November 2024 | Core Church LA

Burned Up In Heaven?

Burned Up in Heaven?

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul paints a picture of what happens to our actions when we get to heaven. True believers in Jesus won’t face judgment for our salvation—Jesus paid that in full on the cross. Instead, we’ll be judged on what we did with our lives here on earth. So, what does Paul mean when he talks about things like gold, silver, wood, hay, and stubble? In this study, we’ll look at why every action will be judged, how it will be tested by fire, and what will last.

1. Why Does God Judge Our Works?

In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul explains that everything we do will be tested by God. Burned up in heaven? Yes! God will evaluate every choice, every act of kindness, every time we shared the gospel, and every moment we spent helping others. The Bible says God loves us and knows that what we do on earth has an eternal impact.

Think of it like building a house. Some materials are strong, like brick and steel, and others are weak, like wood and straw. When tested by fire, only the strong materials will stand. In the same way, when we live our lives out of love for God, those actions will survive God’s fire, like gold, silver, and precious stones. But if we only live for ourselves, those works are like wood, hay, and stubble—they’ll burn up and leave nothing behind.

2. God’s Fire Reveals Our True Intentions

Paul explains that God’s fire will test the quality of our work, not the quantity. So, what will be burned up in heaven? If our actions were done with pure hearts, to serve others and glorify God, they will stand the test. Think about someone who volunteers or gives generously, not for attention but because they truly want to help. God sees that heart, and those actions have lasting value in His eyes.

However, if we’re only doing good things for praise or to make ourselves look good, those actions will burn up. Wood, hay, and stubble represent things done out of selfishness or pride. When we live only for ourselves, none of it will last. The Bible says God’s fire will burn away all these selfish motives, showing what was truly valuable.

3. Living for What Will Last

Paul’s message isn’t to scare us but to remind us to live for what matters. Jesus taught us to love others, be generous, and share His gospel. When we make choices that honor God, our actions have eternal worth. They won’t be burned up in heaven but will endure like gold, silver, and precious stones.

One day, every believer will stand before God and see their life’s work tested. Imagine what it will feel like to see God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Knowing that God values even our smallest act of kindness should inspire us to live for Him.

Conclusion: Will Your Works Stand the Test?

Burned up in heaven? That’s exactly what happens to works done out of selfishness or pride. When we choose to live for God, our lives build something eternal. So let’s strive for actions that glorify Him, serve others, and share the gospel—these are the things that last, and these are the things that bring God joy.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

Do We Need God’s Rules?

In Romans 2:15, Paul writes about how God’s laws are already written on our hearts. This passage brings up a good question: Do we need God’s rules? After all, don’t we already know right from wrong? Do we need to read the Ten Commandments to know we shouldn’t steal or lie? In this study, we’ll explore why God’s rules matter, what our conscience does, and why we can’t ignore the guilt that comes from wrongdoing.

1. God’s Rules Are Written on Our Hearts

Romans 2:15 tells us that even people who don’t know God’s law still have His rules written in their hearts. When we feel guilty after lying or ashamed after cheating, that’s our conscience reminding us of God’s rules. This inner feeling, given by God, nudges us back in the right direction. So, do we need God’s rules? Yes, because they remind us of His standards, but God’s law is also imprinted within us to guide us toward living right.

When we read the Ten Commandments, we see rules like “Do not steal” or “Do not commit adultery.” But most of us don’t need someone to tell us these things are wrong. Why? Because God has already given each of us a conscience. It’s that little voice in our hearts that reminds us when we’ve done something wrong, and it helps us feel guilt or shame. Those feelings guide us toward making better choices, but they don’t come from nowhere. They’re there because of God’s law in our hearts.

