Corpus Christi

The Tragedy of Spiritual Immaturity

1 Corinthians 3:1–9 · Brendon Helm · August 16, 2026

Summary

Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their immaturity, telling them that he could not address them as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. The sermon unfolds this text under three headings. First, Spiritual Immaturity Keeps Us Weak (vv. 1–2) — though the Corinthians had every outward advantage, they remained babes in Christ, still needing milk rather than solid food. Second, Spiritual Immaturity Keeps Us Worldly (vv. 3–4) — jealousy and quarreling are not the marks of heavenly wisdom but of the flesh, and when believers align themselves with human personalities they portray a mind set on this age rather than on the kingdom of God. Third, Spiritual Immaturity Keeps Glory from God (vv. 5–9) — Paul and Apollos were only servants through whom the Lord gave the growth, and the church is God's field and God's building; when ministers are exalted above Christ the glory that belongs to God alone is stolen, but when the church grows in maturity the increase is entirely the Lord's.