The Foundation

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

“10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 the work of each builder will become visible, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done. 14 If what has been built on the foundation survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.”

In Corinth, Paul had laid the foundation of the Corinthian church by giving them Christ.  The life and teachings of Christ were the solid rock on which the people who came after him were to build upon this foundation.

The builders, Paul warned, must be careful how they build.  If they built with eternal materials, it would survive whatever the world threw at it.  If they built with flimsy, temporary materials, then the world would destroy it.

The life and teachings of Christ are the foundation of our church.  Christ taught love of God over love of worldly and material things, love of neighbor over hate, mercy and kindness over retribution, forgiveness over revenge, humility over pride, compassion over apathy, sacrifice over worldly gain, and servant leadership over authoritarianism. 

This is our foundation.  It is eternal and will not be destroyed.

What have we built upon it?    Have we used eternal materials?

Will it withstand the fire?

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)