BUILDING WITH ETERNAL MATERIALS

BUILDING WITH ETERNAL MATERIALS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Key Verse: "But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." — 1 Corinthians 3:10 (KJV)

Supporting Texts: Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 7:24+27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 22:12

Description: Building with eternal materials means investing our lives, character, service, relationships, and resources in things that have lasting value before God.

INTRODUCTION

Paul presents the Christian life and ministry as a building project. He declares that Jesus Christ is the only foundation and warns believers to take care concerning what they build upon that foundation. The emphasis is not merely on building, but on building correctly, because every person's work will eventually be tested.

Earthly materials may look impressive but can lose their value with time. Human achievements, possessions, popularity, titles, applause, and temporary success cannot provide an eternal foundation. God calls us to invest in what will survive His examination and continue to have value beyond this present life.

Every believer is building something through daily decisions, character, relationships, service, priorities, and influence. The question is therefore not whether we are building, but what materials we are using. We must choose truth over error, holiness over compromise, love over selfishness, faithfulness over applause, and eternal purpose over temporary gain.

1. BUILD ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

Before considering the materials, we must establish the foundation. A beautiful structure cannot stand securely on a defective foundation.

a) Christ Is The Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Jesus Christ is the only true foundation for Christian life and ministry. Everything we build must be firmly connected to Him.

b) Build On God's Word (Matthew 7:24-25)
Jesus compared those who hear and practise His words to a wise man who builds upon a rock. God's Word provides stability when storms arise.

c) Reject False Foundations (Psalm 127:1)
Human wisdom, wealth, reputation, and personal ability cannot replace God as the foundation of our lives.

d) Remain Rooted In Christ (Colossians 2:6-7)
As we continue walking with Christ, our faith becomes increasingly rooted, established, and strengthened.

Biblical Example: The wise man in Jesus' teaching built his house upon the rock, and when the storm came, the house remained standing because its foundation was secure (Matthew 7:24-25).

2. BUILD WITH GODLY CHARACTER

Character is one of the most valuable materials with which a believer can build. Gifts may attract attention, but godly character gives lasting credibility to our lives and ministry.

a) Build With Integrity (Proverbs 10:9)
Integrity produces stability because a person who walks honestly does not have to live in fear of hidden compromise being exposed.

b) Build With Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16)
God calls His people to reflect His holiness. A life of purity is an eternal investment that pleases God.

c) Build With Humility (Philippians 2:3-5)
Humility enables us to serve without constantly seeking recognition and helps us reflect the mind of Christ.

d) Build With Love (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Love has lasting value because it reflects God's nature and influences people far beyond the immediate moment.

Biblical Example: Joseph built his life upon integrity and purity. His character remained strong even when he was far from his family and under intense pressure (Genesis 39:7-12).

3. BUILD THROUGH FAITHFUL SERVICE

God has given every believer opportunities to serve. Faithful service is an investment that can produce eternal results even when the work seems small.

a) Serve Wholeheartedly (Colossians 3:23-24)
Our ultimate audience is God. Therefore, we should serve sincerely whether or not people notice our contribution.

b) Use Your Gifts (1 Peter 4:10)
Every believer has received something that can be used to bless others. Faithfulness requires putting those gifts into service.

c) Remain Steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58)
The certainty that our labour is not in vain should encourage us to remain committed even when results are delayed.

d) Invest In People (2 Timothy 2:2)
Teaching and discipling others creates a spiritual legacy that can continue through generations.

Biblical Example: Paul invested deeply in Timothy, teaching and mentoring him so that he could faithfully transmit the Gospel to others (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2).

