HOW TO BUILD FOR REWARDS
1) "For we are labourers together with God." (Greek theou gar esmen sunergoi) "For we are fellow or together-workers of God." The ministry and the members of each congregation form God’s custodial ministry of the Word and worship in this age.
2) "Ye are God’s husbandry." (theou georgion) "of God" (ye are) "a husbandry or tillage." The church of Jesus Christ, each congregation, is God’s husbandry in that community, to do His work, to bear fruit for Him.
3) "Ye are God’s building." (Greek theou oikodome este) "Ye are God’s house or domed up building." This refers to the church at Corinth, as God’s dwelling place in Spiritual power, from which His work is to be done, 1 Timothy 3:15; Mark 13:34-37. Whether servant, layman, or porter each shall give account to the Lord at His return.
New Testament Terms that always refer to
The Church
To build for the greatest degree of honor and glory to God and rewards for believers one must labor in and through the covenant fellowship of the Lord’s church, Ephesians 3:21. The New Testament Church is referred to as:
a) The Church (institutionally), Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-25.
b) The Bride of Christ, John 3:27-30; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-9.
c) The house of God, Mark 13:34-37; 1Ti 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5.
d) The Temple of God, 1 Corinthians 3:15-16; 2 Corinthians 6:16.
e) The Kingdom of heaven, Matthew 13:1-58; Matthew 16:18-19; Matthew 25:1; Matthew 25:14.
f) The body of Christ, Ephesians 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.
The New Testament knows nothing of a universal, mystical, invisible, church body made up of all believers. All believers constitute the family of God, but not the New Testament church which He has called from among the Gentiles for His name’s sake.