Epistles of Paul 31

Well, good evening, brethren. We are going to cover today 1 Corinthians chapter 3. In this epistle, Paul starts by thanking God for His loving kindness and grace towards the Corinthians and assures them of God's faithfulness till the end. This is so true to us today. We have a lot to be thankful to God for, for His kindness and grace towards us, and we have to continuously remember that God is faithful till the end.

That is so applicable, particularly as there are so many trials today. Then Paul pleads for unity, because as we know in Corinthians, we know there are a number of problems and issues that happen with the church in Corinth, and Paul appeals for unity. So that all speak the same thing. There will be no factions, no division. We also read from Corinthians that Christ's suffering and death to some people was a stumbling block in their growth, and to others was absolutely foolishness. From that point of view, some of the teachings today are a stumbling block to a number of Christians. They misunderstand, they must interpret things, and it is a stumbling block. On the other side, some people don't apply that through the value of Christianity. So they either get involved in too much technicality, or they just don't understand the teaching at all.

We, indeed, we as the called out ones, we also, Paul, highlights that we are not amongst the wise clearly. We're not. But God's wisdom, through God's wisdom, you and I, we bought back from death with the help of God's early spirit. We are sanctified, and this is not because of us, but because God is glory, and it is all to God's glory. Then he further explains that this great plan that God has for us is a mystery for all mankind, and we only understand it and comprehend it because God, through his spirit, has opened our minds to understand it. The natural man and his man without God's early spirit just does not get it. We can try and convince them and teach them, but they don't get it. It requires God's early spirit to understand it. And that's because we have God's mind, and in a sense, we have Jesus Christ's mind. We read, for instance, in Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. He says, I have been crucified of Christ. It's no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God or of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. So we are living, life and Christ lives in us. That's how Christ's mind is in us, because Christ is living in us. And then also in Philippians chapter 2 verse 5, we are told to have the same mind. Philippians chapter 2 verse 5, where it says, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. So with Christ's mind, which is God's only spirit in us, which is also God's mind, it's actually to only one spirit, the Father in Christ living in us, and through it Christ instructs us through his spirit. So now we get to Corinthians chapter 3, and in verse 1, let's read, And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. So Paul is saying, I can't talk to you, even though I raised this church in Corinth, obviously Christ raised through Paul, but even though I was instrumental in raising this church, you haven't grown yet to maturity, to the degree that you should. And then he says, because it is talking to them as to carnal, as to babes in Christ, the word carnal is from the Greek word 4559, 4559, sarkikos, which means pertaining to the flesh, temporal, fleshly.

So those, brethren, they had not grown maturely, and they were still looking at things from a fleshly perspective. They had a carnal view. And that's what we read just now in Galatians chapter 2 verse 20, when Paul says, the life which I now live in the flesh. So we all live in the flesh, but we have to overcome those poles of the flesh and be different. Look at Romans chapter 8, Romans chapter 8 verse 12 and 13. Romans 8 verse 12 and 13.

We, therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. So we have to, even though we are human, we have a human body, we are not to live according to the flesh.

We are going to crucify the lusts of the flesh, of the eyes, and the pride of life. But when Paul is writing out to the Corinthians, he's saying, you know, I can't write to you spiritual people. It was mature spiritual Christians, but I have to write to you as to carnal, as to people in the flesh. And therefore, they were still living like fleshly people, and Paul was saying they needed to repent.

And as we read, for instance, in 1 John chapter 2 verse 15 and 16, 1 John chapter 2 verse 15 and 16 says, do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the last of the flesh, the last of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. So Paul was saying to them they were fleshly, and in fact Paul is saying, at the end of verse 1, as to babes in Christ.

He had to treat them as spiritually immature children in the church, as to babes, not to mature Christians. Now, if we read in Hebrews chapter 5, towards the end of Hebrews chapter 5, starting in verse 12, Hebrews chapter 5 verse 12, for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the articles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

So as babes, as little children, and this obviously is an analogy, but babes, little children, babes, can't have solids. They have to have milk, and so that is fine, but we need to roll towards solid foods, towards having solids. So Paul had to teach them the very basic fundamental principles of the Word of God, because that's what it says. You need someone to teach you again the first principles of the articles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. And then in verse 13 he says, for that is in Hebrews 5 verse 13, for everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the world of righteousness, for he is a babe.

