Sermon transcripts of Tom Nagy

1 Corinthians

So……here we are at the beginning of our study of 1 Corinthians……an incredible letter written by Paul to “the church” at Corinth……and just to give a little background on the city of Corinth during this time……let’s just say it was the worst environment imaginable……that’s it…..the worst environment imaginable…..if you were a Christian trying to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

Though the city shared a common Greek love of philosophy and speculation.......it was never famed for its contribution to the arts or philosophy…….but it became infamous for vice and particularly immorality.  Throughout the region the Corinthians were regarded as morally inferior……in fact, probably morally bankrupt…….and this is being judged against the loose standards of the ancient pagan world. The city housed the temple of Aphrodite……where it once boasted of lodging one thousand priestesses……who were nothing more than professional prostitutes. There was a saying at the time that “To live as do the Corinthians” was a euphemism for the vilest kind of life.  

Corinth was a large cosmopolitan urban center that was steeped in pagan immorality…..one historian summarized the city as “a place where wealth and dire poverty, beauty and wretchedness, culture and squalor rubbed elbows at Corinth.”

Acts 18 and Acts 20 reference two of the Apostle Paul’s visits to the city of Corinth………the first visit was made during what we usually term Paul’s second missionary journey. He arrived there after his visit to Athens……..and at once preached in the local synagogue…….in fact we learn a great deal from the first 8 verses of @Acts 18…..”After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”

 If we had read a little further……verse 11 tells us that Paul spent 18 months ministering in Corinth…..he then went across the water to Ephesus…..does a little more traveling and settles back down in Ephesus……where he wrote this letter to the Corinthian church.  But what did we learn from what was just read?  

• This is where he meets up with Aquila and Priscilla

• He taught at the synagogue every Sabbath

• He ran into some serious opposition from the Jews

• He begins his ministry solely to the Gentiles

• He has some pretty influential backing for establishing the church at Corinth……

 The account given in Acts indicates that there were some converts from among the Jews……Titius Justus opens up his house to Paul…..right next to the synagogue.  The leader of the synagogue……Crispus and his family become converts……..but Paul’s main success was among the Gentiles…..and God even assures Paul saying, “I have many people in this city.”  

But let's fill in a little more this time period of Acts 18 so we have a clear understanding of why this letter was written.  After Paul had completed his 18-month ministry in Corinth......he set out for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila........he reaches Ephesus and ministered for a short time........whatever a "short time" means......  promising to return if the Lord willed. He left Priscilla and Aquila there in Ephesus and journeyed on to Caesarea, Jerusalem and Antioch. After building up and strengthening the churches in Asia Minor.......Paul returned to Ephesus for a much more extended period. He stayed in Ephesus.......teaching in the school of Tyrannus for two years.  So......while in Ephesus Paul seems to have gotten an unfavorable report about the Corinthian church that prompted him to write his first letter to them.......a letter that wasn't preserved as a part of the New Testament canon......and we see that in @ 1 Corinthians 5:9-11....... 9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 

So.....he's already dealt with this church once through a letter.......we don't know what he addressed......other than the church not hanging out with people who claimed to be Christians…..but lived an immoral life.  And now…….while he's still ministering to the church in Ephesus......he tells us that he's heard from some of “Chloe’s people” that divisions were beginning to emerge among the Corinthian saints in verse 11 the first chapter. In addition......Paul was informed of a case of gross immorality in the church that the church hasn't dealt with......and instead of feeling shame and sorrow over this sin.........at least some of the saints were proud of their tolerance. He’s heard about some of the Christians taking their fellow-believers to court......seeking to have pagans pass judgment on spiritual matters. Paul was also told of unbecoming conduct at the Lord’s Supper and of doctrinal error concerning the resurrection.  And in chapter 16.....it'll be a while 'til we get there.......it appears a three-man delegation consisting of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come to Paul from Corinth with other reports of teaching that was lacking in the areas of marriage........virgins.........food sacrificed to idols........spiritual gifts.......the collection for the saints........and Apollos.  So......it's there in Ephesus that Paul wrote this letter in response to the reports and questions he received there. 

So.....I was going to show you a bunch of maps outlining Paul's second missionary journey and where he was when he wrote this letter and what he was wearing and what he had for breakfast.......but I think we'll keep the introductory stuff at a minimum in order to get into this great letter. ......because you'll probably forget what he had for breakfast anyway.  Who's got the first 9 verses?...........

@ Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I have to admit that it surprises me…….knowing the cultural atmosphere of the city of Corinth……knowing the environment of the church at Corinth……from reading the two letters that we still have that Paul wrote to them…..from a purely human point of view…….the situation in Corinth appears to be hopeless.

And yet when we read these introductory verses to this epistle…….Paul’s positive……he’s upbeat…….optimistic. His prayers concerning this church are filled with expressions of thanksgiving. Why?  How can this be? How can Paul be so positive and optimistic?……..it’s not because of the godly conduct of its members. 

Paul’s first words to the Corinthians are not just a repetition of a standard form…….it’s not some kind of “boiler plate” greeting……he’s not using some pre-packaged computer program where all he needs to do is fill in the name of the church. The salutation of this epistle shows us not only a demonstration of Paul’s optimism and enthusiasm in writing to these saints…….but it also indicates how he can be so positive about this troubled body of believers. This salutation tells us not only how Paul feels about this church…….but why he feels as he does. 

It shouldn’t be any surprise that Paul would write a letter like…….after all…….Paul had already written one epistle…..that we don’t have any copies of……and the fact is that Paul was the one who first came to Corinth with the gospel. Many of the members of this church were people he had a direct hand in bringing to Christ.  So he writes here with complete apostolic authority. He reminds them right up front that by the will of God, he was chosen and called as an apostle…….I think he was saying, “Don’t ignore my words.”

Paul addresses his letter to “the church of God at Corinth”……and then proceeds to define the church…….and I think it’s significant the way he describes the church. First he wants us to be assured that the church belongs to God……it’s not Paul’s church……doesn’t belong to Sosthenes or Chloe or Apollos…..it’s God’s church.   God is the One who brought the church into existence through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. God is the One who sustains His church. It is God’s church.  We certainly hear something different a lot of times today……”That’s Skip’s church”…..”You know……”Boyd Morad’s church”…….”That’s Tom’s church.”……but it’s not……not ever……Paul clearly shows that the church belongs to God. 

And generally speaking……the term “church” is usually defined in two categories….. the local church……like “us guys”……and the church universal……”all of them guys”. The local church is understood as that body of believers who gather regularly in one place. The “universal church” consists of all believers in every place and actually includes the whole course of church history. 

So……who does Paul include?......because this is actually important.  He addresses the saints at Corinth specifically…..but then he has also written it to the church at large.  Look at verse 2 again……”To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours”……this was written to everybody who call on the name of Jesus Christ……the universal aspect of the church.  Why is that important?  Because it reminds us that “church truth” is “church truth.”  What Paul is teaching to the saints at Corinth is just as applicable……and just as authoritative for the church at Philippi, or Ephesus, or Los Lunas.  There are a lot of people who’ve tried to avoid Paul’s teaching in this letter to the Corinthians by insisting he’s speaking to a very special and unique problem found only in Corinth.  But that doesn’t seem to be consistent with Paul’s teaching……not only here…..whose got @ 1 Corinthians 4:17…….For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

Paul taught a consistent message everywhere he went……in every letter he wrote.  He didn’t always address the same problems or the same theology……but when he did…..it was always consistent.  God’s Word doesn’t tell some people one thing and other people another thing……but you certainly wouldn’t know that by the number of denominations we have here in America.  

Verse 3 is something of a usual blessing in many of Paul’s letters……but we really shouldn’t take it lightly……because he’s really praying God’s grace and peace to these people.  I don’t know about you…..but anybody who wants to can pray God’s grace and peace upon me anytime you want to.  God’s grace is immeasurable……God’s peace passes all understanding.  It’s something that Paul really wants for these people.

So we go on to verse 4……and somehow…….an expression of thanksgiving is not what I would have expected from Paul at this point in time.  Here’s a church that has begun to listen to false teachers who are challenging Paul’s authority…….who condones immorality and “unconditionally accepts” a man whose sin is shocking even to the unbelieving pagans.  He’s writing in response to reports that they’re showing partiality……they’re missing the whole idea of Communion……they’re doing just about everything you could do wrong.  How can Paul possibly give thanks?

Paul doesn’t give thanks for the sins and failures of these people…..he’s actually going to cream them for that a little bit later…….but Paul gives thanks to God for what He’s already done and for what He’s gonna ultimately do for those who belong to Him. Paul first gives thanks for the “grace of God,” which He has given the saints in Christ Jesus. Grace is unmerited favor……and from what we know of the Corinthian church…..they were unworthy……but so is every other church……including the Community Bible Church of Los Lunas.  A lot of people really believe they’re just a little bit different than other people.  I don’t kill people…..I mind my own business…..I’m a moral person and don’t cheat anybody……at least I’m more worthy than you!!!  Really?  Remember the “rich young ruler”?  “Oh…..I’ve kept all those commandments Jesus…..that’s simple stuff.”  And he went away sad.  Scripture is replete with verses that show there isn’t a one of us who is worthy to be in the presence of a Holy and Almighty God…..there is none worthy……no not one.  So…..what exactly is it that Paul’s referring to when he’s giving thanks for God’s grace to these people?  He gets into that in verses 5-7. 

God’s grace to the saints in Corinth…….and everywhere was limitless. He enriched them in everything. They were enriched in all speech and all knowledge.  How did that come about?........through the preaching of the “testimony of Christ” as it was confirmed in each and every believer. The Corinthians had no critical need for which God had not made provision through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There were a lot of false teachers at the time…..leading people astray and telling them that they needed this widget….or that anointing……or some sorta prayer cloth to hold up to their TV when a certain televangelist was on……oh ya……they also needed a TV!!!   They were liars!  God had already provided all that was necessary…….no gift was lacking in the church. They had just the right gifts for the growth and maturity and ministry of the saints in Corinth.  And it isn’t just Paul who teaches this theology……remember when we went through the book of second Peter……who’s got @ 2 Peter:1:3…..seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.   God’s provision for our lives is more than sufficient.  If the church at Corinth was failing……..it wasn’t because of any failure on God’s part to provide for their needs…….it’s simply a failure on their part to appropriate what God has already given.

Finally……Paul expresses his thanksgiving for the faithfulness of God and the resulting assurance that He would complete what He had begun in the Corinthian church.  This is a huge piece of theology…..God’s faithfulness…..God’s perseverance……God’s everlasting provision…..and it was a fairly constant theme with Paul.  Whose got @Philippians 1:6……. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

How about @ 2 Timothy 1:12.........For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 

God doesn't give up......He hangs in there and loves His children enough that He promises to keep chipping away these rough edges until that day when we're face to face with Him.  His patience is unending.  Their salvation had not only the past and present benefits.......that he referred to earlier.......but a very real and sure future hope. As rough a crew as this Corinthian church proved to be.........their salvation and security were God’s doing.......and Paul was convinced of it.   Consequently.........Paul could be optimistic and upbeat in his opening address to these people.  He had great confidence concerning this church and the future of each one of the believers there. Paul thanked God because He would confirm these saints to the end. What God had started........He would finish. They were secure........their hope was certain.  And again God has made it plain in other passages with other writers that this theological viewpoint is not singular to Paul.  Remember Peter had the same assurance.........

@ 1 Peter 1:3-5.......Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

While the people in the Corinthian church may not be consistently faithful.......God is........and it's through His faithfulness that each believer has been guaranteed salvation. He tells them that God will confirm them to the end........blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

No wonder Paul's thankful and able to be so upbeat when he first addresses them. In spite of the faltering and sin which is evident in the Corinthian church.......God has saved them....... He has sufficiently provided for their every spiritual need.........He has purposed to present them faultless when He establishes His kingdom.........so Paul knows that his ministry isn't in vain........because their salvation is the work of God. 

@ I have to admit that I was surprised when I started studying this letter......especially the passages we dealt with this morning.  Paul's writing to a very troubled church.......a church that exists in the midst of a very corrupt city and culture.......he could just as easily have written this to America today.  But in spite of this........Paul has a very confident frame of mind as he addresses the saints at Corinth and us today.  

It's so important for us to see that in spite of the weaknesses and willful sins of these people in the Corinthian church........Paul doesn't start out by questioning the reality of their salvation........but instead he starts out assuring them of the present and future benefits of their conversion.  There certainly are passages that do call into question the reality of the faith of consistently wayward professing believers........but this isn't one of them. These saints need to be reminded of the certainty of their salvation. The certainty of their salvation rests not within themselves........but in the One who called them and the One who will complete all that He has begun. 

This letter to the Corinthians should cause us to reject any myth that might be out there of the perfect New Testament church. We may have a tendency to look back to the New Testament times as though the church in those days was nearly perfect. If you read the Book of Acts with the same understanding that I do.......there's a very cool period of harmony in the infancy of the church........but it only lasts from late in chapter 2 to the end of chapter 4. By the time chapter 5 comes along a couple is struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit. In chapter 6 there's strife between two groups of Jews over the care of their widows.........and by the time we get to the Corinthian church it's far from perfect......in fact it can hardly be called good. 

The final words we see written to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3 are not exactly complimentary. The church wasn't perfect in New Testament times.......and it sure isn't perfect today either. The same sins that Paul exposes in 1 and 2 Corinthians are present and evident in evangelical churches today..........so Paul’s words of admonition and correction are just as applicable to us today as they were to the believers of his day.

We deceive ourselves if we think we can retreat within the church walls to escape the evils of the world. This letter shows us that the world too easily and quickly finds its way into the church. The church isn't the place where we go to escape from sin........instead......it's the place where we go to confront our sin and to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. The church isn't a Christian “clean room” where we can get away from sin.......it's a hospital.......where we should be able to find help and healing through the ministry of the Word of God.  The church isn't the place that's kept holy by keeping sinners away.........it should be the place where newly born sinners are brought so that they can learn the Scriptures and grow in their faith.  

If there was hope for the Corinthians.......then there's hope for anyone. The first nine verses of this epistle are filled with reasons for hope. We probably all know someone who's hopelessly lost........who's not just disinterested in the gospel but adamantly opposed to it.  Then take hope from the man who sent this letter. The apostle Paul was once Saul.......the Saul who stood by and held the garments for those who stoned Stephen......the same Saul who went from city to city seeking to find Christians that he could arrest and even put to death. This man is now willing to give his life for the sake of the gospel.

If I understand the text correctly in Acts chapter 18........Sosthenes is another Saul. Remember that Crispus.......the synagogue leader in Corinth........came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ......and if I read it right......Sosthenes is his replacement........he's the one who is the leader of the opposition to Paul and the church in Corinth.   It seems it's at his instigation that charges were brought against Christianity before Gallio.......the proconsul of Achaia.  When Gallio refuses to hear this case it's pretty clear that Paul and the church have won. In frustration and anger........the unbelieving Jews turn on Sosthenes, their leader......and they beat him right in front of Gallio.......who really doesn't care.  And yet now we see Sosthenes is a traveling companion of Paul’s......a believer.......a brother in the Lord. Two of the most hostile unbelievers are now ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Is there hope for the lost?  Ya.......I think so!

If there's hope for the lost.......then there's also hope for those of us who are saved but whose life falls far short of the standard set by Scripture.  Here's a church that seems almost beyond hope.........there are divisions, immorality, and opposition to the apostle Paul and his teaching. Is Paul discouraged? Does Paul give up hope? No! Paul’s first words to this church are those of hope and confidence. Paul’s confidence and hope are not in the Corinthians......in their good intentions.......or in their diligent efforts. His hope is in the One who called him and who called the Corinthian saints as well. His hope is in the fact that God has abundantly provided for every spiritual need in that church. His hope is in the faithfulness of the God who started the good work in these believers and who is committed to bring it to completion.

I know many times we've prayed for a loved one or a friend that we truly thought was hopeless?  We've prayed for believers whose life is a mess. This letter reminds us that there's hope for those folks. Paul is about to embark on a lot of teaching.......a lot of theological instruction to these people.......and it's something we should take heed of. .......and we should remember.......if there's hope for Saul and Sosthenes and for the church at Corinth........there's hope for anyone.

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

This is the second installment in our study of the letter that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that we refer to as 1st Corinthians…….and as we get further into the letter we’ll pretty readily see that the ancient church of Corinth was incredibly similar to the visible church in America today.  We saw last time we looked at this letter that Paul started out encouraging this body of believers with the simple fact that God was going to complete what He had started in them……even with all the problems they were exhibiting.  But Paul’s gotten word that a lot of people in this church were involved in practices that weren’t only not glorifying God…..but were actually very sinful and disruptive……so he doesn’t waste much time before addressing the problems that have been reported…….and he starts that in verse 10. And what he’s addressing is the idea of disunity within the church……and it’s a big deal.  Go ahead and read verses 10 through 13…….@10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 

Interesting how Paul starts to address the problems in the church……and which one he puts first.  He appeals to these people “…..by the name of Jesus Christ…..”.  Their relationship to Christ was the unifying factor of the church. He knows there’s no other name big enough or powerful enough to gather everybody together…..no matter how different their viewpoint or background or status in life.  He recognizes that we share a common life if we’ve come to Christ.  We’re brothers and sisters…..there ought to be some striving to maintain the family unity.  When the church has divisions it never glorifies God……in fact the world loves to see churches split……loves to see bickering and disunity……because it gives them an excuse to depart from what God has laid down as His will for every human being.  “I don’t go to church because they’re just a bunch of hypocrites…….and they can’t even get along themselves!”

