My family attended Sunday
morning service. The pastor was talking about Paul and the Corinthian church. The
Corinthian church was practicing partially,
carnality etc. So they group themselves and said, ”We are of Apolos.” The
others of Paul. They forgot one thing. And so Paul wrote to them reminding them
of God. I verse 6 it says, “I have planted, Apolos watered:but God gave the
increase.” He (Paul) reminded the Corinthian church that God, and only God can
make every living grow and multiply, like being successful. Paul emphasized
that the Lord Jesus Christ should be the sol center of all. It was illustrated
like this, Paul preached the Gospel, and many was converted, Apolos became
their pastor and God gave the increase. Paul charged the church of Corinthians not to group themselves and pledge
loyalty to Apolos nor Paul. To whom shall
be the praises be given? Who is worthy of all the praises, loyalty and recognition? Only to God, for He alone can
give the increase and success. And in verse six we will see:
1. The truth about working hard and success. v6
Or hard work and success. Paul planted,
Apolos watered that is hard work. Preaching the Gospel is not an easy task. To
face danger and difficulty is not a walk in the park. To conquer fear and
shyness and to speak against the workers of iniquities is not an easy thing to
do. Paul preached, Apolos pastored that’s hard work. Diligence and patience
doesn’t guarantee success, the Bible says, “God gave the increase.” God is the
giver of success. Yes, we need to work hard, but we must believe that only God
can give success. Let’s not make work an
excuse to God. We should thank God because we are still here; alive and with
our family. We are successful because God gave it to us
2. The truth about recognition and praise verse 7
To whom shall be recognition and all praises
be given? Who shall be worthy to receive it? Only God, the only One worthy to
receive all recognition and praises! Every aspects and works in our lives, we
give it all back to God the praises and recognition saying, “ God be willing,
its God’s will.” The question is, does God needed our help? No. Can God plant
the seeds? Yes. Can God watered the seeds? Yes again. Have we forgotten that
before man was created all the living things, plants and trees to be specific,
were created first? God doesn’t need our help. The only thing why God made us
stewards; is for us to learn to obey Him. When we obey God that’s the time that
God will pour His abundant blessings for us.
3. The truth about efforts and rewards. V9
We all have
different talents and give different efforts. But the Bible said that we will
receive rewards according to our own, individual efforts. Different
preparations, different privilages , different talents, different efforts. Everyone
one of us is different. But our God is a just and fair God and He will give us
rewards according to our efforts. We will be treated unequal because we are all
different. In verse 9, we are laborers with God, we are God’s husbandry, we are
God’s building. We are the temple of God and God doesn’t resides in a dirty
temple. God is holy, we must be holy. It doesn’t mean that those who fell will
be discriminated. The Bible also said that those who are still standing, beware
or you might fall. Also.
A. God”s work
It
is the most important of all. Why? God gave His Son to die for it.
B. Only God can increase His work.
C. God’s work has limited time.
D.
God’s work have its own standards.
One
example of this is a girl possessed with(divination) demons. She followed Paul
and his companions everywhere they go proclaiming that they teach the way of
salvation. That’s everyday! What did Apostle Paul do? He rebuked the demon and
the demon left. Why did Paul rebuked the girl? Is it the truth? Can it be of
help? The answer is NO! Why? God doesn’t
compromise to the workers of iniquity like the demons. Yes, even if we see it
that it will be of use for God’s work. IT IS NOT PART OF GOD’S WORK! It
contradicts the teaching of the Bible: and the Bible is God’s word. Some people
may say that even if it is from the devil, if it can help in the work of God, I
will accept it. THAT IS WRONG! Remember the words of the devil when he tempted
the Lord Jesus Christ, if thou bow down and worship me, all this and the riches
of this world, I will give it to you. What did Jesus did, He refused! If the
Lord Jesus refused it, we can say it is not biblical; it is not God’s doctrine.
God is the Lawgiver: the church executes the law.
E. God’s work
is not done by one person.
Every member of the church must join hand
in hand to do God’s work, especially in prayer. If we have much money, we have
financial power. If we have many members in the church we have, manpower. This
two power doesn’t affect satan at all. But….if we join together in prayer,
satan will tremble in fear because we will have God’s power!
F. God’s work was given to the church.
The church, as whole, do the work of God. Is the church a blessing to
you? We must love the church because each of us received God’s blessings in our
lives, through the church.
G.
God’s work needs our capacity.
The church is composed of different
individual having different talents and capacity. Why don’t we use them in God’s
work? Anything that you give or use in the name of God or God’s work will not
return empty. A God- centered family will live happily. The Bible also said
that without the shedding of the blood: the people perish.
H. God’s work
needs a right heart.
Even if we use our talents and all our
might, without a right heart it is not part of God’s work. We must have a
humble heart.
This was taken from the preaching of God’s
word through His servant Rev. Joey Conui III dated May 29, 2016.
If there’s an error please call my
attention. I stand corrected.
Send your email to yuriserna_30@yahoo.com
