NO MERE MEN-V—1Corinthians 3:1-9
Attention:
I weed-eat the empty lot beside the pastorium. Its a ‘bear’ to get it all done in one day. In fact, it could never be completed in one day if it were not for the weed-eater itself. A tool before which tall weeds cower & which strikes fear into the heart of ground-hugging weeds! By the power of the weed-eater our weeds are knocked down to a manageable/controllable size. I could never get the job done by hand, by uprooting every plant or even tearing the top off of each one. I need something more(strength, speed, precision, energy, etc.) than I am humanly capable of.
When it comes down to it, without tools, Mere Men’s abilities are severely limited, accomplishing only a very small amount of the work they desire.
All mankind realizes that their world is in need of a savior. Realizing that No Mere Men can accomplish the world’s greatest need…dealing with sin.
Paul reveals the traits of unspiritual men.
Unspiritual men are unable to exist in harmony.
Why are the unspiritual unable to live in harmony?
Because...No mere men can Overcome...
And as we have discovered previously—No mere men can Overcome...
1. IMMATURITY(:1)
2. DIET(:2-3a)Sustenance
3. ENVY(:3bi)
4. STRIFE(:3bii)
5. DIVISIVENESS(:3biii)
6. BEHAVIORS(:3b)
7. MINISTRY(:4-5)
8—No mere men can Overcome
SIGNIFICANCE(:6-7)
Explanation:(:6-7)Teamwork/Insignificantly significant
:6—“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
It is easy for individual members of a team to err in considering themselves individually as the ‘main attraction.’ One is decidedly gifted & ‘better at’ “planting” while the other is gifted & ‘better at’ “watering.”
But then carnal/babes in Christ(sinning sinners)(:1) tend to compare apples with oranges rather than apples to apples. Thus differentiating the two not in terms of fulfillment/complementation(?Dr. Seuss word?) of a team but in terms of ‘comparison’ within the team, thus destroying the ultimate potential of the team.
“Planted”(See :7)—futeuw—1) To plant. Strong—from a derivative of fuw[probably originally, to "puff" or blow, i.e. to swell up; but only used in the implied sense, to germinate or grow (sprout, produce), literally or figuratively]; To set out in the earth, i.e. Implant; figuratively--To instill doctrine. Used 11X.
“Watered”(See :2—“Fed/Gave”; :7)—potizw—1) To give to drink, to furnish drink; 2) To water, irrigate (plants, fields etc.); 3) metaph. To imbue, saturate one's mind. Strong—from a derivative of the alternate of pinw[to imbibe (literally or figuratively)]; To furnish drink, irrigate.
“Gave the Increase”(See :7)—auxanw—1) To cause to grow, augment; 2) To increase, become greater; 3) To grow, increase. Strong—a prolonged form of a primary verb; To grow("wax"), i.e. Enlarge(literal or figurative, active or passive).
:7—“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.”
Its not about who is ‘better’ than another.
Its about ‘Whom do you glorify.’ & ‘Who brings about “the increase” in God’s kingdom?’
If there is any “increase”/growth it should NOT be because of the hand of man but due to God’s provision. My/Your allowing(thru my/your obedience) benefits God’s desire toward fulfilling His intention, in an unhindered manner.
“Every worker is equally insignificant before God.”—ECNT
“Anything”—tiv—Pron.—1) A certain, a certain one; 2) Some, some time, a while. Strong—an enclitic indefinite pronoun; Some or Any person or object.
Argumentation:
Gal. 6:3— “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Jn. 15:1-5—“I am the true vine, & My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; & every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, & I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, & I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
2Cor. 12:9-10—“And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Seemingly but not actually Insignificant!
1Cor. 12:4-11, 12-27—“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one & the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” “For as the body is one & has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--& have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; & our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, & members individually.
Illustration:
An analog Watch—Its whole purpose of keeping accurate time depends upon every wheel—regardless of their size— large or small thick or thin, few teeth or many teeth/All cogs in a complicated piece of machinery are needed/SIGNIFICANCE
Running water to the houseUsed for drinking, cooking washing, bathing, toilet, cleaning/I would rather have running water than electricity!/SIGNIFICANCE
Application:
?You a Mere Man?
?You Overcome SIGNIFICANCE or has it overcome you?
9—No mere men can Overcome
LABOR(:8-9)
Explanation:(:8-9)Lordship/Domination/Leadership/Self-Love
:8—“Now he who plants & he who waters are one, & each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
The “planter” & “waterer” are both working to bring about the same goal. Thus they are or their work is considered as “one.” Though the work is different the product is the same.
Any manufacturing process is composed of many separate ‘jobs’, ‘stations’, &/or ‘processes.’ Yet together one product is produced/birthed.
Your “reward” is hinged upon your individual “labor” in Christ. Thus our “labor” in the Lord is important. Not just the amount or tabulation of the “labor” but the ‘quality’ is of utmost importance. The ‘quality’ reflects one’s adherence to the desire/will of the one worked for—God in Christ.
“Receive”(See :14)—lambanw—1) To take—1a) To take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it, 1b) To take in order to carry away, 1c) To take what is one's own, to take to one's self, to make one's own, 1d) To take—1d1) To admit, receive, 1d2) To receive what is offered, 1d3) Not to refuse or reject, 1d4) To receive a person, give him access to one's self, 1d41) to regard any one's power, rank, external circumstances, & on that account to do some injustice or neglect something, 1e) To take, to choose, select, 1f) To take beginning, to prove anything, to make a trial of, to experience; 2) To receive (what is given), to gain, get, obtain, to get back. Strong—To take(in very many applications, literally & figuratively [properly objective or active--To get hold of; whereas decomai is rather subjective or passive--To have offered to one; while aireomai is more violent--To seize or remove]).
