This week we have seen two ways that the church can act unchristian by failing to complete its mission. Paul concludes the section of his letter to the church of Corinth that we have been looking at by revealing a third way that Christians can act unchristian by failing to complete the mission. That third way is that we fail to complete the mission when we try to damage the church. We see this reality revealed for us in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17:
"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are."
In verse 16, Paul asks a rhetorical question that reveals a timeless truth that both the Corinthian church and many churches today should know the answer to. "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" Paul here is not talking to individual Christians; Paul here is talking to the church at Corinth. We know that to be the case because the “you” in verse 16 is plural. While this section of Paul’s letter has profound implications for individual followers of Jesus, these implications are related to how followers of Jesus are to partner together in the mission and ministry of the church.
Paul here is questioning the church at Corinth, and churches today, as to whether they know and understand that the church is a temple of God where the Holy Spirit takes up residence and lives. Paul is pointing out the timeless truth that churches are to understand their significance in their communities. This church has been placed by God in this distinctive environment to be distinctively different in terms of how we relate to God and to one another.
And because of this reality, Paul states in verse 17 that if any man attempts to destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him. Paul’s point here is that if any human sets as their goal to damage and destroy a church, that God will respond with punishment that is devastating and eternal nature. That is how strongly God feels about his bride the church. Attempting to damage and destroy the church would be like if I were to go up to your spouse and punch him or her in the throat. If I were to do that, how would you respond? Now how do you think God is going to respond when people punch His bride, the church, in the throat by attempting to damage and destroy her though division, dissention, and other sin?
Paul continues by explaining that the reason God feels so strongly is due to the fact that the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. What Paul is communicating here is that the church is to be dedicated and set apart to serve God as the vehicle that He uses to accomplish the kingdom mission of revealing His Son Jesus to the world.
So are you participating in a church community in a way that helps advance the mission we have been give? Or are you acting in a way that is damaging instead of advancing what God desires to do?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
When the Church acts Unchristian by Failing to Complete its Mission, Part 2...
As a community of believers called the church, we have been given a mission to accomplish. Yet, as we saw a few days ago, when followers of Jesus attempt to advance and accomplish the kingdom mission that we have been given by God by building a church on any other foundation than the claims of Christ, the message of the gospel, and the teachings of the Bible, at the end of the day all of their efforts will fail to complete the mission.
But not only does the church fail to complete its mission by trying to build on the wrong foundation. The church also fails to complete the mission when we try to build with the wrong materials. We see Paul reveal this reality for us in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
In these verses, we see the Apostle Paul reveal for us a timeless truth and some consequences when it comes to the materials that we use when we attempt to complete the kingdom mission we have been given by God. First, in verse 12, we see the truth that, as followers of Jesus, we have a choice of materials to use to attempt to complete the mission.
And while the truth is that we have a choice of material that we can use to attempt to complete the mission we have been given by God, those choices have consequences. We see Paul reveal this reality for us in verse 13, where he states that each mans work will become evident, for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. The quality of work being done to expand and accomplish the mission of the church will become readily known when Christ returns. Upon Christ’s return, Christ will test and reveal the results and the quality of the churches ministry. Whether or not the mission and the ministry of the church was built upon perishable or imperishable principles will be revealed and made fully known as Jesus Himself will test the quality of the churches attempts to complete God’s kingdom mission.
Paul continues in verse 14 and 15 by revealing for us the two possible consequences that await as a result of the choice of materials we use to complete the mission. First, in verse 14, Paul explains that if any mans work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. Paul’s point here is that enduring ministry results in eternal rewards. Just as imperishable items are able to pass through fire without being destroyed, as Jesus tests the quality of what the church and its members produce through the ministry and mission of the church, what continues to exist or endure after the test will be rewarded and recognized as completing the mission and that they were given.
In contrast to the enduring ministry that results in eternal rewards, Paul states in verse 15 that if any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet as through fire. Paul’s point here is that temporary ministry results in a narrow escape. Paul is revealing for us the reality that as Jesus Himself tests the quality of what the church and its members produce through the ministry and mission of the church, what does not endure but is consumed will result in the church and it’s members experiencing punishment for the poor quality of the churches ministry.
Now you might be here this morning and you may be wondering “what do you mean that Christians and churches will receive punishment by Jesus?” Paul uses the imagery of a person who escapes a burning house to reveal that that while those who choose to leverage poor and perishable principles in an attempt to complete God’s kingdom mission will still experience the eternal relationship with God that they were created for, they will experience the punishment of seeing all of what they attempted to accomplish for God and His kingdom revealed for the poor quality that it was. Their temporary ministry will be exposed for what it truly was-temporary.
