God Gives the Increase
Moving Beyond Human Rivalry into Divine Growth and True Spiritual Maturity
Sermon Summary
This sermon addresses the danger of church division and human idolisation by focusing on 1 Corinthians 3. It contrasts carnality with true spiritual maturity, demonstrating that Christian leaders are merely instruments who plant and water. True transformation and eternal increase come exclusively from God, calling believers to unified service and faithful building upon Christ.
Introduction
In every era, believers face the temptation to idolise human instruments rather than worshiping the Creator. We easily rally around favourite preachers, gifted teachers, or prominent leaders, measuring spiritual success by personality rather than divine power. When the church in Corinth fell into this snare, division fractured their fellowship and stunted their spiritual development. Paul addressed their immaturity by reminding them that human leaders are not saviours or masterminds, but simple servants in God's field. Whether in a local church in Nairobi or anywhere across the globe, we must recognise that human effort cannot produce divine life. We can plant seeds of truth and cultivate environments of prayer, but God alone imparts spiritual life and causes true growth.
Main Scripture
1 Corinthians 3:5–9
Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him? I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God ’s fellow workers. You are God ’s farming, God ’s building.
1 Corinthians 3:5–9 serves as the pivotal turning point in Paul's critique of Corinthian factionalism. By using agricultural imagery, Paul dismantles the personality cults dividing the congregation. He clarifies that both he and Apollos are merely servants carrying out distinct tasks assigned by God. Planting and watering are necessary human activities, yet neither planter nor waterer possesses the inherent power to make a seed sprout or bear fruit. The continuous action of producing spiritual life belongs solely to God. This passage establishes that the church belongs entirely to God as His farm and His building, positioning Christian leaders as co-laborers under God's supreme authority.
Main Sermon Points
1. Recognise the Danger of Human Rivalry
Brothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ. I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, you aren’t ready even now, for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men? For when one says, “ I follow Paul, ” and another, “ I follow Apollos, ” aren’t you fleshly?
Paul confronts the Corinthians for their spiritual infancy, showing that division and loyalty to human leaders stem from a carnal mindset rather than spiritual wisdom.
Factionalism in the church is not a sign of deep theological conviction; it is evidence of carnality. When believers elevate personalities over the message of the cross, they regress into spiritual infancy and disrupt the peace of God's sanctuary.
Examine your heart for any spirit of partisanship or comparison. Refrain from promoting divisions within your local congregation or on social media based on preferred speakers or leaders. Direct all honor and worship back to Christ.
Quick Insights
- Rivalry in the church is a mark of spiritual infancy.
- Human personalities must never overshadow the divine gospel.
- True maturity seeks unity under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
2. Honor Leaders as Simple Servants
Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him?
Paul reduces human leaders to their proper biblical standing: humble servants carrying out tasks assigned directly by the Lord.
The Greek word for servant used here is diakonos, emphasizing humble, practical service rather than authoritative status. Leaders do not own the flock; they are merely instruments used by the Master to serve the flock.
Support and respect your pastors and ministry leaders, but do not place them on unbiblical pedestals. Pray for them regularly as co-laborers, remembering that they too depend fully on God's grace.
Quick Insights
- Leaders are humble servants, not objects of worship.
- God gives every servant a specific gift and task.
- Honor the minister while keeping your worship on the Master.
3. Rely Fully on God for Growth
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Paul distinguishes human effort from divine action, declaring that spiritual life and transformation are entirely the work of God.
Just as a farmer cannot command a seed to germinate, human eloquence or strategic planning cannot regenerate a dead soul. Planting and watering are our duty, but regeneration and sanctification remain God's exclusive work.
Consistently preach the Word and share the gospel in your home, workplace, and community, but trust God completely for the conversion and spiritual growth of those you reach.
Quick Insights
- Human hands can plant seeds, but only God gives life.
- Faithful labor is ours, but the miracle of growth belongs to God.
- Rest in God's power when ministering to loved ones.
4. Build Faithfully on the Unique Foundation
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Paul shifts to architectural language, warning that every believer and leader must build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ using enduring, fire-tested materials.
Jesus Christ is the only foundation of the true Church. Building with gold, silver, and precious stones means teaching sound doctrine and serving with pure motives that will survive the testing fire of divine evaluation.
Evaluate how you are serving in your local church and daily life. Ensure your faith, service, and teaching are grounded in Christ and driven by sincere love rather than worldly praise.
Quick Insights
- Jesus Christ is the only foundation for true spiritual life.
- Build your life with materials that will endure eternity.
- God will test the quality and motive of all our works.
Bottom Line
Spiritual growth is never the product of human eloquence or leader worship, but the divine work of God alone as we serve faithfully together.
Memorable Quote
We plant the seeds and water the soil, but life comes only when God breathes upon the field.
Theological Point
This passage reveals God's divine sovereignty in sanctification and church growth. While human agency is ordained for planting and watering the Word, divine regeneration and spiritual growth remain exclusively the work of God's Holy Spirit.
Prayer Guide
- Pray for a spirit of unity and humility across our local churches.
- Ask God to protect believers from elevating human leaders above Christ.
- Thank God for sending faithful servants to plant and water His Word in our lives.
- Seek God's help to build our lives and ministries on the unshakeable foundation of Jesus Christ.
Responding to God’s Word
In responding to God's Word in God Gives the Increase, we are called to abandon all forms of human boasting and party loyalty. The church does not belong to Paul, Apollos, or any modern preacher; it belongs to Jesus Christ, who purchased it with His own blood. As we faithfully plant the seed of the gospel in our families, workplaces, and communities, let us remember that no human eloquence can transform a human heart. Jesus Christ is our sole foundation, and in Him, God gives the eternal increase. Let us bow in humble worship, give all glory to the Father, and serve with united hearts as co-workers in His kingdom.
