Constructing Blocks for Efficient Non secular Maturity (1 Corinthians 3) » The Preaching Platform

Introduction to sermon titled “Constructing Blocks for Efficient Non secular Maturity Non secular:

I ponder what number of of you acquired a letter within the publish just lately. Sadly, we don’t get too many letters by publish now, however we do get letters primarily by means of electronic mail. We additionally get messages on WhatsApp. Possibly you bought a letter saying that you simply’ve received a promotion, otherwise you’ve received a wage elevate—some excellent news. Or perhaps you bought a letter that wasn’t so nice, that was a bit troublesome to obtain. Or perhaps you even acquired a letter that introduced some correction or some steerage into your life.

Effectively, no matter it might be, we all know the worth of receiving and significant letter from somebody. 

Proposition: I wish to share a sermon right this moment titled, ‘Constructing Blocks for Efficient Non secular Maturity’, based mostly on the Apostle Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthian Church. 

As we take a look at this e-book, and the background to this e-book, we discover that the church in Corinth, which was a metropolis in Greece, had been based by the Apostle Paul. The Apostle Paul based that church whereas he stayed there for 18 months, instructing the phrase of God. It occurred by means of a imaginative and prescient that he acquired from the Lord (Acts 18:9), and this specific church was very treasured to the Apostle Paul. He was like a father to the congregation.

The church, as I discussed, was in a metropolis known as Corinth in historical Greece, which had now change into a Roman Colony. It was a really affluent, Mercantile Metropolis—you can name it the New York of our occasions. Town of Corinth had two languages that have been repeatedly used—the Greek and Latin languages. Additionally they had a tradition taken from each the Greek and Latin cultures. However now, Paul had acquired information saying there have been points inside the church. 

The Corinthian Church was additionally a energetic church. It was a church the place the items of the Holy Spirit have been working fairly powerfully. However though there have been good non secular issues occurring, many members of the church have been displaying carnal life. They have been full of data as a result of in that a part of the world, there was a whole lot of philosophy, a whole lot of information, however they weren’t working towards the information that they had of the issues of God. They weren’t displaying non secular maturity. In truth, somebody as soon as stated that “If sins have been horses, the Corinthian Church may have stuffed many stables”. 

And so, with a heavy coronary heart, Paul, as a father determine, was writing to this church in Corinth, attempting to type out the problems that have been within the church. As we speak, by means of this sermon, I wish to share about a number of the challenges that the Corinthian Church was going through and the godly options Paul gave them to assist them into non secular maturity. 

As we learn by means of this epistle, we discover Paul chatting with the believers about marriage and about singleness. He spoke to them about lawsuits that have been occurring amongst them. He talked of non secular items. He talked in regards to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He talked about ministry inside the church, which known as physique ministry. He talked about Holy Communion. He talked about sexual purity and immorality. He talked about unity. And he talked about love in that lovely chapter 13, that’s usually used at weddings.

So, Paul covers a whole lot of matters to assist these Corinthian Christians discover the true which means and objective for why that they had discovered the salvation of God. He assures them first in 1 Corinthians 1:9 that God was nonetheless calling them to fellowship and for them to construct that comradeship. He says, “God is devoted, who has known as you into fellowship along with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord”. 

As we speak, I wish to cowl three details, about some points of what Paul was dealing with with the believers at Corinth. We are going to take a look at 1 Corinthians chapters 1 to three right this moment. Let’s go to level 1. The very first thing that Paul tells them is that they have to:

1) Non secular Maturity By means of Constructing Christlikeness 

By the way in which they have been behaving, the believers weren’t displaying true Christlike conduct they usually weren’t constructing non secular maturity. (In truth, the theme of my sermon right this moment is, ‘Constructing Blocks for Non secular Maturity’.) They weren’t maturing spiritually, and sadly, Paul needed to name them infants or infants, and worldly individuals. He informed them that he couldn’t give them sturdy teachings from the phrase of God as a result of they have been solely in a position to obtain fundamental instructing. He compares this to receiving non secular milk as a substitute of non secular meat.

Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 3, verses 1 and a couple of and see what Paul says there. He says, “Brothers and sisters, I couldn’t tackle you as individuals who dwell by the spirit however as people who find themselves nonetheless worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not strong meals, for you weren’t prepared for it. Certainly, you’re nonetheless not prepared.”

