1 Corinthians – Chapter 3

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 1 Corinthians 3:10 – Paul is addressing the division that he was hearing about within the Corinthian church. Division over which leader the people followed, some Paul, some Apollos, some Peter. Yet Paul told them this was a foolish reason for division, for all the leaders were together and all Paul did was lay the foundational teaching of the Gospel for the church there. Now others were coming in to build on that foundation, to work God’s field and build God’s building. Yet neither the foundation layer or the wall builder should be the one focused on? Why? Because its only by the grace of God that they were even able to be a part of this work. We see in our passage Paul is doing a great work of laying the foundation, but it’s only a result of God’s grace that he was even allowed to have the honor of doing that piece of the work. All this is simply reminding us that if anyone else other than the Lord is getting the glory for the work being done in the church, then we’ve got something wrong happening there. For Paul and Apollos, they were just servants of the Lord who were allowed by God to be a part of His work. For us, whether you’re the pastor, the music guy, the Sunday school teacher, or the janitor, we’re all just servants of the Lord who have been blessed with the honor to work in God’s field and build on God’s house. Let us then give praise and devotion to the Lord alone in the church, and as we see in this passage, let’s give the Lord a work that it is worthy of Him. We’re not working to receive praise, glory, or recognition, we’re working hard because God is worthy of our best. Serve united, remain humble, and work hard. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3110

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth, So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (v.6-7) God gave and still gives the growth. What does that mean for us who serve the church? That it’s not all about us. It’s a humbling way to think about the time and effort we put into the life of the church. All the accomplishments and milestones, all the spiritual growth that is taking place in the church, everything is brought about by God. We are just serving Him and taking part in the bigger plan that God is working on. I believe for everyone who has been called to serve in the church, this passage has to be at the heart of why and what we do. It’s not about me and it’s not about you; it all about Him. He’s the healer. He’s the unifier. He’s the grower. We are just servants following the lead of the one who is really bringing the life into the church. Does that mean we are nothing and what we do doesn’t matter? Absolutely not! God has chosen and called you to an honorable position and an amazing purpose; it’s God though who needs to be in the highlight for the growth of the church. Remember, it’s all about Him but He’s all about us. – Daily DEVO 5

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 – This passage is something key for those of you who serve in the church. Not just pastors, but anyone who gives their time and talents to the ministries of your church home. Its not you who is causing people to grow, that’s all God. You are not the reason people are growing, it’s because of Jesus that they are growing. Remember your place, you are God’s tool that He choose to work through to bring about growth in people. Without His power there would be nothing happening. Make sure then that as you see growth in people happening around you that you give the praise to where it belongs. Once we start claiming the glory for ourselves we’ve missed the mark. Thank God everyday for even the small amount of growth happening in people around you. That means God is using you and sees you as a faithful follower to work through. Keep the glory on Him and you’ll see the growth continue in those around you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 705

If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians3:14-15 – You have a choice as to what material you build with. Here Paul is speaking of how we choose to invest in the growth of God’s church. It says that however we choose to help the church grow, whatever we add to help build the church up, all will be put through a fire test. If it remains after the test, it was something worthwhile. If it burns up, then it didn’t truly help the church get anywhere. This should cause us to pause and dwell on what we are truly adding to the growth of the church. Will what we add actually stand the test of time and fire? That’s a big question and one maybe not easily worked through in a short devotion. Here though are a couple things that will stand the fire test that is always worth investing in: your own knowledge of God and the relationships you form with others. Both are so key in growing the church well. By far those aren’t the only two things, but for a start today make sure your are deeply, deeply investing in those things. These are sound, structural pieces to the church God is calling us to build. Choose to build in a way that lasts. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1770