1 Corinthians 3

November 23, 2022

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in selections from 1 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:

1 Corinthians 3 (NIV)

The Church and Its Leaders
1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?...........Continue Reading

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. First chapter 1:17 not to preach the gospel with wisdom and eloquent lest the cross of Christ be emptied of his power

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  3. God is the foundation and the one who brings growth. We get caught up in earthly things and people that distract us from what is really important, God, the Creator, the one that makes everything. We shouldn’t fight about our differences but rather find the common ground to work everything out for His glory! Seems so simple and yet this simple concept is so hard for us the implement.

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  5. Divisions over secondary matters just reveals the fleshly nature of the persons’ hearts that foster it. To divide people and thus hinder the testimony of Christ or by doing so not rely on His power, conviction and priority is wrong. We all have our roles in life and in the body of Christ and we are wise to fulfill them without comparing or competing with others. It should be all about Jesus because He is the source and the purpose behind everything we do. But we not only need to do right things, but we must also do them in a right way. We must operate in the power of the Spirit and the word, to the glory of Christ in order for our works to be considered worthy, being tested and approved by the fire. This testing of works is seen as the Bema seat judgement that believers will face. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and it is best to have His fruit born in our lives and not our own. And with Him and Jesus within us and having access to His wisdom, we really have it made if we will only live in it. It’s no wonder Paul says twice at the end of the chapter that everything is ours through Christ. SO what is it that we have to fight about or fight over?

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  6. Amen. Pastor Peter. “Worldly”: Keeps our thoughts on our own desires. Verses Godly: Keeping our thoughts on GOD’S desires. Which one works better!!! We have seen enough churches that are divided because of tampering with the foundation on which it was built. None of us are above any others that attend our church. We all play a part for the family of God. Whatever that looks like. Look vertical!! Not horizontal!! Waste of time at a church that’s foundation is built on wood hat or straw. As a church, let us FIX our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith!! And never stop!!!!!

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  8. 3:14
    “Do not deceive yourselves. If anyone of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise.”
    Simply put!

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  9. Now we can start to see more practically what is God’s wisdom vs. Man’s wisdom.

    When I read about these early divisions – Paul, Apollos, etc I can’t help but think of the way that the church identifies itself today – Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, etc. and even labeling doctrines by the names of those who espouse them – Calvinism, Arminianism, Pope John Paul, etc.

    Although these labels do sometimes help to distinguish the beliefs of a particular group. We should be Believers in Christ and our “system” should be God’s word.

    Man’s wisdom is derived from carnality/worldliness and results in division, envy, strife. I think it is funny that Paul rebukes them, saying that when they behave this way, they are behaving as “mere men.”

    We should just planting and watering. The foundation is laid: Jesus Christ.

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  10. Paul sets the Corinthians straight on their maturity level and and explains that he and Apollos are working with God to share the gospel to help people grow as Christians. As Christians, our foundation should be on Christ Jesus, not on worldly things. Be careful not to boast too highly about people who preach the gospel, as if we are their followers. We are all followers of Christ Jesus, and the leaders are given by God to fulfill his purposes for our benefit.

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