The facts:

Who is God's temple, and what is a temple?

How does Paul say God will deal with anyone who harms His temple?

Why?

Interpretation:

How many of us? (You in Greek has a plural and singular form-- this is the plural) How many temples? How many Spirits? What's the implication? We need to be grounded in the word, and follow no human being; there is no other foundation, not Paul or Apollos, or Peter, but we need each other!! It is impossible for any one person to be God's building! He did it on purpose! It is impossible to grow up into Christ the way we should all alone, for two reasons. 1 We need others in order to grow. 2 The whole point of growth in individuals is to make them able to participate in a collective church with others. Even if I could grow up w/out any help, the exercise would be pointless, because I am supposed to be growing up in order to be with others, helping and being helped!

What belief of the Corinthians was Paul correcting when he told all of them that they are one building?

What are some ways to damage the temple of God?

saying we don't need you to others Ruth story

Building imagery. We are all on the same foundation, but some are filling different functions in the building. What happens when one person's character is lacking? They can't support very well, what happens when fire comes? drop the ball--not really, they haven't been able to truly carry it the whole time, now they're aware of it, and can make changes, but it affects each of the rest of us! If we understood this, what a difference it would make in our interest in the character of those around us! We would sincerely desire their growth because we know it affects all of us! If you are a structural part of a building, why is it necessary that you look after your own character, and the character of those around you? What are some ways you and I could damage God's temple if it is a living building made up of people? Damage ourselves or others, tell others they don't belong, or we don't need you. Story of Ruth the flower lady! What is God's attitude toward those who by not taking care of themselves, damage His temple?

Let's tie it back to beginning of ch. 3. What was the first sign that they Corinthians weren't ready for solid food? So if a church is interested in growing, what issue should we attend to first? unity What is the foundation of that unity? God's commitment to us, and? Our commitment to each other.

We need each other, this is why I try to have you sit together in groups and communicate with each other!

What two elements did we find necessary for growth? Foundation and fire. In which order? Why is it necessary to have the foundation first? Our God is gracious first, but He does not leave us there. A lot of people would be content to stay there. "Oh, God loves me just as I am," they say. I think all of us have experienced times when we thought, it's useless, I cannot change, and some of us have given up. God can't love me. I've failed in to live up to His standard of character. I'm glad to say that God is not like that. When you who are parents have had your children make mistakes and mess up, do you kick them out? You're not my child anymore? Why do we think God will do that? The other possibility is to take comfort in God's forgiveness and say, "Even if I can't change that's not what matters. What matters is that God loves me." In the first instance, what's missing? In the second? Who wants to remain a child spiritually? But there are people all over living this way!

I need to affirm something Janis said that I passed over rather quickly. She said, sometimes the fire comes from reading the word! Even then it can be a painful process. But those two characteristics of fire, revealing and removing can certainly happen as the Spirit of God speaks to us through the word! That's why we're here, folks! A friend of mine once asked me why we have to read the Bible. Abraham had no Bible and He walked with God? What would you say? I'll tell you what I said first. I said, now, Abraham didn't have modern medical care, either, are you going to pass that up on the same premise? We've got an amazing surgical tool in the word, rightly understood and applied, it takes a lot of the pain out of what used to be done with no anesthesia and with greater risk of infection!--God had to do some strange things with Abraham--asking for his son as a sacrifice? and all the times Abraham got in trouble for lying about his wife Sarah! Bravo, Janis for seeing so clearly that the fire can come through the word! That's why we're here!

Now, Paul is a master spiritual doctor, and he his patients at Corinth are having a growth disorder. How did Paul know about they were having a problem? What were the symptoms? They weren't getting along.

Notice he diagnoses a spiritual problem by looking at what aspect of their lives? Were you aware that those two are unalterably linked? We saw that in Isaiah 58. The first sign of spiritual trouble is when people are not treating each other right.

Now the first thing Paul tells them about is this business of foundation and fire. What I want to know is, how does that help? Why if they're not getting along, do they need to know about the foundation and the fire?

Let me ask it this way, "If we really understood this two-fold picture of God's love, how would we treat other people? What two characteristics could one find in our relationships with others?"

In fact we might not be too far off base to look back at the beginning of the chapter, where they weren't getting along and look for what? Evidence that they were getting this whole fire and foundation business wrong with each other? In order to have growth how many do you need? 2 In what order? fndtn first. What situation do you see the Corinthians in as they relate to each other?

At the level of their interpersonal relationships, which one of these two elements necessary for growth was missing or misplaced among the Corinthians?

Have any of you ever experienced a time when the foundation you shared with another person made it possible for you to correct each other? What would our relationships look like if we had such a foundation? What would it take to have it?

Do you have a group of people who will stick by you no matter what, their acceptance and love toward you is not based on your performance? Only these people can correct you. Do they? Do you have a group of people who you know will not stop supporting you, but who will also love you enough to correct you? (If not, what is the first step you would take to form such a group now that you understand how God treats you?)

two ways of achieving unity!!

Jn 16 that they may all be one!! Why do we talk about growth as if it was an individual sport?

If a reporter came around to do a TV segment on a church that was understood where they stood with God, both the foundation and the fire; a church that was allowing that understanding to cross over into their interpersonal relationships, what sorts of things would the reporter see? Ruth story . . . Nation of strangers? Which one of these do you most need to put into practice? When will you do it?

If your need is for a group of people who are committed to each other, and able to correct each other, will this group fit the bill? This means we cannot just stop coming to avoid the pain of correcting another. I may need some correction! I don't have a perfect way of interacting with others, but what would it take for you to be comfortable enough to do that? You'd have to know that I am not holding my approval of you and acceptance on the line. As long as you have nothing uncomfortable to say to me, I'll like you. I need to let you know you can speak because I need you to help me grow, as much as you need me!

What about Net 98?

Has this format been helpful? Are we still friends? I've noticed resistance, but I have been doing these things on purpose, not everyone is ready to handle them.

Is tonight a good night to be digging so deep? Are you all just tired and wanting some warm fuzzy's? I need some feedback in the open. I know not everyone is happy with what I've been doing here. The word filters back one way or another, but even that isn't necessary. I can sense the resistance, and quite frankly, I would prefer to have people voice their concerns personally rather than tell the pastor or the secretary. I am committed to growing, and I can handle it. I did not expect that everyone would be excited about this, but I was not prepared for the resistance I've experienced. Talk to me, I know some evenings have been better than others. Is it difficult when a 23 year old asks you to raise your hand before you speak?