1 Corinthians 3
When I am reading Corinthians, I have this sense of familiarity. That’s because I have read this many times before.
And I believe it is the same for you today as well.
So what can we learn as we read it anew this time? Well… let’s pray that God open up our eyes and heart so that we can truly put a little bit of Him in our hearts each day.
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 3
- The church is a family and the goal is maturity (vv. 1-4)
- The church is a field of opportunity and the goal is quantity (vv. 5-9a)
- The church is a building and the goal is quality (vv. 9b – 23)
The Church is a Family and the Goal is Maturity
Yesterday, we read about those who are saved and those who are not.
Today, we read that there are 2 kinds of saved people: the mature and the immature.
The mature Christian is one who allows the Spirit to teach and direct him by feeding on the Word of God. The immature Christian lives for the things of the world and has little interest in the matters of the Spirit.
We know the teachings about solid food and milk. And here the Christians were fighting over which of the preachers was the greatest, This is pretty much like young children who idolizes sports or Hollywood (or Korean) stars. They are not mature enough to practice love and seek to get along with one another.
Which are we?
The church is a field of opportunity and the goal is quantity
To produce a harvest, there is a need for diligence and hard work. There is also a need to care for the “soil” of the church.
The question I have for myself is whether I am a lazy Christian who is like the slothful farmer that King Solomon spoke of in Proverbs 24:30-34. Or are we so careless that we do not see Satan busy sowing discord, lies and sin in our Church.
We must put in the effort to cultivate the soil and plant the good seed of the Word of God.
The call is to go forth and preach. We are to go out and plant and water.
God will give the growth.
The church is a building and the goal is quality
God is concerned that we build the church with quality. The church does not belong to any preacher or congregation. It is the house of God. Therefore we must never forget that the foundation is Jesus.
When Paul went to Corinth, he was determined to preach Christ and Christ alone (2:1-2). He laid the only foundation that would last.
This foundation is laid by the proclaiming of Jesus. The foundation is the most important part of a building. It determines the size, shape and strength of the building. A church may seem to be successful but if it is not based on Christ, it will surely fall and disappear.
Paul talks about also using the right materials to build.
There are those that are strong and valuable. And there are those that are weak and worthless.
We must also build according to the right plan.
The world depends on promotion, prestige and the influence of money and important people. The church depends on prayer, the power of the Spirit, humility, sacrifice and service.
Finally, we must build with the right motive.
What is your motive in the house of God. Paul talks about the motive being the glory of God. The members at Corinth were glorifying men and that was wrong.
They were comparing men (4:6) and dividing the Church by such carnal deeds. Had they been seeking God’s glory alone, there would have been harmony in the house of God.
Something to think about again.
One Comment
YSL
For the last point on quality, what i gleaned this reading was that whatever foundation we lay will be tested by fire so doing the work is not enough but maintaining and improving on it as well. Bringing new believers into church also requires for constant concern for their faith and welfare too:)