Each Man’s Work
Bible passage: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
"10. 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. 11. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13. 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. 14. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. "
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Brothers and sisters, I’m sure you remember St. Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city where our shepherd conducted a united crusade.
This city was built at the mouth of the Neva River in 1703 by Peter the Great who had an ambition to expand his territory into Europe. Being located at the mouth of a river, the land was originally a swampy area. So, before erecting buildings, they laid hard stones over it for many years. Only then did they start building structures. St. Petersburg which abounds with the splendid European-style buildings is considered one of the most magnificent and harmonious cities in Europe from an architectural standpoint. The reason that I mention St. Petersburg today is, in today’s passage, our Christian is likened to constructing a building on the “foundation” of “Jesus Christ.” To lay a foundation is crucial in constructing a building. Those who’ve accepted Jesus Christ as the Savior have laid the firmest foundation to say the least.
But, despite having the foundation on Jesus Christ, each believer or builder’s work is different. Work here refers to efforts and sincerity exerted by a person. Each builder shows a different level of efforts and sincerity. Also, when the time arrives, each one’s work is clearly revealed. As we’re wrapping up the year, how have you found each of your work? There is a saying that goes, “Hard work is never wasted.” All the work you’ve done in faith has to be acknowledged by Father God and piled up as rewards. I pray that this message will lead you to examine how you’ve done your work this year and throughout your Christian life so you can lead all the more valuable Christian life. Verse 11 of today’s passage says, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
The verse implies that our Christian life is based only on our faith in Jesus Christ. By believing in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for our sins, be born again of the Holy Spirit, and become God’s children. Following God’s words, we cast off all forms of evil and fight against sins to the point of shedding blood, thereby recovering the image of God. This is indeed a Christian life. And, just as 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us, “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” the Spirit of God makes a temple of His children. But, depending on how much effort each of us has put into our work both in spirit and in flesh, the purity and perfection of the temple differs.
To the extent we circumcise our heart, we can make the temple cleaner. Depending on how faithful we’re in our duties, we can make the temple more perfect. As we carry out our God-given duties and go through various situations, we can equip ourselves with necessary spiritual qualities. As we achieve peace, gentleness, mercy, and patience, we can adorn the temple with beautiful decorations. The temple equipped with these spiritual qualities is not just clean but has more perfection. By the way, Verse 12 says, “Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw.” It divides our work put into the building on the foundation of Jesus Christ into six degrees. Also, there’s also a reason that they are listed in the order of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. Namely, they are listed in the order of value from God’s perspective. Some may wonder, “Aren’t precious stones more valuable than gold?” Precious stones also give out luster and have a high value.
But once they get a little scratch, their value declines dramatically. Moreover, if they are broken, they just become useless. But, what about gold? It can be changed into different forms. Even if it gets a crack or a scratch, it can be restored to its original condition. While currencies change in value over time, the value of gold is recognized permanently. Regardless of time, gold has been used globally, and people accumulate wealth by gathering it. Although silver has many similarities to gold, it falls short of gold in luster and solidity. And, its characteristics can change by its surroundings. That’s why the verse lists gold, silver, and precious stones in the order of value from God’s perspective. What come next after precious stones is wood and hay which refers to trees and glass that are alive.
The last one is straw, which is lifeless. In building the temple in our hearts, some of us use gold, silver, or precious stones, while others, wood, hay, or straw. Next, Verse 13 says, “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.” Here, “Each man’s work will become evident” signifies that we’ll find out how sincerely we’ve led a life of faith and how much we’ve lived in the truth. Whether we’ve built with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw will be revealed. This relates to our levels of faith as well. While there are five levels of faith, why does the Bible categorize our work into six materials? The last one, straw, is lifeless. Straw is what remains after grains and chaff are removed.
