Servants Together

This is more of Paul's teaching concerning cliques, and divisions in the church. This part of what is known as the "pastoral letters". This letter is addressed to the church at Corinth. The recipients of Paul's second missionary journey. Athens Greece was his first. Here we learn how our carnal nature, impedes the churches progress. We must commit to work as a unit. One way to always remember. There are no big I's and U's, in the word one. Christians should be together.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3:

1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Here Paul states his case. Here he tailors his message, to his audience. Obviously the Corinthians haven't matured, based on their actions. Since they hadn't matured beyond their initial introduction to the gospel. Here Paul takes them back to the basics. The people of Corinth were still doing the same thing they did. Prior to the teachings of Paul.

1 Corinthians 3:4-7:

4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Here Paul is saying to the believers at Corinth. Since you have broken off into your respective groups. Some following Paul, some Apollos. Who are these men but other mortals, like yourself? Paul lets them know that he is just a minister. Just like his co-worker in the faith Apollos. God is the only one worthy of Glory. The workers may plant and water, but God gives the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:8-15:

8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

We all start out at the same place, with a clean slate. You will be rewarded according to your labor. When we do God's work, we become his fruit. His greatness and mercy will manifest itself, in our lives. Based on the authority awarded by God. Paul laid the foundation, for a relationship with God to be built. What you do with your life, will determine how it ends or begins. Good works will withstand the fire, weak works won't. It is important that we work together as a group. Individually we must produce as well. Our individual efforts combined, will build the kingdom we all hope for.