God's
Building Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.
Memory Verse: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Introduction: One of the greatest types of the Church in the
Bible is the picture of the Church as God's building. There are five major
considerations in the building process: (1) Does the blueprint meet the
criteria for the structure that is needed? (2) Is the contractor qualified
and dependable to oversee the construction of the building from start to
finish? (3) Do the selected materials meet the minimum code specifications?
(4) Are the sub-contractors and laborers qualified, dedicated, and enabled
to carry out their assigned tasks in completing the work? and (5) Will
the building be subjected to the scrutiny and testing of a competent inspector
at each stage of construction, and will he insure that its strength and
integrity meet the demands of its intended use?
God desires a dwelling today not made with hands. Yet, the considerations
are the same. The blueprint has come down from the Master Architect, the
quick and powerful Word of God that discerns the ". . . thoughts and
intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12b). Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them
[make them holy, set apart] through thy truth: thy word is truth"
(John 17:17). This wonderful blueprint that we follow must be the only
one in existence that combines God's ultimate wisdom with the power to
produce holiness in the building! No need to worry about the contractor's
competence, He's perfect: "For it became him, for whom are all things,
and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the
captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb. 2:10).
The head of quality control for material selection is also Christ: "Ye
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you . . . " (John 15:16a). Peter
tells us: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house
. . . (1 Peter 2:5a). The selection of materials works the same for
choosing laborers, and the list of qualifications for sub-contractors,
if followed, will insure an excellent ministerial group to enable the saints
to accomplish their work (1 Tim. 3:1-13, and Titus 1:7-9).
Finally, God's own building inspection is of the highest standards:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise
and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ . . ." (1 Peter
1:7).
Lesson Questions:
1. Who is the builder of the Church? Matthew 16:18; Zechariah 6:12,13.
2. What material is being used in building the Church? 1 Peter 2:5-9; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 3:1-6.
3. For what reason does Jesus use "sub-contractors" to work on God's building? Ephesians 4:11-14; 2 Timothy 4:2-5; 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.
4. Why must every laborer of God be careful how they build? 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Psalm 127:1; 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.
5. How were the stones prepared for use in Solomon's Temple? 1 Kings 5:17,18; 6:7.
6. Are we also to be perfectly fashioned and fit together? Ephesians 4:15,16; Isaiah 51:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 1:27.
7. How is God's building perfected? Acts 20:32; Matthew 7:24-27; Jude 20; 1 Corinthians 8:1; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29.
8. Why is it so important to assemble in fellowship? Hebrews 10:24,25; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 1:10.