And so when he's talking in Corinthians chapter 3 verse 1, he's talking to them as babes. Now continue to read in Hebrews chapter 5 verse 14, but he says, but solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that are mature, that have grown up, no more babes. That is, those who by reason of use, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

So the solid food is when we are practicing by reason of use, by practicing, we have learned to exercise our senses to discern both good and evil, and to do it. In other words, is to develop character. Solid food is to develop character by reason of use. So going back to 1 Corinthians chapter 3, let me now read verse 2. I fed you with milk and not of solid food, for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able. Solid food, the word food, is the Greek 1033-1033, broma, which in the King James version is translated as meat, but it is a good translation to say solid food.

Obviously, it can refer to meat based on the context, but Yah is talking about solid food. So Paul was saying to them, you still children, you still babes, you are not able to handle solid food. Now, how can we determine that they were still fleshly minded? Because it says carnal as babes in Christ. So babes in Christ, basically saying, is fleshly minded. How can one determine that one is fleshly minded? Well, the answer is in verse 3.

4. In other words, that's the reason why for you are still carnal, why for where there are envy, strife in the visions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like new men. So the indicator that one is not babe, in other words, is not mature in Christ, is that there are envies, divisions, strives amongst the brethren. So that is the test. Is there envy, jealousy? Are we envies of other people?

Is there strife arguing in the church amongst the brethren? Is there little camps or cliques causing division? Because if you are, it says you are behaving like mere man. In other words, you are behaving just like carnal people, not spiritual Christians. So in other words, unconverted. You behaving like unconverted people. In other words, you are babe in Christ. So if we see these attributes in a congregation of envy, of jealousy, of strife, of division, then it indicates that we have some brethren that are still carnal, that are still babes in Christ. The alternative is, do they show love, hope, charity, instead of envy, jealousy, strife, debates, and division? You see, so the real problem is these envious attitudes, which in the end causes division. And that's why it says, verse 4, when one says, I am Paul, and another says, I am of Apollos, are you not carnal? You see, their problem was division.

Look, we all have, in a sense, favorites. We like maybe the way a minister speaks, but there's a difference between that and having division, because ministers have different talents, different skills. Some may be a good speaker, others maybe are very compassionate with people, and they have their talents. Each one has their talents, but we must not have division amongst, well, I'll follow this minister, I'll follow that minister, or something like that. And as you know, some ministers have led the church, or left the church, and led some people astray, and people followed them, followed man, instead of following Christ. And so let's continue. Verse 5, who then is Paul? And who's Apollos? Who's Paul? And who's Apollos? Apollos was probably the local elder and a local pastor, and Paul more like the one that the apostle that had started the church in that area. Who's Paul? And who's Apollos? But ministers, through whom he believed. They're just ministers. The Greek word is 1249, 1249, diakonos, ministers. You know, a deacon is an attempt, a waiter, one who serves. And so we're all ministers. We're all serving. You see, but ministers are serving in a spiritual area, while deacons are serving in a physical area, but both serving. Let's just look at the example when deacons were selected in Acts chapter 6. Let's read verse 1 through 4. Acts chapter 6, verse 1 through 4. Now, in those days, when the number of disciples was multiplied, there was a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, by the Greek brethren, because the widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the 12, that's the apostles, summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, it is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables. It's not desirable that we as ministers should leave the Word of God and serve tables. In other words, the minister serves in spiritual matters. Therefore, brethren, seek out from amongst you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we, that's the ministers, will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. So we as ministers, we will give ourselves to work on the ministerial, spiritual side, and the deacons, the physical deacons, will give themselves to serve in the physical side. And so, does it mean that we as ministers can't help out in putting some chairs and things like that? Yes, we can. But we can't do everything. And there are certain things the deacons cannot do. For instance, like if somebody needs counseling, or if somebody needs anointing, or spiritual encouragement, we should dedicate ourselves to do that as first priority.

That's why it says that we should give ourselves concerning to prayer and to the ministry of the world. Now, an interesting point here is that it says in verse 5 of 1 Corinthians chapter 3, it says, we are ministers through whom you believed. So the ministers are dedicated to serving ministerial matters, and it says, through whom you believed. And that reminds me of Romans chapter 10 verse 14 and 15. Romans chapter 10 verse 14 and 15. And yeah, we read, how then should they call on him in whom they have not believed? But they believed. And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? So the ministry has a job to help in this process to make people believe. And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Ministers are sent, are appointed by God, and they are sent.