So what materials are you using to accomplish the mission that God has given us?
But not only does the church fail to complete its mission by trying to build on the wrong foundation. The church also fails to complete the mission when we try to build with the wrong materials. We see Paul reveal this reality for us in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15:
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
In these verses, we see the Apostle Paul reveal for us a timeless truth and some consequences when it comes to the materials that we use when we attempt to complete the kingdom mission we have been given by God. First, in verse 12, we see the truth that, as followers of Jesus, we have a choice of materials to use to attempt to complete the mission.
And while the truth is that we have a choice of material that we can use to attempt to complete the mission we have been given by God, those choices have consequences. We see Paul reveal this reality for us in verse 13, where he states that each mans work will become evident, for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. The quality of work being done to expand and accomplish the mission of the church will become readily known when Christ returns. Upon Christ’s return, Christ will test and reveal the results and the quality of the churches ministry. Whether or not the mission and the ministry of the church was built upon perishable or imperishable principles will be revealed and made fully known as Jesus Himself will test the quality of the churches attempts to complete God’s kingdom mission.
Paul continues in verse 14 and 15 by revealing for us the two possible consequences that await as a result of the choice of materials we use to complete the mission. First, in verse 14, Paul explains that if any mans work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. Paul’s point here is that enduring ministry results in eternal rewards. Just as imperishable items are able to pass through fire without being destroyed, as Jesus tests the quality of what the church and its members produce through the ministry and mission of the church, what continues to exist or endure after the test will be rewarded and recognized as completing the mission and that they were given.
In contrast to the enduring ministry that results in eternal rewards, Paul states in verse 15 that if any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet as through fire. Paul’s point here is that temporary ministry results in a narrow escape. Paul is revealing for us the reality that as Jesus Himself tests the quality of what the church and its members produce through the ministry and mission of the church, what does not endure but is consumed will result in the church and it’s members experiencing punishment for the poor quality of the churches ministry.
Now you might be here this morning and you may be wondering “what do you mean that Christians and churches will receive punishment by Jesus?” Paul uses the imagery of a person who escapes a burning house to reveal that that while those who choose to leverage poor and perishable principles in an attempt to complete God’s kingdom mission will still experience the eternal relationship with God that they were created for, they will experience the punishment of seeing all of what they attempted to accomplish for God and His kingdom revealed for the poor quality that it was. Their temporary ministry will be exposed for what it truly was-temporary.
So what materials are you using to accomplish the mission that God has given us?
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
When the Church acts Unchristian by Failing to Complete its Mission...
Dates serve as signposts for individuals and for nations to mark significant and even life changing events. For America, the dates of December 7, 1941 and June 6, 1944 are two such dates. And these dates share striking similarities and dramatic differences. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese military attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. A few years later, on June 6, 1944, operation overlord, which we refer to as D-Day, occurred.
The days leading up to December 7, 1941 and June 6, 1944 involved tremendous strategic planning. Yet while both dates are strikingly similar in terms of the complex and effective strategic planning that occurred for their missions, there were dramatic differences when it came to the outcomes that occurred. While the Japanese success was overwhelming it was not complete. The D-Day operation, by contrast, achieved all the mission objectives as a result of the bravery and execution of American and allied forces. Less than one year after D-Day, on May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France. As these two dates that are etched in the memory of America remind us, a perfect plan for a mission is not enough; a mission is only accomplished when the forces involved actually complete the mission.
That which is true in war is also true in our spiritual life. As followers of Jesus, we have been given a mission to accomplish. And a timeless truth is that Christians act unchristian when the church fails to complete the mission that it has been given by God. The Apostle Paul, in a section of a letter that he wrote to a church that was composed of people who claimed to be Christians but lived their day to day lives in a way the failed to reflect Christ or follow His teachings, talked about how Christians can act unchristian when the church fails to complete its mission:
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
In these verses, we see that the church fails to complete the mission when we try to build on the wrong foundation. Paul is explaining to the church at Corinth, and to churches today, that the one true foundation of the church is based on the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel is the only true foundation of the church; no one can start or plant a church that honors God and advances the kingdom mission that He has given us on any other foundation.
So when follower of Jesus attempt to advance and accomplish the kingdom mission that we have been given by God by building a church on any other foundation than the claims of Christ, the message of the gospel, and the teachings of the Bible, at the end of the day all of their efforts to complete the mission will fail. It is as simple as that.
So what foundation are you trying to use to accomplish the mission that God has given us?
