Preparing For The Vision
The Third In The Vision Messages: God's Increase

1 Corinthians 3:6-11 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7]  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8]  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. [9]  For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. [10]  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

As humans we often look at the outward and reward those things we see with praise or thanksgiving. We look at the minister at work, and attribute the success or failure of the Church to his abilities. Such was the case with Paul and Apollos.

Apollos was a converted Jew that the Lord used in the early Church as a preacher, a missionary, and an apologist. Apollos was indeed Spirit Filled, though his training in Biblical truth was somewhat incomplete:

Acts 18:24-25 "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25]  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John."

For, you see, Apollos knew of Jesus, but did not understand the truth that all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He knew "only the baptism of John", but knew nothing of the baptism of Jesus and of the Holy Spirit. This lack of knowledge limited him when he went to preach to the Corinthians.

Paul, on the other hand, fully understood the deeper truths of the Word, and preached out of that overflow of the Spirit. Yet Paul had a problem: Paul was a physically handicapped man, and, if rumors are true, spoke with a harsh, tinny voice. Paul was often ridiculed among the Corinthians because he was not as nearly forceful nor as eloquent a speaker as Apollos. Some of the Church preferred Apollos, some Paul, and because the Church divided on whom they would hear the Church divided.

Paul, in his heart, knew that he was in no way in competition with Apollos. Even if Apollos advanced himself at the cost of Paul's reputation, Paul understood this abiding principle:

So it was with Corinth, so it must be with Okapilco. When we each understand that "God gave the increase", this truth will effect the way that we perceive all things.

1 Corinthians 3: 7 "So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

Though Paul and Apollos were both unique in their own right, and though both had missions that God specifically directed them toward, neither were in and of themselves worthy to their calling. This is true for each and everyone of us in this Church today - we are unworthy to that great calling that God has called us to.

I am sure that some of you may believe you are special because of your status in life, your education, your abilities, or your position in the Church. Yet the truth is that we were all fallen creatures, hell bound, before the love of Jesus lifted us up. There is nothing in you that is desirable of itself, just as there is nothing in me that makes me worthy to enter Heaven's Portal. The truth is, we are buy naught except for our Jesus.

In ancient times letters were often sealed with a glob of wax to prevent prying eyes from seeing their contents. The wax was usually poured off of a burning candle, and this wax fell in a pool on the closure of the manuscript. After this was done, a signet symbolic of the writer was pressed into the wax, and the wax perfectly picked up the image of that signet. The letter was sealed, and if the wax replica were broken all would know the letter was tampered with.

We are like that wax, melted and poured on the world. We are of the same shape, the same consistency in God's eyes - just a puddle of wax. It matters not if you came from a golden sprinkled candle, or a common household candle. Wax is wax, and when poured both you and I are the same in His eyes. Until the signet is applied.

When the signet is applied, suddenly we are marked and changed by its pressure into its replica. When Jesus is applied to the life of man or woman, we begin to be molded, we begin to take His shape. God in Heaven look upon us and sees, not a blob of wax, but the Christ imprinted in us. Apart from Christ we are but blobs, useless, but in Christ we can do all things. Jesus said what Paul taught in:

John 15:5  "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Apart from Christ, blobs. But in Christ, replicas of Him, empowered to work for God. Which brings us to the second point of this text:

1 Corinthians 3:8 "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor."

If you are in Christ and Christ is in you, then God expects you to labor where you are planted. Let me say that with more emphasis: God expects you to labor where you are planted. For, be aware of this dear believer, there is coming a judgment day for every man, and the work you did for Him in this life out of a pure heart will last while all else burns.

One thing I discovered a long time ago, let me pass on to you. You can fool your wife, or your husband, or your children, or your mother, or your dad. You can fool other Church members, or your friends. You can even fool yourself. But you cannot fool Jesus Christ.

He Who indwelt you by His Spirit, He Who is God, He cannot be fooled, for He knows your motivation. Look what the Scripture says:

Hebrews 4:12  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

The thoughts and intents of your heart this day, though not revealed to me (and I would not want to know them, anyway), are as clearly revealed to God as this overhead slide is on the wall behind me. Do you expect to be paid for what you have not done? Do you expect Christ to commend you as a "good and faithful servant" when your heart has been darkened to service? As the honest soul will not expect to be paid by an employer for labor he never did, so will the honest Christian ask Himself this question: "Am I ready for judgment?". For, truly,

1 Corinthians 3:9 "For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building."

The Church cannot exist is only the Pastor work, nor can it exist if only the Deacons labor. We must work "together with God" if we expect to do God's Will as a people, as a Church.

In recent times the Christian nation has become a nation of Church hoppers, a nation of spectators in the midst of the angelic conflict. And yes, I believe there is a great battle going on all around us, a battle for the souls of men.