Remember a couple of weeks ago when Greg was talking about unity within the Body?  The one thing that struck me when he was talking is that God does expect us to be a family…..and the reason we’re a family……the thing that makes us strong……is obviously our unity in Jesus Christ……but it’s also due to the fact that we don’t pick up our ball and go home every time something doesn’t go our way.  We don’t change churches every six months because we didn’t like the way somebody did something.  We’re family……and family sticks together…..and they know each other well…..and they’re there for each other.  And that’s what Paul wants for the Corinthian church……and for all churches throughout history……unity.

We may be getting a big head about being unified…..and not understanding how the Corinthian church could be in such disarray.  But remember…….it wasn’t that many years ago that we did the same thing.  There were divisions and factions that ultimately led to the Community Bible Church splitting up……and it wasn’t pretty……and it didn’t glorify the name of Jesus Christ.  Nobody won……God wasn’t glorified and everybody lost.  Solomon was right when he said that there is nothing new under the sun.

Paul spent a lot of time concerned about the possibility of a split in the church…….but not just the church at Corinth……which makes you believe that it’s the nature of man…..even saved man…..to become easily dissatisfied……easily irritated…..to where they become divisive and want to go somewhere else.  Look at @Philippians 2:1-2…….Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 

".......being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose."  This was important.  You may recall also that in writing to the church at Ephesus.......he exhorted the elders along the same lines....... @ Ephesians 4:1-6…….Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

They were to be careful to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," It seems to be all the same message……look at verse 10 again…….Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

So……with all the problems in this fledgling church at Corinth……Paul chooses to address disunity first of all.  We’ll see that they had serious problems……and yet Paul chose unity to address first.  I think it shows us the importance of the Body being united.  But we need to take a look at the nature of the disunity in order to really understand what he’s getting at.  He tells them “…..that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment”……. What’s he saying……that we’re all supposed to think alike?  I’ve always said that it’s a good thing that everybody’s not like me…..’cause otherwise you’d all be trying to date Tish……..And that wouldn’t be right!!!!  

So…..when he says we’re all supposed to be “…..in the same mind and in the same judgment.” what’s he referring to?  We’re all supposed to think alike?  That ain’t gonna happen is it?  

If we're speaking in musical terms…….Paul’s not calling for the church to sing in unison…….everyone singing the same note at the same time…….but instead he’s urging the entire church to sing the same song…….in harmony. This is what Christian unity is about. Look around……some of us couldn’t be more different than some of us!  With all the differences here it truly is a wonder that God has created a family…..and He wants that family to be united in mind…..the mind of Christ.  Paul’s addressed this issue to nearly every church he’s written to.   Go ahead and read @Philippians 2:5-8…… 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

That’s the mind he’s talking about……we should all have the mind of Christ.  When everybody decides to put the things of Christ first……when everyone is willing to suffer loss that the honor and glory of Christ might be advanced…….that’s what’s going to bring about unity in any congregation……..the mind that doesn’t consider itself and its desires as the most important thing.  Each one of has a common responsibility when it comes to this Body……trying to deal with one another with the mind of Christ……humble…..loving……going the extra mile.

This thought is exactly the reason that the prosperity Gospel cannot be true……because it puts ME first…..not you……not Christ…….ME!  And then Paul goes right on in Verse 12 to describe some of the forms that these divisions were taking in the church of Corinth…..you people are dividing yourselves by saying "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas" or "I belong to Christ." 

The root problem underlying the Corinthian quarrels and factions is pride. We’ll see it much more clearly when we get further into the letter…..but it’s also very evident here.  

“I belong to Paul…..he started it and I’m loyal to him.”

“Oh yah…..well Apollos is smarter and uses bigger words……I follow him.”

“You’re both idiots……Peter was “the Rock” that Jesus built His church on……I’m following him!”

“I can’t believe you people……I’m the smartest because I’m following Jesus……except for that whole pride thing.”

See what they’re doing?  There’s no unity……only pride.  Each one feeling much more superior than the other.  Is there one of us in this room that can feel spiritually superior to anyone else?  NO!  Christ called us to love and unity.  Pride has no place in Christianity……therefore, no place in Christ’s church.  

So…..is this a problem singular to the Corinthian church?  ‘Cause I’m thinking Paul’s really writing this to 21st Century America…….this is a huge problem.  Individuals who won’t listen to anyone else’s teaching…..because so-and-so has a special anointing……and preachers attempting to draw people only to themselves.  It truly is an epidemic in the visible church.  We’ve seen it here……we’re not exempt.  Talked to one man about a year ago who had come to the revelation that only Paul’s writings are to be followed because he was the Apostle to the gentiles and none of the rest of the Bible had anything to do with us.  He started to listen to the teachings of one man and that’s where all of his theology stemmed.  That’s such dangerous ground to walk on……but it’s everywhere.  

But it’s not just Paul or Cephas or Apollos we divide over today……we’ve got all kinds of things that split us up…….we’ve become professional splitter-uppers in our culture today.  I know folks who follow John MacArthur’s teachings……and question anything that doesn’t align with his viewpoint.  There’s folks who follow Stedman and Schaeffer and Calvin and C.S. Lewis.  I’m not bad-mouthin’ any of ‘em……but to put all your money on one guy and spin the wheel is a dangerous thing…….and it causes disunity.  

We were talking with some people a couple of weeks ago and trying to delineate what it is that would split fellowship……what are the core beliefs that would make it to where I couldn’t worship with another person who would claim to be a believer but believed differently than I do.  So what’s the criterion?  

Can Calvinists and Armenians have fellowship?  

Can you worship with someone who believes in a post-millennium rapture?  

How about with someone who thinks you must be baptized in order to have salvation?…….a little trickier. 

 How about someone who thinks communion should be done with Oreo cookies?  Hey……we split up over a lot of different things!

The fact is there are core beliefs that unite us in worship…..the virgin birth, the Trinity……Jesus’ death and resurrection……those are core things that unite us.  Most of the rest of what we throw out there shouldn’t separate real believers……otherwise we’re no different than the first century church at Corinth.  

Paul is stressing that we have got to strive for unity.  Anything that separates us from one another that is not a core theological belief is wrong……plain and simple.  If you don’t want to come on Sunday morning because Greg or Ray or Vaughn or Jim is teaching……that’s wrong…..it’s divisive.  If you don’t want to come on Sunday morning because Tom’s teaching…..well…..I’m sorry to inform you…..but your soul could actually be in danger of being lost!!!  Someone’s style or method or personality isn’t anything that should separate a Body of believers……only core beliefs should do that.  If we go beyond that we’re wrong.

Paul addresses right up front these kind of divisions in verse 13……Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 

Paul minces no words here attacking those who would form their own groups…..those who only want to listen to certain teachers….those who take pride in whom they listen to or follow…..it divides Christ.  There are some really good, sound teachers out there……but to listen to only one guy is a real danger.  Heck……it took four different Gospel writers to paint a sufficient enough picture of Jesus Christ that we would have some understanding of Him.  If you limit yourself to one speaker or one teacher and feed only on him……you’re getting a distorted view of Jesus Christ…….dividing Him and taking one little portion as one man reports it and ignoring the rest.  I believe that’s one of the real strengths of this Body…..many teachers……one goal……to try to give as clear a picture of Jesus Christ as can be done.  

Paul’s putting his finger right on the problem when he asks, "Was Paul crucified for you?" There’s not a single Christian teacher who ever lived who can help us be forgiven of one single sin…….not one. There’s not a single teacher who ever lived who can heal a wounded heart or give spiritual awakening to a soul dead in sin.  There’s not a teacher among us today……or at any other time in history……..who’s able to open the mind and open the eyes of the heart and reveal to us the glory and majesty of God…….not one. That’s not the work of men…….that’s the work of God Himself. He chooses to use men to spread His Gospel and to teach His Word.  They won’t all be the same flavor…….they won’t all have the same mannerisms and characteristics and styles.  The fact is we reveal our spiritual immaturity when we insist that only those with certain characteristics…..or deliveries or styles are the ones we’ll listen to.  No matter who it is you’re listening to……if he’s giving accurate spiritual information then we should be blessed by it and know that only Jesus was crucified for us……all the rest of the people you meet are mere men……being used by God.  Unity is the one thing we should strive for in the Body of Christ……it is so very important.  

Not only were the people proud of who they followed……but apparently…..baptism was something of a celebrity event also.  Somebody ready verses 14-17........ @14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

Baptism’s a pretty prominent theme in these verses…….mentioned six times here by Paul. It’s obvious that some of the people took great pride in the person who baptized them. Some people appear to have been proud…….and looked down on others who weren’t baptized by as great a celebrity as the guy who baptized them.  Paul puts them in their place with just a few words.  He shows them that baptism isn’t a celebrity affair……in fact he can’t really remember who he baptized……”Let’s see……there was Crispus and Gaius……and Stephanas and his household……I can’t think of any others......it's just not that important to me!”  There’s nothing here in what Paul says to remotely think that baptism isn’t important……it is.  But it’s not a celebrity affair……and compared to the preaching of the gospel……baptizing is a lower priority to him.  Paul’s saying…….“So if you’re taking pride……if you’re choosing up sides and causing disunity because of who baptized you……I’m glad it wasn’t me!”  

And I think we can draw another inference with this passage…..in that it appears evident that Paul viewed his preaching of the gospel as having a much higher priority than baptizing new converts.  With that in mind it would seem clear that Paul saw salvation as something which occurs independently of baptism. There’s no place that he says baptism isn’t important........it’s the believer’s public identification with Jesus Christ. But it would seem clear that baptism isn’t viewed as the means of one’s salvation…….but rather an outward manifestation of salvation. We can assume that Paul rejects the doctrine of baptismal regeneration………otherwise......if he thought baptism was the means of salvation…….he would have made it a much higher priority than he did. People are saved by believing the gospel……..and it was Paul’s priority to preach it. Baptism took second place to preaching in Paul’s life and ministry. 

I think when you combine this idea of preaching the Gospel as incredibly important to Paul……much more important than baptism…..with what we find in the Gospel of Mark and what Jesus thought about preaching the Gospel……..we see a principle start to develop that shows us that telling others about Jesus Christ is a really important endeavor.    Whose got @ Mark 1:29-38…….29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.

32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and *said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 He *said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”

Preaching the Gospel was more important to Paul than baptism.  Preaching the Gospel was more important to Jesus than doing miracles.  Preaching the Gospel is important.  Not who we like to have teach us……not who baptized us……preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ……which brings us back to this whole issue of unity.

For a very short period of time in my life I was involved with Glen Riddle in the ministry of Prison Fellowship…..actually I don’t remember if it was Prison Fellowship…..but it was something very similar.  In fact……Jim’s PASSAGE MINISTRIES I’m sure is the same way.  I haven’t asked Jim this but I will now.  Does your ministry have any type of training for new people......or Standard Operating Procedure……or protocol when you go into the prisons that tells you what you can and can’t teach?   Guidelines that restrict you from teaching anything but the basic Gospel?  Prison Fellowship has made it clear that proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ is their primary goal.....above everything else.......and that the promotion of secondary practices or doctrines was to be avoided.  You see......when we make proclaiming Christ our priority……..we find we can work together in unity…….even though we may differ greatly in secondary matters.

The other side of that coin is…….when we wish to be perceived as better than others…..when we want to make sure that everybody does things the way we want it done……when we’re filled with enough pride to believe we are the only ones who know the truth…….we don’t emphasize what we hold in common…….we spend our time emphasizing what is uniquely us……those things that make us distinctive.......we're different than you here and here and here.  

And I think this gets down to the heart of what Paul is telling us.  In an election year, when have you ever heard a political candidate say that he agrees with his opponent? Churches that seek to compete with other churches.......or look down on other churches.....or tell you how bad other churches are......the have do so in terms of their differences rather than in terms of their unity and commonality.  Paul's concern for the church of Jesus Christ is unity......and it seems this day and age......the visible church in America is all about diversity.

Think about it.......and Tish and I have seen this a lot in counseling.......if you run into a Seventh Day Adventist........or  someone with a Four Square background......or any other denomination that does something that is quite different than everybody else......they can quote you the verses they use to define why they do something different.......what makes them special.  But they couldn't tell you the names of the four Gospels or where to find the most basic of verses.  Their focus is on the difference rather than the unity.

Look at verse 17 again….."For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be madevoid."

Paul is about to introduce one of the greatest passages in the Bible that shows the stark difference between the wisdom of man and the wisdom of God......and we'll get into that the next time......but first he shows us the one thing that can cure divisions in the church.  It's not by everybody having their own ID badge.....their own flag to run up the flag pole......their own hero to worship.  He says, "I didn't come to baptize people......I came to preach the Gospel.....that's the most important thing......and I don't even do it with fancy words or clever speech......I don't do anything that would draw away from the cross of Jesus Christ."   

You don't cure divisions in a church by anything but the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is what will heal the disunity of Christians wherever they are. When you call people back to an understanding of the meaning of the cross........you suddenly find all the divisions disappearing......they fade away......because it's the cross that makes us family......it's the cross that changed us in the first place.......it's the cross that matters. When you get men's eyes off all the differences and call them back away from being respecters of people to the Person of Christ and His cross........all the divisions will disappear. The cross of Christ cuts across all human value systems.........wipes out all the petty distinctions that men make among themselves. The cross strips away our illusions and pride and differences.  If we keep our eyes on the cross of Christ and not on what people are doing.......that single common bond between us does away with any of our differences.  

@The passage that Paul is introducing with this verse is about to show us the radical difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom.  Who in the world would have planned the cross.......which one of us.......if asked to plan the program by which God would change the world forever.......would have chosen the cross?  And yet......in God's wisdom......that's what He chose.......so different than anything else in the world.  When we truly begin to understand that.......all of the petty differences.......all of the things that separate us.......all of those reasons we give for not coming to church when Bob's singing or when Tom's got the message.......all of those things disappear......because our focus is on what matters.  

This is a pretty good time for us to consider the cross......we're in the season of Lent......preparing to celebrate Resurrection Sunday......the single most important day in all of history.......not just the history of the church.......but all of recorded history.  The most radical and revolutionary movement that any person has ever been involved in began with Christ's resurrection.......and it continues today......it's been turned loose on mankind and unites us by grafting us into an inheritance for eternity.  And it calls for us to be servants.......it calls for us to love.......it calls for us to put away every encumbrance that would separate us and unite in the bond of the Holy Spirit.  That's what Paul wants the church of Jesus Christ to understand.  

You've probably heard the illustration before......but if you haven't thought about it in a while......the idea that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same tuning fork are automatically tuned to each other.......they are of one accord by being tuned........not to each other.......but to a single perfect standard. So one hundred worshipers meeting together........each one looking to Jesus.......are closer to each other than they could possibly be if they were consciously trying to be united.  When everybody's focus is Jesus........we don't even have to try to be united.  

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

I'm not sure there are many American Christians that could read First Corinthians without thinking that it was written last week to the church in America.......and I'm not just talking about the divisions in the churches......the quarreling and back-biting.   Several years ago I had the idea that I wanted to put together a few books based on the teachings I had done going through some of the books of Scripture......feeling that it might be helpful as something of a commentary for others to go through while trying to get a clearer understanding of the Bible.  But one thing I realized is that nobody would even give anything I'd written a second look because I didn't have any letters after my name.......I wasn't a Doctor of Divinity.......or a PhD......or a QRS or a TUV for that matter.  Our culture puts great emphasis on these things......and without it I wouldn't be an attraction as an author.  

So I enrolled in seminary.......at a fairly hefty cost at the time.......started studying in my free time.......listening to tapes and taking notes and buying books......and then started feeling like two thousand years were stripped away and I was right back in Corinth with its love of human wisdom.......its exaltation of human philosophies.......and its stress on status symbols which were dividing the church and producing factions........schisms and divisions among them. These Christians at Corinth were quarreling over what Paul calls "the wisdom of words," and their quarrelings and divisions were absolutely killing the impact of this church on the city. 
What had started out with tremendous power was beginning to fade away because of the divisions within the congregation.  We seem to put the same emphasis on titles and knowledge and eloquent words today........and it's just as wrong today as it was in the first century church.

The last time we were in this study we talked about divisions and we finished up with verse 17 of chapter one that says, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void."  Paul didn't come to them with cleverness of speech......or PhD's......or anything else but "the cross of Christ".......and in verse 18 he launches into exactly what he means by comparing God's wisdom with man's wisdom.......and they're miles apart.  We don't need degrees.......we need the Gospel message.......the cross of Christ is what delivers Christians from all the causes of disagreements, factions, dissensions and sin.  I had fallen into the ways of the world by thinking I needed anything more than that.  

Go ahead and read our passage for today and we'll get into it.......@First Corinthians 1:18-25............ 18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

The theme of this section is the power of the cross.......and Paul is going to show us clearly........in a very profound passage........what the cross does in human thinking and in human affairs. Think about something for a minute.......the cross......in our culture it's become the symbol of Christianity.........Ladies wear it on chains around their necks...... cowboys put is on their chaps........it decorates nearly every Christian church today.  We've become so familiar with the cross in those terms that we've forgotten much of the impact it had in the 1st century.

