The Reporter     Volume 47 # 39,  --  September 28, 2007

 

For All Things Are Your

– First Corinthians Three –

 

   One of the problems among the Christians at Corinth was that of being "carnal." Paul knew that by that time the Corinthian Christians should have become spiritually mature. However, he still had to "speak unto them as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." (I Corinthians 3:1) The word "carnal" means "pertaining to the flesh, or fleshly desires. To be carnal means that your flesh and the word of God are at odds and the flesh is always winning out, because you are allowing it to win!

 

   This chapter addresses the divisions that were separating these brethren into groups that identified themselves with men. Paul rebuked them for allowing the names of preachers to divide the Lord's church. They were carnal being guilty of envying, strife, and divisions. "Strife" means fighting among themselves with words. No wonder Paul called them "carnal!" They were acting like they were of the world.

 

   Paul told them that the preachers they were dividing over were actually in harmony and that they worked together. He wanted them to know that the preachers were nothing more than ministers. These preachers all built upon the same foundation, that of Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 3:11) He wanted it understood that it is wrong  to  make  divisions  in  the  body  of Christ. They were admonished to take care not to divide and destroy the church because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Later Paul will say that the body of each Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

   The brethren were carnal – I Corinthians 3:1-4: When Paul wrote this epistle the brethren were acting like people of this world. They were acting like babies as far as their faith is Christ was concerned. Division had caused them to be so weak spiritually that they were unable to receive the meat of God's word. Paul had to treat them like spiritual babies and give them milk and not strong spiritual food.

 

   The focus of these brethren was on their own desires instead of on the spiritual plan of God for salvation and the church. The milk of the word is beautiful, but we need the meat of the word in order to have our spiritual armor. The carnal nature of these brethren led to envy, strife, and divisions, instead of to spiritual strength. Envy is "a feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another." Strife is "bitter conflict; heated often violent dissension." Division is "the state of having been divided." Some were saying they followed Paul. Others said they followed Apollos. The people of the word divide themselves and quarrel with one another. Christians should not act this way.

 

   The preachers are servants – I Corinthians 3:5-10: Apollos and Paul were merely servants or ministers that had helped these brethren have faith. Paul had no desire for preachers to receive special honor. He had planted the spiritual seeds, Apollos watered them, but God gave the increase. Paul established the church in Corinth. Apollos came after the church was established and watered the seed that Paul planted. God blessed their efforts and gave an increase.

 

   The blessings that came to the brethren at Corinth came by the Lord of glory, not by the one that delivered the gospel message to them. What matters is not the one that planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow. Any increase that comes to the church comes from God. It does not matter who does the planting or the watering for we are all one in Christ. (Galatians 3:26-28) The fact that Christians are one in Christ produces mutual love and respect for each other. Each servant will be rewarded according to his labors. (Revelation 14:13)

 

   The church should just work together for God. We are God's garden and God's building. We are co-workers together with God. Paul laid the foundation at Corinth and others like Apollos built thereon. "But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

 

   The foundation is Christ – I Corinthians 3:11-15: Christ is the foundation, and we are to be careful that we build in a scriptural and spiritual way on Him. He is the only foundation upon which you can build for eternity. He is the chief corner stone for the church and for our salvation. (Ephesians 2:20) Many attempt to build on such temporary foundations as "gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble." "The church should be built of true Christians, the proper material; and not of worldly-minded hypocrites, or of those who estimate the oracles of God as on a par with the philosophies of men. The day of judgment will reveal the true character of all who are in the church."

 

   Those that build on Jesus must be genuine in their faith and service. The foundation that we have built upon will be tested by fire on the Day of Judgment. "The fire will try every man's work of what sort it is." We must do the work of God and diligently seek to please Him in all that we do. We must see that He gets the glory for all the increase. We will be rewarded if our building is standing after being tested at the judgment. You may put forth the effort to win a person to Christ only to have that person turn from the Lord. Your reward would in some way have been greater if they had remained faithful but what they do will not affect your salvation.

 

   The Temple is the church – I Corinthains 3:16-23: As members of the church we should be spiritual people because the church of Christ is the Holy Temple of God. His Spirit dwells in this temple. God will destroy anyone that defiles His Temple or church by being carnal, causing division or by becoming unfaithful. Paul urged Christians to be more humble by saying, "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." Pride is how Satan fell and it also causes many to fall today. We should stop bragging about what any person has done because Jesus is our rock and the very foundation upon which we must build.

 

   Paul reminded these brethren that "All things are yours." (1) Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas are yours as servants that have taught you the gospel. (2) The world is yours to live in, to conquer and to enjoy. (3) Life is yours as a daily gift from God and as a proving ground for eternity. (4) Death is yours to terminate the sorrows of this life and to usher you into life's other side. (5) Things present are yours in that you can enjoy all the benefits of the gospel. (6) The "things to come" that are yours include judgment, eternity and heaven itself. True Christianity allows us to rise above denominationalism because there is only one Savior, One Father and One Holy Spirit.

