We’re All Labourers Together

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1 Corinthians 3:9–11 NASB95

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.

We’re All Labourers Together

When we remark that “we need to go back to the church of the 1st Century”, we can’t be talking about Corinth. . , right?

The church had many problems in their undertanding of doctrine and practical living.

However problems are not always a bad thing

Problems, struggle, they are designed to help you be better not bitter

To help you be resilient and not resentful

Depending on how you handle them, problems can bring us TOGETHER or TEAR US APART

[Properly state problem]

Have we gotten as far as a church in the 60+ years of existence

We have taught church autonomy so hard that thoughts of merging or working together are seen as a hostile take over

We have seen more congregations split, than congregation mergers

What can we learn from the Corinthians to help us “be Labourers together”?

# The Issue of Carnality

1 Corinthians 3:1 “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.”

This idea of carnality is not only attached to the drunkard, reviler, and fornicator.

According to Paul the jealous person is a carnal person, so is the person that causes conflict and strife.

Some say that division was the main issue, I will think it was carnality

The mind that is set after the flesh Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”

Those who belong to Christ must crucify the flesh.

How is this fleshly mind manifest?

1 Corinthians 3:4 “For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?”

1 Corinthians 4:6 “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.”

DIVISIONS - While the nature of the divisions are debated, the fact that there was, isn’t.

The parties led to separation and this is not what God wants

Every disagreement doesn’t have to mean a division

Every disagreement doesn’t mean someone is on the slippery slope

Every disagreement should not always see leaving the congregation

Every conflict doesn’t have to end a church split

God is calling us to be “labourers together” - How can we do this?

#1 The Increase Belongs To God

1 Corinthians 3:6–8 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

Contextually Paul addresses those that ministered the gospel

We can labour together when we understand that it is God who causes the increase

At best, we are just planters and waterers, but we are planting and watering for God

Paul uses two verbs that indicate past action but when he says God casues (imperfect) - causing

God is working - we just need to keep planting and watering - Even when human activity has ceased Divine activity continues - this makes planting and watering crucial

Even when the workers are gone - God is still working

God gives the increase because what we plant and water with is His

And God is the only one that operate in a hard to get to place like the heart of a man

Planters and waterers are just doing what God asked them to do (vs.5)

They both facilitate the the pathway to growth, and this where God works

Contextually Paul may be addressing those who led, SO preachers, keep preaching the word - and members let them do what God has called them to do - They are God’s men carrying His message

But the mesage is read to the entire body so members stay faithful any task palced in your hands

God assigns the tasks of the field and we all labour together to achieve it - Don’t let anything stop you from doing either

#2 We Belong To God

1 Corinthians 3:9 “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

Paul, Apollos - just fellow workers

We belong to God

Be thankful for how God treats you

Be mindful of how you treat each other

This includes: members, preachers, elders, deacons (all have been assigned tasks by God) - Be careful how you treat them

Fellow workers

This means there are two workers, working together

God doesn’t need me, but He invites because He has willed it to be this way

The thought that this great God invites lowly me to be part of His great purpose is humbling.

This also leaves no room for RIVALRY, COMPETING, DESIRE FOR RECOGNITION, among those that lead churches

What have I brought to the work that God hasn’t already supplied?

Feild

These further emphasize ownership and purpose

There must be unity among the workers, regarding purpose

There is fruitfulness

The image of the field points us to the care of the one who owns the field

You don’t need to do it by yourself, God will send help

Building

This emphasizes community

Show me a GOOD building without a GOOD foundation

The brethren are God’s place where He workers and He has workers (Paul and Apollos)

#3 The Work That Belongs to Us

I phrase it like this because we cannot expect others to do what God has called us to do

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 “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.”

Ministry must be a channel that leads people to Christ

If the ministry is to lead others to Christ or help others remain in Christ, that’s a good ministry.

Ministry that no longer accomplishes these goals should be reevaluated quickly

Paul built a foundation 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”

Apollos built on that foundation Acts 18:28 “for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.”

Build, but don’t mess with the foundation!

The foundation is only good if it’s Christological and Christocentric

The foundation is not the program unless the program is leading to Christ

Nor the tradition, event, nor the model