Daily Bible Plan

29. July 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Living your Faith in the Public Sphere

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

Devotion: Growing Up in Christ

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:1–23

Theme: Spiritual Maturity, Servant Leadership, Unity, and Eternal Perspective

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🔹 1 Corinthians 3:1–4 — Signs of Spiritual Immaturity

“I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.” (v. 2)

Reflection:

Paul addresses the believers in Corinth as infants in Christ—saved, but not yet matured. They were still dominated by jealousy, competition, and divisions, which Paul identifies as carnal behaviors. Spiritual growth is not optional. A person can be born again but still immature if they resist deeper feeding on the Word and are easily moved by fleshly desires.

Application Question:

Am I still spiritually immature in the way I relate with others, especially in ministry?

A church member becomes easily offended whenever they are not acknowledged publicly, and sometimes withdraws their service because of that. This shows spiritual infancy. In contrast, a spiritually mature leader serves joyfully even when no one is watching, because their reward is from Christ.

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🔹 1 Corinthians 3:5–9 — Servants, Not Stars

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants…” (v. 5)

Reflection:

Paul teaches that Christian leaders are not celebrities—they are only servants through whom others come to believe. One may plant, another may water, but only God gives the increase. We must avoid creating camps around personalities. Spiritual growth comes not from people, but from God who works through them.

Application Question:

Do I focus more on personalities than on the One who called them?

In ministry, a church member may choose only to attend programs when a particular preacher is ministering, ignoring others whom God has also anointed. This brings unnecessary comparison and robs the church of unity.

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🔹 1 Corinthians 3:10–15 — Building on the Right Foundation

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (v. 11)

Reflection:

Paul urges believers to examine how they build on Christ’s foundation. Some build with gold and silver (lasting values), others with straw and hay (worldly motives). On the Day of Judgment, fire will test everyone’s work. What is built with wrong motives or pride will not endure.

Application Question:

Am I building my ministry and personal life on things that will last?

A youth leader may serve faithfully for years without recognition but will receive a great reward from God. Another may serve only when being praised, and abandon their role once applause fades—their work may be burned up.

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🔹 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 — You Are God’s Temple

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (v. 16)

Reflection:

We are God’s holy temple. This means how we treat ourselves and others in the Body of Christ matters. Anyone who destroys the unity or sanctity of the church will be held accountable. We must protect the presence of God among us.

Application Question:

Am I careful to preserve the holiness and unity of the church?

A member who constantly gossips or stirs division among leaders threatens the temple of God. But one who intercedes for others and speaks words that build the body is maintaining the sacredness of God’s house.

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🔹 1 Corinthians 3:18–20 — Reject Worldly Wisdom

“The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” (v. 19)

Reflection:

Paul calls believers to abandon worldly thinking. Human pride, manipulation, and status-seeking are empty before God. True wisdom is marked by humility and dependence on the Lord, not by how much we impress others.

Application Question:

Do I rely more on human strategy or the Spirit’s leading?

A church may plan events with high budgets and worldly attraction but lack prayer and discernment. Another ministry may have fewer resources but depend fully on the Holy Spirit—and see fruit that remains.

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🔹 1 Corinthians 3:21–23 — All Things Are Yours in Christ

“All things are yours… you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (vv. 21–23)

Reflection:

Paul reminds us of our true position in Christ. When we belong to Christ, we lack nothing. Life, death, the present, and the future—all are ours. So there’s no need for boasting, insecurity, or comparison. We must rest in our identity in Christ.

Application Question:

Do I live with a mindset of spiritual inheritance and confidence in Christ?

A pastor may serve in a small city and feel unnoticed, but remains faithful, knowing their reward is secure in Christ. Another may compare themselves to mega ministries and grow bitter. But those who remember that “all things are yours in Christ” walk in peace and purpose.

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🔹 Closing Reflection from Pastor Joseph

I’m deeply thankful for leaders like Presiding Elder Jeff, who stand with me in ministry. All the elders, deacons, and deaconesses God has raised are not supporting my vision, but God’s vision. This vision didn’t start with me. It was given by God to our church Chairman, and through him to me as Pastor—and then to all of us to carry together.

For instance, Elder Mike didn’t move from Germany to join us for status or attention. He came so that the Word of God will grow. That’s maturity. Anyone who projects themselves more than the mission is walking in the flesh. Leaders who speak against others or try to gain a following for themselves lack understanding of what Paul teaches here.

Such behavior has destroyed many ministries, especially when members start whispering things like, “You’re more powerful than the pastor. You should start your own church.” But that’s the fruit of spiritual immaturity.

In Fortified City Church, we don’t serve for position or praise. We serve because of the vision God has given us in a spiritually sensitive city. We serve to win souls and build God’s house. Our leaders—Lady Anita, Elder Eddie, Deaconess Ellie, Deaconess Mary, Deacon Thompson, Deaconess Christelle, Deacon Severin, and others—are mature, united, and anointed.

We must never allow pride, selfish ambition, or competition into the house of God. Let’s grow together in spiritual maturity, build on Christ, honor one another, and keep pressing on until He returns.

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