did as God said — he stayed and preached. He, as a wise builder, laid the foundation of the church in Corinth. The church is, of course, the believers, not the building.
It should also be noted: when Paul says that no one can lay another foundation, he is saying that conversion is a one-time event. You cannot lay the foundation again and again. Conversion is once and for all, and it does not change.
Building and Testing by Fire
“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Cor. 3: 12–15).
The first question that arises is: is Paul speaking only about ministers (pastors) or about all Christians? I think both. Everyone builds their spiritual life, but a minister also builds the church he serves. As Paul said in the previous verses: “let each one take care how he builds.”
1. Pastors care for the church, and for how they build and care, they will give an account. Here are a few verses especially for ministers:
“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?” (1 Thess. 2: 19).
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1).
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Matt. 24:45–46).
2. For every Christian it is also clear: everything they do on this earth matters, and they must give an account. Let’s read a few verses:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor. 5:10).
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” (Matt. 6:19–20).
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10, 12).
Now the question: what does it mean to build from gold, silver, and precious stones, and what from wood, hay, and straw? It is important to understand: Paul is not calling us to speculate on exactly what “gold” or “silver” means. The main thing is the contrast: some works pass through judgment or fire and bring a reward, while others burn up, the person loses the reward, and it turns out the labor was in vain.
Now the most important question: How can we be sure that the works we do as Christians will be accepted by God and receive a reward, and not burn up? There are verses that clearly show how we should act. I will mention only two things.
1. Our works must be directed to the glory of God, not our own. The motive is to glorify God.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 Cor. 4:5).
2. We must grow in the ability to do more, removing everything that hinders, slows down, or might even deprive us of reward. Never be content with what you have already done. Strive for more, move forward, grow, and do not stand still.
“so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21).
“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:26–27).
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, everything we read today shows us the seriousness of our Christian life. We have one foundation — Jesus Christ. And it is firm, stable, unchangeable. But what kind of house we build on this foundation depends on us.
Every day, every decision, every word, and every deed is building material. A day will come when the Lord will test our work. And the one who built for His glory will receive a reward. But he who built carelessly or for himself will see that the labor has burned up. But even if the house burns, the foundation remains. This is the great mercy of God. And yet, let none of us be the one who comes to the Lord “empty-handed.”
Therefore, today I call upon everyone: check yourself. On what foundation are you standing? If your foundation is Christ, praise God! But then think: how are you building? Do your works glorify God, or are they directed toward yourself? Are your motives pure? Are you growing spiritually, removing what hinders you from serving Him more?
If God shows you that there are weak spots — repent and start building correctly. It’s not too late. As long as we are alive, as long as the Lord has not returned, we have the opportunity to change the quality of our service and our lives. May each of us stand before Christ on that day with joy, not with regret. May our labor turn out to be gold, silver, and precious stones that pass through the fire and remain. And may everything we do be for the glory of God, who saved us and gave us a firm foundation.
Amen.