This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series entitled “God’s Grace for an Imperfect Church: 1 Corinthians.” In this fourth message of the series Pastor Femi Ibitoye explored Paul’s comments on leaders in the church from 1 Corinthians 3. This was also an African Global Gateway weekend.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

 (1 Corinthians 3:11)

The mark of the “worldly” Church (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)

Not living by the Spirit of God. Worldly.

Mere infants.  Not growing in faith.

Not accepting the spiritual food/milk given to them. 

Jealousy and quarreling going on

Following a particular church leader instead of Christ.  Idolatry

Division and rivalry.

The mark of Church leaders (1 Corinthians 3:5-15)

Church leaders are servants (deacons), not Lords.  They serve Jesus and the church.

Church leaders are chosen and called by Christ.  They belong to Jesus

Church leaders have their unique gifting, calling, and strength

Church leaders are to work together for the purpose of seeing the church thrive and Christ magnified

Church leaders are farmers and architects in God’s farm and building. 

Jesus is the foundation that leaders must build on.

Jesus is the Cornerstone of the church

The DAY will bring all leader’s work to light. Whether it is “gold” or “hay”.

The mark of the “true” Church (1 Corinthians 3:16-23)

The Church is the temple of God. 

God dwells in the midst of the Church

God will destroy the person who destroy God’s temple-the Church.

The church should not rely on human wisdom for the things of Christ

The church should boast in Christ, not human leaders. 

The Church belongs to Jesus.  He gave his life for her. 

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize 1 Corinthians 3:11 or 3:16
• Bible trivia observation. A large number of the “3:16s” in the New Testament are worth memorizing. These include 1 Corinthians 3:16, John 3:16, Luke 3:16, Acts 3:16, Ephesians 3:16, Colossians 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 3:16, and 1 John 3:16. Read them and choose a couple to memorize. It can be the Scripture in the first bullet point.