Celebrity Preachers Are the Curse of the Church (1 Corinthians 3-4)

What is carnality? In essence, it is an affection for the world rooted in the sinful flesh of man and driven by sinful lust and passions. In other words, it is natural (1 Corinthians 2:14) and contrary to the Spirit of God and to the likeness of Christ. Look at today’s church, and you will observe a membership that professes to be followers of Christ yet, in reality, shows little desire for spiritual truth. Why?

Paul diagnosed the problem in these words: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk [spiritual ABCs], and not with meat [the solid spiritual food of mature believers]: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3a).

The Manifestation of Carnality (1 Corinthians 3:3b-4)

How is carnality manifested in a congregation? Paul identified the problem when he wrote, “There is among you envying, and strife, and divisions” (1 Corinthians 3:3b). He then posed a provocative question to his readers: “Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3b).

Paul’s question to the Corinthians is one that each of us should ask ourselves.

A Spiritual Perspective for the Carnally Minded (1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

After addressing carnality, the root sin among those believers, Paul encouraged a spiritual perspective. He asked, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?” (1 Corinthians 3:5). The turmoil in the Corinthian congregation stemmed from believers following men rather than Christ.

Paul reminded the Corinthians that ministers (whether Paul or Apollos) are merely servants whom the Lord appointed to their task. A congregation may love its ministers, but they remain servants, and the Lord gifted and called each man to his task (1 Corinthians 3:5).

Paul asserted that he had planted (the seed of the Gospel). Apollos had followed him in Corinth and watered. However, “God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Paul and Apollos had their callings (the former was an apostle, the latter a minister). Still, God blessed their labors and gave the increase.

Closing thoughts –

Godly pastors deflect praise to the Lord, recognizing they are nothing apart from God’s calling and blessings (1 Corinthians 3:7). Indeed, the church’s ministry and the growth of believers should be for the Lord’s glory alone. Those who minister should labor, understanding that “every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour” (1 Corinthians 3:8).

All who serve the Lord should remember that “we are labourers together [fellow servants] with God: ye are God’s husbandry [garden; field], ye are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Paul wanted the believers in Corinth to understand that the church’s spiritual fruit and growth were God’s work.

Warning: Don’t make celebrities of those who are nothing more than God’s servants. Pastors, evangelists, teachers, and missionaries have their calling and place and should be honored for their faithfulness. Exalting and following popular personalities harms a congregation’s spirit and unity. To do so is carnal.