So ministers, continue reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 5, ministers through whom you believed as the Lord gave to each one. God the Lord Christ is appointed people to different roles and positions. And so we continue now in verse 6. I planted a polished water, but God gave the increase. In other words, theitis crimes various ministerial tasks. Yes, some ministers have certain responsibilities. Some plant, obviously, the Word of God. Some water, in other words, they teach, guide, help, brethren to grow. And so God produces spiritual growth in us.

He's the one that gives the growth. God is the one that gives the increase.

And that increase is the growth in spiritual character. And so we as ministers, we are assistants or ones that help in this process. And so what do we have is a process in which it's like a germination process that we have the spirit of man in man. And then God's Holy Spirit works with our spirit of man in man, and we grow. And we grow spiritually. And as it says in verse seven, so then neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. It's God that gives the increase. The glory goes back to God. And then in verse eight, now he who plants and he who waters are one. See, so we all ministers, we're all ministers, we're all serving the brethren as ministers. So he's basically talking about ministers, you plants and who waters are one. And each one will receive his own reward according to his own label, a paper, his own labor. So we all ministers and we all will receive our reward according to our labor. But likewise, that applies to all of us, not just to ministers.

Continuing our reading in verse nine, for we are God's fellow workers, but you are God's field, you are God's building. And so what we have is specifically talking about ministers once again.

We are as ministers rewarded according to our works, but this principle applies to every single Christian in the church. We're all rewarded according to our works. Granted, salvation is a gift, but our position in the kingdom of God is according to our works. And then he also says, you are God's field. So the ministers are our fellow workers and the brethren are basically God's field. And together, you are God's building. So you are God's temple together as well, the church together. Verse 10, according to the grace of God, which was given to me as a wise master builder, I have laid a foundation and another building on it, but let each one take heed our e-builds on it. So talking about again about ministers and that we must not build and develop and help the brethren to grow in the church in a sloppy way. We are committed to this job that God has given us. Let's look at Ephesians chapter 2 verse 20. Ephesians chapter 2 verse 20. Yeah, we read, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. So Christ is the chief cornerstone. We as ministers are, as the apostles built on that basic foundation, the cornerstone, but they further built that foundation, but the real foundation, the cornerstone, is Christ. We're building on Christ. And also in Matthew 7 verse 24 through 27. Matthew 7 verse 24 through 27.

Therefore, whoever hears these signs of mine and does them, I'll liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat the house, and it did not fail, for it was founded on the rock. So he's talking about spiritually, and the rock is Christ, of course. But everyone who hears these signs of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his own on the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat the house, and it fell, and great was its fall.

So the rock is Christ. The rock is the foundation, is the cornerstone. That's Christ. And we as ministers build the church on Christ. We don't build, not follow a following, after ourselves.

Well, some build a loyalty to themselves, regrettably. But we, or you as a minister, are not to build a following after you. In other words, me as a minister and other ministers are not to build a following after ourselves. And too many have forgotten this principle.

And no other foundation will stand the test of time. It will crack and will fold.

So let's continue reading in verse 12 and 13 of 1 Corinthians chapter 3.

So we read verse 10 and verse 11 says, For now what a foundation can anyone lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He's a rock. Right, verse 12. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones, wood, hay, and straw, each one's work will become clear, for they will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire. And a fire will test each one's work of what's all it is. So, basically now we have three building materials which will be burned in the fire.

And those are stated as wood, hay, and straw. And they'll be burned in a reverse order from quick to slower. So straw will burn quicker than hay and then wood.

So we have three different types of building materials that will be burned in the fire in reverse order of speed. And the fire represents trials and tests. And the fire also, ultimately also represents the lake of fire. And then we've got three other building materials, which is gold, silver, and precious stones, which with fire they'll not burn. They'll be purified.

And impurities are taken out, are purified out. And what is left is pure substance.

And so the fact is that the church will be put to the test. There will be these tests. And only those built with or on the right foundation and that have built the right character on that foundation will endure. All others will be burned up. And so our character will be tested. Paul is definitely referring to the ministry building the church. But again, the principle applies to each one of us.

We are individually responsible for building our own life. We are individually responsible for building our own life. And are we building our life on things like wood, hay, and straw?