The cross.........for these early Christians......and even non-Christians who they lived among.......was a horrible symbol.......it made people shudder.......it wouldn't be anything you'd decorate your body with.  Is anyone wearing a cross this morning?  And I'm not trying to embarrass anyone.......because it is iconic for Christianity today.  But what if you had a little......tiny......cute......electric chair hanging from that chain instead of a cross?  Would that be weird?  Suppose we had an electric chair mounted on our wall behind me........with its straps and its atmosphere of death and shame? Wouldn't it be strange driving across this country to see church steeples with electric chairs on top? We'd get a lot closer to the meaning that the cross had in the minds of 1st century people if that were true.

Now.......the cross is not the whole of the gospel. Some people have misunderstood that from this letter.......because of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:2.........and we'll jump ahead a little bit here.......@who's got that?......2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 

Taken in the whole context of the letter.......it's obvious that there's a lot more to the Gospel message than Jesus Christ crucified.......in fact......before this letter is over Paul is going to write a great section on the resurrection of Christ. That's part of it too. But the cross was particularly needed in Corinth......much as it's needed in our American churches today........because the word of the cross is the cure for all human division......and that's what he's talking about in this section......which starts with Paul introducing this astonishing power of the cross in verses 18 and 19........

1 Corinthians 1:18-19.........18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 

"The word of the cross.......".  What does that mean?  When I look at this statement......"The word of the cross....." and try to break down exactly what Paul is saying.......I think I come up short in my explanation.  The cross of Christ has incredible significance......maybe more so in our present culture than any other time in history......because we are inundated with philosophies and psychologies and transcendental this and mystic that......to the point that the "word of the cross" gets more and more removed from our conscious thinking.  

The word that's used here for "word" is LOGOS.......the same word that's used in the Gospel of John chapter one.  "In the beginning was the LOGOS......and the LOGOS was with God and the LOGOS was God."  

The LOGOS of the cross is God’s definition of both holiness and sin.
It signifies the holiness of the One who suffered there........but it also signifies the absolute vileness of the sin for which He suffered.  The cross defines the total wickedness and power of sin. If you think that being a sinner is not so bad?.........then LOOK AT THE CROSS!  Do you think that you're OK?........that it's all those BAD people that need a little God in their lives.......then LOOK AT THE CROSS!  If you think your sinful condition doesn't need to be dealt with through Jesus Christ.......then you don't understand the true meaning of the cross of Calvary.

The holiness of God and the sinfulness of man were both there on the cross. The logos of the cross is the statement of just how bad man can be and just how good God is.  The logos of the cross is this.........God’s holiness is victorious and the power of sin has been defeated.  It's a picture of God's love and God's sacrifice in one place.......that's the word of the cross.....and then he goes on in this same verse to tell us that word of the cross always produces two reactions. It did so in the first century and still does today.......exactly the same two.........

First.......the word of the cross "is foolishness to those who are perishing." The word "foolishness" here literally means "silliness".  It's absurdity.......it's nonsense.....and that's absolutely true.  I'm guessing we've all experienced it......in fact......all of us here should have experienced it......because it's the reaction of most people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.......and it's the over riding response of our culture.  The problem may be greater with those who consider themselves as a "SELF-MADE MAN"......because they have no need for a god.......they did it themselves......and you find that they actually do worship their creator......because it's themselves.  But mention the cross of Christ to them and they will scoff and even ridicule you as ignorant......foolish....childish and several other colorful adjectives.  

Not too many people were aware of it but some @ 20,000 people showed up at the national mall in Washington D.C. in March of 2012 to attend the "Reason Rally".  The reported purpose of atheists uniting like this was to "unify, energize, and embolden secular people nationwide, while dispelling the negative opinions held by so much of American society," It was further touted as a "positive experience" to celebrate "secular values" and motivate atheists to "become more active."@Featured speakers at the Reason Rally included David Silverman, president of American Atheists; actor and "comedian" Bill Maher; magician/comedian Penn Jillette; and famous @ atheist Richard Dawkins. In Dawkins' speech he called on atheists to "mock, ridicule and show contempt for the religious and their doctrines.......in public".   

To those who are wicked and self-centered......and prideful and rebellious......the whole story seems foolish.......even contemptible.  Who would believe that a poor man from the backside of the world.........who had few friends and who was put to death as an imposter at the insistence of His own countrymen.......in a shameful manner.......could have any effectiveness in His death. 

They mock and laugh and assume it incredible that He who could not save Himself should be able to save them........and that glory should come from the shame of crucifixion. To the philosophers of Paul's day.......death on the cross was associated with all that is shameful and dishonorable.........and to speak of salvation only by the sufferings and death of a crucified man was met by scorn. That's one reaction to the cross of Christ.........hasn't changed much in 2,000 years......

The other reaction is that the cross is the power of God to those of us who are being saved.  The cross is the key to the release of all God's blessing in human life. It's the way to experience the healing of God in the heart.......the deliverance from the reign of sin......and the entry into peace, and joy that's beyond all understanding. The cross is an inescapable part of that process.......and it does show the marked difference between man's ways and God's ways.  God chose something vile......something horrible as the symbol for His grace.......man probably would have chosen something like a puppy!!!!!

Man has to come to an understanding that God's ways and wisdom are so much greater than ours........and that He's in control.......and this comparison of man's wisdom and God's wisdom........and the concept of God taking control and being in charge isn't singular to the New Testament.

Who's got@.........Isaiah 29:14............14 Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.”  

The context of this verse is that Judah is in serious trouble and is coming under attack by a massive Assyrian army......they're being invaded.  So all of Judah's political talent and their wise men......including King Hezekiah.......were trying to find a way out of this mess they were in. They were trying to figure out a way.........by human ingenuity and political scheming........to either make some kind of treaty with Egypt to join forces against Assyria........or try to cut a deal with Assyria to not overtake them.  

But God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and announced that He would deliver His people without any help from the politicians and the wise men of Judah.......and He says it pretty plainly........"And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.”  

Isaiah goes on to record how God did that very thing. The Assyrian army came right up to the gates of Jerusalem and surrounded the city. King Hezekiah could see the hordes of Assyrians........their tents surrounding the city........mocking and taunting the Israelites. Their Assyrian leader sends a letter to King Hezekiah ordering him to surrender........but the king seeks God's help.......and prayed over it.......and God stepped in and answered mightily.  

He sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night.......busy angel! God did exactly what He said He would do........and He didn't need any human wisdom or plan........He did it........and the land was delivered.

So......in this passage, Paul says that's just exactly the way God works......and He especially works that way in the matter of human redemption.......it's all done by God Himself without any aid from us.

That brings us to Paul's examination......or explanation......of the wisdom of man.......the wisdom of the world.........versus the wisdom of God.  This is one of the most profound passages of Scripture when it comes to analyzing or explaining a common problem that every generation.......without fail, has to face........How much should we trust the wisdom of men? How much reliance should we put upon the ability of men to solve their own problems.......how wise are we really? Look at verses 20 & 21........ @

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 

He begins with four questions.......Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?.......Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  And he's pretty much covered all the bases of that culture.........the gentiles sought wisdom.......the Jewish scribes spent their lives pouring over the Talmud and the Old Testament for knowledge.......and the Greeks prided themselves in the discussion of endless philosophies.......and the last question is almost an answer to the first three.  Human wisdom is foolishness when you stand it against God's wisdom.

The professed wisdom of the philosophers teaches there are no absolutes.......so good and evil cannot be determined.......and we saw that when we went through our "Know What You Believe" series.  If there is no innate moral standard by which we're supposed to live.......then evil can be called good and good can be called evil.  Wow......that sounds like it came right off the front page of any newspaper in America. 

If you really give thought to the answer to Paul's questions.......where are your philosophers......scribes.......debaters?  Where are Aristotle......Plato......and Socrates? Well........the worms have consumed their flesh.......and their souls are in hell. Where are the learned scribes of Christ's day? Unless they repented and received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior........they're dead and in hell. Where are the learned men of the Greek academies? Where are Nietzsche........Huxley and Darwin.......and Marx and Dewey? Their judgments on the meaning of life and the application of those thoughts to the lives of those who followed them has been made foolish by God. They said there was no God.......don't worry......there's no hell........and you don't need a Savior......there's no such thing as sin.  Whose got@ Psalm 14:1-3?......."The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good.  2 The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men
To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." 

Since it's true that men........by their own wisdom.........would never come to the knowledge of God..........it pleased God to devise a method to dispense the plan of salvation.......and that's what Paul's doing here.  Verse 21 tells us that "God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."  Paul is preaching the message of the cross.......call it foolishness if you want to......but it's the only plan.  If you believe it.......you're saved.  If you don't believe it.......you're the fool.  Because this is God's wisdom.   You can bring your own wisdom to the table......but God will prove it to be foolishness.    

 The Jews represent religion. They felt they had the truth.......and they did.......as far as the Old Testament's concerned. The problem was that it had just become a ritual to them........they followed tradition......by the time Christ appeared the power was gone.  They had interpreted the Scriptures wrongly and they wanted a Messiah who would deliver them from the Romans by a great exhibition of power in signs and wonders from heaven........and they were greatly offended by the simple doctrine of a crucified Messiah.

The Greeks.......the Gentiles in general........seek for schemes of philosophy and religion that depend on human ingenuity........and the simplicity of the Gospel.......which rules out any plan or action on their part.......just isn't deep enough. 

The problem with the wisdom of man is that despite his pretentious claims to have penetrated the secrets of life........he's failed to discover and acknowledge the greatest fact of all........God Himself. The great power behind all that exists is God........and for man to ignore and leave out of his thinking the most important fact of all is nothing but stupidity. That's why there's such a huge push in our public school systems to keep God out.......because He baffles the wisdom of man. You run into it everywhere. No one hardly dares to mention His name. Teachers are very careful not to allow the investigation of natural phenomena to lead to the conclusion that behind these phenomena is a Being of great wisdom and power and might. They use euphemisms instead........Mother Nature........karma........destiny.......fate........providence......anything but God.

The feeling of the Jews and Greeks in Paul's time is pretty much the feelings of men everywhere........in every age......the human heart......if left to itself........rejects the cross as foolishness.......and yet, it's the only hope of man.  That's how different man's wisdom is from God's wisdom.  We're probably all familiar with Isaiah's record on this subject@......Isaiah 55:8-9..........8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.  9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,  So are My ways higher than your ways  and My thoughts than your thoughts."

That which appears to be foolishness to lost men turns out to be wiser than anything they can come up with......because it's the only thing able to save them.  God has chosen to set aside both the philosophies of the gentiles........and the demands of proud, stubborn religious men who demand miracles or else they will not believe, to confront them with what is basically a simple story of a crucified Messiah. 

I thought it was interesting several years back when the Shroud of Turin was allowed to be studied by scientists.......and everybody wanted science to prove that it was the burial cloth of Jesus........because then people would believe.  Something about us wants to demand that God perform a miracle or else we will not believe. We're right back to where the citizens of Nazareth were when Jesus came among them. They asked Him to do a sign........but He wouldn't do it because of their unbelief. To the proud men who demand miracles and to the foolish intellectuals who insist on an explanation or else they will not believe........God gives the same answer.........the story of a crucified Messiah is their only hope for deliverance. 

Another thing I find sort of amusing.......is that God ordained that His "foolish" message be preached by the same kind of men and women as the hearers themselves .........not brilliant people........not great minds.........not deep-thinking philosophers.......but common, ordinary citizens........housewives, slaves, artisans, craftsmen, lawyers and bankers and hairdressers.........whoever.........anybody can preach the story of a crucified Messiah. And that simple story........believed in.........accomplishes what the wisdom of man and the power of man cannot do..........salvation.

The world considers that some people are wise. But these wise people cannot use their human wisdom to understand God’s ways. They think that the message about a crucified Messiah is foolish. They want God to act in ways that seem wise and powerful to them. But God saves those who are willing to trust Him.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

There was once a man that was considered the town fool. The town's people would play a game to show how foolish he was.  @They'd approach him with a penny in one hand and a quarter in the other. The towns-person would hold out both hands.......open them and offer the town fool his choice of one of the coins.  The man would always choose the penny.........much to the amusement everyone watching.

One day a newcomer to town asked him, “Why do you always take the penny when you could take the quarter? Don’t you know that a quarter is worth much more then a penny?”

The man replied, “I understand the value of the two coins. But if I took the quarter........people would stop playing the game…”

This story may seem a little far-fetched.......like a fable........but it's lived out on a daily basis in the places we work.......go to school.......play and live.  There's a certain way of doing things that people tend to follow.......and if someone operates outside of it they can be set apart as fools.......or even worse. Let me give a few examples:

If you can legally buy an item for $20 instead of $50.......you'd do it.
Saving money is good........and the best price is the best price.  I just had to purchase a pump......so I went on-line and the first pump I pulled up was $596.00.......plus shipping which was another $42.00.  I kept looking and found the identical pump for $204.00 with free shipping.  I would have been a fool to buy the first pump I saw at the extremely inflated price when I could legally buy the other one.

Generally.......if all other considerations are equal.......and you're offered a promotion at work........you usually take it........especially if it's sure to advance your career.......increase your salary and generally improve the quality of your life.......right?  That's what we do.

If something is good to eat.......and you're hungry.......and it's offered to you with no risk to your health or anyone else’s.......you'd eat.......because to not do so would be kinda foolish.

In any of the above situations..........to act contrary to the actions I explained would be considered foolish by many.........if not most people.  Most of the time.......it's healthy to avoid foolishness.  I used to tell my kids when they did something foolish.......I'd say.......@"Of all the things you had to do today why did you put BE STUPID on the top of your list?"  We should always avoid doing that.......but the message of the passage before us today is that there's a time and place to act in what may be considered foolish ways.  There's a time and a place when not choosing the norm is a better choice......when appearing foolish is the better thing.

Paul addresses what  he calls “the foolishness of God”.......and in two paragraphs.......he explains that most people consider the work of Christ and those who follow him to be fools.  The first paragraph.......verses 18 thru 25......which we covered last time........addressed the perceived foolishness of Christ’s own work on the cross and the Gospel message itself.  To those who are wicked and self-centered......and prideful and rebellious......the whole story seems foolish.......even contemptible.  Who would believe that a poor man from the backside of the world.........who had few friends and who was put to death as an imposter at the insistence of His own countrymen.......in a shameful manner.......could have any effectiveness in His death.  Death on a cross was associated with all that is shameful and dishonorable.........and to speak of salvation only by the sufferings and death of a crucified man in a far away culture is foolishness "to those who perish.".  What they fail to understand is that the reasonableness of Christianity isn't in trying to philosophize how God should have done things.......it's in the changed lives it produces.

The second paragraph......the one we'll undertake today........turns to the perceived foolishness of who God is working through to advance His Kingdom on this earth.  Who's got VERSES 26-31? @......... 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

So.......Paul's already talked about what Christ has done.......now let's look at the people through whom He’s chosen to spread the news of His Gospel.  It's not hard to understand in our humanity.......and certainly in our culture.......that those who follow someone who is considered weak and foolish........would naturally be considered weak and foolish themselves.   And if we look at the first century church......most of the people who were drawn by the Gospel message were the down trodden......the poor......the sick......what the world would deem as fools.  

Look at Christ's ministry........in what I believe was probably the first recorded sermon the Jesus preached........He lays out very clearly His mission statement.  Go ahead and read@ Luke 4:16-21........16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

20 And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

I think that's a pretty straight forward message.......and in our culture today it seems we trivialize the intent of Jesus.......the focus of His work.......which clearly was to offer Divine deliverance to oppressed, blind, miserable, hopeless and enslaved people who were crushed by the cultural and religious systems of the times.  His mission hasn't changed. 

Jesus didn't take up arms against oppression.......he didn't advocate overthrow of the government. But he was a true revolutionary in that He threatened the values and stability of existing political, religious, social and economic systems that had blinded and enslaved the people........just as the prophets before Him had.  Jesus was usually unassuming and peaceful as He moved among the common people who loved and respected Him. But not so with the powerful and the rich........not so with those who held to the traditions of oppression that permeated the culture.  They knew Jesus spoke of their practices in many parables and teachings.........and they were angry enough to seek and finally achieve His death. The common people loved him........the power structure feared and hated His message and His accomplishments.

When Jesus said, "I came to preach the gospel to the poor,"......He announced to the synagogue authorities that His earthly mission was to preach, teach, advocate and model the good news of salvation and deliverance from not only sin........but also the human oppression that was common to mankind.  Jesus was raised in the Jewish culture and tradition.......and much of what God had laid down to relieve people of oppression was no longer being followed.  Jesus was not only encouraging the concept of "The Year of Jubilee" that God recorded in Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 15......but He was expanding it.  His mission.........as He said on many occasions.......was to the hopeless, abject human wreckage living on the fringes of society........having no hope of receiving anything better in this life. 

Look at @Luke 5:27-32........27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.

29 And Levi gave a big reception for Him in his house; and there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other people who were reclining at the table with them. 30 The Pharisees and their scribes began grumbling at His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

It's pretty easy to see why Paul would make the statement......"that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen.