2. Ignoring Our Conscience Has Consequences

When we go against what our conscience tells us, it hurts our relationship with God and others. If we ignore that inner voice long enough, we risk “callousing” over our hearts. Just like calloused skin stops feeling pain, a calloused heart stops feeling guilt or shame. But does that mean we’ve erased God’s rules from our hearts? Not at all. God’s rules don’t disappear just because we’ve stopped feeling bad for breaking them.

Romans 2:15 reminds us that even if we no longer feel bad about our choices, we’ll still face God’s judgment. It’s like driving with a broken speedometer. Just because you can’t see the speed doesn’t mean the speed limit doesn’t apply. Ignoring guilt doesn’t make the consequences go away; it only makes us less sensitive to God’s guidance.

3. Given Out of Love

So, why do we need God’s rules? They aren’t just a list of do’s and don’ts to make us feel guilty. God gives us these guidelines because He loves us and wants what’s best for us. When we follow His ways, we live in a way that pleases Him and brings us peace. God’s rules help us understand His character, and following them brings us closer to Him.

Romans 2:15 shows us that we don’t have to read the Bible to know that certain things are wrong; God has made His truth clear in our hearts. But reading His Word keeps our hearts sensitive to what pleases Him.

Conclusion: Do We Need God’s Rules?

Do we need God’s rules? Yes, because even though He’s written them on our hearts, they’re there to help guide us closer to Him. Ignoring our conscience and pushing aside guilt only damages our hearts and our relationship with God. His rules exist to protect us and lead us to a life of peace, truth, and love. God loves us so much that He gave us a conscience to help us feel the weight of wrongdoing so that we can choose to turn back to Him.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

Jesus Gives Us Talents

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. This story explains how God has given each of us something valuable. The master in the parable represents Jesus, who has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. Until He returns, He entrusts each of us with gifts, or “talents,” that we are meant to use and grow. In this study, we’ll dive into what Jesus’ story teaches about using what talents He gives us and being faithful in all things.

The Master’s Journey and Our Calling

In the parable, the master leaves on a long journey and entrusts his wealth to his servants. This represents Jesus, who returned to heaven after His work on the cross. Before He left, He entrusted His followers with something precious: the gospel and the gifts He’s given to each of us. Jesus promises in John 14:2-3 that He’s gone to prepare a place for us and that He will come back. In the meantime, we’re called to make good use of what He’s left in our care.

Each of us receives different gifts, or talents, from God. Some of us have the ability to teach, some to serve, some to encourage, and others to share the gospel with ease. The gifts, like the talents, are priceless because they carry the life-changing message of Jesus.

How We Use What Jesus Gives Us Matters

Jesus gives us talents for a reason. In the parable, one servant receives five talents, another receives two, and the last one receives one talent. The first two servants use their talents and double them. The master is pleased when he returns and finds that they’ve invested well. This teaches us that God doesn’t measure our success by how much we start with but by what we do with what we have. Jesus gives us talents, and He wants us to use them to help others and share His love.

But the third servant hides his talent, fearing he’ll lose it. When the master returns, he isn’t happy with this servant’s lack of effort. This part of the story teaches us that we must not hide what God has given us. Whether it’s our ability to encourage someone, share our faith, or show kindness, God wants us to be active and engaged, using our talents to glorify Him.

Faithfulness Leads to Joy and Reward

When the master returns, he tells the first two servants, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Because they used their talents, they were rewarded with more responsibility and joy. This shows that when we faithfully use what God has given us, He blesses us even more. Jesus gives us talents not only so that we grow but so we can bless others and share His love. And as we do, we find joy and purpose.

Conclusion: Jesus Gives Us Talents

Jesus gives us talents, and He wants us to use them to serve others and spread the gospel. The parable of the talents teaches us that God values faithfulness and expects us to make the most of what He’s entrusted to us. He doesn’t want us to hide our gifts out of fear or insecurity but to use them boldly. When we are faithful with our talents, we find joy, purpose, and a closer relationship with Him. So let’s make good use of what Jesus has given, investing in others and sharing His love as we wait for His return.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.