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Sermons

"BUILDING A HOUSE OF FAITH"
EPISTLE SCRIPTURE TEXT:
I CORINTHIANS 3:9-15

DR. DAVE RING, PASTOR
LOS ALAMOS 1ST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 21, 2007
THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SCRIPTURE TEXT:  9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

MESSAGE:  Today is the third Sunday following a special day called Epiphany on the traditional Christian calendar.  Epiphany, which occurred on January 6th, is held by legend to be the day on which the “wise men” arrived in Bethlehem to view the infant Jesus.  It’s traditional to preach a message about the three wise men on the first Sunday after Epiphany.  But I wasn’t here on January 7th; your former pastor and our present District Superintendent Jim Hawk spoke in my place on that Sunday.  So since I didn’t get to preach about the three wise men this year, I thought I would begin today’s message with a reminder of three other familiar creatures of legend – one wise and the other two not – the “Three Little Pigs.”

Do you recall the children’s story by that name?  If you do remember, you’ll probably recall that the essence of the story was their “wolf problem,” and how each attempted, in turn, to solve it.  In order to avoid being eaten out in the open, each pig decided to build a house to keep the wolf out.  The first pig, being lazy, built a house of straw.  It proved worthless.  The second, a bit more diligent, built a house of wood.  It helped for a time, but also ultimately fell to the “huffing” and “puffing” of the wolf.  The third pig, the most industrious, built a house of stone – of bricks – and it met the test.  The wolf was defeated and everyone – except the wolf – lived happily ever after in the story of the Three Little Pigs.

I trust I didn’t bore you with a quick retelling of that children’s fable.  I did so in order to open your minds perhaps a bit wider than before to today’s scripture lesson.  If you consider it closely, especially verse 12, you’ll find a striking similarity to the pig fable for children.  And since the Lord Jesus repeatedly admonished His followers to embrace childlikeness in their faith, perhaps we can better illuminate this morning’s text – in light of the Three Little Pigs.

Let’s return to the text itself, and stick pretty closely thereto for the rest of today’s message.  Verse 9 says, “For we are God’s fellow-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”  This text – and therefore this sermon – is addressed primarily to Christians. Only Christians are God’s building and God’s fellow-workers.  Certainly, all the world and all the people therein are God’s creation.  And all are greatly loved by their Creator.  But God dwells only within those portions of His creation into which He is invited.  God’s dwelling place, God’s building, is in the hearts of those who follow His Son, Jesus Christ.  Potentially, every human is a vessel for the indwelling Spirit of the Living God.  But sadly, too many remain only potential – empty vessels – spiritual vacuums in which nothingness and meaninglessness dwell.  Or, worse yet, vacuums which attract dwellers from the dark side of spirituality – Satan and his demonic hordes.  If you would be God’s building, then you must allow Him to dwell within you – by inviting Him into your life as personal Lord and Savior.

To those who are God’s building, Verses 10 and 11 contain both warning and encouragement.  The apostle Paul, the writer, says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  The witness of Paul won many to embark upon a journey of faith in Christ.  Christ Himself was the solid foundation laid by Paul and the apostles of old in the lives of those who would be called Christians.  The same is still true today.  There is no other foundation upon which Christian faith may legitimately be established than Christ Himself.  Good works, concern for the poor, idealistic humanism, high moral standards, family values are all important concepts which rightly flow from a personal commitment to Christ.  But He comes first – prior to and above and beyond all else, no matter how good or important it may seem.  The foundation laid by a true witness of Christ and planted in the hearts of believers is always faith in Christ Himself.

And then, according to verse 10 of our text, “someone else” builds on the foundation thus laid.  That “someone else” is rightly the believer himself or herself – that’s you.  Your pastor, your mother, your best friend may help lead you to Christ.  But they can’t “spoon feed” you forever.  You must take primary responsibility for your own growth and nurture in Christian faith – employing the wealth of resources God has provided, especially His revealed, written Word – the Bible.  The Church can inspire and guide you to some extent, the pastor can encourage, friends can pray for you – all that will be of help – but you, in partnership with Christ, must be the primary builder of your own house of faith.  You’re the contractor, commissioned by God, to construct a dwelling that is fit for the Almighty to inhabit.

So this scripture goes on to admonish Christians: “Each one should be careful how he (or she) builds.”  You are God’s building; God’s chosen framework in which He will dwell.  Be careful how you build upon the foundation that has been given to you.

Christians:  With what are we building our houses of faith?  What is the substance out of which you are constructing your life?  With what pursuits are you involved?  What do you believe, deep down?  What do you do in acting on your beliefs?  Christ is our foundation.  What are we setting upon that foundation – for eternity?

Consider verse 12, which bears a striking similarity to the story of the Three Little Pigs. What kinds of buildings are Christians constructing for God?  Paul describes three kinds, from best to worst:  “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw.”  Let’s consider in detail these classes of building materials for the Christian life – in reverse order.
First, think about the Christian who builds his house of faith – that’s God’s dwelling – with hay and/or straw.  Like the first little pig discovered, straw construction is a light task, an easy job.  There’s abundant material available – the very grass of the earth.  It’s very easy to produce visible, tangible results with such simple resources.  When Fran and I lived in Guatemala, we watched villagers construct entire houses of straw and palm branches in less than a day.

