Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Pastor Don Carpenter
A Beautiful Mess / 1 Corinthians 4:1–5
David Brainerd said this to Jonathan Edwards: “I do not go to heaven to be advanced but to give honor to God. It is no matter where I shall be stationed in heaven, whether I have a high or low seat there, but to live and please and glorify God.… My heaven is to please God and glorify Him, and give all to Him, and to be wholly devoted to His glory.1
1 Michael P. Green. (2000). 1500 illustrations for biblical preaching (p. 252). Baker Books.
Our passage this evening gives us an interesting set of principles to consider. This message is especially for those who have already been born again. You have trusted in Christ’s finished work on the cross. You are now living a life of service to the King. Today we will see that as a servant, or a minister, you are a steward of the things that Christ has given you. You will some day give an account for how you used those things. May God give us wisdom as we consider the implications of our stewardship.
God’s servants are His stewards.
1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
A. Minister = servant
1. A born again Christian
2. A vocational servant
B. Steward = manager entrusted with oversight
C. Mysteries of God = “That which is outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension” – Vine
1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1. Spiritual truth about salvation.
Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2. Spiritual truth about consequences.
Galatians 6:7–9 KJV
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
God’s stewards must be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2–4 KJV
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
A. Faithful = trust worthy, reliable
1. With the truth about salvation
2. With the truth about consequences
3. With the truth about society
4. With the opportunities given to influence others.
5. With the freedom we have as American citizens to vote
6. With the free flow of information about political issues.
B. It is a small thing to be judged by men.
1. Peers and friends
2. Society
3. Your own heart
Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
C. God will judge our stewardship
1. Don’t be afraid of others.
2. Don’t judge others in their stewardship.
God’s stewards will be thoroughly evaluated.
1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
A. Don’t try to do God’s job by judging others – your information and perspective is limited.
B. God will shed light on the deeds that are done in secret whether they be good or bad.
C. God will expose private thoughts and motives.
D. Everyone will get the praise that they deserve from God, even if it seems to be lacking now.
1 Corinthians 3:11–15 KJV
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
There’s a story of two paddleboats that left Memphis about the same time, travelling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they travelled side by side, sailors from one vessel made a few remarks about the snail’s pace of the other.
Words were exchanged. Challenges were made. And the race began. Competition became vicious as the two boats roared through the Deep South.
One boat began falling behind. Not enough fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising young sailor took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the ovens. When the sailors saw that the supplies burned as well as the coal, they fuelled their boat with the material they had been assigned to transport. They ended up winning the race, but burned their cargo.
God has entrusted us with a precious cargo in life called salvation ….. I wonder how many times we sacrifice it just so we can ‘win’ in life?
If you are a born again believer, you are Christ’s servant and, in a sense, you are His minister. You have been entrusted with truth about salvation, truth about consequences, and truth about society. Every action that you take on earth will be evaluated in light of how you used that truth. Did you tell lost people about salvation? Did you tell Christians about consequences that would come as a result of their actions? Did you effect a moral cleansing in your society? Did you vote? Did you vote Biblically? You do not have to answer to your family, your friends, or even your own heart. Some day however, you will answer to God. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom as you consider the implications of your stewardship.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:05 PM March 10, 2022.
Saved Church Membership
Saved Church Membership
Pastor Don Carpenter
Baptist Basics
Let us revisit the illustration we introduced at the beginning of this series. Picture this scenario if you will. You wake up at three in the morning with a splitting headache. You must get relief right now. You stumble out of bead and struggle to get to the medicine cabinet. Every pulse of your heart brings an audible wave of pain radiating from the base of your skull, through your temples and settling behind your eye sockets. You must get relief and must get it now! You do not dare turn on the light for fear of more pain. Once you open the cabinet, you see shadows of perhaps a dozen different bottles and containers. It is a medicine cabinet… it has medicine… surely any bottle would be better than no medicine at all right? Wait a minute… It may be wise to know the difference between pain reliever, laxative, or a Beta Blocker for your heart. Yes it is all medicine, but you need the right one for you and for your symptoms. Even more important than taking the time to read and understand the label is that the label and the product match. If I have a bottle that says Aspirin, it would be dangerous if someone switched the aspirin with an antidepressant. Labels mean something.
Six weeks we started a seven week a dive into the meaning of the sign in front of our building: Evangelical Baptist Church. We have discovered that it is important to know not only that there is spiritual medicine in this church, but what kind it is. We used an acrostic to remember some basic doctrines and teachings that make up Baptist Distinctives.
B -Biblical Authority
A- Autonomy of the Local Church
P -Priesthood of all Believers
T – Two Ordinances
I – Individual Soul Liberty
S – Saved Church Membership
T
Larry Crabb wrote in his book Connecting, “We have made a terrible mistake! For most of this century we have wrongly defined soul wounds as psychological disorders and delegated their treatment to trained specialists. Damaged psyches aren’t the problem. The problem is disconnected souls. What we need is connection. What we need is a healing community.”
