Paul and the Corinthians—Part Three Idolatry and the Cult of Personality 1 Cor 3:1-23
3:1 And I, family, was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the “now” as infants in the Savior. 2 I gave milk for you to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able. But still, even now, 3 you all aren’t able, for you are yet “at this time people.” For there is jealousy and arguing among you. Are you not living like “at this time” people? 4 For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” but another (says) “I belong to Apollos” are you not “at this time” people? 5 Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul? servants through whom you believed, and even as the King gave each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth; 7 So neither the one planting nor the one watering is anything but God is the one who does the growing. 8 Now the one planting and the one watering are one, but each will receive his own reward according to his own work; 9 For we are God’s united workers, you are God’s vineyard, you are God’s building. 10 According to the divine favor of God given to me like a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, but another is building upon it. However, let each one notice he builds upon it. 11 For no one is able to lay another foundation beside the one already being set, which is Jesus the Savior. 12 Now if anyone builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 the work of each one will become clear, for the day will present it, because in fire it is revealed; and the fire (itself) will test the quality of the work of each one. 14 If anyone’s work remains which he built up, he will receive a reward; 15 If anyone’s work burned up, he will suffer that loss, but he will be saved, but only as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you are God’s Temple and the Spirit of God resides in you, 17 if anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him for the temple of God is holy, which you are.
18 Let no one make a practice of deceiving themselves; if anyone among you thinks he is wise according to this age, he must become “foolish” to become wise. 19 For the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. 20 For it is written, “He is the one catching the wise in their own craftiness” and again “the King knows the thoughts of the “wise” which are empty”. 21Therefore let no one brag among people; for all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all things are yours, 23 but you belong to the Savior and the savior to God.[1]
When I was beginning ministry the “cool minister” was Rob Bell who would later leave his church and, at least the last time I checked, was not even attending a congregation. Then came Mark Driscoll, who destroyed a megachurch through his ego. Other prominent names also went sideways—Joshua Harris no longer “identifies as a Christian,” Francis Chan left his church and, tragically, Darren Patrick appears to have committed suicide.
I was told by many when I worked in Hollywood and then on Capitol Hill that I should not meet my heroes because they would just disappoint (they were right). Another older and wiser pastor told me that if I looked up to any mortal minister, they should be long dead![2]
The Apostle Paul was dealing with a church at Corinth that were dividing over many things but one of them was who was their favorite pastor. The former Pharisee let the congregation know that if a pastor is faithful then they are all on the same team and that means they all serve Jesus, the one true King of all creation.
There is nothing wrong with looking to the teaching of faithful pastors—I do. But do not put them on a pedestal. They are mortal creatures and will make mistakes.
Moreover, the Bible assumes that we will commit to a local church with elders who humbly submit to the Word of God. Look to those who are teaching rightly and loving the church generously not the minister with the most hits on Youtube. D.A. Carson correctly notes, “Christian leaders are only servants of Christ and are not to be accorded allegiance reserved for God alone.”[3]
I know my church is sick of hearing it but it is not much of an overstatement to say that in the Kingdom of God, there is King Jesus and everyone else. There isn’t a VIP section or a champagne room this side of eternity. Jesus rules and we don’t.
Until next time, stay tuned.