Tag: building

1 Corinthians: That There Be No Divisions Among You (V)

Unity Analogies (3:1-17)

Neal Pollard

Having been given the mind of Christ through the Spirit-inspired word, we have the instruction book for unity. But, as we all know, taking the information and making proper application is the bigger challenge. It’s more than knowing better; It’s doing better. Paul urges individual spiritual growth so that the message of the cross could take root in their lives and produce good fruit. To emphasize this, Paul gives a series of analogies. But the purpose of each of them is the same, to exhort us to spiritual maturity. The result will be unity in Christ. 

SPIRITUAL FOOD AND DRINK (1-2)

Paul said that he wished to go deeper in his message, but they were still fleshly. That was not an idle accusation. Paul based this on their actions, the jealousy and strife (3). It made them men of flesh rather than spiritual men (1). We may claim to be spiritually mature, but such rings hollow if we exhibit behavior that shows our flesh rather than the Spirit ruling our lives. 

SPIRITUAL PLANTING AND WATERING (3-9)

Paul strikes at the sectarian spirit (4) he first mentions in chapter one. To help Corinth see the silliness of their divisiveness, he shows them who he and Apollos are. They are tools in the Master’s hand, each playing a role in their salvation and development. Paul planted (6; Acts 18:1ff) and Apollos watered (6; Acts 19:1). Which is more important? Exactly! What is most vital is God who causes the growth (6). Each of them is rewarded for doing their part, but God is the true force behind the results. Isn’t that a helpful reminder as we think about the work of the church today? Which of us is most important, who is doing the most or biggest work, who is more indispensable, or any similar question misses the point–“God causes the growth” (7). We each are rewarded based on what we do, but we do it as God’s fellow workers in God’s field (9). 

SPIRITUAL BUILDING AND WORKING (10-17)

In the middle of verse 9, Paul switches analogies from farming to construction. He again seems to allude to the beginning of the church in Corinth (10). Now, others were having to take up the work he started and each, like he had done, had to carefully build. But, the only lasting foundation is Christ (11). If they are God’s building, then they are the materials like Paul mentions in 12-15. In the process of time, temptation, and trials, they would either endure the fire of such challenges or they would be lost. Wise building helps, but ultimately each one won to Christ would either stand or fall based on their freewill. Paul is writing to these folks of such varied “materials,” but to encourage their endurance he tells them just what kind of building they are. They are a temple of God with the Spirit of God having residence among them. That makes division doubly deadly! It does individual harm but it also harms the entire church. And one who divides the body of Christ faces the prospect of being destroyed by God (17).

So how can that help us as we strive to live today and every day as a Christian? First, I need to analyze my own level of spiritual maturity. What rules my life–my flesh or God’s Spirit? Second, I need to analyze my involvement in spiritual work. Am I planting and watering or uprooting and trampling? Am I building up and working spiritually, or am I tearing down? Am I beautifying and honoring God’s temple? If each of us seriously considers these questions, we will find ourselves forces for unity and never striving dividers.

Learning Leadership At The Wall

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

I do not agree with the statement, “The church is only as strong as its weakest member.”  Too many churches have grown despite a few weak members.  However, I do believe that the church is only as strong as its leadership.  

It is not a new trend in our society or in the church—it has always been difficult to convince people to be leaders.  Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Saul, Jeremiah, Jonah, and Peter are just a few men in the days of the Bible who hesitated, even resisted, when called by God to lead.  Leadership has many built-in frustrations—one’s own limitations, the limitations of others, the limits of time, criticism, under-appreciation, feelings of isolation, miscommunication, and added responsibility.  It is a popular pastime of many to criticize the leadership, but if the job were so easy why is there a shortage of leaders?!

Nehemiah stresses the importance of strong leadership throughout the book.  Notice what the Holy Spirit, through this noble and competent leader, reveals about good leadership:

  • Good leaders have a heart of compassion (1:1-4)
  • Good leaders have a strong prayer life (1:5-11)–see 1:5; 2:4; 4:4-9;5:19; 9:17; ch. 13
  • Good leaders have a proven record of leadership (1:11)
  • Good leaders are courageous (2:2-3)
  • Good leaders plan the work well (2:7-9)
  • Good leaders communicate (2:17-18)
  • Good leaders are positive (2:20)
  • Good leaders successfully handle complaints and criticisms (4:7-8; 5:1-6)
  • Good leaders are watchful (4:21-23)
  • Good leaders know there is a place for rebuke (5:7-13)
  • Good leaders are no strangers to sacrifice (5:14-18)
  • Good leaders fear God (5:15)
  • Good leaders are hospitable (5:17)
  • Good leaders encourage the hurting (5:15; 8:9-12)
  • Good leaders avoid distraction (6:2)
  • Good leaders correct misinformation (6:8)
  • Good leaders follow through and aim for completion (6:16)

We can measure Nehemiah’s good leadership through the speed and success of his initial task or the sustained leadership he provided for the next twelve years as governor of Judah. We can measure it by the gentleness he showed the hurting and needy, or by the conviction he showed in correcting the immoral and unethical. There was even his ability to work through problems with his brethren and with the enemy. Nehemiah provided balanced leadership, guided by God and submissive to His plans. That’s what is required of great leadership today!

