 |
Building on the Foundation – Silver and Gold
Prayers 1. My life will be a blessing to God and my generation in the name of Jesus. 2. I will not fail in life; I will not fail in my divine assignment in the name of Jesus.
Text: 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 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.
We previously reviewed through how to identify and repair faulty foundations. We have also noted that each one of us is a building (1 Corinthians 3:9). We are not just any building but God’s building. Our lives individually are God’s house:
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)
We have been enjoined in V10 of our text that each one of us should take heed (be careful, be watchful, consider appropriately) how he or she builds on that foundation and what he or she builds on the foundation.
We have also noted that, it is not enough to have a good and solid foundation; it is equally important to build a good structure on the foundation to have a house that could be lived in safely, comfortably, put to good use and be beneficial.
We have already seen what it means to build with perishable materials such as hay, wood and stubble. Today, we are proceeding to the concluding part of this series by looking further at building our spiritual house with the best materials available: Silver and Gold. These are enduring materials. What is silver? What is Gold? Why is it beneficial to build with silver and gold?
We have already noted that what we build our spiritual house with affects our body which we use to relate to others and determines the ultimate destination of the soul of man, since man is made of soul spirit and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
What is Silver?
Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum, derived from the Proto-Indo-European h₂erǵ: "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. The metal is found in the Earth's crust in the pure, free elemental form ("native silver"), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite.
Most silver is produced as a by product of copper, gold, lead, and zinc refining.
Silver has long been valued as a precious metal. Silver metal is used in many bullion coins, sometimes alongside gold: while it is more abundant than gold, it is much less abundant as a native metal. Its purity is typically measured on a per-mille basis; a 94%-pure alloy is described as "0.940 fine".
Physical properties include: Melting point: 1234.93 K (961.78 °C, 1763.2 °F) Boiling point 2435 K (2162 °C, 3924 °F)
As one of the seven metals of antiquity, silver has had an enduring role in most human cultures.
Other than in currency and as an investment medium (coins and bullion), silver is used in solar panels, water filtration, jewellery, ornaments, high-value tableware and utensils (hence the term "silverware"), in electrical contacts and conductors, in specialized mirrors, window coatings, in catalysis of chemical reactions, as a colorant in stained glass and in specialised confectionery. Its compounds are used in photographic and X-ray film. Dilute solutions of silver nitrate and other silver compounds are used as disinfectants and microbiocides (oligodynamic effect), added to bandages and wound-dressings, catheters, and other medical instruments.
What is Gold?
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from Latin: aurum) and atomic number 79, making it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally.
In a pure form, it is a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal.
Chemically, gold is a transition metal and a group 11 element.
Physical properties include: Melting point: 1337.33 K (1064.18 °C, 1947.52 °F) Boiling point: 3243 K (2970 °C, 5378 °F)
Gold is the most malleable (able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking) of all metals. It can be drawn into a wire of single-atom width, and then stretched considerably before it breaks. Gold is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Gold's high malleability, ductility, resistance to corrosion and most other chemical reactions, and conductivity of electricity have led to its continued use in corrosion resistant electrical connectors in all types of computerized devices (its chief industrial use) A relatively rare element, gold is a precious metal that has been used for coinage, jewelry, and other arts throughout recorded history. In the past, a gold standard was often implemented as a monetary policy, but gold coins ceased to be minted as a circulating currency in the 1930s, and the world gold standard was abandoned for a fiat currency system after 1971.
Above excerpts from Wikipedia
Some Biblical references to silver
Used 314 times in scripture. 1. As money (Genesis 20:16; 23:15-16; Num. 7:12-85; Zech. 11:12; Mt. 26:15; 27:3) 2. To make jewels (Gen. 24:53) 3. Household vessels (Gen. 44:2-8; 2 Sam 8:10; 1 Chr. 28:14-17; 2 Chr. 9:24; 24:14; Dan. 5:2) 4. False gods (Ex. 20:23; Ps. 115:4) 5. Tabernacle building (Ex. 26:19-32; 27:10-17; 36:24-36; 38:10-27). 6. Trumpets (Num. 10:2) 7. Miniature temples (e.g. in Acts 19: 24 – silver shrines for the goddess Diana and its image that purportedly fell down from Jupiter) 8. A symbol of Medo-Persia (Dan. 2:32-45)
Some Biblical references to Gold
Used 409 times in the Bible. 1. Used for building the tabernacle ((Ex. 25:3-39; 26:6-37; 38:5-36 etc.) 2. Used for making shields (2 Samuel 8:7). This is similar to shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) 3. Was presented to Christ as a gift (Mt. 2:11) 4. Gospel ministers not to provide for silver or gold (Mt. 10:9) and not covet it (Acts 3:6, 20:33; 1 Tim. 3; Tit. 1:7) 5. Gold found abundantly in heaven (Rev. 4:4; 21:18, 21)
Gold symbolizes: 1. God’s words (Ps. 19:10; 119:127) 2. Wisdom (Pr. 3:13-14) 3. Knowledge (Pr. 8:10) 4. Truth (Pr. 8:19) 5. Good name and loving favor (Pr. 22:1) 6. Trials (Zech. 13:9; Mal 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:7; Rev. 3:18) 7. Words and works (1 Cor. 3:12 – refer to our text on materials used for building your spiritual house, that impacts your physical life here on earth and your eternal life in heaven or the other destination).
The seven symbols above points essentially to Jesus.
However, there are some things much more valuable than silver and gold. These are the ones we should also pay attention to:
1. The perfect law of the Lord which converts the soul, the testimony of the Lord, which is sure and makes the simple wise, the right statutes of the Lord which brings rejoicing to the heart, the pure commandments of the Lord which enlightens the eyes, the clean fear of the Lord which endures forever, and the judgements of the Lord which are true and righteous (Ps. 19:7-11). The Bible states that these are to be desired more than gold, indeed more than fine gold and is sweeter that honey and the honeycomb. We are warned by them and when we keep them there is great reward to us.
2. The law from the mouth of the Lord (Ps. 119:72)
3. We are to love the commandments of the Lord above gold, above fine gold (Ps 119:127)
4. Wisdom is more profitable than gold and its rewards more than of gold and silver (Pr. 3:14)
5. Instruction and knowledge – Receive my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold (Pr. 8:10) 6. The yield and benefits from God’s wisdom surpass that of silver and gold. My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. (Pr. 8:19)
7. Choose wisdom and understanding over gold and silver (Pr. 16:16)
8. A good name and loving favor, honor is better than silver and gold (Pr. 22:1)
9. Your enduring, unwavering faith in God is more precious than silver or gold. A Living Hope 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That 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: 8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Pet. 1:3-9)
10.Buy gold tried in the fire by having a tested and enduring faith, resilient faith.
The Bible states in Revelation 3 ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither [k]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[l] Therefore be [m]zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
This is Faith that will hold onto God till the end, till you see Jesus in Glory, until Jesus comes to take you in the rapture, or you go to meet Him, not giving in to the devil and his temptation but holding on to God and letting God hold you till the end.
May God, keep you till the end in Jesus mighty name.
Prayer 1. My Father, uphold me till the end and help me to finish strong and well in Jesus’ name.
Announcements
Prayers 1. Give thanks
2. Born again?
3. Every building of perishable items in my life, catch fire in the name of Jesus.
4. The grace to build with God’s words, wisdom, knowledge, favor, truth, and enduring faith come upon my life in Jesus’ name.
5. Love of the Father and my neighbors overshadow my life in Jesus’ name.
6. Grace to be prayerful and cast all my cares upon God, come upon my life in Jesus’ name.
7. Faith and unwavering trust in God, come upon my life in Jesus’ name.
8. Power to get wealth, come upon my life in Jesus’ name.
9. I receive healing and deliverance from every sickness and difficult situation in Jesus’ name.
10.Evil conspiracies against my life scatter in the name of Jesus.
11.Unrelenting antagonists and conspirators working against my life and progress, antagonise and destroy yourselves in Jesus’ name.
12.Goliath, Pharaoh and Herod of my father’s and mother’s houses die in Jesus name.
13.Father, heal all those who are sick or have been infected by the corona virus in Jesus’ name.
14.Lord, let the pandemic die out of lives, our communities and nations in the name of Jesus.
15.I bind every strongman that have stolen from me and recover my goods in Jesus name.
16.I will not die I will live by the power in the blood of Jesus.
17.I will have progressive increase, joy, peace, flourishing and great accomplishments in all areas of my life, family, career, academics, business, ministry and destiny in Jesus mighty name.
18.My life and family are shielded with the blood of Jesus against every attack from the kingdom of darkness in Jesus name.
19.I receive the anointing of ease in my endeavors in Jesus name.
20.Personal prayer points.
21.Give thanks.
|
|