Return to Studies in Corinthians
Presented, December 21, 2008 pm
FELLOW MINISTERS WITH GOD
1 Cor. 3:5-8
A.
In our
text, who were they? Simply they were servants that together introduced
the Lord to these brethren.
It seems that after Paul established the church there, Apollos came
along and kept building up what had been established.
B.
Based on
this, who was more important? Neither.
They were equally important and needed.
Just as a house requires several professionals (plumber, electrician,
contractor, etc.) so adequate growth can be achieved when every part
does its share. Ephesians
4:16 speaks of every part doing its share causing growth of the body.
Later in this letter Paul will note that every part of the body is
needed (1 Cor. 12:12-27).
C.
Lesson: Let us learn to
not think too highly of ourselves. As
we look at Paul we see one whom we highly respect and even honor.
The reason is because we know how he lived his life.
But one of the greatest characteristics of his life was what he thought
of himself – 1 Cor. 15:9 he says, “For
I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an
apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
Ephesians 3:8 he calls himself “least of all the saints.”
1 Tim. 1:15, “Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners, of whom
I am chief.”
Statements such as these to Paul were NOT false humility, but genuine.
When we face great success, even spiritual, we must strive to maintain
humility!
D.
Lesson: Let us be careful
before we put too much trust in a men.
Isn’t it interesting that the people thought more highly of Paul &
Apollos than they did of themselves?
While the godly are worthy of praise and respect (cf. elders, those who
have proven themselves, etc.) never put so much trust in them that you
deify them.
Remember Peter in Acts 10:26 where he told Cornelius, “Stand up, I myself also am a man.”
Later, Paul & Barnabas in Acts 14:14-15, resist being treated as gods
saying, “Men, why are you doing
these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to
you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God…”
A.
Today the
word minister has become to many a title or an office.
When someone says, “Who is your
minister?” they are looking for someone in particular.
Usually it is the preacher.
But it has come to designate someone who specializes to a
particular group or interest within the congregation (i.e. youth
minister, music minister, etc.).
But is this how the word is used in the Bible?
Is this how the word is used in our text? NO!
B.
The word
minister here is, (dia)konoi)
diakonoi.
It is the word from which our
word deacon is derived.
Vine’s describes the word as, “a
servant, attendant, minister.”
Thayer defines the term as, “one
who executes the commands of another, especially of a
master…Universally: of the servant of a king, Matt. 22:13”
The term is found in the following passages (and others):
Romans 16:1 where it speaks of Phoebe being a servant
Romans 13:4, where it speaks of government being a minister of God “for
you for good.”
Ephesians 6:21 speaks of Tychcicus
And Eph. 3:7 where Paul was made a minister
In each of these we see the work that is being done rather than an
office. They were all
servants of Christ and often of others, even Paul and others.
Yes he did have an office (elder), but this describes His work.
Finally, consider the same word is found in 1 Tim. 3:8, 12 for the term
deacon. In that we realize
that a deacon is a servant.
One qualified and appointed to fulfill works as assigned by the elders.
The deacon is a derivative of this word.
C.
The point
in our text is that Paul is placing emphasis on what he did rather than
who he was.
Consider the result of their “ministry” - “through
whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one.”
Let us never forget that we are ALL servants.
We are to serve God and we are to serve others.
A.
What was
their job as “ministers”? To sow the seed of the word of God AND once it
was sown to cultivate it.
This was their talent or ability.
Just like the servants in the parable of the talents (Matt.
25:14-31). NOTICE again
Paul’s realization that he is simply a servant.
B.
We
understand this analogy to deal with the spreading of the word of God.
This corresponds with the parable of the Sower in Luke 8:5-8 and
explained in vs. 11-15. Just
like the sower broadcasts the seed, so Paul and Silas planted the word
of God.
C.
What about
us? We are all ministers of the word of God.
We all need to plant the seed – whether by our example or times
when we actually have opportunity to teach (cf. 1 Peter 3:15).
