Theological Proposition/Focus: The Call of the Christian is a call to live after the Spirit

Homiletical Proposition/Application: Christians need to take stock of their spiritual growth and make sure they are living after the Spirit and not after the world. Ultimately, Christians need to ensure they are in a place where they can grow spiritually.

Introduction:

Image: Old cartoons are entertaining to Children but also very clever.

I will admit that I have not watched many modern cartoons but when I have I feel like something is missing. You see the old cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Winnie the Pooh were clever. Yes, there cartoon had material that kids could find humorous, but under that kids humor there were nuanced elements that were deeper and clever. Bugs Bunny was just not funny on the basic level but it was witty.

Need: Christians need to realize that there is a deeper element of life.

Preview:In 1 Cor. 3:1-17 we are going to see that the Christian is called to more than a mere human existence but life in the Spirit, that God brings about this life as Christian leaders wisely build into the life of an individual as they participate in the local church.

Setting the Stage:

We have not been in First Corinthians for a few weeks and we have been looking at the call of the Christian.

Remember, First Corinthians is written to a church that is dealing with problems.

The solution to problems is to remember the call of the Christian.

We may not be dealing with those same problems but by remembering the call we may be able to stave off those problems.

Remember the problem at Corinth was divisions and what I am calling tribalism.

Paul responded by saying there are only two divisions of consequence: saved and unsaved.

Now Paul speaks to the saved and calls on them to grow up!

Body

The Christian call is more than just fire insurance (1-4).

There is such a thing as spiritual infancy (1-2).

Paul does not call the Corinthians unspiritual but rather as babies!, they are saved, but acting like immature believers.

Justification is the theological word that is used to describe the judicial act whereby God pardons sins. Specifically, it is the act whereby God declares one to possess the righteousness of Christ.

At the moment of salvation justification takes place and an individual is given assurance of eternal life with God and freedom from the punishment of eternal damnation in Hell. God declares that the demands of the law have been fulfilled through Christ and the individual is able to enjoy peace with God.

A key text on justification is Romans 5:1-10.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

A spiritual infant sees the call of Christ as a call to justification.

In developmental psychology a key step in the maturity from what is called preoperational to the concrete operational stage is the maturity beyond egocentrism.

Similarly, a key step in the development of a Christian is the move from a focus on justification to progressive sanctification.

Progressive Sanctification is the theological word that is used to describe the process whereby an individual becomes more like Christ.

Milk vs. Solid Food is not a matter of easy vs. hard theology! it is a move from fire insurance toiling by the Spirit.

Living by the Spirit is really another way of saying Christ-likeness!.

Jealousy and quarreling are symptoms of spiritual infancy (3).

Worldly - self-centered, divisive, self-exaltation

Jealousy and quarreling - come from self-centeredness.

A strong diagnostic question "with whom is your identity?" (4).

Remember, salvation is about more than just justification, it is also about progressive sanctification. We are to move beyond just fire insurance and into Christ-likeness!

Image: Caleb "I'm not a baby anymore, I'm a big boy."

Several years ago I took my nephew Caleb to the Omaha zoo and we went climbing in their playground. Caleb was three years old and was having a great time but was also a little nervous. As we climbed around and where climbing through one of the tunnels a older child saw Caleb coming down the tunnel turned to his brother and set "just a second wait there, let's let the baby through." As I was thinking to myself "how considerate of these boys," I heard Caleb say "I'm not a baby anymore, I'm a big boy!" You see, as Caleb was beginning to grow his parents had begun to emphasize to him. There are certain things that a baby does that you need to stop doing. You are a big boy now and it is time to stop doing baby things.

There is nothing wrong with acting like a baby when you are a baby!

However, a key characteristic of babies is that they grow up!

MTR: Do a self check, are you acting like a spiritual infant or are you living by the Spirit?

The Christian is called to recognize God as the one who brings about spiritual growth (5-9).

Christians must be careful to recognize that every leader, mentor, role-model is merely a servant of God (5).

Apollos and Paul were the means by which the Corinthians came to know Christ not the cause.

This subtle distinction is very important and we must always keep it in mind.

Apolos and Paul were assigned the task of ministry by God.

Christians must be careful to recognize that God is the person of significance (6-7).

Both Paul and Apollos had individual jobs assigned to them by God but those jobs were insignificant. The person of significance was God. It was God who had taken the seek of spiritual life and caused it to grow.

As Christians, we must be careful because it is easy for us to put our focus on people. We can begin to see our leaders, our teachers as the most significant people with whom we interact. However, we need instead to focus on God himself. Only God can bring us to maturity.

Christians must be careful to work together in service of God (8-9).

A major result of all of this is the fact that Christians are not to be in competition with each other. It is interesting, there is a reward for those who serve God, but the God who is infinite can reward infinitely. We are so used to the idea of one winner, of finite resources, that we have it in our heads that reward comes at the expense of someone else. This is not the case.