The days leading up to December 7, 1941 and June 6, 1944 involved tremendous strategic planning. Yet while both dates are strikingly similar in terms of the complex and effective strategic planning that occurred for their missions, there were dramatic differences when it came to the outcomes that occurred. While the Japanese success was overwhelming it was not complete. The D-Day operation, by contrast, achieved all the mission objectives as a result of the bravery and execution of American and allied forces. Less than one year after D-Day, on May 7, 1945, German General Alfred Jodl signed an unconditional surrender at Reims, France. As these two dates that are etched in the memory of America remind us, a perfect plan for a mission is not enough; a mission is only accomplished when the forces involved actually complete the mission.
That which is true in war is also true in our spiritual life. As followers of Jesus, we have been given a mission to accomplish. And a timeless truth is that Christians act unchristian when the church fails to complete the mission that it has been given by God. The Apostle Paul, in a section of a letter that he wrote to a church that was composed of people who claimed to be Christians but lived their day to day lives in a way the failed to reflect Christ or follow His teachings, talked about how Christians can act unchristian when the church fails to complete its mission:
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
In these verses, we see that the church fails to complete the mission when we try to build on the wrong foundation. Paul is explaining to the church at Corinth, and to churches today, that the one true foundation of the church is based on the claims of Christ and the message of the gospel. Jesus Christ and the message of the gospel is the only true foundation of the church; no one can start or plant a church that honors God and advances the kingdom mission that He has given us on any other foundation.
So when follower of Jesus attempt to advance and accomplish the kingdom mission that we have been given by God by building a church on any other foundation than the claims of Christ, the message of the gospel, and the teachings of the Bible, at the end of the day all of their efforts to complete the mission will fail. It is as simple as that.
So what foundation are you trying to use to accomplish the mission that God has given us?
Monday, July 12, 2010
So, Who Do You Think You Are?
Yesterday, our church celebrated its annual church picnic. Since where our church located has an average afternoon temperature of over 110 degrees this time of year, we have the picnic in a park that is about an hour away. This park is located in the mountains at about 6,400 feet, where it is about 30-40 degrees cooler. In addition, the park is nestled amongst pine trees and has an amazing view of the surrounding area.
As we approached the park, I began looking around at the amazing scenery that stretched for miles and miles. I found myself wondering "So, who do you think you are? Compared to the size and scope of this world and its beauty, how do you think you stack up?"
Have you ever been there? Have you ever been in a place in your life where you found yourself asking two fundamental questions: "Who am I?" and "Do I matter?" The first question deals with our identity, while the second question deals with our significance and importance. Maybe today you find yourself struggling with the answers to these questions.
These questions are not new questions. Almost 2,800 years earlier, a man wrote down his thoughts for us as he wrestled with these questions and the answers that he discovered. Fortunately, we have his search preserved for us in the pages of the Bible:
"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:3-9
This section of the Bible reveals for us the reality that humanity has a unique role and is of incredible value and worth in God's sight. Of all of God's creation, only humanity was created for a relationship with God. Of all of God's creation, only humanity was given the role to be God's representative here on earth. Humanity was charged to steward, or manage the rest of God's creation, while reflecting God's character in the process.
And while there are times that we as humans totally fail to represent God, reflect His character, or manage His creation, the reality is that we God has given us a unique role and a unique privilege in the world we live in. And with great privilege comes great responsibility.
So how are you handling the responsibility that comes with the great and unique place you occupy in the universe? How are you responding to the reality that God has created you for a relationship with Him and to represent Him on this earth?
So who do you think you are? And how are you living in light of who you are?
As we approached the park, I began looking around at the amazing scenery that stretched for miles and miles. I found myself wondering "So, who do you think you are? Compared to the size and scope of this world and its beauty, how do you think you stack up?"
Have you ever been there? Have you ever been in a place in your life where you found yourself asking two fundamental questions: "Who am I?" and "Do I matter?" The first question deals with our identity, while the second question deals with our significance and importance. Maybe today you find yourself struggling with the answers to these questions.
These questions are not new questions. Almost 2,800 years earlier, a man wrote down his thoughts for us as he wrestled with these questions and the answers that he discovered. Fortunately, we have his search preserved for us in the pages of the Bible:
"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:3-9
This section of the Bible reveals for us the reality that humanity has a unique role and is of incredible value and worth in God's sight. Of all of God's creation, only humanity was created for a relationship with God. Of all of God's creation, only humanity was given the role to be God's representative here on earth. Humanity was charged to steward, or manage the rest of God's creation, while reflecting God's character in the process.