Many of those who were attracted to the message were those who were considered the outcasts or “undesirables” by the dominant social structure.  We've seen it so many times when we've compared God's ways and man's ways........that God does things very differently than we do.  To those whom the world would write off as useless.......God says........."I will use you to achieve My great purposes."

 We saw in the last paragraph that the Greek custom of philosophizing about everything had penetrated the church and they were dividing into various factions........following certain men, quarreling, boasting, dividing, glorying in men's ability and men's wisdom.

To answer this the apostle shows us how God works. He sets it in very simple contrast and he uses these Corinthians themselves as his proof. He says, "Look at yourselves, consider your own call, look what has happened in your own life." He then points out two rather obvious........but very important facts they were evidently overlooking in their thinking. 

First, he says, "There are not many mighty among you, are there?" Now notice that Paul carefully said "NOT MANY"..........He didn't say "not any" mighty.......because he's already told us there were some who had standing in the community.......but not many. Sosthenes.......who is mentioned at the beginning of this letter.........Crispus, who had once been the rulers of the synagogue were there and they appear to have been men of reputation.  

At the close of the letter to the Romans........which Paul wrote while he was in Corinth........he mentions a man named Erastus, who was the city treasurer. Also, there is mention there of a man named Gaius who was evidently a wealthy businessman in Corinth.........but that is about all that Scripture records were men of repute or knowledge there in the congregation. The rest of them were the common, ordinary people of the city.........those whom the world regarded as foolish. Many of them were slaves....... unknown.......ordinary........plain vanilla people........like you and me.  To put it in the vernacular of today.......there were a lot of RANDOS!

Some of them were weak.......the apostle says they were not men of influence.......they had no "in" at city hall. They were powerless to affect life around them........but God chose them. They were made up of what we would call the working classes.........artisans, tradesmen, the little people of the world.  

And then Paul says something interesting after talking about the foolish.....weak.....base and despised people that God chose to do His work.......he says, God chose........"the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God."  What does that mean?  There's several different viewpoints as to what the correct understanding of this passage means.  Remember.......we need to look at the context.......not just pull this out and examine it......because it can get pretty goofy if you do that.  For instance......one commentator says that it means that Paul's talking about future technologies that man knew nothing about in Paul's day......but God knew they would come to pass.  Paul didn't have a cell phone.......or TV or radio or even a remote control.......and God's going to use those technologies to spread His Gospel in a way that just couldn't happen in Paul's time.  I'm guessing the televangelists probably give some wing to this translation.

Some think that God is talking about future events.......predicted by the prophets and recorded in Scripture.......and these things will come into play in the end times......but we can't see them now because they "are not".  I think that's a stretch too.

 In the context of what's being said let's look at who these people are.  He just said that God was going to use the base things of the world and the despised things.  Despised means "of no family......low born".  He's talking about people with a low pedigree......He's going to use "NOBODIES".  In the culture of the times.......people who were not Jewish were often thought of.......and written about as "NOTHING".  In two of the apocryphal books.......which were written in the time of the prophets.......but are not regarded as Scripture we see this phrase used.......in@ Esther 14:11........``O Lord, give not thy sceptre unto "them that be nothing", and let them not laugh at our fall; but turn their device upon themselves, and make him an example, that hath begun this against us.'' 

And again in @2 Esdras 6..........``56 As for the other people, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that "they are nothing", but be like unto spittle: and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falleth from a vessel. 57 And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been "reputed as nothing", have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us.'' 

There's even a hint of it in Paul's letter to the @Romans......in verse 4:16-17...... 16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

You see.......this whole passage is a paradox to man......the weak are strong in God’s economy.......the foolish confound the wise......that's not how it's supposed to work.......at least not according to man.  The philosophers of Paul's day.......and today.....cannot see  beyond time and space. He can only come to conclusions that reside in his finite brain. That's because he only has a soul.......his mind, emotion, and will. He doesn't have a spirit that is alive and can relate to God. He is spiritually dead. The simplest believer knows something beyond time and space.......because God revealed Himself in His Word. Unbelieving men who may have 5 PhDs to their credit are confined to their own assumptions about how to know real truth. They chose human systems......and therefore are saddled with human results. Yet the lowly believer......viewed as being nothing in the estimation of the philosopher.......will bring to nothing the things that are…

One other thing I want to point out here......in the Greek the phrase “God has chosen”......which is used in both verses 27 & 28.......conveys the idea that God personally chose out from a number of people those He has set aside for Himself.  It is a personal calling that you have received.......from the God of the universe.

Now none of this means that God does not often use people of status and stature as well. He does.......but only when they've learned that their usefulness does not derive from their position or their abilities........but rather from His presence in their lives. Don't you think it's kinda strange that we think so highly of the wisdom of the world........when God thinks so little of it?  What did Jesus say in@ Luke 16:15..........And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God." 

God's ways are so different than ours.......and what men put great stock in......and emphasize as so necessary..........is often set aside totally by God.  And why is God doing it this way?  So that no man can boast that he did anything apart from what God allowed.  He's always done it that way.......and He will continue to do it that way.  

We Christians often quote "Not by might nor by power.......but by My Spirit saith the Lord......" ........and yet in practice we seem to rely on the mighty dollar and the power of the press and advertising to get things done.......even in the church.  We seem to have forgotten that God has done most of His deeds in the church throughout its history through the lowly and the weak. 

Remember Gideon? God insisted on reducing the 32,000 men down to 300 before He would make use of them.  Why?  The same reason He works that way today.......so that no man may boast before God.  The visible church is in so much trouble today because we don't depend upon God.  We've reworded what Christ said in Matthew 6:33......now it reads........"Seek ye first the Lilly Foundation and all these things will be added unto you." We'll raise the money first and then we'll have this ministry.  I don't see things in Scripture beginning with money........I see them beginning with ministry. Anybody can be a minister of God. That's the glory of the church........because God has put us all in the ministry. If you begin to do what God wants you to do........right where you are........and God begins to work through you........all the money that's ever going to be needed will be available........because money follows ministry........not the other way around. 

I think God delights in every generation........to prove again by some unusual demonstration the fact of this great principle that Paul declares. God deliberately chooses the weak and the obscure and uses them in great power to remind us that it's not status, prestige, bigness or money that makes ministry for God effective........it's those who are called according to His purpose who desire no glory.......no credit......because they know they have nothing to boast about.......it was all accomplished by God......through the ministry of Jesus Christ.

I've found a story that portrays how God takes those who are seen as less than significant to do the most significant things imaginable........it's called THE WATER BEARER.........

A water bearer in India had two large pots.........each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. 

@One of the pots had a crack in it.........and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house..........the cracked pot arrived only half full. 

For two years this went on daily.........with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course.........the townspeople laughed every time they saw the old man spilling water all the way home.

The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments........perfect to the end for which it was made.  But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection.......and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. He felt even worse that the water bearer was mocked due to his inadequacy.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure.........the broken pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able.........for these past two years.........to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws........you have to do all of this work........and you suffer such mockery from the others," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot........and in his compassion he said........."As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed.........as they went up the hill.........the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path........and it cheered him a little bit. But at the end of the trail........it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load.........and so again it apologized to the water bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot........"I hear the laughter of the others........but I want you to notice something.  @Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path........ but not on the other pot’s side? 

That’s because I've always known about your flaw........and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path........and every day while we walk back from the stream.........you’ve watered them. 

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are........he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

You see.........each and every one of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all.........cracked pots. @But if we'll allow it.........the Lord will use our flaws to grace His table. They can appear as foolishness to the rest of the world........but God knows what He’s doing.  Mankind likes to tell God what to do and how to do it. People do it all the time. They did it in the time of Christ........and will continue to do it as long as they have the breath required to form words.

The work of Christ on the cross didn't fit into any of the directions that God was being given at the time. But you know what? It worked!  It worked despite the scorn of the powers of the day.........and it still works today despite the scorn of the learned atheist and the intellectual and the mass media and the Hollywood moguls and despite anything......because it's God's plan.  Those who seek salvation based on their own ideas of what salvation should be are bound to be disappointed........since the Gospel negates their efforts and requires only faith and obedience in Christ Jesus.

We know the truth........we've already chosen to accept.......believe in......and be obedient to the foolishness of God.........may we never lose sight of God's greater wisdom.......and may we never short-change ourselves.......for God in His wisdom has chosen us to put the wisdom of the world to shame.  

Finally......there's one other thing that we must never, ever, forget.......that those who oppose us also need to hear the message that we've been given to share........and that they too can come to put their trust in the foolishness of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1-10

............................ASSIGN VERSES..........................

Alright........we're beginning the 2nd chapter of 1 Corinthians this morning.......and we're going to start right off reading that passage........1 Corinthians 2:1-10.....

@And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 

When I read this passage the first time to really understand it.......to study it.......one thing stood out more than anything else.......THE HOLY SPIRIT.........and it seems to me that the Holy Spirit may be the least understood of the God-head.  We kinda know about God the Father and the role that He plays in our lives.......and certainly we know something about Jesus the Son........but the Holy Spirit is a little different......our understanding may be a bit shallower.  

And I liken that to the story I heard of a young wife who found her husband one night standing over their infant's crib.  As she watched him looking down at their very first child she saw on his face a mixture of emotions..........disbelief, delight, amazement, skepticism, enchantment.  Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused............with tears in her eyes.......she slipped her arm around her husband. "A penny for your thoughts," she said.

"It's amazing!" he replied. It's just amazing. I just can't see how anybody can make a crib like this for only $66.95." 

Here in front of him lay one of the greatest miracles in Gods creation.........and all this father saw was a crib. He failed see what lay within. But he wasn't unique. I think we're all somewhat guilty of that at times.  We look at God's incredible handiwork......... and only see the outside.........and miss the miracle that lays within. 

Whether it's the miracle of the birth of a new baby.........or the miracle of the birth of a new Christian........sometimes we only see the outside framework and miss the miracle that lays within.........because God's Word tells us that something very exceptional lies within each Christian..........the "Gift of the Holy Spirit."

We see it throughout Scripture@........Acts 2:38........ Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

In fact.........in Ephesians we are told that gift of the Holy Spirit is a mark of God's ownership of us in@.........Ephesians 1:13........In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

We know these things with our mind........but sometimes I don't think we have an understanding of what the Holy Spirit does in our lives.  We miss out on the miracle of what the Holy Spirit can mean and give to each one of us.

@But let's take this passage from the top and we'll discuss more about the Holy Spirit as we hit those verses.......and actually.......the next time we're in First Corinthians......that's about all we're going to discuss.......the Holy Spirit.  But today....... Paul starts out with a recollection of his first dealings with the Corinthian people.........And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

He tells them that he made a deliberate decision when he came to Corinth that he would not talk to them along the lines of the wisdom of men. He wouldn't use flowery phrases and lofty........high-sounding words........he would not attempt to try to impress them with the beauty and the glory of Christian living........but he started instead on the more negative note of the cross of Christ.

We have the same problem today as the Corinthians did in the first century....... the wisdom of the world always sounds very impressive and very confident.......and very all knowing. We're exposed to it continually through newspapers, magazines, television, and even our conversations with other people........we're constantly bombarded with the "wisdom of the world".......and it's pretty attractive.  We're constantly encouraged to seek after "the good life"........to become "beautiful people"........to "live life with gusto" and to find the "real thing."

We're bombarded with it every day........ @ and in our "new America" we hear it from the government and even the church.  We have a right to be happy......we have a right to be taken care of.......we have a right to do as we please.  And that all sounds pretty good to us as human beings........but it's the wisdom of the world.......not the wisdom of God.  Through the likes of Joel Osteen and Oprah the country is continually exposed to the idea that if you only develop all your hidden inner powers........you'll find life the way you want to find it.  But is that what God says?

The problem is that there's a germ of truth in what the world says.......and that makes it all the more believable.  God made man a very wonderful creature.......and it's not wrong to say that there are hidden possibilities in every human being.......but where the wisdom of the world goes astray is in how to do it. We're being constantly bombarded with the idea that if we just know the right things.......buy the right products......take the right courses........read the right books........if we learn how to try to develop these things within us by transcendental and meditative processes we'll achieve what we're after. It always sounds so beautiful........and it's usually couched in colorful phrases and words and clever arguments that sound real and right.  

@Things were no different in Corinth than they are here in America.  The whole city was given over to exploring ways of making life fulfilling by various philosophical schools.......by giving themselves over to fleshly indulgences.........by seeking after beauty, art, music, and the good life. So Paul says he made a decision that when he came to Corinth he would not speak in lofty.......flowing phrases or great, high-sounding words or philosophy.  "But," he said. "I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Why did Paul make that decision? Because the cross of Christ is a judgment on the wisdom of man. What do the smart, powerful people of the world do with Jesus of Nazareth? Well, the answer is they crucify Him.......don't they? They reject Him.......they deny Him.......they put Him to death. That's what they did in the 1st century and that's what they still do today. Why? Because they think He's crazy? No.......even today, 2,000 years later folks don't think Jesus was crazy.........They're just afraid He's right.......and the cross is a very convicting reminder.

So when Paul came to Corinth he didn't start with the "power of positive thinking," or even possibility thinking. He deliberately set aside the wisdom of man and shows them the wisdom of God.  And if we're going to find the wisdom of God......the true wisdom of life........we have to start by discounting all trust in our own wisdom.  He goes on in verses 3-5 to tell us something that should be an encouragement to each one of us......... 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

Speaking of the things of Christ........the things of God.......is easy in church like this. You're gathered with Christian friends........brothers and sisters in the Lord.......everybody's on the same page........nobody objects........nobody mocks you.  But how hard is it out there in the world?  You're surrounded by people who have come from entirely different backgrounds..........people who are committed to the philosophies of the world........who think our country is going in a wonderful direction and applaud the Supreme Court for their current decisions.......how hard is it to speak of the things of Christ in that setting?  I think most of us find it very difficult.........we find ourselves weak........we feel much fear and trembling. Well.......you're in good company......because that's the same way Paul felt.......and that ought to be an encouragement to us.

I think of the charlatans of that day......if they had lived now........they would have worn expensive clothing.......had a recent face-lift......a self-assured manner.......and an omnipresent smile. They would have exuded confidence and composure. But that wasn't Paul........when he first came to Corinth........he worked as a blue collar laborer making tents with Aquila. His mind set was characterized by his description here.......weakness, fear, and much trembling.  I believe Paul came to Corinth with a clear sense of his own limitations.......knowing that the salvation of men could only be accomplished by God.

The reason he felt like this is because what he was saying to them wasn't in line with what the world wants to hear about itself. It doesn't massage our ego or make us feel  incredibly important. Paul began to talk about the judgment of God upon the thinking.......the attitudes and the wisdom of man........and it left him feeling rejected.....alone and somewhat fearful.

In Acts we're told that he came to Corinth from Athens.........after being driven out of Thessalonica and Philippi and Berea........and his witness.......though it was true and based upon the cross of Christ.......was not received by the people. So he came away to Corinth all alone and moved into this great, bustling, beautiful, corrupt, powerful, commercial city, and tried to witness for Christ.......and it seems he was a bit discouraged at first.  But in the book of Acts we're told that after he had been in Corinth for a few months the Lord Jesus appeared to him in a vision and strengthened him......who's got @ Acts 18:9-10...........9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 

And what happened after that?  I think we see it in verses @4 & 5........ 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

There was a visible "demonstration of the Spirit and the power" of God.  As Paul......in his obedience.......told the facts and the story out of the simple earnestness of his heart.........God's Spirit began to work........and people started coming to Christ. You read the account in Acts. First, the rulers of the synagogue turned to Christ.......and then hundreds of the common, ordinary, plain people of Corinth began to become Christians. Soon there was a great spiritual awakening........and before the city of Corinth knew what had happened.........a church had been planted in its midst.  I believe that's God's continuous and perennial way of evangelism.  I don't have any problem with evangelists like Billy Graham and others in their large mass rallies........but that kind of evangelism isn't the primary means of evangelism in the New Testament. Real evangelism occurs by simple people like you and me sharing what's happened in our lives.

That's the way Paul approached Corinth. There wasn't anything dramatic or exciting........there was no great awakening. What there was is a quiet movement of the Spirit of God that was touching and changing lives every where..........a demonstration of the Spirit and power. Paul wasn't holding great healing meetings.......but he tells us in the sixth chapter some wonderful things were happening.  Some of you were idolaters,.......some of you were adulterers.........you were homosexuals........drunkards and  swindlers and thieves and robbers.......but all that's changed now.........you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Dramatic things had been happening in their lives by this witness of the Spirit by a man with a sense of weakness, fear and trembling.

You may sit down with somebody over a cup or coffee and hardly know how to say it.........but you stammer out some word about what Jesus Christ has meant to you.........and the earnestness in your face and the love and compassion in your heart comes through.......and suddenly somebody is touched who would never have been reached by eloquent words or fancy speech.  Our approach doesn't need to be hell fire and brimstone.  People are empty......lonely.......miserable.......unhappy.  They aren't looking for another slick approach or presentation.  They aren't looking for a new "pitchman" or con job.  They want to meet a person that is authentic and transparent.......they want a life that's filled with joy and peace and forgiveness.  Awakenings can still happen.......and they can start with us.  That's what Paul did.......and he knew what he was doing. He knew that no church could flourish in Corinth that didn't recognize the weakness of the wisdom of men........and rest instead on the power of God.  And that's where he heads starting in verse 6.......he describes the content of that wisdom and power of God. 

