BIG IDEA: Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.

I. EACH CHURCH IS LIKENED TO A BUILDING BEING BUILT ON CHRIST THE FOUNDATION, AND WE MUST TAKE CARE HOW WE BUILD IT (v. 12)

I) Some are masted by “God says in His Word.” (Gold, Silver, Precious Stones)

Psalm 19:10-11 “10 More to be desired are [the written Words of God] than gold,    even much fine gold;sweeter also than honey    and drippings of the honeycomb.11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;    in keeping them there is great reward.”

II) Some are mastered by “I think in my heart.” (Wood, Hay, Straw)

Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

II. EACH PERSON’S LABORS WILL IN THE END BE REVEALED FOR WHAT THEY TRULY ARE (v. 13)

I) Each person’s labors will become open for all to see (v. 13a)

Luke 12:1-3 “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”

II) Each person’s labors will be revealed at the Judgement Seat of Christ (v. 13b)

2 Corinthians 5:10 “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.”

III. EACH PERSON WILL EITHER BE REWARDED OR WILL SUFFER LOSS AT THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (vv. 14-15a)

I) Those who built churches, families, and even their lives Christ’s way will be rewarded (v. 14)

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

II) Those who built churches, families, and even their lives their own way will suffer loss (v. 15a)

IV. THERE WILL BE THOSE WHO WILL TRULY BE SAVED BY CHRIST, BUT THEIR LABORS WILL BE BURNED UP (v. 15b)

Q. How do I know that I will be saved through the fire in the end; How do I know that I myself will not be burned up in God’s fiery judgement?

The only way is to be united to Jesus Christ by faith.

1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭“[Turn] to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

CONCLUDING APPEAL

I appeal to you not to waste your life and be saved only as through fire!

You who are building with wood, hay or straw—turn from those worthless things and build your life according to what God says in His Word! You will suffer loss if you do not.

You who are building with gold, silver or precious stones—press on! Your labors on not in vain! You will be rewarded.