When you come to Christ, you leave behind worldly things to live in a ‘Christ dimension’ - a dimension so distinct and different from the world we grew up in. That’s why Jesus said you’ve got to be ‘born again’ - come on! You’ve got to die to the old, and, like a new-born, you’ve got to start and learn the basics. That’s why Paul says in v2, “I gave you milk and not meat, because you were not able, and you’re still are not able. You still behave like worldly people do…”
Even today we too easily follow men, rather than Christ! I don’t follow men, even though I grew up in the days of some very great Pentecostal leaders in Britain - among them Evangelist George Jeffreys, Smith Wigglesworth. I don’t look to those men, even though when I was born Jeffreys wanted to adopt me as his son. I don’t want to follow any man. I want to follow Jesus. Come on! I want to do what Jesus said, I want to do what He told his disciples to do - preach the Gospel, heal the sick. My power doesn’t come because somebody laid hands on me; my power comes because God touched me! The evidence is there, in my life.
So v7, it’s neither Paul who planted, nor Apollos who watered, it’s God Himself who gives the increase! The Power comes from Him! Paul says, v8, “He that plants and he that waters are one, and every man shall receive his own reward according to his work, what he has done.” Now this is a very important point.There is a reward in the Kingdom, but the reward depends on what you do for Christ.
Paul explains, v9ff, “We are labourers together with God… you are God’s building.” It’s God who makes us who we are, it’s God who builds us. “According to the Grace of God given to me, I am the masterbuilder, I laid the foundation, and another builds on it.” Very simple. The evangelist lays the foundation which is Christ, but then you need another to build on that foundation. But if the foundation isn’t right - and this is what Jesus taught - if you build your house on sand, it will collapse. You’ve got to build on rock!
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/LaE-35rM5aE
For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk
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