23 August 2015

He Who Plants and He Who Waters are One

He Who Plants and He Who Waters are One
Text: 1 Corinthians 3

Speaker:
Rev. Dr. Charles Tan
Chairman:
The Church Session
Series:
That They May Be One

Message Notes

THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

1. Complex

2. Comprehensible

TWO ATTEMPTS TO HELP COMPREHEND THE CHURCH

1. An agrarian imagery

a) A field   (1 Corinthians 3:9)
i) The one who sows Paul as the planter   (1 Corinthians 3:6)
ii) The one who waters Apollos as the one who watered   (1 Corinthians 3:6)
iii) The One who gives the increase God’s role is vital   (1 Corinthians 3:7)
b) God’s Fellow-workers   (1 Corinthians 3:9)
i) Workers together with God
ii) God’s field   (1 Corinthians 3:9)

2. A building imagery

a) God’s building   (1 Corinthians 3:9)
b) Paul as a wise master-builder (architect)   (1 Corinthians 3:10)
i) By the grace of God   (1 Corinthians 3:10)
ii) Laying the foundation   (1 Corinthians 3:10)
c) Building on the foundation
i) Good quality
Gold, silver, precious stones   (1 Corinthians 3:12)
ii) Poor quality work
Wood, hay, straw   (1 Corinthians 3:12)

THE CHALLENGE TO BUILD WELL

1. As an individual

“Each one’s work”   1 Corinthians 3:13

2. Corporately (as a Church)

“You are the temple of God”   1 Corinthians 3:16

3. Every work will be tested   (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)