The local church is much more than a group of folks united for the purpose of self help. According to the Scriptures, the Local church is the physical manifestation of the Body of Christ.
This morning we are going to see what is required and expected from folks who join a local church.
Church Membership is only for Believers.
2 Corinthians 6:14–17 KJV
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Believers Join a Church After Salvation
Acts 2:41–42 KJV
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
• Salvation
• Then Baptism
• Then Membership all in short order
Continued (???? ????????????????). Participle and finite verb, as above. The verb is from ????????, strong, stanch, and means originally to persist obstinately in. In this sense here, and in Rom. 12:12; 13:6. Hence to adhere firmly to. So in Mark 3:9, “that a small ship should wait on him;” i.e., keep near at hand. The idea of steady persistence is supplied by the Rev., steadfastly.1
1 Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 444–445). Charles Scribner’s Sons.
• Continue in doctrine
• Continue in fellowship
• Continue in breaking of bread (communion)
• Continue in prayer.
A car traveling on a super highway needs to have proper and balanced inflation in all four tires to travel safely. No one would venture to drive any distance with the left front tire inflated at 32 PSI, the right front at 28 PSI, the left rear at 36PSI, and the right rear at 10 PSI. That would be dangerous and unthinkable. As a Christian travels life’s road there are four things that he or she needs to help in safe travel – Prayer, Bible Reading and Mediation, Church Attendance, and Fellowship. If we deflate any of these we are in danger of crashing. Yet how often we will give attention to two or thee of these and neglect the others. (Acts 2:41-42)
Believers Join A Church for Accountability and Encouragement
Hebrews 10:24–25 KJV
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Matthew 18:15–17 KJV
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
1 Corinthians 5:11 KJV
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Believers Join A Local Church To Be Under Its Authority.
Under Pastoral Leadership
Hebrews 13:17 KJV
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Commissioned as Deacons and Officers
Acts 6:3 KJV
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Commissioned as Missionaries
Acts 13:1–3 KJV
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Believers Join a Local Church As Part of God’s Design for Christ’s Body.
1 Corinthians 12:12–14 KJV
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many.
1 Corinthians 12:25–27 KJV
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Ephesians 4:16 KJV
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Baptists have historically held to the purity of church membership by insisting that anyone brought into the fellowship have a credible profession of faith. This is not to create an exclusive country club but to protect the reputation and mission of the local church. This distinctive ties into other ones like the Autonomy of the Local Church. We are not linking up with some larger organization run by unsaved folks who make decisions.
1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Once members of a local church ( as every born again believer should be) we are to function within the Body of Christ steadfastly, with accountability, and under authority because this is God’s perfect plan for every born again believer. Are you part of a Saved Church membership?
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:45 PM March 10, 2022.
To Know The Greatness of Christ’s Power
To Know The Greatness of Christ’s Power
Pastor Don Carpenter
Greater Vision / Ephesians 1:20–23
In his book, The Family of God, Batsell Barrett Baxter says the following:
“There are some who think of the church as an organization like other organizations. It is true that the church is an organization, but it is not primarily an organization. Rather, it is a new way of life. Those who have the view that being a part of the church is like being a member of a lodge, a luncheon club, a political part, or even a business are seriously mistaken. Such people feel that they should give to the church the same kind of support and loyalty which they give to these other organizations. It becomes my church, as it is ‘my club, or lodge, or party, or team.’ The Christian’s loyalty to Church, however, should be unique, for in reality it is a loyalty to Christ and His way of life. The church is like no other institution on earth and a person’s membership in the church is like no other membership which he may sustain. The church is more like a vibrant, living organism, than it is like a cold, structured organization…
Some make the mistake of thinking that the church…exists for the entertainment and enjoyment of its members. On the contrary, the church exists in order that its members may have an intimate relationship with Christ and God, as well as a close relationship with mankind.”
As we come to the last sermon in the series “Greater Vision” let us review what we have learned from Paul’s prison prayer for the Ephesian believers.
Of all the things he could have prayed for, it was for the believers to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus. For their eyes to be opened to His love for them and their standing with Him. Last week we saw praying that believers may know more fully the hope of their calling, and their rich value to Christ and the greatness of Christ’s power toward believers. It is that great power that is expounded upon here in our passage. Paul takes the time to put mind blowing details to that power of Christ that works toward us.
The Great Power of Christ Works in Us
Ephesians 1:19 KJV
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Ephesians 2:1–2 KJV
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
1 Corinthians 12:6 KJV
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
The Great Power of Christ Was Displayed In Jesus.
When He Was Raised From The Dead
Ephesians 1:20 (KJV)
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead…
raising him from the dead Jesus’ resurrection displayed God’s power over death and His approval of His Son (compare Isa 53:10 and note; Isa 53:12 and note)1
1 Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Eph 1:20). Lexham Press.