Because that will be burned. That will be burned.

Or are we developing godly, holy, righteous character in words, gold, silver, and precious stones?

Are we growing? Are we enduring? Because there will be a reward. We have to remain faithful till the end.

And then therefore it says here in verse... well, let me just give some examples before I go on to verse 14, because it says in verse 13, each one's work will become clear, for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test each one's work of what sort it is. So the work will be tested. And if we are developing character, that will remain.

And so quite often, I have seen people having, let's call it, building with wood, hay, and straw.

Let me give you some examples.

Having visited other church areas in Africa, like in Angola, they like a lot to sing and dance.

And the question... yeah, it's very nice.

And it's very encouraging to see that commitment. But there has to be substance.

I must say that I was very pleased with the substance I saw in many of the brethren.

But the question is, there needs to be substance. It's not just coming to church. It's not just being a social club. There has to be substance. We have to grow in godly righteous character.

I'll give you another example where some are developing things that will be burned and will be destroyed. Some have very intellectual type ideas, and it is worrying. I'll give an example. Some have a feeling that they have to use a specific Hebrew name, and such as for instance, basically the tetragram, Yahweh or Jehovah, they have to use that.

Now let's look at Exodus 6 verse 3. Exodus 6 verse 3.

Exodus 6 verse 3.

And it says, I appeared, that's God appeared, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as what?

God Almighty, as God Almighty. But by my name, Lord Yahweh, I was not known to them.

So when people today say, no, I worship God, it has to be using that name.

It says, but by that name Yahweh, I was not known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the father, the parents, the father of the faithful, the fathers of the faithful. So they don't even know the name Yahweh. They called God the Almighty God. And so you don't have to worship using a Hebrew name.

You don't. And so these things can become little twigs that separate people. And it is unfortunate.

I've seen people where they take a great concern about the word prostrate, and they say, you have to worship God by bowing down and putting the forehead on the floor.

Is that developing holy righteous character? You see, you can have these little ideas which then start creating division in the church. And you got different ideas, like who's the beast? And people come out with their own interpretations? Or what is the market of the beast with their own interpretations? Or they develop their own character, and they create division? And so the question is, what twig could affect you and I instead of developing godly, holy, righteous character?

So it is very important when we read here in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, and we're reading in verse 13, it says, each one's work will become clear, for the day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one's work of what thought it is. There'll be tests, and tests will burn some of these twigs, because the important is developing a spirit of love, joy, unity, and godly love, and the exercise, the continuous exercise, as we read in Hebrews chapter 5, of distinguishing what's right and wrong, and developing godly character. In verse 14, if anyone's work which he has built on, on it endures, he'll receive a reward. Again, it's talking about ministers, and it's talking about that the brethren will grow and develop character, will endure, and that minister will receive a reward. But again, as I said, it applies to each one of us. And look at in verse 15, if anyone's work is burned, he'll suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so through fire. And so we may have to go through fire, in other words, through great trials, maybe even the Great Tribulation. And if you remain faithful to the end, then you will be saved. But why have works that kind of lead us to have to go through fire? Why not develop the character now?

And verse 16 and 17, do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are? So in verse 16, do you not know that you are? The word you are is Greek 2075, este, which is the second plural tense of the verb are. In other words, it's a plural.

You are. So you plural. You the church as a whole. You the church as a whole are the temple of God. So the church is a temple of God, but individually we also are the temple of God, with God's Spirit in us.

So the church is a temple of God, and God dwells in us. And look at Exodus 25, verse 8, Exodus 25, verse 8.

Exodus 25, verse 8.

It says, And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. So the Israelites had to build a sanctuary or a tabernacle, that God may dwell among the Israelites.

And where does God dwell today? Where does God dwells today? In the temple. But the temple today is a spiritual temple, and that is the church of God. Additionally, again, it's got a dual meaning, because we individually are also referred to as the temple, because our bodies is a temple. We read that in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 16. 2 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 16.

It says, And what agreement as a temple of God with idols, for you are the temple of the living God.

For I'll dwell in them, and welcome unto them, and I'll be their God, and they shall be my people.

So the temple of God, again, has got a duality in meaning, which represents the church of God, but it also, it's our bodies, is the temple of God. So continue, therefore, to read verse 16 and 17. Do not know that you are the temple of God. So yeah, we see a dual meaning, that you, the church, the brethren, the brethren Corinth, the Corinth congregation, they are the temple of God, and individually each member is also part of that temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you. And it was God's only spirit dwells in you like it dwelled in the tabernacle, so that God could dwell with them, and they had a tabernacle, so that God could dwell with them.

