Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Serving in Partnership with Each other” Careful Construction
I Corinthians 3:8-16
I. Reproof for fleshly behavior 1-6
A. Reproof concerning divisions 1-4
1. Opening appeal for unity 1:10-17
2. The Biblical foundation for Unity 1:18-4:5
a) Focus on the priority of Christ and the cross 1:18-31
b) Depend on the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit 2:1-3:4
c) Faithfully serve as partners for the Kingdom of God 3:6-4:5
(1) We are all servants of the same God. 3:5
Everybody has a job to do so keep focused on your part.
(2) Only God generates growth
Only God generates growth so make sure He gets the credit.
(3) All the servants function as one in the mission. 3:8a
Everyone plays for the same team so focus on the growth of the kingdom.
We must learn to serve as partners embracing ONE mission under ONE Commander.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Ephes. 4:1-7
How can we live worthy of our remarkable enlistment on the winning team?
The Goal
1. By forbearing one another in love
2. By being eager to preserve or guard the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The manner is…
• With all humility
• With all gentleness
• With long suffering
Why, because we all part of the SAME body.
Poke your eye out and the rest of the body feels it.
Slam your finger in the door and the rest of the body feels it.
Neglect your part in the body and the rest must compensate.
One part of the body allows infection and the rest is in jeopardy.
We must forbear the other members. We must protect the unity of the whole.
We cannot ignore parts of the body because we think we are more important. (Humility)
We cannot run roughshod over other parts of the body and treat them harshly. (Gentleness)
We cannot be short-tempered with the other parts and cut them off. (Long suffering)
Failure to walk in love only damages the whole. We only hurt ourselves.
Like baseball, errors are a part of life. Over time, errors are expected. We seek to improve our walk. We encourage one another when we mess up. We try to maintain team morale in the face of loss and error.
IN the body of Christ we are spiritual connected to one another so that…
He who plants and he who waters are one (team).
Even though we are one team and each member holds a different role on the team…
(4) Each servant will be individually rewarded for faithful service
Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 1 Cor. 3:8-9
Even though God unites us in partnership in the mission, each one will be individually responsible and rewarded according to his own toil or labor. If God gifts more, God expects more. God enables you to invest $10 a month for the kingdom. You feel guilty because you see someone else investing $1,000 a month in the Kingdom. What you may not realize is that God actually wanted to channel $5000 a month for kingdom investment through that person and they only channeled $1000. You gave all of the money God asked you to give. Who will have the greater reward? Not only will you have the greater reward but that person was actually stealing from God.
Jesus reinforced this very same principle in Mark 12:42-44. Jesus also taught this same principle in the parable of the ten talents. Jesus’ expectations always correspond with his gifting. Those who are greatly gifted shouldn’t assume they are more successful than others because their output seems greater. You may not be fully operating according to your gifting. Those who are less gifted or at a different point in life shouldn’t assume that they are substandard or are failing. You may be serving beyond God’s expectations. When we stop comparing ourselves to others and keep our focus on serving Christ to our greatest potential there is much less opportunity or inclination to squabble or criticize one another.
Paul continued his discussion about him and Apollos by referring to them as fellow laborers with God or perhaps fellow labors with each other at God’s direction. Their job was to work in the field (the Corinthians) and construct the building (the Corinthians).
For we are God's fellow workers (laborers); you are God's field, God's building!
Paul specifies what kind of faithful service is required and rewarded. God is not looking for planners or bosses. He is looking for laborers. He will not reward according to success or greatness. God rewards according to labor expended and grace granted.
There are three concerns when it comes to the temple construction.
(a) Construct the temple with care 3:10-17
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Paul reinforces this idea of differing levels of gifting.
“according to the grace given to me.”
Paul was faithful to carefully build and establish a foundation upon which others could continue to build. What was he building? He was God’s construction laborer. He was not the designer or the architect, only the laborer. He was building from God’s blueprint.
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me
The goal was to present every man complete in Christ through laborious proclamation of the truth. He was building a temple that would reflect the character and glory of Christ.
Therefore Paul urged EACH PERSON to be a careful builder. Yes Jesus said HE would build His church but we are His workers and must carry out our assignment with care.
Paul points out three check points for the faithful builder.
First! Don’t mess with the foundation.
But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
This is not a shed or a dog house, this is the building designed and designated by God to reflect His magnificent glory on earth. The foundation of any aspect of the kingdom has to be the centrality of Jesus Christ. Any ministry must have Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the firm foundation. If the foundation is bad the building is shaky. We must only evaluate service on the basis of our personal responsibility before God. Even though we partner with one another in the building of the temple or the kingdom or the field, there is individual responsibility for faithful service. God’s chosen vehicle to reflect His glory is the church; people, Christians. This building has no other foundation than Jesus Christ.
No other foundation will do. Don’t mess with the foundation! It is Christ in you the hope of glory.
Second! Build with quality eternal materials.
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident…
If you use substandard materials it may not be noticed now but one day each person’s materials will be tested whether they were imperishable or perishable materials by fire.