When He Was Exalted to His Father’s Right Hand
Ephesians 1:20 (KJV)
… and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Acts 2:34–35 KJV
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
It was the power mentioned in Verse 19 that raised Jesus from the dead. His resurrection was only the firstfruits of the saved who have passed from this sphere. The same power that raised the firstfruits will also bring forth all of His brethren in their order and place them at God’s right hand in heaven. The expression “right hand” is a borrowed phrase. In the Sanhedrin—house of judgment—there were ever two scribes who were before the judges, one upon the right, the other upon the left side of the judge. It was the business of the scribe upon the right to write the approval or acquittal. The scribe upon the left wrote the sentence of condemnation. Jesus came not to condemn, John 3:17, hence His place is always at the right hand, where He may write pardons for men who are captives to the Devil. Just such power is manifest in all true believers as was wrought in the raising Christ from the grave. There must be the same Divine power in the members that there is in the Head, or there can be no unity. There can be no natural body at all unless the members are the same nature with the head. Any other kind of body is unnatural; it is a monstrosity. The power that moves in the tree moves in the branches also.1
1 Haynes, W. A. (1911). The Beautiful Word Pictures of the Epistle to the Ephesians: Or, the Busy Man’s Commentary upon the Bible (p. 36). Busy Man’s Bible Company.
When He Was Raised Far Above Every Principality and Power.
Ephesians 1:21 KJV
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Ephesians 6:12 KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Exorcists and magicians tried to manipulate powerful spirits by invoking their names (see comment on Acts 19:13); the supremacy of Jesus’ name above all other names means that he is higher than all the spirit-powers being invoked and could not be exploited.
Paul uses standard terms of his day for the demonic and angelic powers at work behind the political structures of the world, powers that were thought to direct the earthly rulers and peoples (v. 21). Most people in Paul’s day believed that the world was run by Fate, which was usually expressed by the stars (which were viewed as heavenly beings), and most of these people did not believe one had any hope of escape from Fate. Some of the mystery cults, however, like the cult of Isis, gained popularity by claiming power to free initiates from Fate.
Jewish people commonly believed that the heavenly powers ruled all the nations except Israel; some later teachers explained that Israel had been lifted above those heavenly powers in Abraham their ancestor. Paul says that those united with Christ had also been raised above those powers. His words would be a great encouragement to Christians who had been converted from an occult background (cf. Acts 19:18–20).
Jewish people especially viewed these heavenly powers as “angels of the nations,” spiritual beings who stood behind earthly rulers and guided their rule (cf. Dan 4:35; 10:13). (Although the details are developed more in later Jewish texts, the roots of the idea are as early as Daniel and the LXX of Deuteronomy.)1
1 Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Eph 1:21–23). InterVarsity Press.
When The Father Put all Things Under His Feet.
Ephesians 1:22 KJV
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Psalm 8:6 KJV
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:
Psalm 110:1 KJV
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Paul finishes by speaking of the conquest of Christ in a sphere which does not mean so much to us today. As the Authorized Version has it, God has raised Jesus Christ ‘far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named’. In Paul’s day, people strongly believed both in demons and in angels; and these words which Paul uses are the titles of different grades of angels. He is saying that there is not a being in heaven or on earth to whom Jesus Christ is not superior. In essence, Paul’s prayer is that we should realize the greatness of the Saviour God has given to us.1
1 Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (p. 105). Westminster John Knox Press.
The Great Power of Christ Works Through the Church.
Ephesians 1:22–23 KJV
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Ephesians 3:21 KJV
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians 4:15 KJV
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Matthew 28:18 KJV
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Christ was given all this power and prestige, and given as Head of all things to be the Head of the Church.
Christ is the head; the Church is the body. The head must have a body through which it can work. The Church is quite literally hands to do Christ’s work, feet to run his errands, a voice to speak his words.
In the very last phrase of the chapter, Paul has two tremendous thoughts. The Church, he says, is the essential element in the work of Christ. Just as the ideas of the mind cannot become effective without the work of the body, the tremendous glory which Christ brought to this world cannot be made effective without the work of the Church. Paul goes on to say that Jesus is bit by bit filling all things in all places; and that act of filling is being worked out by the Church. This is one of the most tremendous thoughts in all Christianity. It means nothing less than that God’s plan for one world is in the hands of the Church.1
1 Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (p. 107). Westminster John Knox Press.