 

   Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21). After baptism be spiritual in your daily living!

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Mae Beverly, Neomia Collins, Roy Goodwin, Montine Hardin, Jean Harrell, Evan Hartsell, Susan Herring, Wanda Kyser, Jo Ann Moorer, Amanda Phillips, Mary Powell, Denver Rey-nolds, Ottey Simno, Ralph Sims, Brenda Stallings, Fred Schroeder (grandfather of Ann Walz), Mary Lou Terrell, Earl & Jane Walden, Leroy Waller, and Mary Williams. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, Mary Lou Phelps and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

 

2. The Lord’s Invitation: Daie Johnson responded to our Lord’s invitation. She requested the prayers of the church. Please remember her in your personal, private prayers.

 

3. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to: (a) Lydia Ann Raybon and her family in the death of her aunt, Audrey Bargainer, and (b) Jerri Davis and her family in the death of her husband, Gene Davis.

 

4. Please Pray For: The following people are serving in Iraq: Sam Sanders, Michael Howell, Taylor Bodie, Lynn Kervin, Richard Shows, and Todd Till. Pray for them often!

 

5. Wedding Announcement: Our wedding day will be a fairy tale a dream without end…Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Stallings request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Kimberly Ann Hittell to Trenton Adam Garlock son of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Garlock on Saturday, the sixth of October two thousand and seven at two o’clock in the afternoon at Southside Baptist Church Greenville, Alabama Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall

 

6. Walnut Street Church of Christ Web-Site: http:\\www.walnutstreetchurchofchrist.org. Check it out often.

 

7. Birthdays: October 4^th Brenda Herring, and October 5^th Virginia Lowery.

 

8. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morning ladies Bible class meets at 10:00 a.m. each week. The class is studying from the epistles of Romans thought II Thessalonians. All ladies are encouraged to participate.

 

9. Secret Pals: Our ladies are invited to participate in the Secret Pals program for the 2007-2008 year. Forms for participation are on the table in the foyer. The forms need to fill out and returned to Nell Daughtry by September 26^th. The ladies will meet on September 30^th at 2:00 p.m. to reveal this year’s Secret Pals and draw for next year. 

 

10. Area Wide Youth Devotional: There will be a youth devotional for the Montgomery area at the Walnut Street Church of Christ on Sunday October 14^th after the evening service. Please bring finger foods for that occasion.

 

11. Fifth Sunday Meal: There will be a meal after the morning worship on Sunday September 30^th. Everyone is encouraged to stay and enjoy the fellowship. The Dessert committee will clean up after the meal.

 

12.  Carl Sessions Camp Fund: Contributions to the “Carl Sessions Camp Fund” have made it possible for us to provide an opportunity for any child from the Walnut Street Church of Christ that desires to attend Christian camp. The fund is low and needs to be replenished before next camp session. Make checks to Walnut Street Church of Christ and mark them “Carl Session Camp Fund”.

 

13. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) October 7^th-9^th – Gospel Meeting – North Lowndes Church of Christ – Speaker Dave Mill – Time Weeknights 7:00 p.m.

 

14. The Reporter: “The Reporter” can be seen on our web-site or you can receive it by e-mail. Send e-mail request to: wschurchofchrist@camelliacom.com. If you receive the Reporter by mail and would be willing to receive the e-mail version we would be grateful as postage is so expensive.

 

Born Again

 

    Have you been born again? Some of you can answer that question in the affirmative without batting an eye. Others are fairly sure that they have experienced it. Then, some are confused either by the seemingly odd nature of the thought of being “born again,” or by the wide range of explanations given by preachers of different faiths. The truth is that this rebirth is a biblical idea, and one that is essential to a person’s eternal salvation. So, what is it to be born again?

 

   Peter wrote, “…According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3). The “living hope” that Peter spoke about is that hope of eternal life in heaven, and he said that we are “born again” to that hope. 

 

   The account of Nicodemus’ contact with Jesus Christ sheds more light on what this means.  Jesus told him that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).  Nicodemus was confused, asking if a man must physically go through the birth process again.  Then Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

 

   The birth “of water” is most certainly water baptism. What else could be meant by the “washing of water” (Ephesians 5:26) or the “washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5)? Peter spelled it out specifically when he told of Noah and his family being “saved through water,” and then said, “There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21).

 

   The birth of “the Spirit” is that gift that Christians receive upon their baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38). It is a wonderful comfort to know that our bodies are the temple of God’s Holy Spirit, that He dwells within us, and that Through the Holy Spirit, the perfect and complete will of God has been revealed to us in the Bible.  Have you been “born of water and the Spirit?” There is no sense in delaying such a great decision.

 

-         - - - Darrell Powell

-          

 

Don’t just own a Bible; read it!

 

Walnut Street Church of Christ

P.O. Box 551

Greenville, Alabama 36037-0551

(334-382-3001)