Introduction. Ministers are

Transcription

1 Pastor s Wednesday Night Bible Study 1 Corinthians Founded on Christ: Working Together with God 1 Corinthians 3:5-23 Pastor Darryl C. Dade By having factions, the Corinthians had mistaken the wisdom of the world for God s wisdom. The teachers of the Gospel should not be elevated in the manner which the Corinthian s were doing. It was inconsistent with God s wisdom since teachers were only servants, tools of God, through whom God has worked. The Corinthian church was severely divided. The division focused primarily upon the former preachers of the church: Peter, Paul and Apollo s. The ministers themselves were not involved; it was the carnal believers in the church causing the problem. Some liked Peter some like Paul and some like Apollo s. The issue of which preacher is best for the church is always a critical issue because it brings division and strife to the church of God. God is the one who calls the preacher and gives him the ability to lead His people. Ministers are 1 Corinthians 3:5 1

2 1. Ministers are only instruments of God. God is to be the focus of our attention; our loyalty is to Him and Him alone. No Minister created the message of the Gospel. God did. No Minister saves the believer. God does. No Minister or Reverend leads a person to believe. God does. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 2. The Minister can only help people as God gifts them. John 21:16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Ministers of God in comparison 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 Ephesians 4:11 2

3 No Minister has any foundation for glory, praise, honor or recognition. There is no room, no reason for a preacher to feel pride and self-satisfaction. There is no reason for anyone to idolize and follow a Minister. There is no reason for anyone to make a Minister the cause of favoritism, it causes strife or division. Resect him, yes! Love him, yes! The Minister s Role & Responsibility (v. 8) Ministers 1 Corinthians 3:8 The Minister s Role & Responsibility (v. 8) By the same Lord. To the same office: the office of Minister. To the same work: to serve God. To stand accountable before God and before God alone. The Minister s Role & Responsibility (v. 9) We must build a 1 Corinthians 3:9 The Minister s Role & Responsibility (v. 9) Ministers are co-workers with God. God s fellow workers are we. God s husbandry are you. God s building are you. 3

4 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. Mark 16:20 24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7: The rain came down, the streams rose, and the win ds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 It is important that we build with quality. We must build on the right foundation. vv We must build with the right materials. vv It s God s word! 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 4

5 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. within the Church (vv ) We must build according to the right plan. vv We must build with the right motive. vv Conclusion The world is hungry for the Living Bread. Lift the Savior up for them to see, then man will gladly follow Him who once said, I ll draw all men unto me. But, if it s man you seek to lift up, you will be the fall of all who have taken their eyes off of the true and living God. 5