Working with the Lord
1 Corinthians 3:1-23
In this lesson we are going to be discussing our position regarding the work we do for the Lord. While a common way to make the expression is “working for the Lord” in the passage we will see that we are actually “labourers together with God” (verse 9). If we think about this it should be an encouraging thought because it shows us that we are not working alone, God is right there with us. God is really working through us to accomplish his will if we allow him to work.
This can be applied to any service that we are doing for the Lord but in our lesson we will focus on the topic of planting and watering. This is what Paul is discussing because some in the church at Corinth were having trouble with thinking they were more important based on who had led them to the Lord (verses 1-4).
Some simple truths regarding our work for the Lord:
1) We work with God (verse 9)
2) We must take heed how we build upon the foundation (verse 10)
3) The foundation we build upon is Jesus Christ (verse 11)
What is our Purpose?
No matter what the field of service is our purpose is to Glorify God in all that we do. Consider the following verses.
Isaiah 42:8 (God does not share his glory)
Isaiah 43:7 (God’s children were created for his glory)
I Corinthians 10:31 (Do all to the glory of God)
Revelations 4:11 (We were created for his pleasure)
We must take our purpose, which is to glorify God, and apply it to the truths from above.
Applying our Purpose to being an Effective Witness:
1) Whether you plant or water you are nothing (verse 7)
- In being a witness we should take our self out of the equation. If we put pressure on ourselves to succeed or worry that we have failed, then this pressure will come out and hinder our witness.
- Remember our goal is to glorify God. God is glorified when you brag on his child, the Lord Jesus Christ.
- If we tell others what Jesus Christ did for them and how they can simply believe on him to the best of our ability then we have succeeded. It is God that give the increase.
2) Whether you plant or water are the same (verse 8)
- Sometimes people get caught up in how many they have led to the Lord, but here we see that there is no difference between the ones that plant, water, because it is God that gives the increase.
3) The reward is based on the labor not the increase (verse 8)
- While it is true we can glorify God when people are saved, we must remember that he gave the increase. We do not win or lose them.
- If we put ourselves in that position of we won them it would be like taking God’s glory. We have seen above that God does not share his glory.
- We earn a reward for the labor of planting and watering not for a person getting saved, besides how do we know for sure what is taking place in their hearts. This is why the fire declares the work at the judgement seat of Christ (verse 12-15) we will not know whether or not we have earned a reward until that day. So there is really no need to glory in it now.
Conclusion:
Remember that we are labors with God and our job is to glorify him. Therefore don’t glory in men (1 Corinthians 3:21-23), or compare yourself among yourselves (2 Corinthians 10:12). Be faithful to whatever you are doing for the Lord whether it be preaching, teaching, witnessing, singing in the choir etc. and let God give the increase.