Grow Up! We’re All Just Servants

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Theme: We need to see ourselves and our leaders as God sees us — as His servants, each doing his own part. Key verses: “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ.” (v. 1) “For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?” (v. 3) “What, afterall, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task.” (v. 5) “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (v. 7) What God said to me: Dwayne, notice how matter-of-fact Paul was here. He sincerely saw nothing special about himself — he was simply my servant doing what I had called him to do. He was not more important than his fellow laborers in his mind. That is a powerful statement and show of maturity in the faith. For a man of his stature and accomplishments to not only say he was no more special, but to really believe it, could only mean he was seeing things from my perspective rather than some greatly short-sighted, immature, and worldly point of view. All too often my people try to idolize and celebritize preachers and musicians and other church leaders. Yes, you are to be respected and appreciated and followed. But servants are in no way glamarous. Furthermore, my little ones want to vie for position among themselves. If they would only realize the highest calling in heaven is the lowest position on earth. What I said to God: Thank You, my precious Lord, for speaking to me and meeting with me this morning. I am so thankful You never give up on us, but You keep on forming us into Your Son’s image — one that is mature and complete, lacking nothing. Please help me gain and maintain a heavenly perspective on my place and calling and service. I am not more special or needed. My work, my assigned task is not more important than anyone else’s. Nonetheless, I am incredibly privileged to have and know my task — and no one else can fulfill my purpose from You. Hallelujah!