Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Co 3:12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”    Men are built spiritually only when their thoughts are aligned with God’s as revealed in the Bible. The Bible: not parts of the Bible; but the whole of Scripture. Jesus said, (Mat_4:4) “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD        that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

(1Co 3:12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”   Context: I, Apollos, ministers of God, are to build upon the foundation of Jesus spiritual things, God alone honoring things. In other words, “The Word of God”. Today it seems we seek to built up men rather than hold up Jesus Christ. The two cannot be reconciled.

(1Co 3:11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Do you know why I feel so many who profess to be genuinely born again are not? Simply because their life says they do not care if they please God or not. They are not seen in any House of God. They share the same attitude towards sex as the world. They indulge in unclean jest just like the rest of this world. Self comes before God’s decrees. There’s nothing that says their foundation is Jesus Christ. This does not speak of the Holy Spirit (God Himself) living inside them, prompting them to love and to please Him.

(1Co 3:11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Consider this foundation: God in human flesh paying for your sins by suffering and dying upon a cross. Coming back to life signifying His life is eternal; offering that same life to the repentant soul; giving that life when He sees sincerity of heart.

(1Co 3:10) “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”   Laying the foundation seems to indicate it was Paul who had led the majority of them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. “Saving Knowledge”: one must have a time and place of birth. Too many seem to think this unimportant. It is the most important thing there is. No birth – no eternal life – period.

(1Co 3:10) “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”  Grace means “favor received though not merited”. The Holy Spirit has Paul plainly lay out before his “world-be followers” – “I am nothing, I did not deserve nor do I now deserve my position.” This truth holds true for all God’s servants.

 (1 Cor 3:9)  “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”   Point: you are neither Paul’s nor Apollos’. They have nothing to do with your soul’s salvation. God help us to cling to the Lord with all our hearts and not to man.

(1Co 3:8) “ Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (9)  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”  Those seeking to serve the Lord are not individuals, but are all linked, for each is “in Christ”. Mysterious – yes. Hard to truly comprehend – yes. But….nevertheless true.

(1Co 3:6) “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” No matter the person, they are just a sinner saved by the grace of God doing what they can for their Savior. If anything spiritual is accomplished, it was God’s work despite methem, not because of them. To lift them up is to rob God of the glory that belongs to Him alone.

(1Co 3:6) “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (7)  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”  One of the hardest things to get and hold onto, is a right perspective of self. I am just a sinner saved by the grace of God doing what I can for my Savior. If anything spiritual is accomplished, it was God’s work despite me, not because of me.