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There is a legend which tells how Jesus went back to heaven after his time on earth. Even in heaven, he bore upon him the marks of the cross. The angels were talking to him, and Gabriel said: ‘Master, you must have suffered terribly for men and women down there.’ ‘I did,’ said Jesus. ‘And,’ said Gabriel, ‘do they all know about how you loved them and what you did for them?’ ‘Oh no,’ said Jesus, ‘not yet. Just now, only a few people in Palestine know.’ ‘What have you done,’ said Gabriel, ‘to let everyone know about it?’ Jesus said: ‘I have asked Peter and James and John and a few others to make it the business of their lives to tell others about me, and the others still others, and yet others, until the furthest person on the widest circle knows what I have done.’ Gabriel looked very doubtful, for he knew well what poor stuff human beings were made of. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘but what if Peter and James and John grow tired? What if the people who come after them forget? What if, way down in the twenty-first century, people just don’t tell others about you? Haven’t you made any other plans?’ And Jesus answered: ‘I haven’t made any other plans. I’m counting on them.’ To say that the Church is the body means that Jesus is counting on us.1
1 Barclay, W. (2002). The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians (pp. 107–108). Westminster John Knox Press.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:27 PM March 9, 2022.
Prayer Meeting March 9 Virtual only
Prayer Meeting for March 9 will be on Google Meet only due to snow and icy conditions. You can click the link below or call the phone number listed and use the pin.
https://meet.google.com/pjb-xuxm-owf
Or dial: +1 443-461-5653 PIN: 231 922 235#
Don’t Kid Yourself
Don’t Kid Yourself
Pastor Don Carpenter
A Beautiful Mess / 1 Corinthians 3:18–23
Michael McCartney tells the following story:
I was at Boy Scout Camp when I discovered the terrible damage a fire storm could do to my life. It was a lazy afternoon very hot and dry. John and I were sent back to camp to start dinner for the guys. When I got back to camp, I discovered that the camp fire looked as if it had gone out. So I decided to rebuild the fire to get it ready for our meal. So I gathered firewood and placed it on the coals and tried to get it to burn. It would not start, so I decided to pour some kerosene on the wood, figuring it would help get the fire started sooner so that John and I could start dinner sooner for the troop.
So I poured the kerosene on the wood, and all of a sudden the fire ignited. It then traveled up the liquid and into the can I was holding in my hand. Within seconds, the can exploded in my hand, sending burning kerosene streaming in every direction. Most of the burning fuel landed on my lower right leg, and it burst into flames.
It was so surreal. I looked down as the heat started piercing through to my leg, and I began screaming. I was 12 years old, and my leg was burning out of control. I screamed for help and threw myself to the ground. I began to roll and roll, and the more I rolled the more the ground burst into flames around me. I rolled into a tent, and it caught on fire. I was screaming because of the pain and crying out for help. I started thinking, “This is it. I am going to burn to death,” and right at that moment another Boy Scout came to my rescue. John had a blanket in his hand, and he grabbed me and wrapped it around my leg to put out the fire. Once he put out my leg, he then proceeded to put out the tent and the burning ground around us.
I laid there in shock and disbelief with horrible pain throbbing up my leg. John held me and asked me to hang in there, because he was going to get me help. He ran like the wind for about a mile to the first aid head quarters in the park. I laid there all alone on the ground thinking, “Why did I do that!” Then the thought crept in: “Is this it?” It seemed as if I laid there forever starring up into the blue sky.
The Park Rangers came and the troop leaders came as fast as they could. As they pulled the blanket off of my leg, part of my jeans and burnt flesh came off with it. They cut my jeans off immediately and started cleaning out my badly burned leg. I screamed in pain. I heard one man get sick and throw up and another say, “Oh my Lord!”
I was burned from my ankle to just above the knee. I still remember the awful smell of burnt flesh rising off my leg. All I could do was moan and cry because of the excruciating pain inflicted from this fire. All I could do was keep asking questions, “What happened? Where did the fire come from? Why did this happen to me?” I was stunned by how quickly I had caught on fire.
It took the troop leaders 4 hours before they finally got me to a hospital. It was a horrible 4-hour trip from the mountains to the hospital. As I rode in a truck, I just moaned as my driver, a Boy Scout leader, just encouraged me to hang in there. I remember he turned his air conditioning onto the floor section so that cold air could blow onto my leg. My flesh was hanging off, and I was wishing for a miracle as I looked at my deformed leg. I thought this could not be my leg.
When we arrived at the hospital the doctors started to work on my leg immediately. They cleaned it up and put salve on it then wrapped with burn wrap. My mom showed up at the hospital in tears asking, “What happened?” The doctors informed my mom that I had second and third degree burns on the lower half of my leg. I remember the doctor telling her the importance of making sure that my leg did not become infected.
So daily she would clean my leg off. I would not look at my leg – my mom said it looked horrible, almost like hamburger. But eventually I did heal.
I often think about that day. It is etched into my memory forever. It was the painful day because I became a victim of a fire storm. I learned a few lessons that day that I will never forget: “Do not dump Kerosene on hot coals!” The biggest lesson I learned that day was not to be careless with a fire. I discovered the hard way that fire is hot and it burns very quickly and it does maximum damage in short amount of time. The firestorm I experienced lasted for minutes but caused major damage to my leg and it took months to heal. I still have scars on my lower leg from that fire storm. It reminds me as I look at that scar the danger of fire storms and how painful they can be.
