My son was not the right age to benefit from the children’s TV series ‘Bob the Builder’, but I saw a few episodes and loved the character and the catchy theme tune (‘Can we fix it? Yes, we can!… Bob and the gang have so much fun, working together, they get the job done!’) Apparently this programme first aired in the UK in 1999 and is now broadcast in over 240 territories and in 45 languages. It can be seen in the UK on BBC2, CBeebies and Nick Jr.
Mark preached from 1 Corinthians 3 on Sunday morning about God the builder. This chapter tells us that we are God’s field, God’s building and God’s temple (1 Cor 3:9, 16-17). God is building His kingdom and that involves building the church, a task Jesus said He would do (Matt 16:18)
Moving on from children’s TV programmes, there are plenty of ‘makeover’ programmes on TV that transform houses from piles of rubble to exciting places in which to live. Programmes like ‘Grand Design’ and ’60 Minute Makeover’ show how things can be transformed when you have a designer who knows how to motivate and plan, when you have a team of workmen who are capable of effecting the changes needed and when you have willing workers (Bob the Builder teaches children about ‘teamwork and follow through’, apparently – catch ’em young and these principles will last for life!)
In all building work, the foundations are essential. Ps 127:1 reminds us that “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” We have to build on the right foundations in church work and Christ is the foundation, our plumbline and guide. We have to be sure we are teaching sound doctrine and rightly handling God’s word. He is our ‘precious cornerstone… sure foundation.’ (Is 28:16)
Problems arose in the Corinthian church (and in many others) when people decided to follow leaders, rather than following Christ. (1 Cor 3:1-5). Paul reminds the people that no matter what different roles leaders have in church life, it is God who makes things grow. Moreover, we have to be careful not only what we build with (there’s no substitute for good materials), but how we build. God is the master architect, designer and expert builder, but He graciously involves us in His building work. Our job is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our ears open to listen to God so that we can be sure we are building in the right way and that our building work will stand the test of time.
The building work God is involved in will involve numerical growth, but it’s about more than all the outward trappings of successful church life. Building the church is God’s idea, not ours, and we need to be sure that we listen to God’s instruction and teaching on building in the right way. (Is 28:16, 23-26)