DON'T READ @1 Corinthians 2:6-10.......... 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 

Paul says he didn't come with lofty words of wisdom.......but that doesn't mean there's not wisdom in Christianity........In fact.......there's a great deal of wisdom.......but it's God's wisdom.......and it's incredible.  Look how he describes it......it's not of this age......it's a mystery......it's wisdom that has been since before time......it is the very thoughts of God Himself.  This wisdom is the "missing link" of human understanding about ourselves......without it we aren't capable of functioning as God intended.  That sounds like a lot of wisdom.  These aren't truths that are merely "religious" truths. They're vital and essential truths about man.......and God.......and His creation. This isn't a passing fad that's going to change in the next decade........this is truth that remains, eternal and unchangeable forever. 

And notice that there's two groups of people from whom God's wisdom is withheld. The first group is those who are immature he tells us in verse 6.........and later on in chapter 3 Paul plainly tells the Corinthians they are “men of flesh,”.......“babes in Christ,”......and that they still remain in the same condition.......they hadn't grown.  The Corinthians were looking for something deep and profound......but it was the simple message of the cross they were struggling with.  The problem wasn't with Paul or the message.......the problem was with the Corinthians.  And obviously........the second group from whom God's wisdom is withheld are those who are unbelievers.

Something that we need to understand about verse 7......right there at the end of it.......these truths are given "to our glory".  These truths are for our fulfillment.......these truths allow us to be all that God intended us to be.  You want to discover "the real thing"?  This is where you find it.   Not in man's wisdom......but in the truths of God that are incredibly deep and meaningful.  These are truths that are not discoverable by any natural process. 

The rulers of this age know nothing about it.......and when Paul speaks of "the rulers or this age" he means more than merely the officials of the day. He's talking about the leaders of thought.........the shapers of public opinion........the philosophers.......the sociologists........the politicians. They don't know these things.........they don't understand these truths.......and they're always going to fall short.  You can't know these things by listening to man's opinions......in fact.......it's not something that is observed.......eye has not seen and ear has not heard........you can't reason an understanding of it. You won't get it in school or in any secular teaching.  You won't learn it by observing life. You won't learn it by studying all the history of the past.......or by deep and profound thinking.  How does it come?  Paul tells us that God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. 

The wisdom of God is “eternal wisdom”..........a wisdom established in eternity past.......and to be fully realized when Christ’s kingdom is established on the earth. The wisdom of this world is “empirical wisdom”.......a wisdom based upon that which can be seen and heard and touched. The wisdom of God isn't seen by the naked eye.......it can't be heard with the ears..........it can't be understood by the natural mind.........it surpasses our imagination........it is literally out of this world. 

I want us to get something of an understanding of just what this concept of the “other worldliness” of God’s wisdom really means.  First let me ask you a question.......and the cool thing is that there's no wrong answer here.......because I'm only asking for your opinion.  What's heaven like?  What do you envision when you think of heaven?  @Something like this?????     GIVE TIME FOR ANSWERS........

I think we tend to think of heaven as an extension of our joys here on earth.......don't we?  We'll be reunited with family and friends........we'll get to eat ice cream.......or fried chicken all day........maybe get to drive an Indy racecar at 200 MPH.  But if we look at Scripture.......any descriptions of the divine.......of the new heaven and earth......perplex us.......because they describe things that we've never seen nor heard. 

Heaven isn't just an improved earth........it will be “a new heaven and a new earth”. Try @ Revelation 21:1........Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 

Well.......that's unusual........no sea?  For you deep sea fishermen......that's a bummer!

How about @ Revelation 21:23......... 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 

No sun or moon????  

How about @ Revelation 22:5........ And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. 

No night????  The streets are described as being paved with gold. This may be a way of telling us that what we value most highly on earth will have no value in heaven. Heaven will be nothing like the present age........we cannot conceive what it will be like. 

What about the spiritual realm.......spiritual beings........or God Himself.......what is all of that like?  Who's familiar with Ezekiel chapter one?.........And for the sake of time we won't read all 28 verses.......but let me just give you a Reader's Digest version........

@4 As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. 5 Within it there were figures resembling four living beings. And this was their appearance: they had human form. 6 Each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight and their feet were like a calf’s hoof, and they gleamed like burnished bronze. @8 Under their wings on their four sides were human hands. As for the faces and wings of the four of them, 9 their wings touched one another; their faces did not turn when they moved, each went straight forward. 10 As for the form of their faces, each had the face of a man; all four had the face of a lion on the right and the face of a bull on the left, and all four had the face of an eagle. @11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above; each had two touching another being, and two covering their bodies. 12 And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 In the midst of the living beings there was something that looked like burning coals of fire, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. @The fire was bright, and lightning was flashing from the fire. 14 And the living beings ran to and fro like bolts of lightning.15 Now as I looked at the living beings, behold, there was one wheel on the earth beside the living beings, for each of the four of them. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their workmanship was like sparkling beryl, and all four of them had the same form, their appearance and workmanship being as if one wheel were within another. @17 Whenever they moved, they moved in any of their four directions without turning as they moved. 18 As for their rims they were lofty and awesome, and the rims of all four of them were full of eyes round about. 19 Whenever the living beings moved, the wheels moved with them. And whenever the living beings rose from the earth, the wheels rose also. 20 Wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go in that direction. And the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings wasin the wheels. 21 Whenever those went, these went; and whenever those stood still, these stood still. And whenever those rose from the earth, the wheels rose close beside them; for the spirit of the living beings was in the wheels. @22 Now over the heads of the living beings there was something like an expanse, like the awesome gleam of crystal, spread out over their heads. 23 Under the expanse their wings were stretched out straight, one toward the other; each one also had two wings covering its body on the one side and on the other. 24 I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. 25 And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings. @26 Now above the expanse that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was a figure with the appearance of a man. 27 Then I noticed from the appearance of His loins and upward something like glowing metal that looked like fire all around within it, and from the appearance of His loins and downward I saw something like fire; and there was a radiance around Him. 28 As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

OK.......who's seen that before?  Ezekiel is doing his best to describe a vision the Lord gave him.......but he really can't describe it.......he can only say, "It was kinda like this.......or sorta like that."  We don't have the ability or words to describe things that are "other worldly".  But that's God's wisdom.......given to each one of us through the Holy Spirit.  We know for certain that these revelations will be made to us.......and to make any attempt at understanding with the world's wisdom just isn't going to work.  Do we have total revelation at this point?  No......but Paul says that these are things of the future which God has already prepared for us......things revealed through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

@Paul then introduces the great section on how the Spirit of God takes the Word of God........and teaches the people of God.  We're not going to go into that this morning.......but I want to tell you that this next section of Scripture is what I consider one of the greatest truths ever given to men.......the function of the Holy Spirit.  Whenever we study Scripture with the purpose being a fuller understanding we probe the greatest body of knowledge available to men anywhere.  We are able to view hidden secrets about life that will never be found out in the secular world......and they are truths that will lead us to joy and love and grace that we never dreamed possible.

God's Word tells us that something very exceptional lies within each Christian..........the "Gift of the Holy Spirit."  And unlike the young father looking at the crib........I think in our next study we'll be able to make certain that we don't miss the miracle that lays within. 

1 Corinthians 2:11-16

Let's start out by handing out a few Scripture verses to read.......starting with our passage for this morning.......1 Corinthians 2:10-16.  We actually ended with verse 10 last time......but to understand the context we'll begin in verse 10 through the end of the chapter.........(ASSIGN REMAINING VERSES)

Alright......who's got the passage for today?........ @10 For to us God revealed themthrough the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

So......this morning we'll look at verses 11-16.  And I believe we ended up saying that chapter 2 was really all about the Holy Spirit and that would be our concentration next time.  Well.......this is the "next time" and we're going to spend this morning looking at the Holy Spirit of God.......and trying to understand just exactly who He is and what His role is in our lives.

And I'll begin by saying that it's not that easy being the Holy Spirit!  Now I don't know that from experience.......but God's Word would certainly indicate that that is the case.  @Just look at verse 14..........14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

So I think we can conclude that it's not easy being the Holy Spirit since He has a history of being...... @RESISTED.........“But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God,”.......a history of being @RIDICULED...........“For they are foolishness to him”.....and thirdly.........He has a history of being @ MISUNDERSTOOD.........“And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised”.  

Therefore it's completely understandable that of the three Persons of the Holy Trinity.......The Father........The Son and the Holy Spirit..........we're the least knowledgeable about the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit.

So........let's begin by answering the question “Who is the Holy Spirit?”  The simple answer is that the Holy Spirit is........God.  There's a lot of places in Scripture that we can prove that fact......but let's just look at the chapter we're in....... @verses 4 & 5...... 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

 I think it's pretty clear that the Spirit’s power is also called God’s power.

@Look at verse 11.......... 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.......... the very thoughts of God are the very thoughts of the Spirit

Another thing we need to see is that the Holy Spirit is not some impersonal force.  He speaks directly to us......He reveals things to us personally........ @in verses 9 & 10......."9 but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God."

He teaches us what God's will is......what God has freely given us in @verse 13....... 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

Christ clearly states the importance of the Holy Spirit to each believer in several passages in his Gospel.  Who's got @ John 16:7-8........7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 

How about @ John 14:25-26..........25 “These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you”.

And lastly........ @ John 16:12-15.........12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said, that He takes of Mine, and will disclose it to you”.

What's Jesus saying?  He's telling us that when He left this earth after His resurrection.......He was going to send His Spirit to us......to reside in us......to teach us......to help us........to bring to a reminder all the things that He taught us........He helps us understand the deep things of God's Word.......and empowers us for ministry with supernatural gifts given to each believer.  That's the mystery.......that's the miracle........that's what Paul is talking about to the Corinthians.

But perhaps the most intriguing thing the Holy Spirit was sent to do is implied in @Acts 1:8.........8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Interesting chronology there.......notice the text says..........first they would receive the Holy Spirit......and then they would be His witnesses. The Holy Spirit came first.........then came witnessing.  I really spent some time thinking about this concept.  When Christ made this statement.......He made it to people who had been with Him through most of His ministry. They had been disciples..........sat at His feet..........absorbed His every word.  They had gone out into the surrounding cities to proclaim the news that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Why should they have to wait?  Why not just begin witnessing right then and there?  Well........they could have started........but they would have lacked the power to be an effective witness.  Jesus had empowered them when He was with them.......His Spirit was present.......but when He ascended into heaven He took His Spirit with Him.......and He tells them to wait until His Spirit returns to empower them to preach the Good News.

This is what Paul is telling the church.  It's the Spirit that reveals the deeper things of God......that teaches.......that gives us the power to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.  We can do it on our own......but I think it would end up turning out something like in the Peanuts column several years back.  @  (Wait as people read cartoon.)  Now that may be a tempting way to witness..........but I'm pretty sure it's not the way it's supposed to be done!

How many of you have ever been frustrated in talking to others about your faith in Jesus Christ?  My guess is that if you have never felt frustration in being rejected......in trying to get your point across........in trying to make someone understand the free gift that God has given them.........then you probably don't talk to anybody about your faith.......you probably don't spend much time being a witness.  

But the fact is that we don't need to feel frustrated at the fact that people turn away from us.......that they won't listen......that they might even be hostile towards us.......because it's not our job to convince them of anything.  We need to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in all of this.   

Remember @John 16:7-8........7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;

One of the primary responsibilities of God's Spirit is convicting people of their sin........convicting people of their need for righteousness and the reality of the coming judgment.  You and I don't have to convict people........it's not up to us to change their hearts.......we don't have to save anybody.  That's the Holy Spirit's job.  What's our job?  We're supposed to be  witnesses.

Now I've spent a fair amount of time in a courtroom over the period of my career.......and in a court room there's a judge.........a jury.........a prosecutor........a defense attorney.......a defendant...........and witnesses. And what's the responsibility of the witnesses?  They give testimony......that's their job.......just to tell the court what they themselves have observed........what they know.  

Do the witnesses prosecute the defendant? NO!

Do the witnesses convict the defendant? NO!

What do witnesses do?  Witnesses........Witness.........and they do their best to give honest and true testimony.  But their only job is to witness........to testify.  That's all Christ has called us to do.......to be witnesses of the Good News.  Convicting people of their sins...........of the need for righteousness and the coming judgment is the Holy Spirit's job.  Not ours.  But that doesn't mean our testimony isn't important.  Without our testimony........without our witness.........the world isn't going to know the Good News.

Who's got Romans 10:13-15...... 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Unless someone witnesses........people will not hear the Good News.  If they do not hear........they cannot believe.......if they do not believe they cannot call........and if they don't call.........they won't be saved.  Our responsibility is to be witnesses.......and when we do our part the Holy Spirit will do His.  And the last part of that passage shows the value that God holds in witnessing........He considers the feet of those who witness to be beautiful.  Apparently He hasn't seen my feet!!!!

I know I've gotten off on something of an evangelism kick here.......but the Holy Spirit is really our topic this morning.......and understanding His role in our daily lives is really important.  The Holy Spirit guides us to people we should meet with and talk with.  The Holy Spirit can give us not only the opportunity to witness.......but the very words to say.......and in some cases the actions to do.  We just need to be willing.......we need to be ready to stand by those people that God sends in our path.......to uphold them and strengthen them in whatever way the Holy Spirit leads.

It reminds me of a story I heard several years ago about Jackie Robinson.......the first African-American major league baseball player.  When he first started out he faced really hostile crowds in every stadium......he was criticized and scrutinized and held to a higher standard than the white players.  One day while playing in his home stadium in Brooklyn..........he committed an error at second base and the crowd began to ridicule him. 

He stood there at 2nd base absolutely humiliated as the fans jeered and mocked him.  The shortstop.........Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him.........He put his arm around Jackie and stood with him facing the crowd.  Robinson was no longer alone........the fans grew quiet.  Robinson later said that Pee Wee's act of solidarity......that arm around his shoulder.........gave him the strength to go on and actually saved his career.

One simple action........and it yet it changed a heart.  I think that's the way it works in the spiritual world too.  Each one of us knows people who may never read the Bible......but they read us.......they hear our words.......and we can make an impact on their lives like no Sunday sermon ever could.  I guess we just have to ask ourselves if we're willing to be that arm around the shoulder? Are we ready to be the light in the darkness? 

@ 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.......DON'T READ.  So these are all things that the Holy Spirit does in our lives......and Paul's trying to point out in this passage that it is, in fact, the power of the Holy Spirit that teaches us the deep things of God.  Paul tells us that man could never know God on his own. But God has chosen to make Himself known through His Word and through His Spirit. 

I want to point out a distinction in interpretation of verses 12 and 13.......and the distinction isn't really a minor one.  @Who is Paul referring to in these two verses when he says WE?   12 Now WE have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that WE may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things WE also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

Who is the WE?  Wait for answers..............I've always interpreted these verses as speaking of God’s direct disclosure of Himself to believers through His Spirit.......it seems pretty plain.....doesn't it?  

And I want to be very clear that I don't want to discount this idea.......but in light of the whole counsel of God.......there may be another concept here which would, in fact, give even more credence to the veracity of Scripture. 

First of all.......we know that the apostles were granted special gifts in order to verify and establish the church.  We see it throughout the Book of Acts........ @like in Acts 2:43..........43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  The apostles were given special powers.......and it says several times in Acts that their preaching and teaching was empowered by the Holy Spirit.   

Let's look at a couple of other passages to show you where I'm headed with this.  @Whose got Ephesians 3:1-5.......For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. 4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

And it isn't just Paul who addresses this issue.......the same thought is taught by Peter as well in @.........2 Peter 1:16-21..........16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

What I'm talking about here isn't some new revelation......it's something we've known all along........the Apostles were very special individuals that Jesus chose and entrusted with His Word.  They're the ones that were going to establish His church.  So I don't think it's unusual to think that His Spirit was given to the apostles in a special way so that the things of God might be "INSCRIPTURATED".......special revelation given to the apostles to record and teach to mankind.  @ They were given by the Spirit in this unique way so they “might know the things freely given to us by God” and communicate them to us. The Holy Spirit insured this process by “combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words”.  

The special revelation given to the Apostles was destined to be the Scriptures that we now possess.  Peter even tells us that Paul's writings are Holy Scripture....... @  2 Peter 3:15-16 ........15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the REST of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

There's a very crucial difference between the apostles and the false teachers. The apostles claimed to speak for God........and they did! False apostles......false teachers..... claimed to speak for God.........and they did not! God can be known intimately because He has chosen to reveal His innermost thoughts to men by means of His Spirit working through the apostles........resulting in the New Testament Scriptures. To reject the apostles and their teaching as the “wisdom of God” is to reject God Himself........because they're the ones through whom God has chosen to disclose Himself.   To reject the apostles’ teaching is to reject God........Who made Himself known to men through them.  I believe that's what Paul's saying here.......and it does not discount at all that the Holy Spirit is involved in our reading and study of the Scriptures.......and that He reveals to us the deeper things of God.  