And if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. So the temple of God is holy. So we're going to be careful. And then verse 18, let no one deceive himself. Reverend, we are definitely deceived by sight, but we can deceive ourselves as well. Look at Jeremiah 17 verse 9. It's a well-known scripture. Jeremiah 17 verse 9. Jeremiah 17 verse 9. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? Our heart, our mindset, is desperately wicked, who can know it? So we have to be aware that, yes, we can be deceived by Satan, but we can deceive ourselves as well.

So yeah, we can see that the heart is desperately wicked, desperately sick. And so continuing reading in verse 18, 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18, let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, letting become a fool, then he may become wise. So if people think that because of their education or their training or whatever it is, or their knowledge, they think they know it all, it says if they think he's wise, if he thinks he knows it all in this age, in this society, they didn't become a fool, they didn't even become wise. In other words, the wisdom of this world is foolish towards God, and the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world. That ties in with 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 26 through 28, which we studied earlier, where it says, For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise, according to flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, but God has chosen the foolish things of the world, to put the shame to wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world, to put the shame to things that are mighty, and the basings of the world, and the things which are despised, God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are. So if you are wise in the world, learn that you really don't know much in front of God. Why?

Why? Because it goes back to the beginning of this chapter, where it says, For you are still carnal, for where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal, and behaving like me a man? In other words, you have the wisdom of the swold.

Turn with me to James chapter 3. James chapter 3, verse 13 through 16. It says, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his work are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking, if you have this desire to be at the front, to be the one at the top, if you think you're wise and you know it all, it says, it's because really in the end there's bitter envy and self-seeking. And tying this section in James with verse 2 of 1 Corinthians chapter 3, it's talking about that is carnality, with his envy, strife, and division. And he says, envy and self-seeking, self-seeking in your hearts. In other words, factions. That means people wanting to be desiring to be at the front. It was wiser than others. And that is earthly. That is carnal.

And then we read out, for this wisdom, verse 15 of James chapter 3, for this wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. Where envy and self-seeking exist? Confusion and every evil thing are there. Confusion and its division. So that is the wisdom of the world.

It's earthly. And that's why a little later on in James chapter 4 asks, why are there fights and wars amongst even the brethren? Why? Because you're lost and do not have. You know, it was you envy. You have this spirit of self-seeking. And that's why then it says in verse 5, the spirit which dwells in us yearns jealousy. The spirit of man in man, the carnal mind, the fleshly mind, yearns for envy, for jealousy, to be on top, to be in charge. That is carnal. That is divisive. So as we read here, continue to read now in 1 Corinthians chapter 3, verse 18 and 19 as we're reading, we read 18. Now let's read 19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it is written, he catches the wise in their own craftiness.

And again, the Lord knows the thoughts of the wise that they are futile. They're futile. Therefore, let no one boast in man, for all things are yours. Don't boast in a specific minister. Well, this minister is better than other, or whatever it is. As I mentioned, you may have favorites, but people have different talents. So you may have a specific minister that you favor more as a speaker, but doesn't mean that you're going to follow that minister. It doesn't mean that you put him above others that have different talents. So don't boast in the minister. That's what it says. 21. Therefore, let no one boast in man. What about man? For all things are yours. All men, including all our ministers and teachers, belong to Christ and therefore to you, by your and our union with Christ as part of his body. So the ministry is there to serve us.

Look at 2 Corinthians 4.5. 2 Corinthians 4.5.

It says, For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your born servants, for Christ's sake. So we all preach Christ. And also verse 15 of 2 Corinthians 4. For all things are for your sakes.

That grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

So the ministry is there to serve you. It's for you. It's what God has established for you as members in the church. And that in the end is, as it says, so that you may be grateful and thanksgiving our thanks and that to abound and that is to God's glory, to the glory of God.

And so we now, as we read in 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 22 and 23.

So all things are yours. All menaces belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or Peter, or the world of life or death. All things present, all things to come, all are yours. Why? Because we are the inheritors of God and co-inheritors of Christ.

And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. We all menaces are therefore there for the Church's edification, building up for the benefit of all the brethren in the Church.