BIBLE BLUEPRINT

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.  (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

The architect draws up the design—putting into the blueprint the form and function of the building.  We have a blueprint for the church.  Of course, we are not talking about a building of concrete and steel, but a spiritual building of believers in Jesus Christ.

God set the Apostles of the New Testament as the architects, to convey His grand vision of what the church is to be.  Paul takes this title of architect (we get our English word from the Greek architekton) used here in the third chapter of First Corinthians translated “master builder.”  Now, we who lead local churches might be thought of as contractors who are called to carry out the plan.  The Bible is our blueprint to follow.

The Foundation of the church is solid—and any local church without this Foundation might be many things, but it is not a church—a civic group, a community activism organization, a social club, maybe, but nothing more.  That Foundation is a Person—Jesus Christ.  The church rests in a personal connection with Jesus, grounded on our faith in Him.

Beyond the Foundation, those who work in the construction, are tasked with using the quality of building materials that will endure the test of time—and eternity.  That is what Paul is stressing here to a Corinthian church that was taking the wondrous Foundation that was meant for a glorious temple and instead they were cobbling together a shack fit only for a shanty town.

The fire of Christ’s judgment will test the quality of the work we have done.  No one is more significant in this construction effort than the local project manager who is entrusted with overseeing the work.  The pastor holds the Bible blueprint in his hand.  The apostolic architects have given us a clear design.  That Day of accounting is drawing near.  We have an inescapable deadline for doing our portion of the work and then the inspection that follows cannot be avoided.

This reality should drive us to our knees before an open Bible.  We should pray until the picture is clear—the architect’s design unmistakable and the resources needed to accomplish the task are provided.  The ultimate Resource is a Person—the Holy Spirit.  Thank God we are not left to our own wisdom and ability to do this monumental task!

Dear brother, examine your heart, as I do mine.  Look at the work you are doing.  What do you think the Lord Jesus will say about what we are building on top of His Foundation that was set in place at such a cost—His own blood?

The Inspector is coming.