Sunday School June 18th, 2006 1st Corinthians 3(1-15)
1st Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Spiritual maturity
I want to make sure we understand something about this verse. There is nothing wrong with being a baby as long as you are a baby. The thing that is shameful is when a person still acts like a baby when they are getting on in years. I remember coming home from work one day and receiving such a thrill at seeing my wife and my young daughter eating spaghetti. My daughter’s blond hair was bright red with spaghetti sauce and she had the noodles everywhere. That was funny that day, but she is now 28 years old. It would not be so humorous to find her today with spaghetti sauce all over their head. Do you get the illustration? When a person is 1st saved, it is natural for them to be spiritual babes. They don’t understand how to talk like a mature Christian. They will have to learn to walk correctly. They will say the wrong things at the wrong times. This is natural, but we should not stay in that condition. A person who is converted must start on their journey towards Spiritual maturity. He must study the Word of God, attend the services of the Church, listen to the wisdom of the elders, and pray in order to establish his life and promote his spiritual growth. He must grow so he will be able to help the next generation on their journey.
3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Milk and meat
Milk is referring to simple, easy concepts concerning Christianity. Meat means the more solid doctrines of the Gospel and mysteries of grace. It speaks of the wisdom of God and the mysteries of the plan of salvation. Again consider the metaphor of a baby. When a baby is born, his digestive system is incapable of eating a steak. He is fed with mothers milk or formula which is gentle to his system and promotes growth. As his stomach, teeth, and bones develop, he is introduced to solid food. Not steak at first, but easy to swallow baby food and pureed foods. As he grows he is able to eat the same foods which the rest of the family eats. Paul is informing these folks that thus far he has only fed them milk, or easy things. They need to be maturing so they can move on to meatier, more exciting things. It is the goal and mission of the Pastor to fulfill all of these needs in the Church. He must preach things for the babies, and also be able to minister to those who are farther down the line.
3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Carnal
The word translated “carnal” means having the nature of the flesh, or under the control of the animal appetites governed by mere human nature, not by the Spirit of God. These folks were saved, but they were immature. They were still motivated by fleshly, carnal things. They gave little or no thought of Spiritual values. They were more interested in the day to day activities of the here and now than aiming for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. They were not thinking of the coming Kingdom, but of how to be a success in this life. There is nothing wrong with planning for the future or being a success in this life. There is nothing wrong with owning a fine home in this world as long as you don’t let that home blind you to the real home you need to seek; a mansion in heaven! We must remember Christians are pilgrims and strangers in this world. We need to seek heavenly things first. God can do little for us or with us unless we value the things of God and give Him the time and attention He deserves. I’ve heard fence straddling Christianity is are OK, but I can’t find it in Scripture, nor do I condone that life style. We need to come on over to the Savior’s side!
3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Planting and reaping
The confrontation among the members of this church mentioned here was included in our last week’s lesson so we won’t belabor the point. Let us go on to the idea of who is responsible when a person is converted. I remember helping my mom and dad plant tomatoes when I was a little boy. One person made the hole; another dropped the plant into the hole, and then someone poured water on the plant. None of them could claim total responsibility when the fruit came upon the plant. The one who planted was responsible, but so were the ground preparers, and those who watered the plants. It is the same in the Spiritual world. When an evangelist comes into a church for a revival and preaches to some lost soul a message which convicts that person of his sins and he comes to Christ; that evangelist cannot take complete responsibility for that conversion. First of all, we cannot save anyone; it is God who gives the increase. I didn’t die for you, and if I had, it wouldn’t have helped because my sinfulness prevents me from atoning for anyone’s sin. Only the sacrificial death of Jesus could make a man or woman eligible for salvation. Secondly, who knows who else may have planted the word in that heart before that revival began? Maybe another minister had preached a message upon which this heart had been dwelling for months. Maybe the witness and example of a loved one had caused the Spirit to be inviting this person to Christ. It doesn’t matter whose scorecard gets marked. We are in this together. Preaches should never allow jealousy into their hearts. It is sin and will eat away at your joy if it is allowed to.
