Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. I am glad to be standing here before you today, as we gather together in unity, in fellowship, and in the shared love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are here, not by coincidence or fate, but by divine appointment. God has something to say to each one of us today. And He has chosen this very moment, this very place, and this very sermon to speak to our hearts.

Today, we are going to look at a passage from 1 Corinthians 3:7. It reads, "So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."

This verse, my friends, is a reminder of our roles in the Kingdom of God. We are not the architects of spiritual growth, but rather, we are the humble servants who plant and water the seeds. It is God, and God alone, who gives the increase.

Today we'll be focusing on three main points: Harnessing Humility in Acknowledging God's Sovereignty, Holding onto Hope in God's Gracious Gifts, and Harvesting Happiness from God's Increase.

We will find our hearts humbled as we acknowledge that it is God's sovereignty, not our efforts, that brings about spiritual growth. We will be encouraged to hold onto hope, knowing that it is God's gracious gifts that sustain us. And finally, we will experience the joy of harvesting happiness from the increase that God alone can bring.

As the great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless." This is a profound truth that we must remember as we consider our role in God's Kingdom. We are vital, yes, but it is God who provides the growth.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts open and ready to receive Your Word. As we consider this passage from 1 Corinthians, help us to understand and apply these truths to our lives. May we be humbled in acknowledging Your sovereignty, hold onto hope in Your gracious gifts, and find true joy in the increase You provide. Speak to us, Lord. We are listening. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Let's get started.

Harnessing Humility in Acknowledging God's Sovereignty

We find ourselves in a world that often encourages self-reliance and independence. We are told to take control, to make things happen, to be the masters of our own destiny. Yet, when we turn to the pages of Scripture, we find a different message. We find a message that calls us to acknowledge not our own power, but the power of God.

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, reminds us of this very truth. He tells us that neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. This is a call to humility. It's a call to recognize that our efforts, no matter how sincere or diligent, are not the source of spiritual growth.

This is not to say that our efforts are meaningless. On the contrary, they are vital. We are called to plant and water the seeds of faith. We are called to share the gospel, to teach the Word, to encourage one another in the faith. But we must never forget that it is God who gives the increase.

This is a truth that can be both humbling and liberating. It's humbling because it reminds us of our dependence on God. We can't bring about spiritual growth on our own. We can't make the seeds of faith sprout and grow. Only God can do that.

At the same time, this truth is liberating. It frees us from the pressure of feeling like we have to make things happen. It frees us from the burden of thinking that the growth and success of the church depends on us. It doesn't. It depends on God.

So, how do we do this? How do we harness humility in acknowledging God's sovereignty?

Recognize our limitations. We need to understand that we are finite creatures with limited abilities and resources. We can't do everything. We can't be everywhere. We can't know everything. And that's okay. God doesn't expect us to be all-knowing or all-powerful. He simply calls us to be faithful with what He has given us.

Trust in God's power and wisdom. We need to believe that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. We can trust that He knows what He's doing, even when we don't understand. We need to have faith that He is working all things together for our good and His glory.

Surrender our plans and desires to God. Let go of our need for control and submit to His will and be willing to say, "Not my will, but Yours be done." This is not always easy, but it's essential if we want to acknowledge God's sovereignty.

Give God the glory for all that He does. Remember that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. We need to give Him the credit for any growth or success we see and to praise Him for His goodness and grace.

In all of this, we are not diminishing our role or responsibility. We are simply putting them in the right perspective. We are recognizing that while we have a part to play in the Kingdom of God, it is ultimately God who makes things grow. This is a truth that can transform our lives and our ministry.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that has spoken to our hearts today. We thank You for reminding us that it's not about us, but all about You. Help us, Lord, to always remember that we are just the gardeners and You are the one who brings the growth.

As we leave this place, may we carry this truth in our hearts. May it guide our actions, shape our attitudes, and transform our lives. And may we always give You all the glory, for You alone are worthy.

And now, may the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forevermore. Amen.

Go in peace, my brothers and sisters, and serve the Lord with gladness. Remember, it's not about us, it's all about Him. God bless you all.

Holding onto Hope in God's Gracious Gifts

As we continue to reflect on the words of 1 Corinthians 3:7, we are drawn to the second part of our discussion: holding onto hope in God's gracious gifts ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO