Temple Baptist Church - 5-21-2025
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Introduction:
A. We have read these four verses tonight and need to realize that they are first, corporate, and second, individual.
1. Paul, through the Holy Ghost, is writing to the church corporately.
1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
In verse 1, we find Paul’s gentleness with a newly born church full of newly born-again believers. These Corinthians were certainly carnal, but I find it interesting that Paul did not label them as such until chapter three.
In verse two, we find that Paul fed them accordingly. Babes in Christ need the “milk of the word” to “grow thereby.”
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Notice the wording. “desire the SINCERE (Un-deceitful) milk of the word” Paul spoke of this in his Epistle to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. (12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
This willful failure to hear and heed the Word of God causes those who are “dull of hearing” to eventually walk into the destruction of the flesh. Another good example is found in Chapter 5.
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2. Paul, through the Holy Ghost, is also writing to the church members individually.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
In chapter one, they were unaware of their carnality, but in chapter three, Paul must address this issue because they continually resist the meat of the Word.
In verse 3, Paul speaks of the same division that he admonished in chapter one, verses ten through thirteen. To quote the Book of James:
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
B. In verse two, we also find an indictment. 1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1. The carnality of the Corinthians caused them to continue in division, which I call the Pastor’s Nightmare! As long as the local church is united, it can withstand any and all outside attacks.
2. Unfortunately, Satan uses the division of the local church to destroy its effectiveness.
Mark 3:24-27 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (25) And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (26) And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. (27) No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; (11) Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
C. Now, back to the root of the problem of division, carnality!
Romans 8:6-7 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Enmity – to oppose, an enemy. Carnality is enmity AGAINST God!
D. The results of carnality are found in our text.
1. Their Carnality – vs. 1 Believers who remain just like the world.
a. The Devilishness Of The Flesh - Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
b. The Devastation Of The Flesh - Romans 8:12-13 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
2. Their Continuance – vs. 2 Believers refuse to grow in spite of biblical preaching.
2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
a. It is a disappointment to the Pastor as he must constantly try to “unruffle feathers!”
b. It is a discouragement to the people of the church as some may just leave the church.
c. It is detrimental to the purpose of the local church as it seeks the souls of men and supports missions.
3. Their Contentions – vs. 3 Believers who always have issues.
a. Envying (Jealous of others) - Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
b. Strife (Cannot get along with others) - James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Feelings are always getting hurt regardless of Psalms 119:165.
c. Divisions (I disagree with others!) - 2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
4. their Censure – vs. 4 Believers Who Are Self-Centered.
a. They need to realize their faults instead of focusing on the faults of others.
b. They need to consider the well-being of the local church.
c. They need to become a blessing rather than a liability.
d. They need to lift up their eyes and look upon God’s harvest that is perishing.
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