Which brings us to the last 3 verses........ @ 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

In these final three verses Paul speaks of the work of the Spirit.......enabling men and women to understand the Scriptures and to know the mind of God.  Previously......Paul had divided mankind into two groups..........those who trust in Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation and those who don't. Another way of viewing these two groups would be those who do not possess the Holy Spirit........those who cannot understand the wisdom of God........and those who do possess the Holy Spirit.......and have the capacity or ability to understand the Scriptures. 

The first group Paul refers to as “the natural man”. The “natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God.” The natural man cannot understand the Scriptures........or “the things of the Spirit of God”. God the Holy Spirit revealed the“deep things of God” to the apostles........who recorded them as Scripture. So.......it makes perfect sense that someone who doesn't have the Spirit cannot grasp the things of the Spirit..........and therefore it would be foolishness to the unbeliever. They cannot fathom anything which falls within the realm of the Spirit.

The word translated "appraised" here may cause a little bit of confusion.  I won't even attempt to pronounce the Greek word.......but it deals with understanding......with scrutinizing........or investigating.  So in verse 15 when Paul says that we who have the Spirit "appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one."......I think we can figure out what he means.  

Think about it.........we who have the Holy Spirit are able to grasp......to understand.......to scrutinize both temporal and eternal matters. The Book of Proverbs for instance.........it's divinely inspired and provided so that we can see life clearly from God’s point of view. The books of the prophets have been given to us so that we can look at the eternal dimension of God’s plan. The New Testament shows us God's grace and provision.  That's why Paul can say that the Christian who possesses the Holy Spirit is able to “appraise all things”.........things earthly and things eternal.........things pertaining to this age.........and things pertaining to the next.

So.......while WE might be able to appraise all things.......to understand things in both realms.........the natural man genuinely cannot understand it.......therefore they think we're foolish.......because we're not appraised.......or understood by them.

Paul closes this portion with the words of Isaiah 40:13.........“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him?  And then he adds.......But we have the mind of Christ."  Only the Holy Spirit knows the mind of the Lord........and who has the Holy Spirit?  We do!  Therefore Paul can say that we truly have the mind of Christ.  The Christian has both the Word of God and His Spirit.........the Author of that Word. We can't ask for a lot more than that. 

With all of this said........Christians shouldn't be surprised by the reaction of unbelievers to the gospel.........because unless the Holy Spirit prepares their hearts to understand it......they just aren't capable.  

One thing this study did for me is to make me realize that in our current church culture we take the Holy Spirit for granted........and I don't believe we come close to tapping into the resources that are available to us through Him.  The early church was held in awe by the culture around them.......the Holy Spirit was an incredibly important part of the early church.  But I'm afraid in our current culture we've relegated Him to a back seat.  We've shoved Him back to the cheap seats and put Him on the sidelines.

It reminds me of a story I once heard about a Sunday school teacher who had taught her class to recite the Apostles Creed by giving each kid one phrase to learn.  Come the Sunday morning when they were going to recite it for the whole church it began beautifully..........

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth," said Sarah.

"I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord," recited Rachael.

Everything went perfect..........it started great........and then there was a long pause.  Finally a little girl spoke up and said........."Uh, the little boy who believes in the Holy Spirit is absent today!" 

Has the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit been absent in your life?  Do you need to put some effort into a clearer understanding of the power and direction that's available to you?  I am convinced that if we actually allowed the Holy Spirit to guide us......we'd be filled with power........filled with boldness......and really have an impact on the people around us.  There's a Miracle in there.......we just need to pay attention.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-4

@ Take Survey

Alright........we left off last time finishing up chapter 2 of 1 Corinthians which ended with a study of the Holy Spirit and His role in the believer's life......and the fact that it's the Holy Spirit that connects us with the "mind of Christ".  Without the Holy Spirit in our lives anything spiritual that we encounter is just "foolishness".  

So Paul continues with this thought by starting our passage today with the conjunction "and"........we need to keep in mind that Paul wasn't writing "the Bible" when he penned these letters.  He was writing a letter.......in order to be able to find things in Scripture more easily somebody broke the letters down into chapters and verses.  So when Paul wrote this he wasn't starting a new chapter in his letter.......and in order for us to understand what he's saying we need to keep everything in the context that it was written.  So he's still talking about the Holy Spirit........and the fact that it is the Spirit of God that enables us to walk the Christian life.

So let's go ahead and read the passage and then get in to some definitive response.

@And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?

The one term that needs defined for the purpose of understanding what Paul's telling these people is the one that NASB refers to as "flesh"......and depending on the translation you're reading from it may say worldly......carnal.......one even used the term "non-spiritual"......which I believe really misses the mark in this case.  The Greek word is σαρκίνοις.......sarkikos.......which literally translates exactly as NASB did it......"fleshy".  So Paul's telling them that they are living like non-believers.......and yet he's addressed them as "brothers".  

I have to admit that this teaching held some challenges for me.  I discussed some of the aspects of this message with several men that I respect their spiritual maturity and often run things by when I'm puzzled.  The interesting thing to me was that all three of them came to the same final conclusion........."I don't know how God does it!"  

In light of today's passage.......here's the question I posed........is there such a thing as CARNAL CHRISTIANS?  Does that category exist?  The last time we looked at this letter......in chapter 2 Paul had two classifications for mankind.......the natural man and the spiritual man.  The natural man was unregenerate.......the spiritual man had the Holy Spirit.........but today there’s a lot of teaching out there and there’s a lot of discussion about the fact that you can be a Christian and not even bother with anything like pleasing God......reading Scripture......becoming mature in your faith........you don't have to be bothered with any of these things.  

There’s sort of a new category in the middle.  @Over here you’ve got the natural man........unsaved.......unregenerate........on their way to hell.  @Over here we’ve got the spiritual Christian........loves the Word, loves the Lord, obeys the Lord, walks in the truth......... @And in the middle you’ve got this new box that you can stick people into.  They’re the "saved and indifferent" category........They got themselves a pass out of hell........but they’re never going to get into this whole Christianity thing.  What shall we call them........the uncommitted. 

So.......which is it?  Are there two categories.......or are there two categories.....with a sub-category?  The controversy moved to the forefront of the evangelical world in the late 1980s when John MacArthur argued that the one-third of all Americans who claimed to be born again according to a 1980 Gallup poll reflected, and I quote, "millions who are deceived, possessing a false, soul-destroying assurance."

He went on to author a book titled The Gospel According to Jesus which ushered in the debate surrounding "Lordship salvation."  His claim was that you could not have salvation without accepting Jesus Christ as Lord of your life also.  This concept was quickly challenged by a variety of theologians and was countered with Charles Ryrie's book...... So Great Salvation and Zane C. Hodges book Absolutely Free! A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation.  "Free Grace" became the popular term for the opposing camp in the Lordship salvation debate.   

I've read articles and excerpts from books by prominent theologians who say that this classification of "carnal Christians" are the people who are saved but never walk in the light........and I have to admit that I don't really understand that.......I can’t quite comprehend it.  If you were saved out of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ.......and if we walk in the light as He is in the light.......I don’t quite know what that’s supposed to mean.  What they're saying is that they come........they’re saved.......but they never get out of the darkness.  They’re saved but nothing ever happens and we’ve made a little convenient box........a place where we can assure people that they're OK.  We just jam everybody in there and we can say, “Well, you’re all right, you’re saved, you’re going to go to heaven.  It’s okay if you don’t choose to really get on with the Christian life.........you know, you’ll still make it all right.  You’re not going to lose your salvation.  You’ll go waltzing into heaven and you just won’t have as big a place as the rest of us, but that’ll be all right.  It’s heaven.........after all.”  And you have that very comfortable category of "carnal Christian".........but is that what God says?  

I want to present the two sides of this debate as clearly and objectively as I can.......though I do personally ascribe to one argument over the other.  We'll start with what has been called the @"Free Grace" side of the debate.......and in looking at it as extensively as I could the last four weeks......it would seem that proponents of this view all have four beliefs in common. 

@First........the sole condition of eternal life is trusting in Christ as one's Savior. None of the following are conditions of eternal life........turning from sins.......being willing to turn from sins.........committing one's life to Christ........baptism.......doing good works........or persevering in the faith. 

@Second.......the promises of God's Word are sufficient for assurance. While one's works can have a confirmatory value........they are not essential for assurance. Any believer can have 100% certainty of his salvation if he but looks to the promises in God's Word to the believer. 

In other words.......one can have firm assurance of salvation and yet walk in sin. Sin........while a grievous thing.........does not weaken one's assurance. 

@Third.......the Gospel of John is given great weight in formulating one's view of the Gospel message which focuses mainly on "For God so loved the world........". 

@Fourth........eternal salvation once gained can never be lost. 

They would state that it is possible for one to accept Jesus as Savior without also recognizing Him and accepting Him as Lord.........that it is possible to believe in Jesus without repenting of sin and yielding to His authority.  The claim that one would have to produce good fruit or good works adds man's deeds to the salvation process and adding anything to God's free gift is to deny His gift.  

Without a doubt I believe that this conclusion has been arrived at by individual teachers who preach such a message out of a passion to keep the grace of God free of human effort and human works........and I can certainly understand just why there is a need to dismiss any idea that man can add anything to what Jesus did.  But I really believe that these people wanted to preserve grace and they were fearful that if you put repentance and genuine commitment into the act of believing........you have somehow added works to grace.

What this teaching stems from is those who would promote a legalistic view of salvation being dependent upon works.  On one side you have Salvation based on works.........and to counter that you have Salvation without works.  But in reacting to one false teaching.......salvation based on works.......I believe they have ridden the pendulum from one extreme of false teaching to embrace another extreme of false teaching........and as a result.......they've abandoned such concepts as repentance and obedience and submission from the message of the gospel.

Faith becomes a mere intellectual exercise. Instead of people being called to repentance, they are called only to assent to certain historical facts about Jesus. Discipleship becomes optional.

One of the passages of Scripture that is heavily weighted in their favor.......they use it a lot.......is @ Ephesians 2:8-9........ 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  And that clearly states that salvation is not brought about by any works at all......plain and simple.  But I fail to understand how people utilizing this passage to explain their position consistently omit verse 10 of the passage......... @ 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Your salvation comes through faith. It doesn't come as a result of your works. No one will ever be able to boast about their contribution to the work of their salvation. But that verse goes on to point out that your salvation is not an end unto itself. You were not saved BY good works.........but you were saved FOR good works.  Faith involves more than just mere assent to certain historical facts. Even the devil has that kind of faith.  A faith that saves is a faith that works. If faith doesn’t work in your life.......then it doesn’t work in your salvation either. 

It's become common-place in certain Christian circles to speak of discipleship as something that might be good and desirable........it's not necessary to Christianity.......that sanctification is optional to the Christian life and that there are some who live their entire lives as "carnal Christians" and never exhibit any of the fruit of the Spirit or any growth in Christ.........yet nevertheless are saved.

But is that what God says?  The Scriptures use the term "disciple" as an equivalent term for "Christian." We can see it in @ Act 11:25-26.........25 And he (Barnabus) left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

And throughout the book of Acts believers and disciples are synonymous terms.  What is a disciple? Translated from the Greek it means "learner".  But the idea here is not merely rote learning of facts..........the discipleship that Jesus calls us to involves a life commitment.  So what did Jesus call His disciples........or Christians to? What does He say in @ Luke 14.......27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

When we hear the reference to a cross.......what do we think of?  Well......it brings to mind the cross of Christ.......but think about it........There was no religious significance attached to the cross when Jesus spoke these words. Any reference to a cross would point only to death. If we put Christ's words in the vernacular of the day it would be equivalent to Him saying something along the lines of seating yourself in your own electric chair or maybe tying your own hangman’s noose. Here's the point. When Jesus calls a person...... He calls Him to give his entire life........and He promises the Holy Spirit to give you the power to transform.........so it's not by our own works.......it's by His grace.  But He calls for a level of commitment and loyalty that surpasses that which you have for your own life.

 A little further in Luke chapter 14 Jesus gives two examples to illustrate what he's saying.......and it's all in the same context.  One is a story of a man who builds a tower.......and He asks the question, "Who's going to build a tower without first making sure he can finish it?"  And what king is going to go to war without sitting down and making sure he can win it?  Both the builder and the king are in danger of committing themselves to a course of action without having first counted the cost.  The point of these two illustrations is the same.........we are to count the cost.......count the commitment......which seems to be quite different than answering an altar call one time in your life and never changing anything about the manner that you live.  I think a lot of times Christians come across like a used car salesman........."Don’t read the fine print.......we’ll get to that later." But Jesus tells unbelievers to count the cost before coming to Him..........If you are going to be a Christian..........be a real one.

So.......are there people out there that have a false sense of what salvation is?  Are there people who would claim the name Christian and have no inner desire to live as Jesus wants them to?  Are there people who look like Christians and are not?  Remember @ Matthew 7:21-23......."Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' " 

Notice that the text says that He never knew them. It doesn't say to these false professors that He once knew them and then ceased knowing them at a later time. No......it says "I never knew you". That means that there are actually persons out there who have made a less than genuine profession of faith.

Is it possible to be a Christian and live in lifelong carnality........enjoying the pleasures of sin.........never seeking to glorify the Lord? Can someone pray a “sinner’s prayer” and go about his life as if nothing had happened and still call himself a “Christian”?  Scripture would seem to indicate that would be an impossibility.

This whole debate comes down to a matter of having the Holy Spirit to control your life and give you guidance and strength........and one more passage that I think adds to what I'm saying is found in @ Rom. 8:5–9......... “5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." 

See what that says?  If you're a believer you have the Holy Spirit living in you........but if you do not have the Holy Spirit then you are not a believer.  Do you see?  If you don’t have the Holy Spirit.........it’s not that you’re carnal........it’s not that you haven’t gotten Him yet.........you’re not saved.  It’s a simple statement.  You.......as a Christian........possess the Spirit and He’s there in fullness.........He’s there in totality.  You don’t get Him in bits and pieces. I've heard people pray........“give me more of Your Spirit.”  There isn’t any more to get.  He doesn’t come in units.  He’s there totally.  Every believer possesses the Spirit..........you are a spiritual person.  You may act "fleshy" sometimes.......but you're a spiritual being. 

So.......that was something of a rabbit trail that we just went down in order to try to make clear what Paul was talking about here in verses one through four.  What does all of this have to do with Paul telling the Corinthians that he wanted to talk to them as spiritual people but he has to address them as fleshy.....carnal men instead?  Our culture has derived the term "CARNAL CHRISTIAN" from this passage that we're in.  And many have come up with the idea that we can live any way we want to because of it.......after all Paul does address them as "carnal".  One of the problems is that our culture finds itself........as a whole........very far away from God......and this term "carnal Christian" isn't found in Scripture......we've coined the term and found absolution in it.  

The danger lies in what we do with other terms that we may coin that aren't in Scripture. @ Richard Dawkins........you may remember him from our Know What You Believe series........the prominent atheist and scientist.  @In a recent interview he stated that he is a “secular Christian”......and then again a little later this year in an interview in South Carolina he described himself as a "cultural Christian".  Do you see the danger in reliance upon terms that we come up with to describe our spiritual state?  Richard Dawkins has his own "Christianese" term.........and he is far from God.......and I believe the term "carnal Christian" is also far from God.

Paul is addressing the readers as “brethren”.........a term he uses almost exclusively to refer to other Christians.......he then describes them as acting "fleshy" or "carnal".  Therefore......I think we can readily conclude that Christians can act very carnal. 1 John 1:8 is absolutely clear that no one is sinless. Every time we sin we are acting carnally. 

The key thing to understand is that while a Christian can be.......for a time carnal........a true Christian will not remain carnal. Can a Christian.......in a time of failure or rebellion appear to be carnal? Certainly. Will a true Christian remain carnal? No.

Paul is speaking of the struggle with sin that's ongoing in the believer’s life and the immaturity that exists when the believer hasn't grown in the faith as he should have. A baby believer shows more of the influence of the flesh in his life than a mature person who's walking in the Spirit. That's very different from the person who is still dominated by and ruled by his sin.  

I think another thing that might help us clearly understand that Paul is not making a case for a subset of believers called CARNAL CHRISTIANS is the previous chapter's referral to two classifications for mankind.......the natural man and the spiritual man.  The natural man was unregenerate.......the spiritual man had the Holy Spirit.  So Paul is telling them that they are believers because they have the Holy Spirit......positionally they are saved........but they are not mature.......they cannot handle the deeper things of Christianity simply because they have not grown in their practical application of the Gospel.  So......from a positional aspect they are believers......but from a practical aspect they are still babies.  

 So......with all of this explanation........how long can we remain "fleshy" and still be saved?  There's no practical answer to that.......but to give some perspective.......Paul had started his ministry in Corinth around 50 A.D.. He wrote this letter we're studying from Ephesus in approximately 56 A.D..  And what does he tell them.......he says by this time you should be a young man........but you're still a baby in Christ.......you haven't grown the way I expected you to.  We can make an analogy from real life. @ A baby is born and everybody takes his picture and he's so cute and cuddly.  But when they take his picture at 6 months old........he should look different........and at six years old.......he should look very different.  And if he doesn't there's something very wrong.

