Let’s Arise and Build-3: Be Careful How You Build

Today’s lesson concludes this series by taking us to the basic foundations of our services to the Lord. Everything we do in the house of the Lord, by way or service, actions, input, programmes, activities etc, must be towards a singular goal; to reinforce Christ’s influence in the lives of people. ​

Whether what we are building relates to the physical building of the church, helping to grow the church in numbers, or serving in any other capacity; it must be towards this goal – Christ and Him crucified (1Corinthians 2:1-2). ​As we conclude this series, let’s use this opportunity to assess if what we do in the house of the Lord are indeed towards this end. If not, then we need to reassess our priorities.    ​

Christ is the foundation of the church; He is the reason for everything we do in church, whether spiritual or physical.

 Memory Verse: “… each of you must be careful how you build. For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid” [1 Corinthians 3: 10b-11 GNB]

​(1 Corinthians3 Vs 9-11) Christ is the foundation of the church; He is the reason for everything we do in church, whether spiritual or physical. Every activity must seek to reinforce His influence in the lives of His people.

• What things do some make church about, other than reinforcing Christ’s influence in the lives of people, as Paul resolved in 1Corinthians 2:1-2?
  • Read John’s response to his disciples [John 3:26 & 30]
  • May also be related to 2Corinthians 11:2-4; Galatians 1:7-9
  • Reflect on the quality of our own services to the Lord 

(1 Corinthians3 Vs 9, 16-17) Paul also gives a severe caution here that the church (individually as well) is God’s temple, in which His Spirit dwells.  Our individual roles as servants, workers, leaders, members, etc could either enhance the Lord’s presence in the body or chase Him out

• Relate this with Jesus’ request to the church in Ephesus to be allowed back in [Rev 3:19-20], and discuss what it means for someone to ‘destroy or defile’ the temple of Christ.
  • Sinful, hidden activities, deceit, trickery, etc (2Cor 4;1-2)​

Conclusion:
Paul cautioned every one of us involved in any aspect of the work of the Lord to be careful how we are build on the foundations laid. The foundation of the building is Christ and Him alone. Whatever we are developing on this foundation through our services in the body of Christ, should reinforce the influence of Christ in the lives of men. We can easily make what we do in church or in the body of Christ about everything else but Christ. If Christ has not been the focus, it’s a good time then to pray for the Holy Spirit to help us to set our priorities of the Kingdom right, to make Christ the reason for everything. ​

This message is culled from the GVM Sunday school bulletin

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