4. CHOOSE ETERNAL TREASURES OVER TEMPORARY THINGS

The world encourages people to measure success by possessions, status, influence, and achievement. Jesus calls His followers to pursue treasures that cannot be destroyed.

a) Lay Up Treasure In Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20)
Jesus teaches us to invest in treasures that cannot be destroyed by earthly circumstances.

b) Set Your Affection Above (Colossians 3:1-2)
Believers must deliberately set their minds on eternal realities rather than allowing temporary things to dominate their priorities.

c) Value Eternal Things (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Visible circumstances are temporary, while the things that cannot be seen have eternal significance.

d) Seek God's Kingdom First (Matthew 6:33)
When God's kingdom becomes our priority, our decisions and investments begin to reflect eternal values.

Biblical Example: Moses chose identification with God's people over the temporary treasures and privileges of Egypt because he valued God's eternal reward (Hebrews 11:24-26).

5. PREPARE FOR THE TEST OF OUR WORK

Paul warns that every person's work will eventually be tested. This should motivate us to build carefully and sincerely.

a) Remember God's Examination (1 Corinthians 3:13)
God will reveal the quality of our work. Nothing remains permanently hidden before Him.

b) Examine Your Motives (1 Corinthians 4:5)
God examines the motives behind our actions, not merely their outward appearance.

c) Build What Will Endure (1 Corinthians 3:14)
Work that survives God's testing demonstrates genuine spiritual value and receives reward.

d) Give An Account To Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Every believer will stand before Christ and give an account of how life and opportunities were used.

Biblical Example: Paul remained conscious that his ministry would ultimately be evaluated by Christ, which helped him serve faithfully rather than seeking merely human approval (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).

CONCLUSION

Every believer is building a life, and every life will eventually be examined by God. The foundation is Jesus Christ, but the quality of what we build upon Him matters. We should therefore build with eternal materials: faith, truth, holiness, love, integrity, obedience, faithful service, and investments in people.

Do not spend your life building something that will have no eternal value. Let every decision, relationship, sacrifice, ministry effort, and use of your resources contribute to a structure that will stand the test of eternity. Build carefully, build faithfully, and build for God's glory, because one day the quality of your work will be revealed.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, help me to build my entire life firmly upon Jesus Christ and the truth of Your Word, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, give me grace to build with integrity, holiness, humility, love, and every quality that reflects the character of Christ, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from investing my life excessively in temporary things that have no lasting eternal value, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, help me to recognise and faithfully use every gift, opportunity, and resource You have entrusted to me, in Jesus name.

5. Father, make me faithful in serving You even when my labour receives little recognition from people, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to invest wisely in people and leave behind a godly legacy that will continue to influence generations, in Jesus name.

7. Father, purify my motives and remove every desire for human applause, pride, selfish ambition, or personal glory, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me wisdom to make decisions that have eternal value and to prioritise Your kingdom above temporary earthly interests, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let everything I build for You withstand the test of time and divine examination, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to finish my earthly journey having built a life and ministry that will bring glory to You and receive Your eternal approval, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall build your life firmly upon Jesus Christ, and your foundation shall remain secure through every season and circumstance.

2. Your character shall increasingly be built with integrity, holiness, humility, love, faithfulness, and Christlike wisdom.

3. You shall not waste your life on pursuits that have no eternal value; your priorities shall increasingly reflect the purposes of God's kingdom.

4. The Lord shall give you wisdom to recognise and use every opportunity, gift, relationship, and resource He places in your hands.

5. Your service to God shall produce lasting spiritual results, and the seeds you plant shall continue to bless others beyond your immediate generation.

6. Every wrong foundation beneath your life shall be replaced with the truth of God's Word and the lordship of Jesus Christ.

7. Your motives shall be purified, and your labour shall increasingly flow from love for God rather than the desire for human recognition.

8. You shall build relationships, ministries, and works that possess lasting spiritual value and contribute positively to the advancement of God's kingdom.

9. When your work is tested, you shall have the joy of seeing that what you built through faith, obedience, and love has endured.

10. You shall finish your earthly assignment faithfully, and your life shall stand as an enduring testimony of a person who built for eternity and brought glory to God.