Firestorms happen in this world every day–firestorms in relationships flare up doing maximum damage in a short period of time. A situation or word is misunderstood and the fire ignites scorching and burning up everything in sight.
A few years back I read the book “Firestorms.” The author Susek warned about the danger, the destruction and the damage that firestorms can do to a church, an organization or even a family unit. He shared true to life horror stories of Christians acting like raging firestorms and leaving a path of destruction in churches, in communities, in families and in individual lives. He shared the tragic stories to warn us Christians, leaders, and pastors how to prevent firestorms in our relationship’s, he stressed how to put fires out quickly in relationships, and even how to rebuild relationships after a firestorm.
Dr. Robert said, “No church is more than twenty-four hours away from a major conflict breaking out. In less than a year, it can destroy years of hard work and growth” (Firestorms, page 12).
He spoke about the danger and the ferocity of firestorms. He warned us that once a firestorm ignites it causes damage quickly to the surrounding terrain and races off to burn up whatever is in its path. They move fast and quickly across the landscape burning everything up in sight. They are dangerous and destructive. They have even been known to be brief but so intense that they cause maximum loss in a short period of time.
So we need to learn how to become fire fighters if we want to preserve our family relationships, our friendship relationships, our church relationships, our community relationships and our individual relationships.
Firestorms come in many forms and can ignite in any type of a life situation.
(From a sermon by Michael McCartney, Experience the Spirit in Conflict, 4/7/2011)
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Paul has been addressing the problem of carnality within the “Beautiful Mess” that was the church at Corinth. He had been explaining how our fleshly attitudes and strife and destroy a local assembly. At the heart of any interpersonal conflict is the clash of prideful people.
We have been learning that there is a way that seems right to us, and that way is wrong unless our “common sense” has been reworked by the transforming wisdom and grace that only comes from God.
Often in order for God to be able to work freely within a congregation, we need to stop kidding ourselves and realize that we don’t have the wisdom we think we do… we really are not “all that”.
You Are Not All That Wise
1 Corinthians 3:18 KJV
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
It comes as a shock to some church members that you cannot manage a local church the same way you run a business. This does not mean we should not follow good business principles, but the operation is totally different. There is a wisdom of this world that works for the world, but it will not work for the church.
The world depends on promotion, prestige, and the influence of money and important people. The church depends on prayer, the power of the Spirit, humility, sacrifice, and service. The church that imitates the world may seem to succeed in time, but it will turn to ashes in eternity.1
1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 581). Victor Books.
Galatians 6:3 KJV
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Ephesians 5:6 KJV
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
The World’s Wisdom is not “All That”
1 Corinthians 3:19–20 KJV
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Romans 1:21–22 KJV
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Isaiah 19:11–14 KJV
Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, The counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: How say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, The son of ancient kings?
Where are they? where are thy wise men? And let them tell thee now, And let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
The princes of Zoan are become fools, The princes of Noph are deceived; They have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: And they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, As a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
Isaiah 5:21 KJV
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
2 Timothy 3:13 KJV
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
James 1:22 KJV
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Psalm 94:11 KJV
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, That they are vanity.
The church in the Book of Acts had none of the “secrets of success” that seem to be important today. They owned no property; they had no influence in government; they had no treasury (“Silver and gold have I none,” said Peter); their leaders were ordinary men without special education in the accepted schools; they held no attendance contests; they brought in no celebrities; and yet they turned the world upside down!1
1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 581). Victor Books.
Relax, There Is Nothing to Brag About.
1 Corinthians 3:21–23 KJV
Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
Romans 14:8 KJV
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Finally, we must build with the right motive (vv. 21–23). That motive is the glory of God. The members of the Corinthian church were glorying in men, and this was wrong. They were comparing men (1 Cor. 4:6) and dividing the church by such carnal deeds. Had they been seeking to glorify God alone, there would have been harmony in the assembly.
Paul closed this appeal by pointing out that each believer possesses all things in Christ. Each one of God’s servants belongs to each believer. No member of the church should say, “I belong to Paul!” or “I like Peter!” because each servant belongs to each member equally. Perhaps we cannot help but have our personal preferences when it comes to the way different men minister the Word. But we must not permit our personal preferences to become divisive prejudices. In fact, the preacher I may enjoy the least may be the one I need the most!
“All are yours”—the world, life, death, things present, things to come! How rich we are in Christ! If all things belong to all believers, then why should there be competition and rivalry? “Get your eyes off of men!” Paul admonished. “Keep your eyes on Christ, and work with Him in building the church!”
