Scripture: 1st Corinthians 3:5-6
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
Thought for the Day: If you remember from Sunday, the community in Corinth had splintered over different issues, and in doing so, had forgotten the oneness of the church. People were saying, “I belong Apollos; I belong to Paul; I belong to Cephas.” It is interesting how Paul, in the above verses, does not ask a WHO question but a WHAT question. He is trying to remove personalities from what is happening and have the church think in terms of function. Not that we are uninterested in the unique beauty of each person’s humanity, but when the church divides because of a cult of personality, it is time to step back. They are servants (diakonoi in the Greek – where we get our word deacon), a position of humble service that in this case is chosen through faith. Each has a gift and task into which that gift fits, but we are only pieces in the larger work of God’s kingdom building. Let us strive to appreciate each person’s contribution to the good work, but ultimately pointing to God who gives the growth.
Prayer: Continue to inspire and encourage our gifts, Magnificent God. There is so much to be done; so many good gifts to be used; so many opportunities for those who seek to follow your lead. Bind us together as the church, your community created and held together by your Spirit. Amen.
MEN’S GATHERING TONIGHT
Cramer Retreat Center
Dinner at 6:30pm
Study at 7:00pm
…and FYI for Women:
