Building God's Church

This sermon explores the nature of the local church through three metaphors presented in 1 Corinthians 3: it is a field, a building, and a temple. The central message emphasizes that while ministers are servants who plant and water, it is God alone who gives the increase, thereby removing human pride from the work of evangelism. The preacher warns against building with 'wood, hay, and stubble' by prioritizing numbers over genuine conversion and biblical standards, urging believers to seek the quality of 'gold, silver, and precious stones' that withstands divine judgment. The discourse concludes by affirming the church as the temple of the living God, where the Holy Spirit dwells among His people, calling for a reverent view of the local body as a spiritual institution rather than merely a social gathering.