Each One Will Bear His Own Load

Neal Pollard

Ulm Minster, a Lutheran church building in southern Germany, is the tallest church building in the world, has the tallest steeple in the world, and is the 4th tallest structure built before 1900. Construction began in the 1300s and was finished in 1890. The masonry building is thought to be the tallest load-bearing brick or masonry building in the world. That means that each brick supports its own weight (Wells, Matthew. Skyscrapers: Structure and Design, King: London, 2005. p. 8).

In Galatians 6, Paul urges Christians to reach out, gently and introspectively, to help a fallen brother (1). We do so because it is the fulfillment of Christ’s law to help each other (2). None of us is above this (3). But at the same time, we have personal accountability (4) and responsibility (5). The example, in context, is financial support of the Word rather than fleshly indulgence (6ff). But a fair application of this principle extends to the need we each have to pull our own weight. Just as I need to help others in need, I need to realize my need to stand on my own two feet. What are some areas where the individual Christian must bear his own load?

  • Involvement in the work of the church. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us every member plays a vital part to the overall function of the body. I cannot just be a pew-sitter. I must be at work. When I hear announcements about needs or opportunities, I should not console myself thinking that others will do it. Let them do their part. I must do mine.
  • Financial contribution to the church. Being in a generous, giving church is no substitute for my personal obligation. The command is to “each one of you” (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6-7).
  • Personal relationship with God. A godly spouse, parent, or child is a wonderful asset in our lives, but none are a substitute for my own faith and intimacy in the relationship with God. No one can say my prayers, read my Bible reading, or walk my walk with the Lord.
  • Battling temptation.  Temptation is common to all men and escape is available to every man, but none can do the escaping for me (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). I can draw strength from others and receive prayers from others and confess to others, but it is ultimately a battle I must win, with God’s help, in the trenches of my own life.
  • Being an encouragement to those in need. The exhortation to “therefore encourage one another and build up one another” (1 Th. 5:11) is very personal. The uplift I give is uniquely mine and no one can give this in the way that I can.
  • Visiting those who are sick, in prison, and the like. Matthew 25:31-46 puts the individual in the Judgment before Christ. That means I will answer for whether or not I did this, whether preachers, elders, deacons, or others did.
  • Meeting benevolent needs. The same passage challenges me in meeting the physical needs of those around me. Paul makes it personal, too, in Galatians 6:10.
  • Loving the brotherhood, with each individual brother and sister. This is to be the trademark trait of a disciple of Christ (John 13:34-35). And, it is individual (cf. 2 Th. 1:3). As I measure how I treat, talk about, and think about the spiritual family, am I bearing my load?

Pink Floyd was pessimistic when they said, “All we are is just another brick in the wall.” But, there is such an exciting prospect when we consider that we make up that holy temple to the Lord (Eph. 2:19-22). When all of us, as individuals, bear our part of the load, more and more growth and expansion is possible! Help each other, but do your own part. It’s the way Christ wants it.

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Be Sure Of The Foundation

Neal Pollard

In 2008, I traveled to Bangladesh and spent an unscheduled night in the Capitol city of Dhaka. It’s likely that I passed the eight-story tall Rana Plaza building on that trip, given its proximity to my hotel.  I certainly saw many like it.  But on April 28, 2013, during morning rush hour in one of the most densely populated countries of the world, Rana Plaza collapsed and killed well over 1000 people. It was the deadliest garment factory accident in history.  Why it happened is an outrage. It was built on swampy ground. Extra stories were constructed without proper authorization.  Costs were cut everywhere they could be. Because of this, a huge number of people paid the ultimate price.

Did you know there were warnings? Cracks appeared in the walls the day before and the building was evacuated. But five garment factory owners who had space in the building ordered their employees to go back inside Rana Plaza on that fateful day.  This fact caused global outrage, spawned boycotts and led to calls for international sanctions. It was rightly considered unacceptable and inhumane for such conditions to continue to exist.

There is an infinitely greater problem invisible to the naked eye.  Billions of people are building their lives upon a foundation guaranteed to fail.  They have either never come to Jesus, or even more tragically they have heard Him and ignored His appeals and warnings for safety.

In Luke six, the point of Jesus asking, “Why call Me Lord, then do not do what I say?” is to teach that we must build our lives on the foundation of Him.  In Jesus’ illustration there, the first builder is well protected. He has dug deep and laid his house on the bedrock foundation.  The second builder has no protection.  Incredibly, he builds on the ground with no foundation at all.  In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul says there is no other foundation to build your life on than Christ. In that context, Paul warns against building on other foundations—the foundations of men.  Our lives must be built on the bedrock foundation of Christ.  The very foundation of the church (cf. Mat. 16:18) is the one we must each choose for our lives.  “Storms” are coming, including the ultimate storm at the end.  On that day, it will matter how you built.

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