1 Corinthians 3:5–9 Final (2)

Scripture

1 Corinthians 3:5–9 ESV

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Outline

1. The Correction (v.5-6)

2. The Acknowledgement (.v7)

3. The Answer (v.8-9)

Introduction

John Calvin “no man ought to be gloried in, for faith allows of no glorying except in Christ alone.”

The Gathering from its beginning has always sought to glorify Christ.

The Gathering began in the city where some of us felt a great burden to see Christ exalted over the glory of man.

We began by opening our bibles and seeing the truth about God and His character.

We rejoiced as we witnessed the beauty of God giving the growth.

We were stunned when digging deep into election, predestination, grace, mercy and the incarnation.

God began to place a burden on our hearts to reach college students.

We began to pray and God answered.

The Gathering moved from the city to Millersville.

We needed a place to worship and God gave us a place.

We began our services with . And ever since, we have preached from the Bible.

We began to engage college students on campus and God brought to us the most amazing students. Which have become family.

We began our services in the basement of the church on Saturdays at 6:30 with hard brown chairs and minimal space. 1 spot light and a 42 inch tv to display lyrics.

We reached out with outreaches, 3 on 3 Tournaments and open mic nights.

We took students on missions trips and conferences to help build their faith.

We saw families grow in their faith and we have seen families struggle with their faith.

We saw a worship team form and people serving in the nursery who had a heart for our children.

We saw the church support pastors financially and support missions.

We saw students become families and missionaries.

We saw visitors become members.

We rejoiced as we witnessed the beauty of God giving the growth.

We must always remember that:

“no man ought to be gloried in, for faith allows of no glorying except in Christ alone.”

All the good that came throughout the years as a local church came from Christ and Christ alone.

With so much more I could say, I believe we can say here that we have seen growth in our local congregation.

Not growth as the world sees it. But a growth in the lives of people through the gospel being proclaimed and taught.

Our role in God’s plan of redemption in the world is to remember that growth only comes from God and not from men. And that we are mere servants in His field. Paul remembered this well.

that growth only comes from God and not from men.

Background

If we go back to verses 1-4 we see the reason for our text today.

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 ESV

1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

Paul makes it clear that he is concerned for the church at Corinth due to:

1. Them not being spiritual. A people of the flesh but infants in Christ.

2. He fed them milk, not solid food because they weren’t ready for it.

3. They had jealousy and strife among them, and were behaving in a human way

4. They were showing their division by saying “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos.” Proving their immaturity.

5. Paul concludes with a question. “Are you not being merely human?”

Paul needed to correct their views because they were causing divisions by making mere men more than what they were.

Outline

1. The Correction (v.5-7)

2. The Acknowledgement (.v7)

2. The Solution (v.8-9)

1. The Correction (v. 5-7)

Verse 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.

Before we get into what is Apollos and Paul it’d be good to know who Apollos and Paul were.

1. Who was Apollos?

Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria. He was described as:

Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria. He was described as:

Acts 18:24 ESV

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.

He learned of the baptism of John and though he had an incomplete view of Christ, he was accurately teaching of Christ ().

He was then taught by Aquila and Priscilla in order to give him a more accurate view of Christ.

He was known for powerfully refuting the Jews in public. Showing them by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ ().

He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures and a bold apologist for the Gospel.

2. Who was Paul?

There is much we can say about Paul but I’ll keep it brief.

Paul was a:

1. Apostle

2. Scholar

3. Writer who was moved by the Holy Spirit as He wrote 13 epistles which made up almost one-fourth of the NT.

4. 16 chapters of the book of Acts (13–28) Luke focused on his ministry

These men were serving powerfully and publicly. But what it exposed in the church at Corinth was a love for faction more than truth.

And it was because:

They were people of the flesh

They had jealousy and strife among them

They were behaving in a human way

Which caused them to say “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos.”

Paul didn’t feel threatened by this. He didn’t defend his apostolic ministry.

He could have said, “Who is Apollos?”

But what God did through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit was to remind them who Paul and Apollos were.

As Paul was writing this God the Holy Spirit would bring correction to the divisive factions within the church at Corinth.

In fact it

1 Corinthians 3:5 ESV

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.

Paul an Apostle greatly used by God and Apollos a powerful, eloquent and competent man were only servants.

Paul used servant to describe them. They were “diakonos.”Meaning attendants, or ministers, literally slaves through whom they believed, because of the Lord assigning them.

Assigning to do what? To plant and water. Which meant to preach and share the Gospel.

This was Paul’s understanding the whole time of their role.

Ephesians 3:7 ESV

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Of this gospel I was made a minister (same word) according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Of this gospel I was made a minister (same word) according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Paul didn’t took credit for what God had made him to be. Nor for the work that was being done through him.

Romans 12:3 ESV

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Paul knew the factions to be carnal, fleshly and proving the behavior to be human and not spiritual.

He corrects their carnal behavior by exposing their limits as men and by showing what God only could do.

Verse 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

Paul planted and Apollos watered.

Paul was showing them how ordinary it was for them to do what they were doing. And how growth only came from God.

So what this means is that growth is not dependent on human service.

It was through men that God brings about the Gospel and not because of men.

God alone brings about growth.

Here are some questions we need to ask ourselves.

1. Have you ever said I follow Eric. Or I follow Los.

2. Have you created cliques?

3. Have you made the mistake of forcing your way of doing things into how others serve

3. Have you created preferences that have caused you to create distance and division?

3. Have you created preferences that have caused you to create distance and division? Have you ever thought that maybe your way of doing things wasn’t necessarily a hill to die on?