“Ye are Christ’s”—this balances things. I have all things in Jesus Christ, but I must not become careless or use my freedom unwisely. “All things are yours”—that is Christian liberty. “And ye are Christ’s”—that is Christian responsibility. We need both if we are to build a church that will not turn to ashes when the fire falls.
How we need to pray for ministers of the Word! They must feed the family and bring the children to maturity. They must sow the seed in the field and pray for an increase. They must mine the treasures of the Word and build these treasures into the temple. No wonder Paul cried, “And who is sufficient for these things?” But he also gave the answer: “Our sufficiency is of God” (2 Cor. 2:16; 3:5).1
1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 581–582). Victor Books.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:10 PM March 3, 2022.
Individual Soul Liberty
Individual Soul Liberty
Pastor Don Carpenter
Baptist Basics
Individual soul liberty. We believe that each person must make a personal decision of repentance and faith in Christ. (See Romans 10:9–17, 14:1–23.)
A young couple moved into a new house. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the washing outside.
“That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better soap powder. Her husband looked on, remaining silent.
Every time her neighbor hung her washing out to dry, the young woman made the same comments.
A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”
The husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”
And so it is with life… What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look.
So don’t be too quick to judge others, especially if your perspective of life is clouded by anger, jealousy, negativity or unfulfilled desires.
“Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are.”
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Welcome to week 5 of our 7 week study of the Baptist Basics. We have been learning the implications of the sign in the front of our church. We have learned that anyone who names the name of Jesus can call themselves “Christian”… but since that includes everyone from the Catholic to the Mormon, JW, Baptist Congregationalist and Pentecostal, we need a little more specifics in order to see what kind of spiritual medicine is in the bottle. A simple way to identify the Biblical doctrines that combine to become Baptist Distinctives, is to break it down to an acrostic.
B -Biblical Authority
A- Autonomy of the Local Church
P -Priesthood of all Believers
T – Two Ordinances
I – Individual Soul Liberty
S
T
Definition: Every individual, whether a believer or an unbeliever, has the freedom to choose what his conscience or soul dictates is right in the religious realm. Soul liberty asks the believer to accept responsibility for his own actions and not try to force anyone else to do or believe anything contrary to his own conscience. However, this liberty is not a justification for disobeying God. The believer must still act according to the principles of Scripture and honor the doctrinal position of the Bible-believing Baptist church to which he belongs.
Individual soul liberty is a particularly Baptist principle. Most denominations attempt to exercise control over their members to some extent, but Baptists limit such control by demanding that every believer is ultimately responsible to God. Individuals have the right to disagree with others, follow their own conscience, and not feel compelled to adopt any views they disagree with. This does not suggest that every believer is a “lone wolf” or that believers need not submit to the leadership of their church. Soul liberty simply asserts that every believer has the right to act in accordance with his own conscience, and that no one can force anyone to believe or act against his theological viewpoint.
When studying the individual priesthood of the believer, we found that no believer has the right to impose views, practices, etc., on any other believer. The priesthood of the believer and individual soul liberty overlap a bit as they both deal with the issue of freedom within the confines of the will of God.
There appears to be widespread ignorance of this Baptist distinctive, at least in practice if not in belief. Since it is a biblical issue, it is certainly worthy of serious study and consideration. Let us dig deeper into the implications of this truth together.
Individual Responsibility to Stand Before God
Romans 14:10–12 KJV
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
We Will Answer for OUR OWN Actions
Matthew 12:36 KJV
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Galatians 6:5 KJV
For every man shall bear his own burden.
1 Corinthians 3:13 KJV
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
We Are To Allow Individuals to Have Personal Relationships with God Even if They Make Different Choices.
John 21:22 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Romans 14:4 KJV
Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Acts 15:39 KJV
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Individual Responsibility to Obey the Bible.
Psalm 119:105 KJV
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
James 1:22–25 KJV
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
• The Bible is the Authority
• The Individual is Responsible to learn follow, and obey.
Individual Responsibility to Follow Their Own Conscience.
Romans 14:5–9 KJV
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
• The Bible is the Authority
• Often the Bible is not specific on specific applications.
• The individual in responsible to take what they know before God in prayer and come up with a plan of action.
• One’s plan may look different than another… that is not your concern. Each individual is free to develop that part of their relationship privately before God.
Individual Responsibility to Teach and not Fight.
2 Timothy 2:24–26 KJV
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
• Gentle
• Teaching
• Meek
• Instructing… commending them to their own conscience before God.
• Then back off and let God work.
James 1:20 KJV
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
So one of the doctrines that serves to separate Baptists from other Bible Believing Christians is the doctrine of Individual Soul Liberty. As mentioned above, soul liberty is often misunderstood and more often not allowed in many conservative churches. Strong leaders tend to portray a “my way or the highway” style that will not put up with dissenting opinions. Some even exalt their own personal standards to the level of biblical principle, and anyone who disagrees is seen as “liberal.” Soul liberty comes into play in areas the Bible does not address either directly or in principle. Christians have freedom to come to their own conclusions on such matters. Church leaders may teach and advise on such issues, but they should not force members to subscribe to convictions without biblical warrant. Baptists have historically allowed members to exercise their liberty of conscience.
