Who Do You Serve? – Part 1

Who Do You Serve

Paul addresses divisions in the Corinthian church, spiritual immaturity, the role of God's servants, and the eternal importance of how we build our lives and ministries.

MAIN TEXT: 1 Corinthians 3:1-14 (AMP) | Foundations for Living

1 Corinthians 3:1-14 (AMP)

1 However, brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [only] as to worldly people [dominated by human nature], mere infants [in the new life] in Christ! 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Even now you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith]?

3 Sources of Sin

1. Jealousy - Thoughts -envying, state of the soul
2. Strife-words -contention in words
3. Discord - division, sin in conduct

• The envying led to strife and evil speaking, and that led to divisions and fixed parties

4 For when one of you says, "I am [a disciple] of Paul," and another, "I am [a disciple] of Apollos," are you not [proving yourselves unchanged, just] ordinary people?

• Spiritual growth is stunted by jealousy, strife, and division.

• Immaturity Blocks Growth

• Check your heart for signs of spiritual immaturity.

• Are you growing in love, patience, and unity?

Here are some key biblical and practical indicators to help you examine whether your heart is right with God:

1. Love for God and His Word | Matthew 22:37

Do you desire to spend time with God in prayer and in His Word?

2. Sensitivity to Sin – "Create in me a clean heart, O God..." | Psalm 51:10

Are you quick to repent and make things right?

3. Forgiveness Toward Others

"If you do not forgive others... your Father will not forgive your sins." | Matthew 6:15

4. Are you holding grudges or bitterness?

Obedience to God's Commands "If you love Me, keep My commands." | John 14:15

5. Humility and Surrender

"God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." | James 4:6

Are you more concerned about your role or the goal, the goal is glorify God and expand his kingdom

5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task.

A. The Lord appointed

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was causing the growth.

A. Servants, Not Superstars B. Paul and Apollos were not rivals; they were coworkers with different assignments. C. Don't elevate people—celebrate the roles each one plays in God's plan. D. Notice, who causes growth, God does

7 So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth.

A. Regardless of our talents and labors they will not be fruitful unless God gives the increase by His blessing B. Three times here it is stated that God gives the increase 5,6,7 C. Be faithful in your role and trust God for the outcome.

8 He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (AMP)

10 For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NLT)

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

9 For we are God's fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God's cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God's building.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (MSG)

19-22 That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

10 According to the [remarkable] grace of God which was given to me [to prepare me for my task], like a skillful master builder I laid a foundation, and now another is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11 for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ.

KEY POINT: Our lives must be built on Christ, not on charisma, personalities, or earthly wisdom.

12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one's work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person's work. 14 If any person's work which he has built [on this foundation, that is, any outcome of his effort] remains [and survives this test], he will receive a reward

Matthew 20:26

26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

Matthew 23:11 (AMP)

11 But the greatest among you will be your servant.

Matthew 10:40-42 (AMP) | The Reward of Service

40 "He who receives and welcomes you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives and welcomes a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous (honorable) man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [these who are humble in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water to drink because he is my disciple, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward."

Discussion Questions

1. Paul identified three sources of sin: jealousy (thoughts), strife (words), and discord (conduct). How does this progression show that sin often begins internally before manifesting externally? Can you identify this pattern in your own life?
2. The Corinthians were still "infants in Christ" because of their divisions and jealousy. What are the signs of spiritual immaturity versus spiritual maturity in a believer's life?
3. Review the five indicators of a right heart with God listed in the notes. Which one challenges you most, and why? How can you grow in that area?
4. Paul says he planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. How does this truth free us from both pride in success and discouragement in apparent failure in ministry or service?
5. The notes emphasize "Servants, Not Superstars." Why is it dangerous to elevate Christian leaders to celebrity status? How can we celebrate people's roles without idolizing them?
6. Paul warns that each person's work will be tested by fire—some built with gold, silver, and precious stones; others with wood, hay, and straw. What determines the quality of our work for God?
7. According to 2 Corinthians 5:10, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account. How should this reality affect the way we live, work, and serve today?
8. The passage in Ephesians 2:19-22 describes us as being fitted together "brick by brick, stone by stone" in God's temple. What does this image teach us about the importance of every believer's role in the body of Christ?
9. Jesus taught that "the greatest among you will be your servant" (Matthew 23:11). How does this definition of greatness contradict the world's view? What does servant-leadership look like practically?
10. Matthew 10:42 promises that even giving a cup of cold water to a disciple will not lose its reward. How does this encourage you about the value of small, seemingly insignificant acts of service in God's kingdom?

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