A Missional and Mature Church

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? - 1 Corinthians 3:1‭-‬4 ESV

Rev. Paul Kim

If we want to be a gospel spreading movement, we need a health and strong church. It takes more than a couple of gifted people. It takes a church.

Paul makes a distinction between a mature and an immature. So what does it take?

Four marks of a Christian

Focus on the right person

The problem in the Corinthian church is the divisiveness. The church has factions. Some teachings are seen as greater or better than others. It is superficially a unity issue.

But what is the real issue? Immature churches focus on the front man. They are focused on the wrong person. It is a celebrity culture. They are using their leaders to give themselves a sense of superiority. We are to honor and support our church leaders. But Paul warns us of  pitfalls.

The mature church focuses on the message of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit. The focus should not be on the workmen, but rather on the King, on Jesus. Focusing too much on our leaders is not only unhealthy for the church, but also bad for its leaders.

Paul lowers the stage and raises the body.  He takes the celebrity culture and flips out on its head. He celebrates weakness and honors those who do not get honor.

A spiritually gifted and active body

In a mature church, there is fellowship. People are involved, engaged, and serving. Church is not a spectator sport.

Finally, love

In the midst of 1 Corinthians 12-13, Paul speaks of love. Not romance, not marriage, but in the context of ministry! You don't need more talent and gifts for ministry. You need love.

So what do we really lack? Is it just a lack of desire? It is more than that. God is the one who gives the church growth. God reveals grace on our weakness. God is the one who purifies and sanctifies his church. Work knowing that God will accomplish all these things.