For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. – 1 Corinthians 3:9

The Corinthian Church was a mess. In fact if you look up at the uninspired heading above 1 Corinthians 3 it will say something like this: “Divisions in the Church.” The context for Paul’s writing here is that the believers at Corinth were bickering and fighting over their favourite Christian leader. Here in chapter 3 “Paul now shows the Corinthians how God’s choice to work through weakness for his own glory applies to their divided church.”[1]

In our Youth and Young Adult ministries at FSJAC we’ve been talking about, walking through, and praying in regards to evangelism – reaching out with our faith, engaging with Jesus on His mission in the world (both in our community and across the globe). In a lot of our discussion over the last couple of weeks we have seen that many people come to faith over a period of time. It is a process. That is not to say that not anyone hears the gospel once and then places their trust in Jesus because that certainly does happen, but for most people they hear it many times and in different ways.

In verses 5-8, Paul is showing the Corinthian believers that no person is better than the other in the process. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but GOD GAVE THE GROWTH! (emphasis mine). As disciples of Jesus we are as Paul says, “servants” and “God’s fellow workers” in that it is His mission that He calls us to and invites us to be a part of. Some of us my scatter some seed. Others may plant and cultivate. And still others may take up the harvest.

Engaging with Jesus on mission is not an overnight event. Not every person we encounter will have a “Damascus road” conversion like we saw in the life of Paul just weeks ago (Acts 9). We must recognize the organic nature of mission and evangelism. We are servants and messengers of the good news of the gospel and it takes a lot of time, prayer, and intentionality to walk with others on their journey. But that is what it is all about. Where would many of us be without the prayers of others and those who cared for and loved us enough to share the gospel with us? May we be a people who engage with Jesus in this way not just for a season but for the rest of our lives – servants and fellow workers with God Himself!

“Church is the people of God, saved by the power of God, filled with the presence of God, sent for the purposes of God — every day, everywhere.” – Jeff Vanderstelt

[1] ESV Study Bible