Sermons / February 8, 2026

Theme: Working on God’s church Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:1–17 Coming back to the theme introduced in 1:10–17, Paul addressed division more specifically in the following three ways: 1. Problem: A church that looks and acts like the world rather than displaying the Spirit ... (1–4). a. What’s the problem (1–2)?  i.  ... leaves us in an infantile state.  ii.  ... lacks Spiritual growth. b.Evidence (3–4)?  i. Jealousy leading to strife ii. Divisions venerating individual leaders 2. Clarification of what is really happening in God’s church. a. Metaphors of Field and Building Elements: i. God and His Gospel—owner; power; foundation ii. Leadership (Paul/Apollos)—workers and builders iii. Church—field; building; Temple iv. Members—plants; building material b. Truths concerning church leaders: i. Field (5–9a): Church leaders are servants in the Lord’s work. 1. Leaders will do different things (6a). 2. Spiritual growth depends solely on God (6b–7). 3. Leaders are to be united in God’s purpose (8a). 4. Leaders will be rewarded according to their work (8b). ii. Building (9b–15): Church leaders must take great care as to how they build. 1. Leaders build on one foundation—Jesus Christ (11). 2. Their work will reveal its quality (12–15): a. It will be evaluated on Judgment Day (13a) b. The Lord will test its integrity (13b). i. The leader will be rewarded for enduring work (14). ii. The leader will lose reward for shoddy work (15). 3.  Warning: God brings judgment on the one who damages His temple (16–17). a. You, church, are God’s Temple. b. God’s Spirit dwells in you. c.  Church work is holy ground. Main Idea: Because divisiveness harms His church, God will judge those who perpetuate division. Two Implications: ·     God’s holiness demands such judgment. ·     God will not dwell among a people whose actions promote self rather than the crucified Messiah. Application Questions: ·     What outcomes will result if divisions and the attendant attitudes and actions of jealousy, strife, and gossip are allowed to persist in a church? What traits do you notice within yourself when you engage in such attitudes and actions? Why is infancy such an apt description of these tendencies? ·     From where does our tendency to place leaders “on a pedestal” stem? Why is this so devastating to the church? How does this distract from Jesus and the Gospel? ·     If the church leaders work ultimately is accountable to God and done under him, should it matter at all what other people, even members of the church, think or how they evaluate the minister? Why or why not? ·     What implications can we draw from the fact that God is the owner of and power source behind the work being done (v. 9)? ·     Throughout this chapter, Paul emphasized the work being done in the church as a communal rather than individual effort. Where do churches go wrong in not emphasizing this focus? ·     How has this passage highlighting the work God is doing in and through his church, its leaders, and members challenged you in your connection to the body of believers? In what attitudes and actions may it be calling you to repent? What might it be calling you to do in service within the body?