WCTLC

1 Cor 3:8 (NIV) The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. This is talking about your ministry and the ministry of those you lead to Jesus. It is an issue you need to put some real thought and prayer into. If you aren’t aware that there are rewards, then you may not see the importance of growing spiritually and letting Jesus transform your ministry.

1 Cor 3:9 (NIV) For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. You, as God’s fellow worker, are ministering to people. Plus, you and the people you are ministering to are God’s field, God’s building. This is what Jesus is doing in and through you and your ministry. This verse is saying that everything you, as a Christian, have done, are currently doing, and will be doing, are all coming together like a structure. You can’t see what it all looks like; but, Jesus can. He can lay out a blueprint for what you need to consider, so everything you do will count for eternity.

1 Cor 3:10 (NIV) By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. As you read Paul’s epistles, you can see how careful Paul was concerning what he built into the lives of those he ministered to. How you build spiritual concepts in people’s lives will determine whether their attitudes, character, and ministry develop. But, if you allow Jesus to train you, He will make sure you and your trainees will be the very best.

1 Cor 3:11 (NIV) For no one can lay any foundation other than the One already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Is your process of building this incredible foundation being laid the way Jesus wants you to be doing it, in the lives of the people you are working on? Only Jesus knows what kind of foundation, in Him, should be laid in you and those you minister to. He will be doing the evaluating of your life and your ministry. Therefore, it is vital that you know what His criteria is.

1 Cor 3:12 (NIV) If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw. The immediate point here is that some of these materials are flammable and others aren’t. This isn’t just an illustration. There are things you can do that are spiritually flammable; and, there are things that Jesus will teach you that will not burn during this upcoming test He is going to be giving you.

1 Cor 3:13 (NIV) His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. It is easy to get into a life-routine and just go through the motions of what you have always done. Let Jesus challenge all your procedures and see if they are flammable or not.

1 Cor 3:14 (NIV) If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. Now is the time for you to make any corrections, as it relates to this judgment moment. Will what you have built and are building survive? If so, how much and what are they? This is your life and ministry! This is a test that you will face! With respect for Jesus and openness to Him, let Him evaluate you. He knows what deeds are flammable and which ones aren’t. He will help you get ready in such a way that you will know for sure you and He are working together on the important things that matter for eternity.

1 Cor 3:15 (NIV) If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. You do want to be saved! But, surely you don’t want any of what you have done, during your life and ministry, to be burned up and you suffer loss. And, you don’t have to have any of that happen to you. This is an open book test! Jesus will take you through His Sermon On The Mount and help you find out what gold, silver, and costly stones look like.