What a tragic state of affairs. Paul needed to deal with them like non secular infants. He says they’re nonetheless not able to obtain strong non secular nourishment. Pals, I ponder the place you and I are right this moment. Are we rising into non secular maturity with the Lord? Lots of the individuals within the Corinthian Church weren’t in that place. So, let’s take a look at some issues that have been hindering their non secular development.

A) To start with, there have been Divisions inside the church. 

They have been divided over many issues. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 Paul says, “I enchantment to you, brothers and sisters, within the identify of our Lord Jesus Christ that every one of you agree with each other in what you say and that there be no divisions amongst you, however that you simply be completely united in thoughts and thought.” 

So Paul is saying right here that there have been divisions amongst them and that they need to be united within the issues they are saying, and in the way in which they act. So, pal, this was a really significant issue within the Corinthian Church. There was an absence of unity; there was division. They have been divided over baptisms, they usually have been divided over preachers. They have been evaluating their non secular leaders. As an alternative of evaluating non secular truths, they have been evaluating their leaders. 

Some have been saying, “I observe Apollos.” Others have been saying, “I observe Paul.” Some have been saying, “I observe Peter.” Others have been most likely saying, “I’m solely with Christ, I don’t want anyone else.” So, they have been battling issues that have been inflicting pointless divisions within the church.

They have been additionally idolizing preachers relying on the preacher’s persona and ability, or how intelligent they have been with human knowledge and the way in which they spoke. It seems to be like Apollos was most likely a greater preacher than perhaps Paul and doubtless a extra charismatic particular person than Paul. So, a few of them have been saying, “Hey, I want the preaching of Apollos.” Whereas others have been saying, “I want the preaching of Paul.” Possibly there have been different leaders they have been going after, and this was inflicting a whole lot of division. 

In truth, the unique phrase for ‘division’ in that passage provides the thought of one thing being torn aside or hire aside. It reveals that the church in Corinth was at risk of being torn aside in presumably 4 or extra instructions. They have been combating division and an absence of unity. 

B) Secondly, there was jealousy and quarreling amongst them. 

I wish to ask you a query. When was the final time you have been actually glad about any person else’s success with out being jealous or envious? However, when was the final time you truly quarreled with any person? Possibly it was within the very latest previous. Paul was coping with this drawback that was current within the church. They have been jealous of each other they usually have been quarreling amongst themselves.

Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 3:3: “You’re nonetheless worldly. For since there may be jealousy and quarreling amongst you, are you not worldly? Are you not appearing like mere people?” 

Have a look at what Paul says. They have been quarreling amongst themselves, they weren’t appearing like godly individuals, however in worldly methods. And there have been potential social boundaries as properly within the church. Some have been richer than the others, some have been extra clever than the others, so that they have been type of proudly appearing like, “Why, I’m higher than you.” And this conduct was inflicting all types of issues within the church. 

In truth, in that tradition, handbook labor was thought-about as not being too good for a frontrunner. Since Paul was due to this fact somebody who was concerned in handbook labor, perhaps they thought that Paul was not the appropriate man to have round. Possibly they wished any person who was higher in philosophy and social standing. Anyway, there was division, there was jealousy, and there was quarreling. So, Paul needed to write to them, and he informed them, “I didn’t come to you with energy, human knowledge, or with eloquence. I got here to you in weak spot, however the energy of God was working inside me. The facility of God was seen in what I did amongst you.” (as per 1 Corinthians 2:1-5)

C)The third drawback within the church that was hindering their non secular maturity was that that they had began to belief human knowledge over godly knowledge. 

They have been extra depending on human knowledge, human ability, human preaching, than over the knowledge that comes from the phrase of God. And Paul tells them, “Hey, I didn’t come to you with human knowledge.” In 1 Corinthians 2:1, that is what Paul says, “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters, after I got here to you, I didn’t include eloquence or human knowledge as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.” And additional in 1 Corinthians 1:25, Paul makes this assertion, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human knowledge, and the weak spot of God is stronger than human energy.” 

So, Paul is saying that the foolishness of God is larger than human knowledge, as a result of they have been trusting extra in human knowledge, human ideas, human expertise, than what God was attempting to inform them by means of His knowledge.

Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “Have the thoughts of Christ.” He was mainly telling them, “You all want to take a look at constructing Christlikeness in your life. Put away your divisions, put away your quarreling, put away your jealousies. Put away your human knowledge, and let it not override the knowledge of God in your life and amongst you.” So, my first level is ‘Construct Non secular Maturity By means of Constructing Christlikeness’. Let’s now take a look at level 2.

