1 cor. 3:12 - 3:23
theme : that which belongs to god...
the severity of the task
I - build with care as each man's work will become evident
A. the quality of your work will be revealed
1Cr 3:12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 1Cr 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is {to be} revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

B. your bonus is tied to your work
1Cr 3:14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 1Cr 3:15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

C. the revelation of the quality is spoken of in the future tense...
1Cr 3:13 for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire

II - you are a temple of god
A. you are a temple
1Cr 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and {that} the Spirit of God dwells in you?

B. god will protect his temple
1Cr 3:17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.


the correct methods for the task
III - avoid worldly wisdom (wisdom)
A. god is the only source for wisdom (you'd better have this by now)
1Cr 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 1Cr 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "{He is} THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR CRAFTINESS"; 1Cr 3:20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE REASONINGS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE USELESS."

IV - you belong to christ (status)
1Cr 3:21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 1Cr 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 1Cr 3:23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
A. we are prepared for the task
B. do not boast in men
C. you have all things through christ (a true self-esteem)