So, a person whose work is likened to straw falls short of even the first level of faith. They also have nothing to do with salvation. If the Lord descended into the air now, they wouldn’t be lifted up but remain to face the 7-year Tribulation. Even so, if they manage to keep their faith to the end and suffer martyrdom, they would receive at least shameful salvation. Among people whose work in faith is like straw are those who receive gleaning salvation. Indeed, it’s never easy to keep your faith and die a martyr during the 7-year Tribulation. Let’s say the Lord’s Descend Into the Air which they’ve heard about many times has happened. Their fellow believers have been lifted up and are no longer seen. While they have to keep their faith to the end and receive salvation even through martyrdom, many of them cannot bear severe persecutions and deny the Lord. I hope that none of you here would have the faith of straw. Then, what about a person whose work is likened to hay?
They have life but no fruit, so they are at the first level of faith. Next, a person categorized into wood is in a state where he has grown spiritually to some degree and bears fruit. He’s at the second level of faith where one tries to act by the word. A person categorized into precious stones is at the third level where one can act by the word. Just as precious stones give out luster, they can overcome the world by faith and glorify God. A person who’s built with silver is at the fourth level where one has achieved sanctification with utmost love for God. Lastly, a person who’s built with gold is at the fifth level of faith where one can please God. Father God is well aware of each man’s work. He knows well with what kind of sincerity we’ve sown and acted and pays us back accordingly.
By the way, the time will arrive for each man’s work to be revealed. Verse 13 says, “Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.” Then, what does the day in the passage mean? It has three different meanings. This word containing three meanings is also called a triple-layered word. Let’s look into the word layer by layer. First, the day refers to the time when a particular session is over, like the year-end. Towards the end of the year, each man’s work during the year is revealed. The works of pastors, Sunday School Teachers, cell leaders, sub-district leaders, district leaders, group leaders, the leaders of mission groups are revealed. How sincerely they’ve worked for God and how many people they’ve led into salvation are revealed. Once their work is recognized, the church gives them an award and the award is also is piled up as rewards in heaven. Even though you’re not at the fifth level of faith, if you keep your ardent love for the souls until the year-end, your work will surely be revealed.
No matter what kind of test comes, you can protect your flock and achieve revival by evangelizing many. But, with the passing of time, many people lose passion, fail to give thanks in the face of troubles, and despair. They give excuses saying, “I cannot share the Gospel now. It’s not easy to pay them a visit.” As they lose the fullness of the Spirit and passion in their duties, some of their members stop coming to church. Just as straw and wood are damaged by fire, the works they’ve done suffer damage. Like this, as we wrap up the year, we can tell to which category the work we’ve done during the year falls into. We may think we’ve worked hard with toil and effort during the year, but with how much love, faith, and sincerity we’ve worked is revealed. With how much strength and devotion we’ve worked, how much we’ve prayed and fasted with tears for the souls, and how much love we’ve extended to the souls are revealed. The first meaning of the day is the time when we wrap up a particular session.
Second, the day means the time of test. Verse 13 notifies us that the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work, meaning that there will be a test of fire. A test of fire signifies trials or tribulations coming to test our faith. What is burned most quickly among the six materials? The answer is straw. Once straw catches fire, it is burned up instantly, leaving only ashes. What comes next is hay and wood. In weak flames, a living tree wouldn’t be burned up right away. Still, it suffers damage. And in violent flames, the tree would be burned up. Then, what about precious stones? They are not burned away by fire. But in violent flames, some precious stones may lose their unique characteristics or even be broken. Then, all the work can be destroyed in an instant. The third level of faith is compared to the faith of precious stones. Just as precious stones are beautiful and shiny in appearance, people at the third level look beautiful when they’re filled up with the Spirit. They fervently pray, tearfully sing praises and resolve to live for the Lord.
But they’re not always so. In the face of a great trial, their faith may change. Thus, even those at the third level of faith shouldn’t feel relieved. We have to get past the 60% point of the third level, the rock of faith, and then reach the fourth level of faith where one has no forms of evil or fleshly thoughts. People at the fourth and fifth levels don’t waver or change even in the face of a great trial. They’re like gold or silver which doesn’t change by fire. Rather, its purity increases with its impurities removed. For example, as Daniel and his three friends passed their test by faith, they became all the more precious ones. Like this, their work is not damaged by any test of fire but rather increases in value. Like this, on the day when a fiery test comes, we can check the quality of our work.