Of course, we’re not talking about literal hay and straw when building a house of Christian faith, but the imagery easily translates.  There are a lot of lightweight, quasi-Christian ideas floating around in our world today.  “God helps those who help themselves.” “Charity begins at home.”  “Send $10 to Little Rock for your miracle prayer cloth – guaranteed results.”  Many Christians are building their lives of faith today with hay and straw – and there’s an abundance of such material to be had.  Many folks blow about with every wind of doctrine, moving in and out of churches as often as the weather changes, holding to the most shallow, silly beliefs, employing God and His Church for only the barest essentials:  social functions and baptisms.  On Easter Sunday, “Hooray for Jesus!  Alleluia!”  On Super Bowl Sunday, “Hooray for the Broncos.”  Lots of Christians are building their houses of faith with hay and straw today.  And the wind blew – and the crisis arose – and the wolf came to the door and huffed and puffed:  and you know the result.

Second, consider the Christian who builds the house of his faith – that’s God’s dwelling – with wood.  Like the second little pig discovered, this is a somewhat tougher job.  Material is still pretty abundant, but the labor involved is a good deal more sophisticated and time-consuming.  Translated to spiritual terms, this Christian is somewhere in the middle.  These folks like to ride the fence.  They attend church regularly, but avoid any involvement beyond – no Bible study, no leadership responsibility, no Sunday School, no tithing.  Such folk accept only that which is relatively easy to grasp – that which fits their preconceived notions and prejudices.  If it sounds good, I like it.  If it feels good, I’ll do it.  But that business about “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow” – I don’t even want to try to understand that.  The pastor forgot to call me on my birthday; I won’t go back until he apologizes.

To the “wood building” Christian, there are only simple answers.  If everyone would just love one another, all the problems would go away.  If a preacher dares to begin lifting up some of life’s harder to deal with issues, well – it’s time to move on to where the gospel is set forth plainly and simply – just like I like it.  And no, I don’t want to discuss it; my mind is made up.  Many Christians today are building their houses of faith – God’s dwelling – with wood.  And the storms came, and the crises deepened, and the problems wouldn’t go away, and the wolf huffed and puffed, and he huffed and puffed…and you know the result.

Third, consider the Christian who builds the house of his or her faith – that’s God’s dwelling – with gold, silver, and costly stones.  Certainly, such materials are rare and difficult to obtain.  Quality rock and fine metals – solid materials to set upon an already solid foundation; the cornerstone being Jesus Christ.  And they’re difficult to work with, requiring skill, patience, sweat and toil.  Such a building can’t be put up in a day, a week, a month, or even a year.  Like a fine cathedral, an entire lifetime may be required simply to put up the basic walls.  Remember that third little pig, who built his house out of brick?  He obviously had quite a task to complete. 

Spiritually, such Christians seek treasures of a spiritual nature – the inner satisfaction of that which is pure, refined, and holy.  They are leaders in both church and community – but often without fanfare.  They are constant seekers of truth, hearing all sides of an issue before making a responsible decision.  And yet, on the other hand, when issues are well-defined and clear-cut, they stand firm – even though such a stance may bring ridicule.  They exhibit agape love, even to those with whom they differ – although the expression of that love may be tougher than the syrupy pabulum that the world thinks of when it employs that four-letter word.  Their lives are visibly Christ-centered – at all times and in all situations, whether at work or at home, in church or out.  Such Christians welcome questions and discussions of belief, for they see them as opportunities to learn, to grow, to fellowship more deeply with both God and other human beings and, above all, to witness in a positive manner to the grace of Jesus Christ.

And the winds blew, and the floods rose, and the crises came – and the wolf huffed and puffed, and he huffed and puffed, and huffed and puffed.  And this house of faith, solidly built by a committed believer upon a solid rock foundation:  This house of faith stood the test.

In verse 13 of today’s text, Paul reminds Christians that the “building inspector” is coming:  “…his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.” God Himself is going to be checking the spiritual dwellings that we have constructed.  Slipshod, low-effort construction will be destroyed, burned up, when that time comes.

But before the Inspector arrives you have time -- now -- to conduct your own spiritual building inspection.  Are you using quality materials: time-tested, oft-proven Biblical doctrines of faith?  Are your walls level and plumbed: straight on with God’s moral teachings?  Is your construction up to “code:” in keeping with God’s Holy Word?  During the early weeks of 2007, I would invite you to take a personal spiritual inventory.  Do a personal “building inspection” of your house of faith; then do whatever “remodeling” may be necessary – so that you are prepared to present to God a dwelling that is fit as a habitation for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Remember both the Three Little Pigs – and the Three Wise Men. Take today’s sermon and build on it.  Amen.

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