Craig A. Brittingham, Pastor
Hillside Baptist Church
May 18, 2025
“You Are God’s Field” – 1 Corinthians 3:5-9b
1A. You are God’s field (3:9b)
1b. In you, who are Christians, the seed of the gospel was planted and watered.
2b. God brought forth the increase – that is salvation and spiritual growth.
3b. See Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13)
4b. Peter wrote of Christians, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23)
2A. We are God’s fellow workers (3:5-9a).
1b. Paul and Apollos were fellow workers.
1c. They worked together though their roles may have been different – Paul planted; Apollos watered.
2c. Planting takes place first, then watering (Acts 18:8- 11, 18:27-19:1).
2b. Paul and Apollos were one, therefore the Corinthians should not have divided over them, but like them, should have been one themselves.
3b. Paul and Apollos were servants (NIV – “only servants”) and should not have been made so much of (3:21-22).
1c. They were servants through whom the Corinthians had believed.
2c. It was the Lord who had given them success in ministry in terms of evangelism and discipleship (John 3:26, 4:1-2).
3c. They will, however, receive rewards for their work!
Questions…
1. Why are we called, “God’s field”?
2. What two functions did Paul indicate that he and Apollos had?
3. Paul described those functions using symbolism. What are the functions in terms of actual ministry?
4. Why do you think Paul spoke of himself and Apollos as fellow workers?
5. Why do you think Paul spoke of himself and Apollos as being one?
6. Why do you think Paul spoke of himself and Apollos as “servants”?
7. Questions 4, 5, and 6 relate to Paul’s attempt to correct the problem in Corinth. What was the issue, and how was it manifested?
8. In what two ways does Paul make clear that God produces the results of evangelism?
9. Did John the Baptist understand God’s predominate role? See 3:26, 4:1-2. How did he indicate it?