NOTE: Some of the best seed is sown by the “common members” as they live
their lives day to day. In
fact, in churches that grow you will always find the proper attitude
among the flock, and not just the leaders.
A.
As
we do what we can, we need to let God handle the results.
God has never demanded anything of us that we cannot do.
He DOES demand our best and that we try. (Col 3:23, Eccl. 9:10,
Matt. 25:14-30 – Parable of the talents, etc.)
He demands that we SERVE Him and
put Him first (Matt. 6:33, 4:10).
But he NEVER holds us accountable for the attitudes of others – Ezekiel
3:18-19 – the watchman;
Luke 10:10-11, as Jesus sent out the 70, He told them to preach and He
told them what to do if they rejected the message – shake off the dust,
“Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.”
Then vs. 16, “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who
rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
B.
The
power is in the seed.
A major deterrent to many trying to teach others is putting too much
weight on the results when we do what we can.
While what we do IS important, we need to simply plant and let
the seed do its work.
But understand this, the seed WILL produce.
Romans 1:16.
C.
The
opposite is also true. When
we plant the seed as we ought to and we see results,
let us be careful to NOT take
credit for what God has done.
One of the problems the Corinthians faced was their failure to give God
credit. Their carnal and
superficial attitude only looked to Apollos, Paul and others whom they
elevated above what they ought to (and I might add against their will).
Luke 17:10 says, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are
commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants.
We have done what was our duty to do.”
A.
Paul said
that in this effort, he and Apollos were one.
That is they were working together to establish and ground the
church at Corinth. It was
NOT a competition. We have
many passages that give examples of rivals pitting one against the
other. 2 Corinthians is
written because there had to be some in the church whose power was
diminished by what Paul said.
All those passages about biting and devouring one another, looking out
for our own interests, etc. are addressing this fault.
B.
More can
be accomplished when we work together.
More often than not, as you study the journeys of Paul you find others
with him. On each missionary
journey he had a partner (Barnabas and Silas), plus many others along
the way.
When Jesus sent out His disciples, He sent them out two by two.
Mark 6:7 speaks of sending out the 12, “two by two.”
Luke 10:1 speaks of Him sending out the 70 “two by two”.
In a recent lesson dealing with the need of each of us to engage in
personal evangelism, this fact was pointed out to me after the lesson.
When it comes to teaching others, when possible, take someone
with you. This serves many
purposes.
Paul and Apollos worked together and were on “the same team.”
It was never a competition.
C.
One final
point here: Sometimes, we work together independently.
Maybe we are not even aware of what another is doing.
We may not be in the same place or at the same time, but our
objective is the same. In
time who knows what the results will be.
You never what will happen as a result of your work.
Far too many become discouraged too quickly because they do not
see results. But you never
know.
The example of planting seed fits here perfectly.
When seed is planted, it takes time to grow and produce fruit.
You may plant the seed and years later someone else waters it and
it produces fruit. This is
why we must always do and say what we can AND let our lights shine!
A great example of this would be parenting.
Parenting is not a single act – it is a way of life and work for
years molding a child and watering seed you planted years ago.
A.
The final
point we want to notice is that even though we work together, in the
end, our judgment will be based upon what we have done.
B.
What God
will hold us accountable for is our efforts.
Romans 14:10-12 states, “So then each of us shall give account of
himself to God.”
We will see more on this in our next chapter.
1 Cor. 4:5 says, “Therefore,
judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring
to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the
hearts. Then each one’s
praise will come from God.”
Heb. 6:10 says, “For God is not
unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward
His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”
He even knows when you give someone a cup of cold water (Matt. 10:42).
C.
This
served as a reminder to Paul and other workers, but ALSO to the
Corinthians. They needed to
be careful with their conduct and where they placed their praise.
EVERYONE will be judged.
And thus we can see
the ministry of Paul (and Apollos).
There are great lessons for us.
We are certainly not apostles, and we may not even be a public
teacher or preacher or elder, but we are ALL ministers and entrusted
with a ministry to sow and water seed.
Are we doing our part?