Sermon snippet – Rocktober – Part IV
INTRODUCTION – Last week, we briefly considered I Corinthians 3:10-16. We return to this passage today.
- THE FOUNDATION MUST BE JESUS
This truth cannot be stressed or talked about too much. Verse 11 makes it clear that we must choose to trust in God the Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation. This is a divine absolute.
- THE BUILDING MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE FOUNDATION
Our “work” (verses 13, 14, and 15) must be consistent with the character of God. We can build either well or poorly (verse 12). What we build in our lives should last the way our foundation does.
- CHARACTER MATTERS NOW AND ETERNALLY
Our decisions and actions must reflect God the Holy Spirit Who “dwelleth” in us (verse 16 – note the building imagery). The emergence of such positive character traits will result in “reward” (verses 13-15) in our heavenly home.
- ONE CHARACTERISTIC THAT MATTERS IS STEADFASTNESS
Steadfast like a stone, Jesus “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Of course, steadfastness can become negative if it is twisted and inverted. Romans 1:28-32 makes it plain that we can be persistent in evil. The positive example of Jesus reminds us that steadfastness undergirds all of our characteristics. For example, fickle love is not love but becomes manipulation; occasional mercy is not mercy but is cruelty; sporadic joy is not joy but, in fact, sounds like unhappiness). Steadfastness is a great and necessary trait.
CONCLUSION – Remember that the steadfastness of Jesus in Luke 9:51 is exemplified in His willingness to proceed to Jerusalem to die on the Cross “to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (I Timothy 1:15). Matthew 13:20-21 shows the result – the sad, tragic result – of persistent rejection of the Savior. I Corinthians 15:58 reassures us that our steadfastness “is not in vain in the Lord.” Press on.