Image: Physical therapy

Several years ago I injured my knee running. It was not a major injury but it hurt and in order to keep running I needed to do something about it. I visited the doctor and they diagnosed my problem as being muscular. The doctor prescribed that I visit a physical therapist. The physical therapist evaluated my condition and taught me some exercises. However, the problem did not go away, I needed to implement what I had been taught. I sometimes think we need to view our spiritual leaders as doctors and physical therapists. They diagnose problems and suggest treatment plans but they are not the ones who are going to heal you! No God is the one who gives the growth and he seems to work through individuals as he does so. In other words, as you practice Spiritual disciplines it seems God works to grow you.

MTR: Evaluate your view of your leaders/mentors/role models. Are you holding them in the right regard?

We started by noting that as Christians, we are called to more than just owners of the best fire insurance available, we are called to live by the Spirit. Then we saw that God is the one who ultimately brings about Spiritual growth. So, you might ask, what is the role that the teachers and leaders in the church play in spiritual growth?

Does this mean that our spiritual leaders are off the hook?

The Christian leader is called to build wisely (10-15).

The Christian leader must be sure that they are building in a way consistent with the foundation (10-11).

First, note that not every leader is called to the same building task.

Image: We are in the middle of construction but it is not one person doing all the work rather we have an electrician, a carpenter, a plumber, a flooring guy,...

In the church we have people with different roles.

Some people lay foundation.

Others build on a foundation.

In all cases care must be taken.

The foundation must be Christ!

Image: In our remodel project our biggest challenge has been ensuring that our design is structurally sound given our current building, if you start building in a way inconsistent with the foundation you are in trouble.

Similarly, no matter what we must take care to ensure that our foundation is and always remains Christ. We must build in a way that is consistent with Christ as the foundation.

The Christian leader must be sure that they are building with the proper materials (12).

There are improper building materials.

wood, hay, straw, cheap materials that may be easy to install but will not last the test of time.

There are things that a Christian leader can teach/say which are easy, make people feel good, and are of no consequence! I could tell you that you are all the best you will ever be. That all that really matters is that God loves you, that God is going to save everyone in the end. You all might hear this and walk out of here feeling just wonderful, but is that really what you need?

There are proper building materials.

gold, silver, costly stones, expensive, hard to work with materials that will last forever.

I can also tell you that you are a sinner in need of a savior. That God is calling you to righteousness and that you will only realize anything of significance in Christ. I can tell you that God loves you enough to ask you to grow to be more like him. For many this message is not popular, but for those who accept it, the change it brings will be eternal!

The Christian leader must recognize that their work will be judged (13-15).

Our work will be judged based on quality not quantity! 2 Cor. 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This is not something that is up for debate. However, we also must understand that this judgment is not a judgment for our salvation!

Romans 6:23 guarantees that salvation is a gift

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that individual deeds do not bring us salvation!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

The Christian conundrum is that our eternal destiny is not judged based on our works, but that our works are judged!

What is the reward that comes through fire? 1 Cor. 4:5 suggests that praise or a commendation is part of it.

I long to hear the words of Matthew 25:23 "well done good and faithful servant!

No matter what I know my eternal destiny is secure!

MTR: If you are a leader, evaluate the work you are doing. If you are learning from someone ask yourself if they are building on the proper foundation with the proper materials.

So far I have argued that:

We need to go deeper and live life according to the Spirit!

Living life according to the Spirit requires that we depend on God for Spiritual growth.

We need spiritual leaders who are building on the right foundation with the right materials.

You might now ask, does it really matter what if I am just content with where I am at?

The answer is, be careful, you are part of God's church and:

Christians must understand the significance of God's church and their spiritual growth (16-17).

Before I go too far, realize that verses 16 and 17 are primarily directed at a false teacher who works to destroy God's church. Nevertheless, there is something that we each can learn. We can learn that we are part of something valuable and treasured by God.

The Spirit of God dwells in the midst of God's church (16).

Every instance of the word you in verse 16 is plural!

We often draw on verses like 1 Cor. 6:19-20 to say things like your individual bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit, and that is not wrong but it is a little incomplete!

Theologically, it is true that the Holy Spirit dwells within each of you.

However, it is also true that when God's people are gathered together there is something special and unique!

God did not make you to go it alone, he does not intend for us to be overly individualistic!

The church gathered is the holy place of God

The Greek word ναος (temple) does not refer to the entire temple complex but rather to the building itself, the holy place!

You are part of God's holy place, you should want to grow because you want God's holy place to be beautiful!

God places an incredible value on His church (17).

God's Church, the universal Church, cannot be overcome, after all, Christ will protect his bride and present it spotless (Ephesians 5:27).

However, God's local church can be hurt and even destroyed, woe to any individual who does so.

We are called to Spirituality because we serve in God's Holy Place and God places great value on his Holy Place.

May we serve God:

By living according to the Spirit.

By investing ourselves in serving in God's Holy Place.

MTR: Ask, how can I better serve God in His church?

1 Corinthians 3:1-17, Called to Spirituality

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