? Quality building materials include gold, silver and precious stone.
? Inferior building materials include wood, hay, stubble.
What classified materials as quality of inferior has to do with the focus on eternal things or temporal things.
If we build with truth and love we get eternal results.
If we build with gimmick, human charisma or persuasion and temporal values we have no lasting fruit.
Quality building material includes at the very least faith, hope and love.
Paul told the Ephesians about the body building up itself in love through the speaking of truth in loving relationships. You might consider the fruit of the Spirit filled walk (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, kindness, gentleness, self-control) to be quality building materials. We can attempt to bring people into the kingdom through appealing to the flesh or the intellect or through manipulation or intimidation but only an appeal to the spirit with the truth of Christ and Him crucified results in a temple that adequately reflects the glory of Christ. All of the one another commands and use of the gifts in serving on another are quality materials. When the early church decided to devote themselves to learning, breaking bread, community, and prayers God granted the increase and added to their number daily.
Only the parts of the kingdom built with such quality materials (notice nothing is mentioned about quantity) remain and will be abundantly rewarded.
for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
Use of inferior materials will result in loss of reward and fruit.
If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
It is essential to note that Paul is talking about loss of reward NOT salvation. Unfaithful service results in loss of reward NOT loss of salvation. We will be rewarded according to our labor for the kingdom. Paul warns us to make sure we are careful construction workers on the temple. Over and over we are instructed to build up one another.
We are to build one another by speaking the truth in love.
We are not to build one another by human philosophy or pop psychology.
We are to be people of the TRUTH!
Third! Protect the building (temple).
Not only build on the right foundation and carefully employ quality building materials but Paul sternly warns them about doing anything that might damage the existing temple.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys(defiles) the temple of God, God will destroy(defile) him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 1 Cor. 3:16-17
These are all plural “yous” (ya all). Paul reminds us that the individual members make up the temple. We are all the temple of God intended to manifest the presence of God together. The team image continues to dominate the argument.
Not only are we to be involved in the building of the temple but we are to be careful not to “defile” this temple. The translation “destroy” may cause some confusion as to the meaning of this passage. If we understand the broader use of this word I think a clearer understanding emerges in light of the context of careful temple construction. The word means to shrivel, whither, spoil, ruin, corrupt, defile, destroy.
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." 1 Cor. 15:33
Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. 2 Cor. 7:2
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 2 Cor. 11:3
that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, Ephes. 4:22
BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER." Rev. 19:2
Paul intends us to view each individual Christian as the living stones which make up the dwelling place of God; the place where God chooses to display His glory. He sternly warns us not to do anything to detract from the intended purpose of the temple to glorify God and be a place where people can see and feel the living God. There is nothing that will detract from the glory of God faster than people seeking glory for themselves and fussing and fuming over stuff. Fighting and dissension among the brothers and sisters of Christ is UGLY. It hinders, yes defiles the temple. If we, by our fleshly focus, defile the holiness of God’s temple we will ourselves suffer personal discipline.
The personal consequences of sin are absolute. God will not put up with tarnishing the image of His holy temple by our thoughts, attitudes, words or actions.
Like I said last week, the way you live affects not only this local manifestation of God’s temple but the cause of Christ around the world. If we fail to live godly and work heartily we will not only suffer eternal loss of reward but will experience loss here on this earth. We defile the temple by our personal sin.
We defile the temple by our negative thoughts, attitudes, words and actions.
We defile the temple by neglecting our part in the construction project.
Whenever we fail to gather as one physically or spiritually it affects the look and function of the whole body. A faithful servant thinks carefully about how his or her actions and words affect the glory of the temple of the living God whose temple we all ARE! That means whenever we fuss or fight amongst the body, we damage the temple.
We need a guard over our mouths. We need a filter for our emotions. We need a humble focus on Christ. Understanding the severe consequences of harming the temple of God is a powerful deterrent to disunity.
So far in this part of his argument for unity and against division Paul calls us to faithfully serve as partners in the body of Christ.
Everyone has a job to do so keep focuses on your part.
Only God generates growth so make sure He gets the credit.
Everyone plays for the same team so focus on kingdom goals
Even though we are working as a team, each player will receive his own individual evaluation and reward according to their LABOR so work hard and well.
Be careful to build on the right foundation.
Be careful to build with the right materials.
Be careful to protect the building.
Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defiles the temple of God, God will defile him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 1 Cor. 3:8-17
Are you building carefully and faithfully?
Right foundation, right materials, protecting the building?
Are you causing damage to the temple?
Blessing
May all of you be harmonious,
May you learn to be sympathetic rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.
May you show yourself friendly
May kindness characterize your relationships.
May you always be humble in spirit;
May you never return evil for evil or insult for insult,
but May you always give a blessing instead;
for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For,
May those who DESIRE LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS,
KEEP YOUR TONGUE FROM EVIL AND YOUR LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
May you TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD;
May you SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
"FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO YOUR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."
1 Peter 3:8-12
Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! 2 Thes. 3:16
