Growing in Faith: From Infancy to Maturity in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into 1 Corinthians 3, where the Apostle Paul addresses the spiritual immaturity of the Corinthian believers. Paul likens them to infants in Christ, still needing milk rather than solid food, indicating their lack of spiritual growth. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the initial stages of faith and growing into mature believers who can handle deeper spiritual truths. Paul also highlights the dangers of division within the church, urging believers to focus on Christ rather than human leaders.
Paul identifies three types of people: the natural man (unsaved), the spiritual man (true believer), and the carnal Christian (a believer still dominated by the flesh). He stresses that while salvation is instantaneous, sanctification is a lifelong process requiring effort and growth. Paul uses the analogy of building on a foundation, where the foundation is Jesus Christ. He warns that our works will be tested by fire, and only those built with God-approved materials will endure.
The sermon also touches on the concept of the believer's body as the temple of God, specifically the "naos," or the inner sanctuary where God's presence dwells. This elevates the responsibility of living a holy life, as we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Paul concludes by urging believers to seek wisdom from God rather than the world, as worldly wisdom is futile in comparison to divine wisdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Growth is Essential: Paul emphasizes that believers must move beyond the initial stages of faith and grow into mature Christians. This involves transitioning from "milk" to "solid food," meaning deeper understanding and application of God's Word. Spiritual growth is a journey that requires effort and dedication. [31:14]
2. Unity in Christ: Division within the church is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Paul urges believers to focus on Christ rather than human leaders. True maturity in Christ should lead to unity, not division. We are all part of one body, the body of Christ, and should work together for His glory. [46:50]
3. The Foundation of Our Faith: Jesus Christ is the only true foundation upon which we should build our lives. Our works will be tested by fire, and only those built with God-approved materials will endure. This underscores the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will and purposes. [59:16]
4. Our Bodies as Temples: Believers are the "naos," the inner sanctuary where God's presence dwells. This elevates the responsibility of living a holy life, as we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Understanding this should motivate us to live in a way that honors God. [01:05:23]
5. Divine Wisdom Over Worldly Knowledge: Paul contrasts the futility of worldly wisdom with the eternal value of divine wisdom. True wisdom comes from God and leads to a life that glorifies Him. We should seek to grow in our understanding of God's Word and apply it in our daily lives. [01:10:22]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Announcements and Updates
[04:12] - Opening Prayer
[30:16] - Introduction to 1 Corinthians 3
[31:14] - Spiritual Growth and Maturity
[33:08] - The Journey of Sanctification
[33:52] - Carnal Christians and Spiritual Infants
[46:50] - Unity in Christ
[50:00] - The Foundation of Our Faith
[59:16] - Building with God-Approved Materials
[01:05:23] - Our Bodies as Temples
[01:10:22] - Divine Wisdom Over Worldly Knowledge
[01:18:21] - Conclusion and Closing Prayer
[01:20:02] - Benediction and Farewell
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)
> "But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?"
2. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV)
> "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
3. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)
> "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple."
### Observation Questions
1. What analogy does Paul use to describe the spiritual state of the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, what is the only true foundation upon which we should build our lives?
3. How does Paul describe the believer's body in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, and what significance does this have for how we live our lives?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for spiritual growth and maturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3? How does this relate to the concept of moving from "milk" to "solid food"? [31:14]
2. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, Paul warns about how we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ. What might be some examples of "God-approved materials" versus "wood, hay, and straw"? [59:16]
3. Paul describes the body of believers as the "naos," the inner sanctuary where God's presence dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). How should this understanding impact our daily behavior and choices? [01:05:23]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel you are still on "milk" rather than "solid food"? What steps can you take to grow in your understanding and application of God's Word? [31:14]
2. Paul stresses the importance of unity in the church and warns against division (1 Corinthians 3:3). Have you experienced or witnessed division within a church community? How can you contribute to fostering unity in your own church? [46:50]
3. Considering that Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith, what are some practical ways you can ensure that your actions and decisions are aligned with God's will and purposes? [59:16]
4. Understanding that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, what changes might you need to make in your lifestyle to honor this truth? Are there specific habits or behaviors you need to address? [01:05:23]
5. Paul contrasts worldly wisdom with divine wisdom. How can you seek and apply God's wisdom in your daily life, especially in areas where you might be relying too much on worldly knowledge? [01:10:22]
6. Think about a time when you faced a spiritual challenge or low point. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience about relying on God and growing in your faith? [32:15]
7. How can you actively participate in building up the church with "God-approved materials"? Identify one specific way you can serve or contribute to your church community this week. [59:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Growing Beyond Spiritual Infancy
Believers must move beyond the initial stages of faith and grow into mature Christians. This involves transitioning from "milk" to "solid food," meaning a deeper understanding and application of God's Word. Spiritual growth is a journey that requires effort and dedication. Paul addresses the spiritual immaturity of the Corinthian believers, likening them to infants in Christ who still need milk rather than solid food. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the initial stages of faith and growing into mature believers who can handle deeper spiritual truths. This growth is essential for a robust and effective Christian life. [31:14]
Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to move from spiritual milk to solid food in your faith journey?