Imagine a battlefield. In the midst of battle, with tanks charging and bombs bursting overhead, each soldier is wise to find a deep safe ditch and hide in it. Only the foolish break the position their commander put them in. The Commander, who sees the overall picture, has placed His troops where they can be most effective, each to his own shelter. The soldier who breaks ranks creates an opening where the enemy can enter. The soldier who stands up in the midst of conflict finds the bullet that harms or kills.

In battle each soldier is called to stay in his place, to work together with the greater unit, to strive toward the same goal. We are not called to "come in, sit down, and dangle our feet in the old creek". We are not called to jump to another Church that offers "better programs". Work together with God where you are, seek His face, seek to fill the needs of this Body as Jesus would certainly do, and you will see our "programs" get "better".

I must admit, the Clergy have been the greatest abusers of this "Church Hopping" in all of Christendom. Preachers jump from Church to Church, taking a Church as a "stepping stone" to a bigger assembly. Seek a promotion by doing good at one Church, then move to another when called there for better pay, a larger following, a greater facility. God forbid!
 

John Fawcett was saved as a teenager during one of George Whitefield's sermons. He joined the Baptist Church, and was ordained as a minister on July 31, 1765. He started pastoring a small, poor Church in Wainsgate, England, and as he preached he wrote. Soon his writings began to become popular - and as his popularity increased, so did the poverty of his Church. Doctor Gill of London's famous Carter's Lane Church passed away, and the Church called Reverend Fawcett to London. He was delighted! Such a position would bring great money, fame, and power. Reverend Fawcett and his wife announced the news to his congregation and started packing for their great adventure. When the day of departure came, Church members gathered to help with the move while bravely holding back their tears. When all but one box was packed, Fawcett went back into the house to get it and discovered his wife in tears. "John, do you think we're doing the right thing? Will we ever find a congregation to love us and help us with the Lord's work like this group here?" John was silent for a moment, then said "I was so overjoyed when the call came that I never really prayed about it like a minister should." They walked onto the porch, and unloaded the cart. They were staying in Wainsgate - yet not in obscurity. For John Fawcett wrote the world famous hymn: "Blessed be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above."

1 Corinthians 3:10  "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me". Note this masterful statement! God does not expect you to work beyond your means. He does not ask you to lift a hundred pounds if you have no more faith-strength than that which can lift fifty pounds. Yet God does expect you to work according to the Gifts that He has given you. Moreover, he expects you to grow. Moreover, He expects you to be diligent until He returns. Look:

Mark 13:33-36 "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [34]  For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. [35]  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning: [36]  Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping."

The Son of Man left this great House to Us, the Church of God, and "gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work". Herein are two more great truths for you, dear believers: You have Authority, and You have Work. This applies to each and every one of us, not just a select few.

First, you have Authority. Do not let Satan sell you the lie that you are helpless, hopeless, and without worth in this Great Work. You, each and every one of you, have the Authority of the name of Jesus if you are in Him. You have the Authority to promote the concerns of the Kingdom, the desires of the Son - but not the Authority to promote your own agenda.

Second, you have Work. This is your specific Work that God gave you to do, that Jesus lovingly expects you to do. The Church must not be the mammoth opossum that carries babies clustered on its back, lazy believers who have no concern for the things of Christ. This is the Papist Church, the Romish Church that taught the Priests and Altar Workers are the only ones whose work is needed, that all others must subject themselves and wait for the Holy Word from on high. No, we are called to be the New Testament Church, the Church of Acts that had concern for one another, that pulled together to accomplish its mission. You have your work.

"I am elderly" you cry, to which God says "You have your Work! Pray without ceasing!" Your Pastors desires your prayers, for Satan desires my destruction above all else. Lighten my load, pray that God enclose me in His hand, and my Word be His words.

"I am weak" you cry, to which God says "You have your Work! Reach out and touch another in love. Call one who has fallen in battle and encourage them to return to the Job. Be an encourager!" Oh, but how the Church needs encouragers. We have complainers and whiners enough, fault finders and misery pointers - but Oh for a group of Encouragers, the healers of the Body.

"I am too busy" you cry, to which God says "You have your Work! Must I remove your health to make you realize that the only treasure that lasts is the treasure of the Kingdom? Must I bring drought to let you know that without My increase, your labor is fruitless?"

You each have your Work for God. Find a hole, a need, and plug it in the Body. Be a Worker for Christ while it is yet day, for the night comes.

1 Corinthians 3:11  "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

Whatever we are doing here at Okapilco, it must be built on Jesus, not on our own feeble lives. I love you, yet that love will bring you no reward when you get to Heaven. I am honestly concerned for your souls, yet I cannot reward you, not allow you entrance into the Kingdom.

Only Jesus Christ can do this!

If you are sitting before me, today, and do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you are not One of us though your name may be on the membership roll. If you have not accepted what Jesus did for you on the Cross, if you are not in relationship with Him - then you are lost, and your works are useless in this assembly.

Only by building on Jesus can you reach the vision God has for you and this Body. A laborer that does not labor is a paradox. A farmer that does not farm need not expect a harvest.

Come to Jesus!