And while there are times that we as humans totally fail to represent God, reflect His character, or manage His creation, the reality is that we God has given us a unique role and a unique privilege in the world we live in. And with great privilege comes great responsibility.
So how are you handling the responsibility that comes with the great and unique place you occupy in the universe? How are you responding to the reality that God has created you for a relationship with Him and to represent Him on this earth?
So who do you think you are? And how are you living in light of who you are?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Are Christians to be Independent?
Over the last few days, I have found myself pondering the meaning of independence. I celebrate the blessings that come with living in a country that has the freedoms that America provides as a result of independence.
And while we have incredible freedom to worship, travel, and express our opinions in America, as Christians is independence a Biblical value? In other words, does God value the idea of His followers being totally independent of one another? A section of a letter to a church answers this question for us:
"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit...And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 26-27
As followers of Jesus, while we should be grateful for our independence as a nation and the freedoms we possess as a result, we should strive to be interdependent as members of a Bible believing church that follows Jesus as Lord and Leader. We are divinely designed to be in relationship with God and to be in interdependent relationships with one another.
When we choose to be either independent or dependent when it comes to our relationship with God and others, however, we end up living outside of how we were designed to be.
So how are you striving to live you life as a Christian in light of the freedom that we have been blessed with in America? As someone who is totally dependent upon others? As someone who is totally independent of others? Or as someone who is involved in an interdependent community of Christ followers?
And while we have incredible freedom to worship, travel, and express our opinions in America, as Christians is independence a Biblical value? In other words, does God value the idea of His followers being totally independent of one another? A section of a letter to a church answers this question for us:
"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit...And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 26-27
As followers of Jesus, while we should be grateful for our independence as a nation and the freedoms we possess as a result, we should strive to be interdependent as members of a Bible believing church that follows Jesus as Lord and Leader. We are divinely designed to be in relationship with God and to be in interdependent relationships with one another.
When we choose to be either independent or dependent when it comes to our relationship with God and others, however, we end up living outside of how we were designed to be.
So how are you striving to live you life as a Christian in light of the freedom that we have been blessed with in America? As someone who is totally dependent upon others? As someone who is totally independent of others? Or as someone who is involved in an interdependent community of Christ followers?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Where were you in 1960?
Where were you in 1960? I don't know about you, but I was not even born yet. Yet, 50 years ago, my in-laws made the following promises to one another:
"to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."
And for 50 years, they have kept those vows: for better, for worse; in good times and bad; as they have seen children and grandchildren enter into their lives; as family and friends have come and gone; and as their health has gradually declined over time.
And now, as they enter into the final chapter of their lives, we are able to celebrate the example that they have left for us; the example that marriage is not a contract to be entered into but a covenant that is to be kept.
I am thankful for their and many other examples of people who, while by no means perfect, strive to follow the life long commitment that a man and woman make before their Creator.
"to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."
And for 50 years, they have kept those vows: for better, for worse; in good times and bad; as they have seen children and grandchildren enter into their lives; as family and friends have come and gone; and as their health has gradually declined over time.
And now, as they enter into the final chapter of their lives, we are able to celebrate the example that they have left for us; the example that marriage is not a contract to be entered into but a covenant that is to be kept.
I am thankful for their and many other examples of people who, while by no means perfect, strive to follow the life long commitment that a man and woman make before their Creator.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Who causes spiritual growth?
This week, we have been looking at how Christians act unchristian as a result of rivalries based on personalities that reveal our spiritual immaturity and our failure to recognize roles. In the passage we have been looking at, a man named Paul reveals a third thing that can occur in the lives of Christians who act unchristian as a result of rivalries based on personalities. And the third thing that can occur is that rivalries based on personalities fail to recognize who causes spiritual growth. We see this reality revealed for us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9:
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."
In these verses, we see Paul show us three things that spiritual maturity recognizes when it comes to what causes spiritual growth. First, spiritual maturity recognizes that God causes spiritual growth. In verse 6, Paul uses a farming analogy to unpack the reality that while Paul and Apollos each had different roles and responsibilities in the church at Corinth, it was not Paul or Apollos who caused the church to grow; it was the work of God through Paul and Apollos that caused the church to expand and grow.
And in the same way today, it is not the pastor or the people, or the environments that the pastor and people create that causes spiritual growth and maturity. It is God working through the pastor, the people, and the environments that causes spiritual growth and maturity.
Second, spiritual maturity recognizes a mutual concern for spiritual growth. In the first half of verse 8, Paul explains that he and Apollos are united in their mutual concern for the health and spiritual growth of the church at Corinth. In addition, maturity recognizes that there is diversity based on the quality of their ministry. In the second half of verse 8, Paul states that while they are united in their focus for the churches spiritual growth, they understand that their different roles within the church will result in each of them being evaluated and rewarded for the quality of their ministry by God.
