Foundation of a Missional Church in Christ

1 Corinthians 3 (NIV)

⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their 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 person’s work. ¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Christ is the Rock and the foundation of world mission to impact the world for God.  All man made foundations have to be built from this Rock.  Then on these foundations others can add buildings and infrastructure for mission as the Lord assigned them their tasks.  Mission is generational and requires team works from all God’s people.  We are saved by grace and not works, but we need to carry out our Christ assigned tasks wisely and in worthy manners reflecting the glory of God, as fragrance offering attracting others to Christ.  God appreciate the quality of our works, but this should not be our focus, and we shall not boast as our salvation is entirely by grace alone.  He is the one enabling us to complete His assigned tasks.

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Philippians 2:13

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

2 Timothy 2:21

Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

2 Timothy 3:17

so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

We are cleansed, blessed and equipped for good works to fulfil His purpose.  As God lead us to fulfil His purpose, the things we each do are being knitted together to impact the world for Christ.

Let us pray that God will equip us

equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21)