I CORINTHIANS CH 3

INRODUCTION:

In chapter one, Paul said to the Corinthian Christians, he was concerned about their spiritual growth. They were focusing on worldly wisdom by focusing on themselves.


In chapter two Paul reminds them that he came to them humbly [v.3 weakness, fear & trembling], not the proud world traveler [v.1 speaking eloquently about superior wisdom].


Now in chapter three he minces no words [v.1 I could not address you as SPIRITUAL--- what a put down to those who considered themselves as “worldly wise”, but as mere spiritual infants. Folks let me be frank, your focus is wrong. It is not about you, it is about GOD. You are missing the point.


Let me illustrate [lest you miss my point]:

  1. V.3 There is jealousy

  2. There is quarreling

  3. You are acting like MERE men [versus Spiritually mature]

  4. V.4 I follow Paul / Apollos

  5. V.5 Are not there Mere Men? [versus where is Christ / God?]

  6. LESSON ONE: All believers are but SERVANTS [Not to be FOLLOWED, but to be emulated…we are teachers

  7. LESSON TWO: Each believer has been assigned a TASK = JOB TO DO

  8. V.6 One plants

  9. One waters

  10. LESSON THREE: BUT… it is GOD who gives the results [not worldly wisdom]

  11. LESSON FOUR: v.7 [NOTE THE CLINCHER] You are NOTHING---GOD IS EVERYTHING!!!

  12. LESSON FIVE: [NOTE AGAIN AFTER THAT PUTDOWN] V.8 You will be REWARDED for your labor

  13. LESSON SIX: V.9 We are GOD’S FELLOW WORKERS

  14. GOD’S FIELD

  15. GOD’S BUILDING


Let me illustrate again V.10

  1. I laid a FOUNDTION

  2. Someone else builds on it [that is you, if you missed the point]

  3. Each one should BE CAREFUL how he [YOU] builds

  4. V.11 Do not seek to lay another FOUNDATION [Like worldly wisdom]

  5. NOTE: that foundation is JESUS CHRIST

  6. V.12 Be careful what you build

  7. V.13 It will be tested with FIRE

  8. V.14 If it survives… you will be REWARDED

  9. V.15 If not… you will suffer loss… but you will be saved escaping the flames.

Let me remind you V.16

  1. You are God’s Temple

  2. God’s Spirit dwells in you

  3. V.17 God’s Temple is SACRED… you are that Temple

  4. V.18 Don’t deceive yourselves by thinking you are wise by the standards of this AGE

  5. V.19 the wisdom of this is foolishness to God

  6. He catches the wise in their craftiness

  7. V.20 God knows the thoughts of the wise are futile

  8. V.21 NO MORE BOASTING

  9. All thing are already yours

  10. V.22 You are of Christ

  11. Christ is of God