How To Grow

The parting thought yesterday was to keep growing in Christ. As their spiritual father, Paul now tells the Corinthians [and us] how to grow in I Corinthians 3.
1. You Can Grow When You Quit Acting Like Immature Children 3:1-4
As we said yesterday, there is nothing wrong with being a baby--we all were one at one time. The problem is when you stay a baby Christian all your life. Get the bottle out of your mouth and start eating meat.
2. You Can Grow When You Worship The Lord, Not the Leaders 3:5-9
Recall, some of these Corinthians had their own favorite preachers (1:10-13ff). Some preferred Paul's preaching over Apollos' preaching. Some liked Peter best. But here, Paul brings out the fact that the ministers all work together ( I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.) Paul said focus on God, not the leader.
3. You Can Grow When You Continue To Build on the Foundation of Jesus 3:10-12
4. You Can Grow When You Realize There is a Day of Inspection 3:13-15
For Christians, there will be a judgment day (2 Cor.5:10). This is the Judgment Seat of Christ that will take place immediately following the rapture.
5. You Can Grow When You Know God Lives Within You 3:16-17
Paul says you need to get something straight--put your hand on your chest--that's where God lives. In the O.T. he dwelt in the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle, and later Solomon's Temple. That's where God hung out. Today, He hangs out in believers' hearts. The Holy Spirit does not come for an occasional visit. He is a permanent resident to make believers holy. We tell our kids to quit running in the sanctuary. To be theologically correct we should be telling the little sanctuaries to quit running in the building. And when we realize that God lives in our hearts and not a building, then we'll begin to grasp this and begin to grow.
6. You Can Grow When You Adjust Your Attitude 3:18-23
Now, start growing in Jesus!