2) Non secular Maturity By means of Constructing for eternity 

Paul talks about constructing for eternity. Pals, you and I must focus increasingly on what we construct on this earth. Let’s construct extra in direction of eternity or with eternity in thoughts, greater than what we construct for the issues of this world. The issues of this world will perish sooner or later, however everlasting issues won’t ever ever go away. And in speaking about constructing for eternity, Paul shares two essential ideas right here. 

A) To start with, he says that we have to construct the work of God as co-workers. 

Paul emphasizes that no one is larger than one other. No one is superior to another person. We’re all co-workers in Christ. Sure, individuals have totally different giftings. Some could also be seen quite a bit, some will not be seen in any respect. However what everyone seems to be constructing is eternally helpful. Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 3:6. What does Paul say there? “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, however God has been making it develop.” 

So Paul is saying right here that each he and Apollos have been concerned as co-workers. He’s saying, I constructed by sowing  and planting the phrase, and by laying the muse for the constructing. Apollos watered the phrase that I planted and he constructed on the muse that I laid. However it was God who multiplied the phrase that was sown and watered, not any man.

It was God who positioned the actual basis on the constructing that we arrange. And it’s God who will reward us and each different particular person for what we do for His kingdom. (Refer 1 Corinthians 3:5-11)

So, my pal, what are you constructing for the Kingdom of God? What are you constructing for eternity? Is what you’re constructing going to final for eternity? How are you honoring and serving God right this moment? You realize, even in small methods, we are able to take a look at how we are able to honor God in our life and the way we are able to serve God, maintaining eternity in thoughts all the time. 

B) In addition to saying that we construct as co-workers, Paul additionally mentions that we have to construct one thing that may final.

Why? As a result of we aren’t constructing a human factor, we’re constructing the very temple of God, the place God dwells amongst His individuals. And in 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul says that Christ is the true basis of the church. Let’s take a look at that scripture now: “For nobody can lay any basis apart from the one already laid, which is Christ Jesus.”

So, as soon as once more, I wish to ask you, what’s the work you’re constructing for the Kingdom of God, for eternity? What’s the high quality of what you’re doing? Are you doing it properly? Are you doing it with deep compassion, with dedication, with an amazing need to honor God in your life? As a result of sooner or later our work might be examined and rewarded. 

In chapter 3:12-15, Paul talks about numerous supplies on which we are able to construct. He mentions about constructing on gold, on silver, on treasured stones, supplies that may undoubtedly survive higher when going by means of the hearth. He additionally talks about constructing on wooden, on hay, and on straw, which as we all know properly, will expend in a short time when put to the hearth. So, are you constructing on gold, silver, and treasured stones, or are you constructing on wooden, hay and straw?

Our works might be judged sooner or later, and God will reward us accordingly. In 1 Corinthians 3:14 that is what Paul says, “If what has been constructed survives, the builder will obtain a reward.” Are you constructing one thing that God can reward sooner or later? 

Paul additionally tells us that we’re constructing the temple of God in verses 16 and 17. Let’s take a look at what he says there: “Don’t that you simply yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anybody destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that particular person; for God’s temple is sacred, and also you collectively are that temple.” So Paul is saying right here that what we’re constructing is the temple of the Lord, and it’s one thing that could be very, very sacred. Let’s due to this fact construct with a deep sense of dedication, bringing honor and glory to God.

There’s an illustrative story a few man who was concerned within the building business. He had accomplished his work for his group excellently, with an amazing monitor document. Now it was time for him to retire. So he went as much as his boss and gave his retirement papers. The boss was, after all, very unhappy that this gentleman was not going to be within the firm, and he informed him how a lot they appreciated all that he had accomplished.

Then the boss stated, “May you do one last venture for me?” and the person agreed. The boss stated, “There’s this land and listed here are some specs of a home I would like constructed. May you please construct this home in response to my specs on the land that I’ll present you?”

He stated, “Certain boss, no drawback.” However perhaps this man was a bit upset along with his firm over one thing that had occurred earlier, as a result of he thought, “Effectively, I’m retired, my time period is over, so I cannot put in the identical effort I usually would give to a job.” So he did a slipshod, half-hearted job on that exact home, his last venture.

