Babies, Plants, Buildings, and the Growth God Brings (1 Corinthians 3:1-23) | Imperfect

“Despite their self-perception as wise, mature, and sophisticated, Paul makes it clear to the Corinthians that they still have much growing to do. Their tendency towards quarrelling and jealousy is a sign of their immaturity. There is no place for such behavior in the body of Christ. When we allow ourselves to be divided by boasting, factions, or allegiance to specific leaders or teachers, it demonstrates that we have not fully understood the core principles of the gospel. When we view other churches as competition rather than as fellow laborers, we risk dividing the body of Christ and facing God’s judgement and punishment in our own lives.”

Sermon Notes:

• God is even more serious about the place He dwells in than you are about your home. (vs. 16-17)
• Division, rivalry, and conflict damage God’s dwelling place. (vs. 1-4)
• “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
• You will build God’s temple when you live like other Christians are coworkers in the same mission. (vs. 5-9)
• You will build God’s temple when Jesus is your life. You are hurting God’s temple when Jesus is secondary. (vs. 10-15)
• Self deception is the root problem we all need to be rescued from. (vs. 18-23)