Babyhood at the proper time is a beautiful thing.........but babyhood continued too long is a burden and a sorrow.........and a sign of disease or disorder. And that was the state of many of the Corinthian believers.  So what are the characteristics of a baby?  Well.......they can't help themselves........they certainly can't help anybody else.......everywhere they go they make a mess.  And unfortunately.......that's the life of many believers. They continually need spiritual nursemaids........They don't know how to feed on the Word of God.......somebody else has to spoon feed them their spiritual nourishment.  They never rely on the Holy Spirit........they don't know what real communication with God is.......their prayer life stinks.......they don't have any desire to minister to others........because they're incapable.  For a spiritual baby of three months old to be carnal and not know how to have victory over sin is natural. But when a man continues year after year in the same state of always being defeated by sin.......there's something radically wrong. Nothing can keep a child in prolonged infancy except disease or disorder.  Paul's trying to give them a wake-up call here.  

@The cause of division in the Corinthian church was more than an external, worldly influence.  It was also internal.......it was fleshly. The Corinthians had succumbed to the pressures of the world in some of the manners they were living.......but they were also succumbing to the pressures and enticements of their own flesh.  There was jealousy and backbiting and a lot of divisions that were caused by pride.  You're saying things like "I'm of Paul......I'm of Apollos"........Paul's cooler than Apollos.......no he's not.......yes he is.........Seriously........you're acting like a bunch of babies.

Paul drives home the point that we are to live differently than the world around us.  It's impossible for the church to change the world if we're just like the world!  And that admonition is as relevant today as it was the day the Paul penned it.  We need to be different........we need to grow up in our spiritual maturity.  We don't need excuses or labels.  We can act in a fleshly manner by succumbing to sin.......but we have the Holy Spirit living within us.  We are spiritual beings.......not CARNAL CHRISTIANS.  

And I think the warning that Paul gives them.......he gives to us too.  Passages like this are really a great time to do a self assessment of our spiritual maturity.  If you've been a believer for many years.......and your spiritual desire to please God.......to obey......to minister........to not sin is no different than it was when you asked Jesus Christ into your life......then you've got a problem that you need to do something about.  This is a time to take an honest look at your own life and begin to take steps to remedy your situation and begin the process of spiritual maturity.  

We'll actually deal with this next verse sometime in the distant future.......but remember @ 1 Corinthians 13:11........When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

The time has come..............

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Alright........we left off several months ago in the third chapter of 1 Corinthians with verses 1-4......and it's been so long since we've been in this letter that I want to do a brief review to set the context of what we'll be discussing today.  If you remember……the end of chapter 2 was really a study of the Holy Spirit and His role in the believer's life......and the fact that it's the Holy Spirit that connects us with the "mind of Christ".  Without the Holy Spirit in our lives anything spiritual that we encounter is just "foolishness".  

So Paul continues with this same train of thought by starting out chapter 3 with the conjunction "and"........we need to keep in mind that Paul wasn't writing "the Bible" when he penned these letters.  He was writing a letter.......and in order to be able to find things in Scripture more easily somebody broke the letters down into chapters and verses.  So when Paul wrote this he wasn't starting a new chapter in his letter.......and in order for us to understand what he's saying we need to keep everything in the context that it was written.  So he's still talking about the Holy Spirit........and the fact that it is the Spirit of God that enables us to walk the Christian life.

In chapter 2 Paul clearly defined two classifications for mankind.......the natural man and the spiritual man.  The natural man was unregenerate.......the spiritual man had the Holy Spirit.........but today there’s a lot of teaching out there and there’s a lot of discussion suggesting you can be a Christian and not even bother with anything like pleasing God......reading Scripture......becoming mature in your faith........you don't have to be bothered with any of these things.  

And we talked last time that there’s sort of a new category in the middle.  @Over here you’ve got the natural man........unsaved.......unregenerate........on their way to hell.  @Over here we’ve got the spiritual Christian........loves the Word, loves the Lord, obeys the Lord, walks in the truth......... @And in the middle you’ve got this new box that you can stick people into.  They’re the "saved and indifferent" category........They got themselves a pass out of hell........but they’re never going to get into this whole Christianity thing.  What shall we call them........the uncommitted. 

So.......which is it?  Are there two categories.......as Paul teaches......or are there two categories.....with a sub-category?  

Paul's addressing the readers as “brethren”.........a term he uses almost exclusively to refer to other Christians.......he then describes them as acting "fleshy" or "carnal".  Therefore......I think we can readily conclude that Christians can act very carnal. 1 John 1:8 is absolutely clear that no one is sinless. Every time we sin we're acting carnally. 

The key thing to understand is that while a Christian can be.......for a time carnal........a true Christian will not remain carnal. Can a Christian.......in a time of failure or rebellion appear to be carnal? Certainly. Will a true Christian remain carnal? No.

Paul's speaking of the struggle with sin that's ongoing in the believer’s life and the immaturity that exists when the believer hasn't grown in the faith as he should have. A baby believer shows more of the influence of the flesh in his life than a mature person who's walking in the Spirit. That's very different from the person who is still dominated by and ruled by his sin.  

I think another thing that might help us clearly understand that Paul is not making a case for a subset of believers called CARNAL CHRISTIANS is the previous chapter's referral to two classifications for mankind.......the natural man and the spiritual man.  The natural man was unregenerate.......the spiritual man had the Holy Spirit.  So Paul's telling them that they are believers because they have the Holy Spirit......positionally they are saved........but they're not mature.......they can't handle the deeper things of Christianity.......simply because they haven't grown in their practical application of the Gospel.  So......from a positional aspect they're believers......but from a practical aspect they're still babies.  

@Babyhood at the proper time is a beautiful thing.........but babyhood continued too long is a burden and a sorrow.........and a sign of disease or disorder. And that was the state of many of the Corinthian believers.  So what are the characteristics of a baby?  Well.......they can't help themselves........they certainly can't help anybody else....... everywhere they go they make a mess.  And unfortunately.......that's the life of many believers. They continually need spiritual nursemaids........They don't know how to feed on the Word of God.......somebody else has to spoon feed them their spiritual nourishment.  They never rely on the Holy Spirit........they don't know what real communication with God is.......their prayer life stinks.......they don't have any desire to minister to others........because they're incapable.  For a spiritual baby of three months old to be carnal and not know how to have victory over sin is natural. But when a man continues year after year in the same state of always being defeated by sin.......there's something radically wrong. Nothing can keep a child in prolonged infancy except disease or disorder.  Paul's trying to give them a wake-up call here.  

And he drives home the point that we're to live differently than the world around us.  It's impossible for the church to change the world if we're just like the world!  And that admonition is as relevant today as it was the day that Paul penned it.  We need to be different........we need to grow up in our spiritual maturity.  We don't need excuses or labels.  We can act in a fleshly manner by succumbing to sin.......but we have the Holy Spirit living within us.  We are spiritual beings.......not CARNAL CHRISTIANS.  

And I think the warning that Paul gives them.......he gives to us too.  Passages like this are really a great time to do a self assessment of our spiritual maturity.  If you've been a believer for many years.......and your spiritual desire to please God.......to obey......to minister........to not sin......is no different than it was when you asked Jesus Christ into your life......then you've got a problem that you need to do something about.  And it's a time to take an honest look at your own life and begin to take steps to remedy your situation and begin the process of spiritual maturity.  

And Paul finishes verse 4 by showing that there was a lot of jealousy and backbiting and divisions that were caused by pride.  You're saying things like "I'm of Paul......I'm of Apollos........Paul's cooler than Apollos.......no he's not.......yes he is.........Seriously........you're acting like a bunch of babies."

And that's about where we ended in verse 3:4........so we'll take off now in verses 5-9........... 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

The two leaders who have become the flashpoint......the focus of attention......of the divisions in the church are Paul and Apollos.  Think about it......Look at 1 Corinthians 1:12.........Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

So chapter one shows that Cephas.......or Peter and Christ were part of the turmoil regarding which personalities are being bragged about.......But if you look at 1 Corinthians 3:4.........For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not mere men?........even though Cephas is definitely part of the controversy.......Paul and Apollos get way more attention.  The church is lining up behind favorite teachers and boasting in them in such a way that quarrels and divisions are happening. The entire first four chapters of this letter deal with this problem. 

To try to put it in perspective.......it would be like this section over here only comes to church when Greg teaches.......because he does the best.......and this section only comes when Jim teaches.......because he has dimples.  And all the bald people come when Tom teaches because......well......because they got nothin' else!!!  And actually......along the same lines.......how about........"I don't come to church when Tom teaches.....because he's lousy!!!!  That's just as divisive.

But look what he tells them.......right up front.  What is Apollos.......what's Paul?  They're servants......they're waiters.......the word literally translates "table-waiters".  They’re not honored guests.........they’re not at the head of the table........they’re not the owner of the house.........they’re not even the cooks. They're the table-waiters. “Hello, my name is Tom..........I’ll be your server tonight. Would you like to start with something to drink?” So adjust your thinking........be careful not put Paul or Apollos......or Greg or Jim or Vaughn or Tom or Skip......or John MacArthur.......or anyone else in the wrong place.  They're simply servants through whom you believed.

@ See the words "through whom"..........that means the power that brought you to faith didn't reside in them.  It flows through them.  It's kinda like.......I may be really thankful for the copper pipes in our house........but what gives us life and refreshment is the water that comes out of the faucet. The waiter may be courteous and respectful........or maybe crabby and inattentive........but if the food's good.......that's really what counts.  

Paul and Apollos aren't Saviors. They aren't the Gospel. They certainly aren't the Holy Spirit. They aren't the source of power. They aren't God. They're table-waiters. And the faith that happens when God’s Word is served.......and digested.......happens through them.  Sorta like an irrigation ditch........not like a fresh natural spring. So don’t think of them as originators. They don’t originate. They deliver. They serve.

Back again in verse 5......they are “servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.”  In other words.......even if you detect a difference in who responds in faith when Paul or Apollos teaches........remember......it's the Lord who even makes the difference in response.  It's the Lord Who gives faith to whoever He wants to when Paul or Apollos speaks. If you think the differences in response to one or the other is because of how learned or clever or cute they are.......then you don't understand how faith works. 

Ephesians 2:8.........For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 

Yes.........you may have come to faith through something Paul or Apollos said or taught.......but God gave that faith.........God was the author of that response. Don’t think for a minute Paul or Apollos was the cause of your faith. They weren’t.  So.....if you think one teacher is getting a much better response than another.......that's all God’s doing. 

@ Verse 6.........“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”......just makes the same point with different words.  God is the decisive element in the plan.......not man. What comes through planting and watering is faith. The effect of planting is faith. The effect of watering is faith. But the life and growth of the plants........is God. 

And in case anybody wants to get a big head about how good a preacher they are.......or how much of a following they have......or how big their church is......God included verse 7........“So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” This is amazing. Paul and Apollos are not anything. They are nothing.........no credit is due them by man........and Paul's about to get into the credit......or rewards that God may bestow.......but in regards to men wanting to argue over who's best......forget it.

This kinda reminds me of the passage in Luke 17:7-10.......7 “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”

And this passage has so many applications in our day to day lives.......in fact verse 10 really should be a memory verse for every one of us........‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'   The immediate application in the passage that we're in is obvious.......God is saying that Paul and Apollos only did what they were supposed to........but the far reaching application in our lives is significant.  

I'm very glad that everybody is not like me.......in so many areas........but I think some of you can relate to this.  Historically.......I've not been the greatest helper in the world when it came to keeping house.......doing dishes......vacuuming.......that sort of thing.  But every now and then I got the wild hare to maybe vacuum the carpet while Tish was gone somewhere.  And when she returned and saw what I had done she would bestow upon me accolades fit for a returning war hero.  But if she didn't notice........if she had the audacity not to notice.......I'd pout like a two year old.  And then one day I came upon this passage in Luke.......and maybe for the first time I read it for understanding.......for application........and low and BE-hold......it actually applied to me......not only in the area of not getting thanked for what I do......but in so many ways.  The truth is that we can never love too much.......do too much........go out of our way too much.........because love is boundless........and service has no end.......and "Do unto others as you'd want them to do unto you" doesn't have a finish line.  

Look at Acts 13:1-3........."Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away."  And that's what Luke said in Chapter 17........and what Paul's saying here to the Corinthians.  He and Apollos were only doing what God called them to do.  And that's probably a question each one of needs to spend some time answering........"What has God called ME to do?"  

We all know that we were created for a purpose.  Isaiah 43:7 tells us we were created for God’s glory.  1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 tell us plainly that each one of us who knows Jesus Christ personally has been given spiritual gifts to be utilized in the Body for God’s glory.  Are we using them?  Are we living lives that glorify God?  Or do we wake up in “default” mode and spend our days on automatic pilot……not giving any thought at all to the whole reason we were created?  Good questions to ask ourselves.

We're about to go down one of those famous "rabbit-trails" that we're so good at finding......but I think this is worth exploring in the application of our passage today.  Look at Ephesians 2:8-10.......a really familiar passage with several distinct applications............8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

And I love this whole passage........it's so rich with a lot of theology that's very reassuring.......but we're going to look at just the last line today......we were......"created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."  And I know there's different teachings on this verse......some would say that God put all these good works for us to do out there and we just have this whole laundry list of things we could do if we wanted to.  And there are those that would teach that God has prepared specific things for us to do......specific encounters and specific tasks that He's assigned just for us to do........and we just need to be obedient when those times arise when.......in His providence.......He places a task before us.  That's the camp I'm in.  I believe that God is so sovereign……so personal…….that He created specific functions for Tom Nagy to do…….that He’s assigned to me and that it’s my job to Get ‘er Done!  I don’t have to create them……..go looking for them……rely on my own strength. The church doesn’t have to find a bunch of things for me to do to keep me busy……..God has them all prepared. He has the opportunities all laid out in front of us………the appointments are scheduled.  I believe a portion of what 1 Corinthians 3:15 is talking about deals with this idea.  If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

When we are judged for our works…….and we’ll actually get into this whole idea next time……a part of the loss we’ll experience is the knowledge of those things that God prepared for us to do…….that we failed to act upon.  You know those times we all have where we get the thought, “I should call so-and-so to see how they’re doing”……or I should run some cookies……or a meal……to someone…….or send a note of encouragement…….or any number of appointments that God has made for us…….and we just ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit and do what we want to do instead.

So…….I’m thinking it might be a good idea to give some thought to the “good works” which God has prepared for you this week. Take your focus off of yourself and look around to see what opportunities God has for you to show His love and bless others…….without any thought of thanks or reward…….because those kind of rewards……..the big ones…….are yet to come.  

@OK…….that was all free……..let’s get back to our study here and that would be verse 8……..8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  So…….Paul and Apollos are one…….One in purpose………One in dependence……..One in love…….One in message.  They’re not rivals……..they’re on the same team. He’s telling them, “Don’t go making divisions…..we’re one.”   

And then Paul says at the end of verse 8: “…..but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” I think the emphasis on this verse is that the people in the Corinthian church were seeing a difference in the way that Paul and Apollos worked……and they had a tendency to evaluate and maybe even place their own value on their work…….so Paul’s trying to tell them that God knows their work and it’s He that will reward it perfectly in accordance with what He knows…….which is everything.  He knows our hearts……He knows our motives……..He knows our inner thoughts.  All of us will stand before our Lord and give an account.  God will give out their rewards…….not you.  Be careful who you boast about and who you criticize.

Finally…….verse 9…….For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.  The original wording and the context here suggest that Apollos and Paul are fellow workers with each other…….who belong to God. Not that we are fellow workers with God as a third worker……..and I think it’s a statement of God’s supremacy……His authority……..these fellow workers belong to God.

So…….what about us……the church?  Well…….we’re God’s field……God’s building.  We belong to God also. You don’t belong to Paul. You don’t belong to Apollos.  Community Bible Church doesn’t belong to Greg or Vaughn or Tom……or Bob or Jim or Ray either.  We are God’s possession………God’s field……..God’s building.   And I really like the analogies that Paul brings out here.   The church……any church……not just the church at Corinth…….is God’s field.  The King James Version says we’re God’s husbandry…….God’s cultivated field.  Scripture uses a lot of metaphors for the church…….Sometimes to a wife…….sometimes a body…...sometimes to the branches of a vine………other times to a garden…….a vineyard……and here to a field…….and a building…….which may seem like odd comparisons.  

 But if you think about it…….nobody could go past a plowed and cultivated field without knowing that somebody’s taking good care of it.  And likewise……you couldn’t go by a building……whether a house or skyscraper without knowing that somebody built it.  These are both metaphors to God’s sovereignty.  Whoever the farmer is has the right to choose the seed that gets planted…….and is in charge of maintaining it and making certain it gets the right care.   

Likewise…….whoever built the building had control over its design and the materials that went into it……..and if you’re talking about the owner they’re also allowed to set the rules of the building’s use and what goes on there.  Both of these pictures show care and love and protection.  If I’m a farmer…….I’m not going to be looking after Steve’s corn…….or Jeremy’s corn.  I’m going to be taking care of my own corn.  I’m going to fence and weed and protect and care for my own field.  God’s the owner of the field……..it’s God’s building.  The church at Corinth was in pretty good hands……..and Paul wanted to assure us of the same thing……..God’s caring for us.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

@OK.......this morning we're going to take a look at a very familiar story.......THE THREE LITTLE PIGS.  Have you ever heard this story before?  (Get answers.)  Well.....in looking it up I found that there are about 3 or 4 different 3 little pig stories.  This morning we're going to look at the traditional story of the 3 little pigs......because it's a lot shorter than Walt Disney's version of the story.  