3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
One
All ministers of God who are true ministers and not counterfeit hypocrites are one in Christ. This means we are in agreement in purpose, aim, and ministry. There is no competition. We will receive rewards as God sees fit. There is no use to try and outdo everyone else. Heaven is not like this earth. It will not be a place of boasting about accomplishments; all such nonsense will be left outside the gate. I understand there will be plenty of folks there with more rewards than me, but I don’t get too concerned about rewards. Firstly, everyone in heaven will realize quickly they got there by grace and not works. Secondly, let me show you where the rewards are going anyhow. Revelation 4:10-11 “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that is sitting on the throne, and worship him that lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.” These “elders” represent the church under grace and the believers of the Old Testament. The number is highly typical as there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 Apostles. Those numbers are not by coincidence but directed by the power of God. These representatives of the righteous in heaven will throw their crowns at the feet of Christ as they realize it is due to Him they are there. No one in heaven will tell you they made it on their own; they will tell you they came through the blood!
3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Building on the foundation of others
I have often thought of this ministry as it applies to me. Some folks give me a lot of credit for the success of Addison Church, but that credit is misplaced. God is the one who gives the increase; He is the foundation upon which everything has been laid, but even considering that, all I have done is build on the foundation left by my forefathers in this church. Men like Walter Patterson, Miles Trout, Jennings Cremeans, Noel Hermann, and others have labored, with little or no pay and even less recognition from the public, to build a foundation which remains sure today. Holy women have prayed and worked their fingers to the bone with little thanks to see a place remain open where their families could hear the Word and be converted. Singers and teachers have donated their time and effort because they loved the Lord and His work. Their memories and accomplishments should not be forgotten, but honored and treasured. I thank God for those who have paved the way for us to follow. Staring with the Apostles, men and women have given of their efforts to insure the Word of God would pass down to us. One day on the streets of gold we will be able to properly thank them!
3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Every man's work shall be made manifest…
This means the
minstry shall be sooner or later made manifest to
himself, and to his hearers; who shall see the inconsistency, irregularity,
and deformity of such a building. If a ministry is built upon the proper
foundation, Jesus Christ, and His calling of that person into the ministry,
that ministry will succeed. Ministries built upon lesser foundations
(personal desire for money or fame, or any other selfish reason) shall always
be in the midst of failure. This does not mean these people have evil
motivation. Sometimes the desire for ministry comes from the heart of someone
truly wanting to advance the Kingdom of God, but not realizing ministry is not
their calling. I am not speaking of evil, but of misapplied efforts. It is a
foundation of wood, hay, stubble, etc. which means things which are
worthless. The fire spoken of here is the fire of heartache and trials. All
ministers, and Christians, will endure trials, but those ministries built upon
the wrong foundation will fold in this fire of contention. They will fold and
give up the fight. Those built upon the right foundation will find a way to
succeed as led by the Holy Spirit of God. Some folks think these verses are
talking about the judgment seat of Christ where all the actions of Christian
believers will be judged, but I am not one of them. Throughout this narrative
Paul is referring to the actions upon this earth and I don’t think that
changes here. The contrary opinion is valid and is joined by many Bible
scholars, but I think a ministry is judged long before we make it to heaven.
The Catholic Church uses these verses to justify the idea of purgatory, but
that is a stretch. There is no mention of a time period endured in the flame
to burn away sins. Sins are not mentioned here, but foundations upon which
earthly works are built. Sins cannot be purged by our suffering anyway; they
are only purged by His suffering! The scripture tells us the works built upon
the wrong foundation will be burnt, but not the believer himself. The works
will be destroyed, but the believer will be saved. How can this be? The
answer is simple; we are not saved because we are always right or always have
the proper motivation; we are saved by the Blood of Christ. If a man or woman
believes in the completed work of salvation accomplished on Mt. Calvary, and
yields their lives to the One who died in our place, he is saved. Mistakes
and error do not keep you from heaven; unbelief does!
THANKS FOR STUDYING WITH US THIS WEEK. OUR LESSONS CAN BE FOUND EACH WEEK ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.ADDISONCHURCH.COM. BE SURE TO SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK WHEN YOU VISIT. WE ALSO WILL EMAIL THE LESSON DIRECTLY TO YOU BY REQUEST AT ADDISONFWBCHURCH@BLUESTARR.NET. YOU WILL NEVER BE ASKED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS, NOR WILL YOUR INFORMATION BE GIVEN OR SOLD TO ANY OUTSIDE SOURCE. SEE YOU SOON!!!!
PASTOR RICK BARCUS