May God help us to be true to scriptures and true to our label and embrace the Biblical doctrine of individual soul liberty.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:36 AM March 3, 2022.
Bring A Friend Sunday March 27 11:00 AM
Sunday March 27 we will be starting a 7 week Sermon series that runs right through Easter entitled: “Blessed Hope: Anchors of Truth in a Stormy World” Help us launch this powerful life changing series by bringing everyone you can for the first day!
That You May KNOW!
That You May Know
Pastor Don Carpenter
Greater Vision / Ephesians 1:18–19
Dr. Kenneth Chafin, a well-known Baptist author, tells about the pastor and deacon who were visiting prospective members and drove up to a beautiful suburban home surrounded by a velvet lawn and gorgeous landscaping. Two expensive cars stood in the driveway, and through the picture window, the men saw their prospect, lounging in an easy chair and watching color TV. The deacon turned to his pastor and said, “What kind of good news do we have for him?”
How prone we are to confuse prices and values. Ephesus was a wealthy city. It boasted the temple of Diana, one of the wonders of the ancient world. Today, Ephesus is an archeologist’s paradise, but all of its wealth and splendor are gone. But the Christians who once lived there are today in heaven, enjoying the glory of God!
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 15). Victor Books.
As we continue to explore this prison prayer for enlightenment that Paul records in scriptures, we come to the reason Paul is praying this prayer. He yearns that the light of their understanding is turned on, not simply so they can comprehend or articulate great and deep theological truths, but so they can KNOW Christ more intimately.
Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know…
oida (Perf. of ????, 1492), “to know by perception,” is the word in Pilate’s remark “make it as sure as ye can” (marg. “sure, as ye know”), Matt. 27:65. The phrases “cannot tell,” “canst not tell,” etc., are in the rv rendered “know not,” etc., Matt. 21:27; Mark 11:33; Luke 20:7; John 3:8; 8:14; 16:18; 2 Cor. 12:2–3. See know1
1 Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 88). T. Nelson.
To Know The Hope of Christ’s Calling
Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)
… that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…
The first is that they may know “what is the hope of their calling.” The word “what” is tis (???), not “how great,” nor “of what kind,” but “what”—what the hope really is. “The ‘His calling’ is the call of which God is the author, and that is an effectual call.… The hope is not the object hoped for, … but the attitude of mind, the subjective hope, the assured Christian expectation” (Expositors).1
1 Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 4, p. 53). Eerdmans.
Ephesians 4:4 KJV
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Some callings offer no hope, but the calling we have in Christ assures us of a delightful future. Keep in mind that the word hope in the Bible does not mean “hope so,” like a child hoping for a doll or a bike at Christmas. The word carries with it “assurance for the future.” The believer’s hope is, of course, the return of Jesus Christ.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 15). Victor Books.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 KJV
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 John 3:1–3 KJV
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
To Know The Riches of Christ’s Inheritance In Us!
Ephesians 1:18 (KJV)
…that ye may know …what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
This phrase does not refer to our inheritance in Christ (Eph. 1:11), but His inheritance in us. This is an amazing truth—that God should look on us as a part of His great wealth! Just as a man’s wealth brings glory to his name, so God will get glory from the church because of what He has invested in us. When Jesus Christ returns, we shall be “to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6).
God deals with us on the basis of our future, not our past. He said to cowardly Gideon, “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor” (Judg. 6:12). Jesus said to Andrew’s brother, “Thou art Simon … thou shalt be called Cephas [a stone]” (John 1:42).
Gideon did become a mighty man of valor, and Simon did become Peter, a rock. We Christians live in the future tense, our lives controlled by what we shall be when Christ returns. Because we are God’s inheritance, we live to please and glorify Him.
This truth suggests to us that Christ will not enter into His promised glory until the church is there to share it with Him. He prayed for this before He died, and this prayer will be answered (John 17:24). Christ will be glorified in us (2 Thes. 1:10), and we will be glorified in Him (Col. 3:4). Knowing this should lead the believer into a life of dedication and devotion to the Lord.1
1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 16). Victor Books.
Psalm 28:9 KJV
Save thy people, And bless thine inheritance: Feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Ephesians 1:12 KJV
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Philippians 2:13 KJV
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
To Know The Greatness of Christ’s Power Toward Us.
Ephesians 1:19 KJV
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Paul offered something to challenge our faith: “the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe” (Eph. 1:19). So tremendous is this truth that Paul enlisted many different words from the Greek vocabulary to get his point across: dunamis—“power” as in dynamo and dynamite; energeia—“working” as in energy; kratos—“mighty”; ischus—“power.” Ephesians 1:19 can be translated, “What is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the operation of the might of His strength.” He is talking about divine dynamic, eternal energy, available to us!