Have you ever thought that maybe your way of doing things wasn’t necessarily a hill to die on?

Division will happen in the local church when we elevate men as idols.

If you can’t worship God because the style of worship doesn’t fit, then you have made an idol.

If you can’t fellowship with a brother or sister because of non-essential doctrinal differences, then you have made an idol.

If you have elevated me or Eric over each other, then you have made an idol.

We are servants not consumers. We are ministers not supervisors.

This is God’s house and we are mere men who serve under His Lordship.

When we lose sight of this we will enhance our carnality and worldliness.

Do you believe that the men serving you in pastoral ministry have been assigned by God?

If so then remember that they are mere servants. They are not mean’t to be objects used to prop up your way of doing things.

When you side with one pastor over another, you are showing immaturity and a human way of viewing service in God’s kingdom.

I would also warn some that highjacking a culture with your way of doing things is also divisive. Be watchful. Just because you went to seminary and have the bible memorized does not mean that your preferences should be included in the canon of Scripture.

A church must strive to be authentically biblical not consumeristic and preoccupied with preference.

And that also goes for what has been the predominate culture in Reformed theology.

Being celebratory does not mean unbiblical. A culture expressing itself biblically and exuberantly does happen and it may not fit what you have been used to.

Preferences and camps can form from either side. But what we must always be preoccupied with is biblical authenticity and humility.

We must all remember that we are all mere servants in God’s kingdom. And losing site of this will create jealousy and strife in the local church.

We must all remember that we are all mere servants in God’s kingdom. And losing site of this will create jealousy and strife in the local church.

When it comes to the health and growth of the local church God is the one gives the growth through the planted church that is watered by the Gospel.

We must not think of ourselves or others more than we ought.

And leaders are only servants in the Lord’s field.

“no man ought to be gloried in, for faith allows of no glorying except in Christ alone.”

2. The Acknowledgement (.v7)

Verse 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Remember Paul and Barnabas at Lystra? ()

There was a man sitting who could not use his feet. Who was crippled from birth and never walked.

He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looked at Him. Intently, seeing that he had faith to be made well. Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.

The crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” They called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul, Hermes.

The priest of Zeus and the crowds brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

What do you think Paul and Barnabas did?

What if they thought highly of themselves?

Did they glory in the moment? Did they take credit?

Verses 14-15 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Verse 14-15 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

They understood clearly that neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Remember this family. We are servants in His field. Growth does not come from us. God gives growth. And growth may not be what you think.

Growing in Christ does not mean growing in numbers.

Growing in Christ does not mean getting a bigger building.

Growing in Christ does not mean more in the offering.

Growth in Christ means growing in knowledge and grace. In love and obedience to His commands. And in our love for one another. Always remembering that only God gives the growth!

It is amazing to know that though I have served imperfectly, even in times of struggle, God allowed me the privilege to witness Him growing and moving in the lives of His people here at The Gathering.

And Eric. It was a blessing to lead with you through out the years!

Together we can both say that we have witnessed an amazing God who gives amazing grace to an undeserving people.

We are mere servants, we are all servants appointed by God to plant and water.

To labor in His kingdom of which He is King and we His servants, are subject to His Lordship and rule.

What is amazing is that though we cannot take credit for the miracle of serving Him, He will reward us all for our service.

The solution to their division was to see that we are one in Christ.

2. The Solution (v.8-9)

Verse 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.

This is the answer to their problem.

Paul and Apollos are one in the same.

They formed camps and caused divisions by dividing what was already unified.

Christ Alone Fellowship, The Gathering are one. There should be no division in God’s kingdom.

We are laborers together working for the glory of God and only because of the grace of God.

There is not going to be beauty pageants for churches in heaven.

We will all with one voice and mind worship the living God. Together forever and ever.

We will all gain reward for serving the Lord our God in His field. And our greatest reward is Christ!

We must remember

Our reward is Christ! And we will rejoice!

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:2–3 ESV

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We should strive for unity as we labor in God’s kingdom.

Ephesians 4:3 ESV

3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

People who cause divisions and camps are only trampling on what needs growth.

Namely, those who need to mature.

Neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything. But He who plants and he who waters are one. Which gives the church at Corinth the answer to their problem.

Either you are laboring for the glory of God or for the glory of man.

But He who plants and he who waters are one.

Verse 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building

Paul also reveals the humility of Christ in revealing that we are coworkers with Him.

We are servants following the example of the greatest Servant. Jesus Christ.

Remember what Jesus said after He washed the feet of His disciples?

Remember what He said afte

John 13:13–15 ESV

13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Jesus gave us the greatest example of being a servant.

This is the mind we are to have.

Philippians 2:4–8 ESV

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus gave us the greatest example of generosity.

2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.

God Himself is not a tyrant supervisor in His field. He is working with us and through us to to accomplish His will and purpose. And He has given us the greatest example in His Son.

God Himself is not a tyrant supervisor in His field. He is working with us and through us to to accomplish His will and purpose.

He doesn’t need us. But He has decided to work through us.

The church is God’s field, not man’s.

The church is God’s building, not man’s.

So strive to water and plant in unity. Being led by the Spirit of God. In humility and peace.

Ephesians 2:18–22 ESV

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

We plant and we water in God’s field. But we are His building and He alone builds and causes growth.

This is how we should be regarded as Paul stated in chapter 4.

1 Corinthians 4:1 ESV

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

That is why “no man ought to be gloried in, for faith allows of no glorying except in Christ alone.” Who is the greatest example of service and humility! The cornerstone and Head of the church!