Our Intentional God 05/22/14 (1 Corinthians 3:5-7) BUT GOD…Distractions What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, BUT GOD was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7) What does it mean to be an intentional servant? Simply put, it is one who is obedient to the Lord’s call and command. Here we have two servants mentioned, Paul and Apollos fulfilling two different calls to accomplish one thing: to bring someone to Christ. But in this metaphor, all the planting and watering in the world could be done, but if the Lord did not give the increase, well… Again we see our very salvation is utterly dependent upon the Lord. Paul changes metaphors later in the chapter, relating how we are God’s building, and only Jesus Christ can be the foundation which is to be laid. Again, utter dependence upon Him. God’s involvement in our planting and watering is what will bring success to our obedience. APP: Have you ever made a big thing out of nothing? We do it all the time. Here the Corinthians were making a big deal out of who brought them to Christ; but Paul reminds them that he and Apollos were just servants, and all we should focus on is God. The problem with big things being made out of nothing is they become distractions. So maybe, if you have a distraction in your life, think about Mary and Martha: “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was DISTRACTED by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’ But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’” Don’t be distracted; you just may miss Jesus.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 06:17:27 +0000