1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 16). Victor Books.
Ephesians 1:19 KJV
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Ephesians 3:7 KJV
Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
2 Corinthians 13:4 KJV
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
Romans 8:11 KJV
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
1 Peter 1:5 KJV
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Corinthians 2:5 KJV
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Ephesians 3:20 KJV
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know Him. But later on when I recognized this Higher Power, It seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know just when it was that he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since—life with my Higher Power, that is. God makes life exciting! But when He took the lead, it was all I could do to hang on! He knew delightful paths, up mountains and through rocky places—and at breakneck speeds. Even though it looked like madness, he said, “Pedal!” I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. When I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, God’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and our burden became light. At first I did not trust Him in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it. But He knows bike secrets—knows how to make it lean to take sharp corners, dodge large rocks, and speed through scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant Companion. And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says, “Pedal!”
James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) pp. 247-248.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 4:35 PM March 2, 2022.
Watering, Working, Warning
Watering Working, Warning
Pastor Don Carpenter
A Beautiful Mess / 1 Corinthians 3:5–17
A fellow stopped at a gas station and, after filling the tank on his car, he paid the bill and bought a soft drink. He stood by his car to drink his cola and he watched a couple of men working along the roadside.
One man would dig a hole two or three feet deep and then move on. The other man came along behind and filled in the hole. While one was digging a new hole, the other was about 25 feet behind filling in the old. The men worked right past the fellow with the soft drink and went on down the road. “I can’t stand this,” said the man tossing the can in a trash container and heading down the road toward the men.
“Hold on,” he said to the men. “Can you tell me what’s going on here with this digging?”
“Well, we work for the government, ” one of the men said.
“But one of you is digging a hole and the other fills it up. You’re not accomplishing anything. Aren’t you wasting the People’s money?”
“You don’t understand, mister,” one of the men said, leaning on his shovel and wiping his brow. “Normally there’s three of us–me, Sam and Jesse.
”I dig the hole, Sam sticks in the tree and Jesse here puts the dirt back.
Now, just because Sam’s sick, that don’t mean that Jesse and I can’t work.”
When it comes to the church of Jesus Christ, sometimes people do not think very much, either. People attend church, but they don’t get what church is all about, or they are blinded by assumptions. They just dig holes instead of planting trees.
As we continue studying Paul’s letter to the “Beautiful Mess” that was the Church at Corinth, we continue to learn why the carnality of division is so silly. The Corinthian believers, like we often do, have split up following different personalities and styles. Paul is making the case that it is all the same Bible and the same work, and the same miracle of Grace that works in and through us in spite of our lack of merit.
Often in our churches, we get very secular in our thinking. It is not the effort, it is the results that matter… or so we say. Once again we will find that God is in charge of the results and the personnel assignments. We are simply to be good stewards of the everyday Grace and opportunities to serve that is our life after salvation.
Watering – Understanding Christian Partnership.
1 Corinthians 3:5–8 KJV
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Personality is not the Key
Galatians 6:3 KJV
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
The Type of Work is not the Key
1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 3:8 KJV
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
God gives the increase – the labor does not necessarily guarantee the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7 KJV
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 15:10 KJV
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Corinthians 1:4 KJV
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Psalm 127:1 KJV
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
God gives the reward individually according to labor (not production)
Psalm 62:12 KJV
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: For thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Galatians 6:4 KJV
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Working – Building on the Same Foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:9–11 KJV
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Workers build upon each other’s efforts
Acts 18:27–28 KJV
And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
The foundation is Jesus, not a personality.
Galatians 2:6 KJV
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Matthew 16:18 KJV
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Warning: Each of us will give full account of our stewardship of life.
1 Corinthians 4:3 KJV
But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
Accountable For Our Opportunities in Life
1 Corinthians 3:12–15 KJV
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Peter 5:4 KJV
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Romans 12:6 KJV
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Accountable For Our Bodies
1 Corinthians 3:16–17 KJV
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Conclusion
We need to quit stressing over what does not matter. Anything good that happens is because God in His grace worked through us. So elevating one person over another and separating over it, is not Biblical. Watering and planting though different are the same, because without the touch o God neither produces anything. God is interested in our stewardship, not primarily the results. God handles the increase… we are accountable for our effort. I believe when we lose sight of this we get easy 1, 2 3 pray with me stuff. We also get external extrabiblical sanctification. It is much easier to cut your hair, shave your face, put on a tie or dress rather than letting the peace of God rule in your hearts. It is all about Grace. Jesus died and rose again because we cannot attain righteousness. We also cannot stand in our own righteousness after salvation. One plants, one waters, but God, in His grace gives the increase.
Exported from Logos Bible Software, 6:36 PM February 25, 2022.