God Gives The Increase

by Pastor Mark
August 25, 2022

Working together in reaching out

As we enter our 50th year of ministry, let us be challenged to work together in reaching out to the many who are still lost. The work of sharing the gospel involves different parts and our desire must be to fulfil our roles with the right approach. But there is the danger that we may unwisely end up with the wrong approach to reaching out, as we see in the Corinthian church. The Apostle Paul had to correct their understanding as they struggled with carnality and were still immature in their ways (1 Corinthians 3:2). There was “envy, strife and divisions” among them (1 Corinthians 3:3). What should be the proper approach to fulfilling the Lord’s ministry?

Understanding our part

1. All are ministers of God

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed,” (1 Corinthians 3:5)

  1. There was a significant difference between the ministries of Paul and Apollos.
  2. Paul was an Apostle, founder of churches and an outstanding theologian, but Apollos was only a gifted speaker.
  3. Yet, Paul graciously placed Apollos next to himself.
  4. He humbly regarded themselves as ministers…“diakanos” which means “a servant who does humble service”. They were doing their part in diligently giving humble service.

2. Different roles to play

“I planted, Apollos watered,” (1 Corinthians 3:6)

  1. Paul did the work of planting the seeds of faith in the hearts of unbelievers.
  2. Apollos did the work of watering the seed for it to grow.

Let us be challenged to understand our different roles in ministry and fulfil them.

3. Yet to count ourselves as nothing

“So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters,” (1 Corinthians 3:7)

  1. When compared to God’s part, both roles were considered totally as nothing significant.
  2. We do not want to think too highly of ourselves and our part.

Appreciating God’s part

1. The grace of God

“As the Lord gave to each one?” (1 Corinthians 3:5)

  1. It is by the grace of God that one comes to genuinely believe in the Lord Jesus.
  2. Without His grace, no one would be able to come to the Lord and have faith in Him.

2. God gives the increase

“But God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
“But God who gives the increase.”  (1 Corinthians 3:7)

  1. By His wonderful grace, God would give the increase and growth.
  2. He would bring about the fruition of the seed that has been carefully planted.

Working as one team

“Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour.” (1 Corinthians 3:8)

  1. Despite our different roles, we should see ourselves as a team.
  2. All of us are part of the same team striving for the same goal.

Let us be challenged to have oneness in working together in the ministry of reaching out.

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