Effectively, finally he completed the venture, closed the doorways, and introduced the keys to the boss. He stated, “Boss, the job is finished. Listed below are the keys to the home.” To his shock, the boss stated, “I don’t want the keys. You retain the keys, as a result of that is our approach of claiming thanks on your glorious service. This home is for you.” It was a reward given by the boss!

You possibly can simply think about what that man felt. He had accomplished a slipshod job, however now he was getting that very same home as a present. How a lot he would have regretted that he didn’t construct it properly.

Paul says, to start with, Construct Non secular Maturity by Constructing Christlikeness. Secondly, he says, Construct Non secular Maturity by Constructing for for Eternity and construct a long-lasting work, since you are constructing the temple of God. Let’s now take a look at our last level. 

3) Thirdly, Paul says we’re constructing on the completed work of Jesus Christ our Lord upon the cross. 

Every part we construct is constructed on the muse of who Christ is and what He did upon the cross when He sacrificed His life for the sins of mankind. So Paul says, we should construct on the completed work of Christ, all the time giving glory for what God achieved on the cross. He says that the ability of God is revealed solely by means of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 1:23-24. That is what Paul says: “However we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, however to these whom God has known as, each Jews and Greeks, Christ the ability of God and the knowledge of God.” Sure, Paul says that the cross reveals the ability of God. It’s the pivot on which all the things else within the Kingdom of God is constructed. We have to due to this fact preach the ability of the cross and ‘Christ crucified’.

Paul additional says that the knowledge of God can be revealed by means of the cross. He mentions this highly effective reality in 1 Corinthians chapter 1:27-29: “However God selected the silly issues of the world to disgrace the clever; God selected the weak issues of the world to disgrace the sturdy. God selected the lowly issues of this world and the despised issues—and the issues that aren’t—to nullify the issues which can be, in order that nobody might boast earlier than him.” 

So what’s Paul saying right here? He says that they weren’t saved or they didn’t come to know God by means of human knowledge. God selected those that have been silly, God selected those that have been thought-about weak, despised, and lowly. God selected individuals who weren’t too nice by worldly requirements. We due to this fact can’t boast about our knowledge, however we are able to all the time boast about what Jesus did for us on the cross.

Sadly, human knowledge usually opposes the message of the cross, as a result of it considers the cross as one thing silly. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul says that “human knowledge empties the ability of the cross”. Now there’s a whole lot of good human knowledge on this planet and we are able to use all that’s good. However human knowledge ought to by no means, ever override the knowledge of God in our lives.

All through the Bible, we see God utilizing weak issues for his glory. He used a rod, He used a sling, He used the jawbone of a donkey. He used lowly individuals like Rahab, a harlot, and a heathen woman known as Ruth. He used many weak individuals to deliver glory to His identify.

Because the energy of God and the knowledge of God flows from the cross, we must always all the time construct on the completed work of the cross. And at last, Paul encourages us by saying that we’re empowered and guided by the work of the Holy Spirit. Let’s take a look at 1 Corinthians 2:9-10: “Nevertheless, as it’s written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human thoughts has conceived”—the issues God has ready for many who love him—these are the issues God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all issues, even the deep issues of God.’

So in response to the Apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit is the one who teaches us the issues of God. These can’t be acquired by human knowledge alone. The Holy Spirit will train us and divulge to us the mysteries of God. In order we search to mature and to construct steps in direction of maturity right this moment, let’s enable the Holy Spirit to information and management us daily—in actual fact, on daily basis—and let’s construct no matter we’re constructing on the completed work of Jesus Christ.

Closing:

Let me shut with 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, however to us who’re being saved it’s the energy of God.” What a robust assertion! To us who’re saved, the cross is the last word energy of God. Pals, the cross is all the time the place to search out God’s plan, God’s objective for our lives. 

So in closing, as we speak about Constructing Blocks for Non secular Maturity, let me share the three essential ideas of this sermon: Primary, Construct Christlikeness. And which means eliminating division, eliminating disunity, eliminating jealousy, eliminating quarreling. Don’t enable human knowledge to regulate you, however be guided by the knowledge of God.

Quantity two, Construct for Eternity. As co-workers, construct one thing that might final, construct the temple of God, construct a long-lasting work for eternity. And thirdly, Construct Upon the Completed Work of Jesus Christ. For all of God’s functions and plans move by means of the ability and the knowledge that comes from the cross and thru the steerage of the Holy Spirit.

God bless you and will these truths stick with you thru this week. 

For a sermon titled 5 Foundations to Construct a Blessed Household examine right here.

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