Sermon Summary
What is the best reward you have ever received? This week, Pastor Chris shared the reality that we each have a desire to be rewarded for our work. In this life, we all have work to do in order to build and advance the Kingdom of Heaven. Healthy believers know that this life is not our forever home, and how we live matters for all of eternity. God will reward us as His children for the way we live and work this side of Heaven.
1 Corinthians 3:8 (ESV)
8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages (rewards) according to his labor.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
1 Corinthians 3:9–11 (ESV)
9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 10 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. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12–13 (ESV)
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 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.
Building Materials
I. Gold, Silver, Precious Stones
• Excellent Quality.
• Dedicated to build the church and Kingdom of God.
• Eternal Value.
• Christlike faith and obedience.
II. Wood, Hay, Straw
• Inferior Quality.
• Shallow activity to build the church and Kingdom of God.
• No Eternal Value.
• Done in flesh or disobedience.
Materials Represent: Labor, Responses, Service, & Works.
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
10 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;
We build by…
- Our Motives (1 Cor. 4:5).
- Our Conduct (2 Cor. 5:10)
- Our Service (2 Timothy 2:21)
1 Corinthians 3:14–15 (ESV)
14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
10 Things Christ Promises to Reward
- Prayer and Fasting (Matthew 6:6, 17-18)
- Compassion for the vulnerable (Matthew 25:37–40)
- Bearing insults and being excluded for the name of Christ (Luke 6:22–23)
- Love for your enemies (Luke 6:35)
- Generous giving (Luke 6:38)
- Hospitality that cannot be repaid (Luke 14:12–14)
- Endurance through pressures in ministry (2 Corinthians 4:17–18)
- Quality work for your employer (Colossians 3:23–24)
- Faithfulness through trials (1 Peter 1:6–7)
- Faithfulness to the truth (2 John 7–8)
1 Corinthians 3:16–17 (ESV)
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Discussion Questions
- Pastor Chris said, “labor is a necessary part of the Christian walk” (See 1 Corinthians 3:8). How does this truth make you feel?
- How can we know if we are building for this world?
- What should be our motivation for extending the Kingdom of God?
- Are you building Biblically in your motives, your conduct, and your service? Are you lacking in any of these?
- Look at Pastor Chris’ list of things Christ promises to reward. Are there any you struggle with? Any you find easy to accomplish?
Application Questions
- How much affection do you have for this world and building a legacy this side of Heaven? Share your answer with your mentor or discipler this week.
- As yourself honestly this week: is Jesus the foundation of your life? If He is not, go the altar next Sunday for prayer, sharing this reality with a prayer partner.