Day 2: Unity in Christ
Division within the church is a sign of spiritual immaturity. Paul urges believers to focus on Christ rather than human leaders. True maturity in Christ should lead to unity, not division. We are all part of one body, the body of Christ, and should work together for His glory. Paul highlights the dangers of division within the church, urging believers to focus on Christ rather than human leaders. Unity in Christ is a mark of spiritual maturity and is essential for the church to function effectively and glorify God. [46:50]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Is there a relationship within your church community that needs mending? How can you take a step towards unity today?
Day 3: Building on the Foundation of Christ
Jesus Christ is the only true foundation upon which we should build our lives. Our works will be tested by fire, and only those built with God-approved materials will endure. This underscores the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will and purposes. Paul uses the analogy of building on a foundation, where the foundation is Jesus Christ. He warns that our works will be tested by fire, and only those built with God-approved materials will endure. This highlights the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will and purposes. [59:16]
1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (ESV): "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."
Reflection: What are some "God-approved materials" you can use to build your life on the foundation of Christ this week?
Day 4: Our Bodies as Temples
Believers are the "naos," the inner sanctuary where God's presence dwells. This elevates the responsibility of living a holy life, as we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Understanding this should motivate us to live in a way that honors God. Paul emphasizes that our bodies are the temple of God, specifically the "naos," or the inner sanctuary where God's presence dwells. This understanding elevates the responsibility of living a holy life, as we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. [01:05:23]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Reflection: How can you honor God with your body today, knowing that it is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
Day 5: Seeking Divine Wisdom
Paul contrasts the futility of worldly wisdom with the eternal value of divine wisdom. True wisdom comes from God and leads to a life that glorifies Him. We should seek to grow in our understanding of God's Word and apply it in our daily lives. Paul urges believers to seek wisdom from God rather than the world, as worldly wisdom is futile in comparison to divine wisdom. True wisdom comes from God and leads to a life that glorifies Him. [01:10:22]
James 3:17 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's wisdom today? How can you seek His guidance and apply it practically?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We live in a crazy world and the enemy is running rampant right now because he gets it that this is his last opportunity to keep souls in darkness rather than the light of the world, the light of Jesus Christ and his people shining the truth from God's word into the world." [04:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Salvation is through the finished work of Jesus Christ, but the sanctification is we grow to be more like him. It takes some work and has some ups and downs, but I can't remember exactly. Oh, it's the A.W. Tozer that said, it is doubtful that God can greatly use a man until he has deeply hurt him." [32:15] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved. A promise from God is believe and follow him. It has to be a true belief. It can't just be a lot of people say, yeah, I believe in God. Well, even the demons believe and tremble." [50:00] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are to be imitators of Christ and if I can help great but even better remember the Holy Spirit lives in you and you have God's word pray read God's word listen to God's word memorize God's word meditate on God's word if I can help that's great but you have the Holy Spirit and he is always there dwelling in you anytime and every day." [01:16:53] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in his wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim you won't even care about him anymore in the light of his glory and grace or I correct that you'll enjoy life more when you see it through a Christian perspective you see that the things that worry us God's got it." [01:18:21] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul is describing the conditions of those in Corinth. He does not regard these people as spiritual. They are still carnal focused on the flesh, but at least he does call them babes in Christ. So they can take that to the bank that yes, we are saved because they are in Christ. He acknowledges that they're in Christ, but unfortunately they have not matured as they should have." [39:40] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul is going to give us some of the characteristics of these spiritual infants, these babes in Christ. First, they need to be given milk because they are not able to consume, digest, or absorb meat, the word of God. They are extremely, extremely experience-oriented. It's a lot of it. It's about emotions, and they express themselves through feelings and emotions, which is fine when you're a new believer, or even when you're more mature, and the Spirit just sometimes move you emotionally." [45:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We don't identify with men. We are followers of Jesus Christ. One man sows, another waters the seed. Those two are working together toward the same goal. I think the best illustration of that is think back those of us who are old enough who might have gone to a Billy Graham rally or more contemporary Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie." [51:28] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We can learn from Paul. We can learn from Apollos. We can learn from Peter or Charles Spurgeon or Chuck Smith or any of the great teachers of the Christian faith that God has given us throughout time. You can learn from the pastor of your church, even this church. You can learn. Now, I am not saying you can be like me. Paul does say, imitate me as I imitate Christ, and that principle holds." [01:15:10] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We need to show some maturity need to keep the place clean so that our tenant you might say is comfortable living in the places we take him keep the place clean because he's coming back and he will will hold us to account we are forgiven but let's do the things he wants us to do." [01:08:48] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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