Third, the day refers to the day when we finish our life on earth and stand before the Lord. To be more exact, it is the day of the Great White Throne Judgment. Revelation 22:12 says, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” As said, when our Lord descends into the Air and His believers are lifted up, the 7-year Wedding Banquet and the Millennium Kingdom unfold. After that comes the Great White Throne Judgment. It is the time when all people who’ve been cultivated on earth have their faith evaluated. They receive rewards and enter their heavenly dwelling places. So far, we’ve gone over the three meanings of “the day.” First, it refers to the time when a particular session is over. Second, the day means the time of test. Third, it signifies the day when we finish our life on earth and stand before the Lord. Verses 14-15 say, “If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Then, what materials remain intact even after a test of fire? They are gold, silver, and precious stones. As for precious gem stones, as I explained earlier, they can suffer damage in violent flames. But in general, they are not burned by fire. On the contrary, wood, hay, and stray are burned by fire and their forms hardly remain.
So, whatever is built with wood, hay, or straw is useless, and no award is given. Only when our work remains intact even after a test of fire, we’re given an award. In this church, we give excellence awards to those who’ve done an outstanding job in each field. And, we bestow certificates of merit upon those who’ve made big achievements. These awards also become their rewards in heaven, giving them everlasting glory. Other than such awards, once you pass a test by faith, blessings surely follow. But, what is more important than these awards is what we’re awarded at the Great Judgment. The reason is, the dwelling places and rewards we receive at the Great Judgment last forever. Therefore, people who diligently store up heavenly treasures with hope for heaven are truly wise ones. Jesus said in Matthew 6:20, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.” For whom did Jesus tell us to store up treasures in heaven?
He said we are to do it for ourselves. Your labor and devotion for the kingdom of God are used as materials to build your heavenly homes. Particularly, your efforts to evangelize, visit, and pray for souls for their salvation and your devotion in building a sanctuary where many people can worship are directly related your heavenly homes. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” Our Lord serves as the chief supervisor in building our heavenly homes, and He builds each one’s home according to what they’ve done. Thus, we are to send up the materials for our heavenly homes through faithfulness, service, and salvation of souls, etc. The last verse of today’s passage says, “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” Straw, hay, and wood are burned by fire, so what does the verse mean by “If your work is burned up, you will suffer loss”? Let’s say you’ve worked hard as a group leader or a Sunday school teacher throughout the year. But as you look back, you’ve borne no fruits and only maintained the status quo. What did Jesus say of such cases? In the Parable of the Talents, He said to the servant who gained no more talent, “Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.” Not only do you yourself suffer loss, but God’s work which you’ve been in charge of also suffers damage.
If you haven’t done your duties as a cell leader or a group leader, your fellow members all suffer spiritual loss as well. They have neither grown in faith nor made their souls prosper. For they haven’t been able to evangelize their families or get through tests and tribulations, they’ve been harmed. If you fail to carry out your duties as a parish leader or a guidance teacher, your entire parish or mission group is subject to damage. If you are a head of a group, your fault can inflict greater loss or damage. Back to the passage, it says, “But he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” It’s not that you’ve lost your faith. It’s just that despite having taken on duties, you’ve failed to show your work. So, you can receive salvation. But, failing to show your work means you have shortcomings.
As a result, trials follow to fix your shortcomings. Whatever you do or sow before God, I urge you to do by faith and with all your heart, strength, soul, and mind. Only then your work won’t be burned away by a test of fire but borne as perfect fruits in due time and piled up as heavenly rewards. The Year 2024 is coming to an end. In hindsight, we’ve been able to triumph at every moment by God’s grace and the Lord’s love. Most of all, God’s ever-strong power has protected us and enabled us to glorify Him. In 2025 as well, this church shall accomplish the kingdom of God mightily and bring great joy to Father God like the Church in Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:11-12 tell us, “I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” As our Lord said, I pray in our Lord’s name that you’ll build with gold while living on earth and be qualified to live with Him in New Jerusalem.