And just like the church at Corinth, we are to recognize that as followers of Jesus partnering together in the church, we are to be united in the common mission that God has given us to be the vehicle that He uses to reveal His Son Jesus to the world, while at the same time understanding that we will be evaluated based on the specific gifts and ministry roles and responsibilities that we are given in the church. Christians who act unchristian, however, reverse these realities. Christians who act unchristian end up with diversity when it comes to their concern for spiritual health and growth while expecting unity when it comes to roles, responsibilities and rewards.
Third, spiritual maturity recognizes that Jesus is the Senior Pastor. In verse 9, Paul closes this section of his letter by reinforcing the reality that everything is under God’s leadership and plan; As God’s fellow workers, Paul and Apollos are serving under the leadership of Jesus, who is the Sr. Pastor.
And just as it was at the church in Corinth, the reality is that pastors and leaders serve under Jesus, who is the senior Pastor. In addition, the church at Corinth, who Paul describes as a field and a building here, also belong to Jesus. Paul’s point here is that because of this reality, the church should leave behind their spiritual immaturity that is focused on jealousy and rivalry. Instead the church should move forward by uniting under the reality that Jesus is the Sr. Pastor and that every aspect of the church is under His leadership, so that they could move forward in a growing and maturing relationship with Jesus as individuals and as a church.
Maturity recognizes and responds to the reality that Jesus is the Senior Pastor and that those who serve in leadership in the church are to be followed as they follow Jesus. Christians who act unchristian, on the other hand, want to be in authority but not under authority, which reveals the reality of their spiritual maturity.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by failing to recognize who causes spiritual growth and the reality that Jesus is the Sr. Pastor?
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building."
In these verses, we see Paul show us three things that spiritual maturity recognizes when it comes to what causes spiritual growth. First, spiritual maturity recognizes that God causes spiritual growth. In verse 6, Paul uses a farming analogy to unpack the reality that while Paul and Apollos each had different roles and responsibilities in the church at Corinth, it was not Paul or Apollos who caused the church to grow; it was the work of God through Paul and Apollos that caused the church to expand and grow.
And in the same way today, it is not the pastor or the people, or the environments that the pastor and people create that causes spiritual growth and maturity. It is God working through the pastor, the people, and the environments that causes spiritual growth and maturity.
Second, spiritual maturity recognizes a mutual concern for spiritual growth. In the first half of verse 8, Paul explains that he and Apollos are united in their mutual concern for the health and spiritual growth of the church at Corinth. In addition, maturity recognizes that there is diversity based on the quality of their ministry. In the second half of verse 8, Paul states that while they are united in their focus for the churches spiritual growth, they understand that their different roles within the church will result in each of them being evaluated and rewarded for the quality of their ministry by God.
And just like the church at Corinth, we are to recognize that as followers of Jesus partnering together in the church, we are to be united in the common mission that God has given us to be the vehicle that He uses to reveal His Son Jesus to the world, while at the same time understanding that we will be evaluated based on the specific gifts and ministry roles and responsibilities that we are given in the church. Christians who act unchristian, however, reverse these realities. Christians who act unchristian end up with diversity when it comes to their concern for spiritual health and growth while expecting unity when it comes to roles, responsibilities and rewards.
Third, spiritual maturity recognizes that Jesus is the Senior Pastor. In verse 9, Paul closes this section of his letter by reinforcing the reality that everything is under God’s leadership and plan; As God’s fellow workers, Paul and Apollos are serving under the leadership of Jesus, who is the Sr. Pastor.
And just as it was at the church in Corinth, the reality is that pastors and leaders serve under Jesus, who is the senior Pastor. In addition, the church at Corinth, who Paul describes as a field and a building here, also belong to Jesus. Paul’s point here is that because of this reality, the church should leave behind their spiritual immaturity that is focused on jealousy and rivalry. Instead the church should move forward by uniting under the reality that Jesus is the Sr. Pastor and that every aspect of the church is under His leadership, so that they could move forward in a growing and maturing relationship with Jesus as individuals and as a church.
Maturity recognizes and responds to the reality that Jesus is the Senior Pastor and that those who serve in leadership in the church are to be followed as they follow Jesus. Christians who act unchristian, on the other hand, want to be in authority but not under authority, which reveals the reality of their spiritual maturity.
So are you a Christian who acts unchristian by failing to recognize who causes spiritual growth and the reality that Jesus is the Sr. Pastor?
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