“Reward”(See :14)—misyov—1) Dues paid for work—1a) Wages, hire; 2) Reward: used of the fruit naturally resulting from toils & endeavors—2a) in both senses--Rewards & punishments, 2b) Of the rewards which God bestows, or will bestow, upon good deeds & endeavors, 2c) Of punishments. Strong—apparently a primary word; Pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad.
“According to”(See :10)—kata—Prep.—1) Down from, through out; 2) According to, toward, along. Strong—a primary particle; prepositionally--Down(in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case [genitive case, dative case or accusative case] with which it is joined).
“Labor”—kopov—1) A beating; 2) A beating of the breast with grief, sorrow; 3) Labour—3a) Trouble—3a1) To cause one trouble, make work for him, 3b) Intense labour united with trouble & toil. Kopov refers to the fatigue. Kopov denotes the weariness which results from labor, or labor considered from the stand-point of the resulting weariness. Strong—A cut, i.e. by analogy--Toil(as reducing the strength), literally or figuratively; by implication--Pains.
:9—“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.”
Your willingness to & your perseverance in availing yourself to God as “Fellow workers”, or “Fields”, or “Buildings” is the true measure of your “labor.”
The lowliest servant is still not a servant unless he wills himself to be.
Out of Gratitude/Love/Concern for the master’s will.
The “we” refers to Paul & Apollos(apostolic in nature) as companions of God in His work. Not that they view themselves as ‘closer to God’ or more noble or notable than the ones they minister to. And not that they distance themselves from the church in some ‘priestly’ fashion. The apostles are also brothers(:1) in Christ with the church. Thereby Paul & Apollos are “Fellow-workers” in the cause of God in Christ.
God’s work thru Paul & Apollos( as His “fellow workers”) is experienced/directed toward the Corinthian church in the same manner as farmhands involve themselves working a “field” The workers bring God’s love, knowledge, & purpose to God’s “field.”
Christians are a “field” which is owned by God. A field is expected to produce that which is of value to the owner. These must submit ‘good soil’ to those working the field, so the seed of God will grow & prosper. Each plant requires our labor to thrive.
Also God’s work thru Paul & Apollos is experienced/directed toward the Corinthian church in the same attitude as construction workers erect an edifice. The “building” is the recipient of God’s love, knowledge, & purpose thru His workers...To honor the One who occupies the “building”, owns & uses the “building” for His purposes/glory. Each brick/stone/timber requires our labor to form the building.
“Fellow workers/Laborers together with”—sunergov—1) A companion in work, fellow worker. Strong—from a presumed compound of sun[together] & the base of ergon[to work/toil]; A co-laborer, i.e. Coadjutor.
“You are”—este—1) second person plural of "to be". Strong—second person plural present indicative of eimi; Ye are.
“Field/Husbandry”—gewrgion—1) A cultivated field, husbandry, Tillage. Strong—Cultivate, i.e. A farm. Used 1X. “Building”—oikodomh—1) (the act of)Building, building up; 2) metaph.--Edifying, edification—2a) The act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness.; 3) A building (i.e. the thing built, edifice). Strong—feminine (abstract) of a compound of oikov[A dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication--A family (more or less related, literal or figuratively)] & the base of dwma[properly--An edifice, i.e. specially--A roof]; Architecture, i.e. concretely--A structure; figuratively--Confirmation:
Argumentation:
**Jn. 13:12-15—READ— “...when He had washed their feet, & taken His garments, & reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?...If I then, the Lord & the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”
**Mat. 20:1-16—“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour & saw others standing idle in the marketplace, & said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, & whatever is right I will give you.’ “So they went. Again he went out about the sixth & the ninth hour, & did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out & found others standing idle, & said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ “They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, & whatever is right you will receive.’ So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers & give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ “And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; & they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, & you made them equal to us who have borne the burden & the heat of the day.’ “But he answered one of them & said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours & go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ “So the last will be first, & the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”
**Mat. 21:33-45—“Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard & set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it & built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers & went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, & stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, & they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him & seize his inheritance.’ “So they took him & cast him out of the vineyard & killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, ‘He will destroy those wicked men miserably, & lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.’ Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’S doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’? “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you & given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. Now when the chief priests & Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
Illustration:
Hymn—‘When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder’—
3rd stanza—
‘Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,’
‘Let us talk of all His wondrous love & care;’
‘Then when all of life is over, & our work on earth is done,’
‘And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.’
Generally—Raises, appointments & positions-titles are doled out in accordance with the employee’s willingness to give him-herself to the company/LABOR
Car manufacture/Includes certain ‘stations/areas’ within which there is a focus upon the design, functionality, materials, production—of the Body—Engine—Transmission-drivetrain—Interior—Electronics/Each requires LABOR
Application:
?You a Mere Man?
?You Overcome LABOR or has it overcome you?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Weed-eater/Tools
Action:
No mere men can Overcome...
8. SIGNIFICANCE(:6-7)
9. LABOR(:8-9)
1. IMMATURITY(:1)
2. DIET(:2-3a)Sustenance
3. ENVY(:3bi)
4. STRIFE(:3bii)
5. DIVISIVENESS(:3biii)
6. BEHAVIORS(:3b)
7. MINISTRY(:5)
Christians are no mere men!
We are supermen!
Able to instill freedom & justice & the Christian(Truthful) way!
Pts. 8-9 Presented 08/17/2014am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
Pts. 6-9 Presented 04/19/98pm to:
Penia Baptist Church
3738 Old Penia Rd.
Cordele, GA 31015
