Message Notes

Senior Sunday School 2 November 2025

Text: 1 Corinthians 3

Subject: “A wise master builder” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Lesson #17

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

THE GRACE OF GOD

1. It is by grace that we are saved (Eph 2:8)

2. It is by grace that we serve the Lord (1 Cor 3:10a)

A WISE MASTER BUILDER

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

1. A master builder

This is the translation from the Greek word (architekton) (an architect)

2. Paul’s focus was to lay the foundation

3. Others would then build on it

4. Pioneering church planting work

a) Laying the foundation a top priority

b) We establish a foundation on the Lord Jesus as bed rock (Matthew 7)

5. Building on the foundation

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

a) Two types of material

i) Gold, silver, precious stones

ii) Wood, hay, straw

b) The works would be tested and revealed by fire

RESULTS

1. The work endures

The worker is rewarded

2. The work is burnt up

The worker suffers loss

3. But he does not lose his salvation

Just his reward

OUR CHALLENGE

1. To build well

2. To follow the example of the Apostle Paul

3. To prepare for the day of being tested by fire