Different not Divided

Adapted from: Different not Divided by Dr. Sam Holm

You might wonder why spiritual growth is so important.

Have you ever felt like you're putting in the effort but not seeing the results you want? Maybe you're like me, hitting the gym at 5 AM but struggling to resist the allure of queso and peanut butter. Just as a bad diet can undermine your physical fitness, spiritual immaturity can hinder your growth in Christ. Today, we're diving into 1 Corinthians 3 to explore how we can move beyond spiritual infancy and build a stronger, more united church.

The Main Point: Spiritual Maturity is Essential for Church Unity

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the Corinthian church, which was thriving in many ways but also plagued by division and immaturity. He calls them "spiritual infants" and urges them to grow up in their faith. The main point of the sermon is clear: Spiritual maturity is essential for church unity. Without it, we risk allowing personal preferences and worldly wisdom to create divisions among us.

Understanding the Role of Church Leadership

One of the key issues Paul addresses is the Corinthians' misunderstanding of church leadership. They were divided over who they followed, Paul or Apollos, much like how we might prefer one preacher over another today. But Paul reminds them that both he and Apollos are merely servants through whom they believed. The real growth comes from God.

Your Takeaway: Elevate Christ, Not Individuals

To apply this to our lives, we need to shift our focus from elevating church leaders to elevating Christ. When we place our preferences above the mission of the church, we risk creating unnecessary divisions. Instead, let's celebrate the diversity of gifts and roles within our church, recognizing that all are essential for building up the body of Christ.

Building on the Right Foundation

Paul also emphasizes the importance of building on the right foundation, Jesus Christ. He warns that our actions will be tested by fire, and only what is built on Christ will last. This means we must be careful not to add our personal preferences to the gospel, but rather focus on what truly matters.

Your Takeaway: Examine Your Foundation

Take a moment to reflect on what foundation you are building your faith upon. Are you more focused on your preferences or on Christ? If you find that you've been adding your own preferences to the gospel, it might be time to have a conversation with God and ask for His guidance in realigning your focus.

Embracing Godly Wisdom

Finally, Paul calls the Corinthians to embrace godly wisdom, which often looks foolish to the world. He urges them to stop boasting about worldly leaders and to reorient their thinking to align with the wisdom of God.

Your Takeaway: Seek Godly Wisdom

In a world that values intelligence and knowledge, it's easy to forget that true wisdom comes from God. Make it a priority to seek His wisdom in your daily life. This might mean spending more time in prayer, reading the Bible, or seeking counsel from mature believers.

Conclusion: Take the Next Step

To truly be a united church, we must eliminate division by growing in spiritual maturity. This involves examining our foundation, embracing godly wisdom, and focusing on Christ rather than individuals. So, what will you do this week to grow in your faith and contribute to the unity of our church?

Direct Call to Action:

I'm asking you to take a concrete step this week. Reflect on your spiritual maturity and identify one area where you can grow. Maybe it's joining a small group, serving in a ministry, or spending more time in prayer. Whatever it is, take that step and see how God can use you to build up His church.