Firm Foundation

Tune: Aurelia

('The church's one foundation')

1 Corinthians 3 v.9-16

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We labourers together

From Christ's love not sever

The ties that bind each other

Each sister and brother

Made one in God's family

His husbandry we be

And too we are his building

He Lord o'er everything

 

None other foundation there

But Christ, in Him we share

Take heed how you build thereon

Materials upon

That foundation, for some shall

Not stand fires test, but fall

Gold, silver, precious stones*, not

And wood, hay, stubble** rot

 

Each ones' work shall manifest

At day of Lord's behest

For fire shall try work of each

One, to all it shall reach

And if one's work abide sure

There reward evermore

What they have built firm upon

Foundation of the Son

 

If anyone's work be burned

To dust and ashes turned

That does not the fire abide

There is loss, not denied

But such ones shall be saved still

Though seemed a turn for ill

Yet they themselves, they rescued

Be, as by fire excused

 

The church, a temple, building

In it we worship, sing

Our prayers and praises giving

To God our great true King

And too can human body

The Spirit's dwelling be

For hearts, lives, truly lowly

His residency, see

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* these things shall stand.

** these things shall fall.