You might be wondering, "Why are we doing a fairy tale for our Bible lesson?"  Well there's a very good reason.  A little later Mr. Nagy is going to teach a passage from the Bible that reminded him of this story......and he thought that if he could use this story to tell us what God wants us to know from the Bible....then it might make us remember what God wants us to do a little easier.

@Once upon a time there was a mother pig who had three little pigs.

The three little pigs grew so big that their mother said to them, "You are too big to live here any longer. You must go and build houses for yourselves. But take care that the wolf does not catch you."

The three little pigs set off. "We will take care that the wolf does not catch us," they said.

@Soon they met a man who was carrying some straw. "Please will you give me some straw?" asked the first little pig. "I want to build a house for myself."

"Yes," said the man and he gave the first little pig some straw. 

@  Then the first little pig built himself a house of straw. He was very pleased with his house. He said, "Now the wolf won't catch me and eat me."

"I shall build a stronger house than yours," said the second little pig.

"I shall build a stronger house than yours, too," said the third little pig.

@The second little pig and the third little pig went on along the road. Soon they met a man who was carrying some sticks.

"Please will you give me some sticks ?" asked the second little pig. "I want to build a house for myself."

"Yes," said the man and he gave the second little pig some sticks.

@Then the second little pig built himself a house of sticks. It was stronger than the house of straw.

The second little pig was very pleased with his house. He said, "Now the wolf won't catch me and eat me."

"I shall build a stronger house than yours," said the third little pig.

@The third little pig walked on, along the road, by himself. Soon he met a man carrying some bricks.

"Please will you give me some bricks?" asked the third little pig. "I want to build a house for myself."

"Yes," said the man and he gave the third little pig some bricks.

@Then the third little pig built himself a house of bricks.

It took him a long time to build it, for it was a very strong house.

The third little pig was very pleased with his house. He said, "Now the wolf won't catch me and eat me."

@The next day the wolf came along the road. He came to the house of straw which the first little pig had built.

When the first little pig saw the wolf coming, he ran inside his house and shut the door.

The wolf knocked on the door and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in." 

@"No, no," said the little pig. "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."

"Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in," said the wolf.

So he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed. The house of straw fell down and the wolf ate up the first little pig.     

@The next day the wolf walked further along the road. He came to the house of sticks which the second little pig had built.

When the second little pig saw the wolf coming, he ran inside his house and shut the door.

The wolf knocked on the door and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

@"No, no," said the little pig. "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."

"Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in," said the wolf.

So he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed. The house of sticks fell down and the wolf ate up the second little pig.

@The next day the wolf walked further along the road. He came to the house of bricks which the third little pig had built. 

When the third little pig saw the wolf coming, he ran inside his house and shut the door.

The wolf knocked on the door and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"No, no," said the little pig. "Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin."

@"Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in," said the wolf.

So he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed. But the house of bricks did not fall down.     

@The wolf became very, very, very angry indeed.

He said, "Little pig, I am going to eat you up. I am going to climb down your chimney to get you."

The little pig was very frightened, but he said nothing. He put a big pot of water on the fire, to boil.

@The wolf climbed on the roof. Then he began to come down the chimney.

The little pig took off the lid from the pot. Into the pot fell the wolf, with a big splash. And that was the end of the wolf.

The third little pig was too clever for him. 

@THE END!

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

OK.........any time you hear a sermon start out with these 4 words........"Once upon a time......."........you're probably in trouble!  How many of you heard the story of the three little pigs for the very first time this morning?  Nobody.......because everybody knows about the three little pigs......right?  I'm thinking Paul knew the story of the three little pigs clear back in the first century........and he told it to the church at Corinth in a somewhat abreviated fashion.  His version goes........

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

OK........so maybe my premis is a bit of a stretch.......but there are so many similarities that I thought if we began our discussion around something we're all pretty familiar with......then we'd remember what this passage has to say long after our last "Amen" today.

So......how did our story start out?........@Once upon a time there was a mother pig who had three little pigs.  The three little pigs grew so big that their mother said to them, "You are too big to live here any longer. You must go and build houses for yourselves. But take care that the wolf does not catch you."

The three little pigs didn't leave on their own.......the Mother pig had to send them out.  It's kinda like your teenagers after high school.  Well......there's a real similarity with all believers in Jesus Christ........look at @John 17:15-18....... 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

We've been sent out......into the big bad world........and there's a wolf out there......in the form of a "roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" as Peter tells us.........satan!  Jesus doesn't take us out of the world........instead He sanctifies us and sends us on our way to fulfill a specific purpose........and we talked about that the last time we were in this passage.......we're sent out to glorify God and to  do ".......good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  We're sent out to build a life that reflects the purpose of our creation.  And we're supposed to build it in a certain way........

Remember @Matthew 7:24-25........24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

Most of us here are familiar enough with construction to know that you don't build a building without putting a good foundation under it.  It's important to build a sound structure that can endure storms.......something that can protect us from the elements and the roaring lions.........and it takes a master builder to make certain that all the rules are followed.......all the right materials are used......and that's what Paul's telling us here......... 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.

So.......a foundation has been laid for our lives......Jesus Christ is the cornerstone.  Now how are we going to build upon it?  As we go about building our lives the same decision lies before everyone of us.......whether we'll build quickly...... haphazardly........without quality......or are we going to build steadfastly.......line upon line........precept upon precept.........building a house that will endure?

I'll get off of this analogy of the three little pigs in a moment......but there's other things to consider in the story that make it worth continuing.  I'd have to liken the first little pig as one who was lazy......one who wanted a quick fix to his homeless condition and didn't want to go to a lot of trouble buidling his house the right way.  Straw?  Really?  Well.......it's light weight.......doesn't cost much......easy to tie together......finished the house the same day he started.......not bad.

It reminds me of the Christian who just wants a quick fix.......just needs fire insurance.  Paul's talked about him earlier in this letter.  The first little pig is like a Christian who is not concerned about putting much effort into building his spiritual life.  He's lazy.......uncommitted.  Romans 12:10-13 tells us........10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

See some of those commands there.......we're not supposed to lag behind......we're supposed to be diligent.  All of that requires a purposing.......requires effort.  It reminds me of the guy who complains to the pastor after the Sunday service.......he says, "Every time I come to church we always sing the same hymns. "O Little Town of Bethlehem"and "Silent Night".  Hmmmmm......I wonder why that is!  

If you only attend church on Christmas......then maybe you're not putting much effort into your spiritual life......you're just trying to get by.  And a lot of people are like that.......they view going to church as an inconvienience......they come every so often just to keep from feeling too guilty.  And I'm not saying that church attendance is the benchmark for spirituality at all.  But Christ left His church as the vehicle in our times to not only spread the Gospel.......but to encourage and train and embolden believers to do what God has called them to.  Not always......but it's usually an indicator that the individual doesn't particularly care to be around other believers that might encourage them to spiritual maturity.

The second little pig in our story builds his house of sticks......a little more substantial than the straw that the first little pig used.......but still very inferior in long term use......and we can liken him too as being pretty lazy like the first pig.  He knows it's not perfect.......but he likes how it looks and it didn't take long to do.

For those of you who may remember the Disney version of this story.......the first and second little pigs played instruments.......a fiddle and a flute and they danced around singing a song........"Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf".  And the second pig even threw a party after he finished his house.  He was very proud that his house looked better than his brother's straw house.  And they both made fun of the third little pig who was diligently building his house the right way.  

This little pig is more concerned about appearances than anything like responsibility.  The second pig knows that he should have built a stronger house......but doesn’t want to spend the extra time, money and effort to do it right.  Since his Stick house looks good enough he just wants to fiddle around.  I would liken the second little pig to the kind of Christian who knows and understands his spiritual responsibilities......but he won’t discipline himself to do them.  He can easily be deceived by false doctrines because he doesn’t like the responsibility of studying God’s Word.  Each and every Christian has a responsibility to read and study the Bible.......look at Acts 17:11...........speaking of the Bereans.........."Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."

Which brings us to the third little pig......pretty easy to see who's going to get the gold star in house building.  He started out with a foundation and he laid bricks on that foundation........being diligent to do everything right.  Yah......it was a lot of work......it took him a long time......but he was committed to doing it right.......and in the end his reward was great. Christians who are like the third little pig are sober and diligent. They're alert and in control.........responsible.  They don’t mind the hard work they're putting into their relationship with Jesus because they realize their hard work is going to lead to a future of peace and comfort........a fulfillment of the promises they've studied in God's Word.

1 Peter 1:13.........Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

2 Tim. 2:15..........Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

The third little pig purposed in his heart to build his house as strong as possible.  Our spiritual house is strong when we commit ourselves to knowing God.......to strengthing our spiritual relationship.  And that doesn't just happen.......it takes work.......perseverance and a lot of committment.  It's pretty easy to get lazy when we're talking about our spiritual life......but it's always dangerous......and the consequences can be enormous. We Christians need to build our spiritual lives with the same tenacity as the third little pig.  Don’t stop..........Keep working..........No half baked job.  So each one of us really needs to take a look at how we're doing in building and reinforcing our spiritual house? Is it ready?  When the Storms of Life.........or the Big Bad Wolf blows.......will your house still stand?

I'll stop the analogy with the three little pigs at this point.......but I think you can easily see the correlation drawn by the passage we're in......... 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Paul likens himself to a master builder.......one that knows what the house is supposed to look like........one that knows the storms that the house needs to withstand and lays a foundation that is more than substantial to be built upon.........and Jesus Christ is the only foundation that is adequate.  So each one of us builds upon that foundation that was laid........but what do we build with?  That's where he heads in verse 12. (DON'T ADVANCE)

12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

This passage.......these four verses........have caused a great deal of discussion by the greatest theologions that have ever lived.  Who's Paul talking about........when does this happen.........am I going to be punished........I thought I was saved.  To completely cover all the areas in question here would take several messages and would encompass scores of verses in order to fully understand what Paul is talking about.  In the context of the passage he's obviously saying that some of the things we do in this life will be rewarded and some will not.  Some will remain and some will burn up.  But I really want us to understand this passage........so we're going to take a bit of a detour here that will continue through the next time we're in this letter.  I want to lay down an explanation of what judgements are talked about in Scripture and which ones you and I will go through and which ones are reserved for non-believers only.

Some Christians believe that Scripture reveals three different judgments to come. The first is the judgment of the sheep and the goats or a judgment of the nations.......as described in Matthew 25:31-36........31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me somethingto drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

From this point of view.......this takes place after the tribulation period.......but prior to the millennium.  The purpose of this judgment........according to this train of thought........is to determine who will enter the millennial kingdom. 

The second is a judgment of believers’ works........often referred to as the “judgment seat of Christ”......or the bema seat of Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us........For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 

At this judgment.........Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works or service to God........and possibly punishment depending on how you interpret the verse. 

And the third is the great white throne judgment at the end of the millennium as described in Revelation 20:11-15...........11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

 I don't know about you.......but that one sounds pretty bad.  This is the judgment of unbelievers........where they are judged according to their works and sentenced to everlasting punishment in the lake of fire.

Other Christians believe that all three of these judgments speak of the same final judgment........not of three separate judgments. In other words.......The sheep and the goats judgment of Matthew 25 is the same as the Great White Throne judgment of Revelation and the same judgment found in 2 Corinthians........since basically the results of the judgments seem to be the same.  

Well......both of those points of view can't be right........and after a great deal of study I'll give you what I believe Scripture to be teaching.  But......regardless of which point of view you hold the Bible is very clear about a couple of things.  Believers and non-believers alike will be judged by Jesus Christ.  Romans 2:5-8 tells us........5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each person according to his deeds: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

Here........Paul calls this "the day of wrath and revelation".......and it can be argued that this is the White Throne Judgment........or that it's a general statement of judgment for both believers and non-believers.......the point is that it is going to happen for both of us.  Unbelievers are storing up wrath.......believers are going on to glory and honor and immortality.  

Romans 14:10-12 says that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and that each one of us will give an account to God.  10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.”  12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

We won't go into all of it here just for the sake of time.......but a reading of Revelation chapter 17 and 20 will give a pretty clear explanation of the time-line of the Great White Throne Judgment.......but we don't want to lose sight of the fact that there is going to be a final judgment for all men........both believers and unbelievers.  Every person will one day stand before Christ and be judged for his or her deeds. While it's very clear that the great white throne judgment is the final judgment........many Christians disagree on how it relates to the other judgments mentioned in the Bible........so let me try to explain in general terms.......especially what Paul is talking about in our passage today.

Here's my take on it.  Scripture seems clear to me that believers and non-believers will be judged at two separate times.  The judgment seat of Christ......or the Bema Seat of Christ is for believers and the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation chapter 20 is for non-believers.  Revelation 20 states very clearly that two different sets of books will be opened up at this judgment.......one contains the records of everyone’s deeds.......whether they are good or evil.........everything that has ever been said, done, or even thought will be laid bare before the Holy God of creation.  The other is the Book of Life.......if your name isn't recorded there......you will be cast into hell.  It would appear that the book of all of your deeds is going to be opened so that you can easily see that God's judgment is deserved.......even though it is not your deeds that has put you in this place.......it will be your lack of acceptance of the salvation that has been offered you.  Then the Book of Life will be opened and........."Hey, look.......your name's not here!"  It will be a horrible time for those who are there........a time I believe Christ made mention of several times in the Gospels when He talked about being cast into the fire and there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  That's the Great White Throne Judgment.

The Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema Seat of Christ appears to be for believers only.  @ 2 Corinth 5:10..........Romans 14:10-12.......and today's passage all speak of the same event.  They refer to a time when every believer will stand before the Lord Jesus Christ and give an account of their service to Him.  Verse 11 makes it clear that this is an event that is for believers only........ For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  In other words........if you aren’t building from your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.........then you won't be at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  And there are so many different theologies regarding what's going to take place that it really needs to be sorted out and explained.  Look at the last two verses of today's passage........ 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

I've always liked that "rewards" part of the verse.......but the "he will suffer loss" part has always caused me serious angst!!!!  And after a more thorough study than I've done in the past.......I have to admit that I've changed my thoughts on what will take place at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

@I think there's some genuine questions that need to be answered regarding this whole idea of the Judgment Seat of Christ.  

@Why are we brought before the Bema? 

@Is it only for rewards or their loss? 

@Will any punishment be meted out? 

@Will there be great sorrow? 

@What’s the basis on which the Bema is conducted? Is it sin, good works, or just what?

First.......let's take a look at the three main theological views of the "bema".......

Some Bible teachers view the judgment seat as a place of intense sorrow.......a place of terror.........a place where Christ will display all the believer’s sins........or at least those unconfessed sins........before the entire resurrected and raptured church. Some go even further by stating that Christians must experience some sort of suffering for their sins at the time of this examination.  And I tell you that this is very close to the position that I maintained before this study.  I can easily go back to my childhood and being raised in the Catholic church to discover why I held this belief......but it doesn't line up with Scripture. Scripture clearly teaches.......in so many different writings......that a true believer will not come into judgment because the penalty for all sin.........past, present, and future has been nailed to the cross.  The believer is placed beyond condemnation......and is accepted as perfect in Christ.  

At the other end of the spectrum........another group views this event as an awards ceremony........sorta like the Christian Oscars.  Awards are handed out to every Christian. The result of this judgment will be that each Christian will be grateful for the reward which he receives.........and he will have little or no shame or bad feelings.

Then there's a middle ground that maintains the seriousness of what Christ will be examining.........and yet emphasize the commendation aspect of the judgment seat. They emphasize the importance and necessity of faithful living today.........but reject any thought of punishment at the Bema.  They would hold to a position that says every act or deed that was done through the energy of the flesh will be regarded as worthless for reward........while all that was done in the power of the Holy Spirit will be rewarded.  Those who hold this view believe that we will stand glorified before Christ without guilt because we have been declared righteous.   

This last view I believe to be the one that is most in alignment with Scripture.......and though I see a very real danger in holding this view.......it seems to be the right one.  The danger I see is that it might tempt a Christian to live a life that is less than what it should be simply because, "Hey.......nothing's going to happen to me anyway!"   The fact is that a true believer......who loves his Savior......is also very aware that God’s Word clearly teaches there are specific and serious consequences for sin and deliberate disobedience.  Though we won't be judged.......in the sense of punished........for sin.......since the Lord has already taken that for us.......we can never take sin lightly because there are a lot of consequences.  

There's a lot that has contributed to a misunderstanding of what the Judgment Seat of Christ is........even starting with the term "judgment seat" that most English translations use.  The word that's translated "judgment seat" is a single word "bema" in the Greek writing.  If you look at the historical and cultural background of the term "bema" I think we get a better idea of what we're dealing with.  

Though the term is used in two of the Gospels to describe where Pilate sat to pronounce judgment on Jesus.......its use in the epistles by Paul is more in keeping with its original use among the Greeks...........because Paul used it alluding to the Greek athletic contests........where the contestants would compete for the prize........ @and the victor was led to the awards platform called the Bema.......where a laurel wreath was placed on his head as a symbol of victory.

In all of these passages........Paul was picturing the believer as a competitor in a spiritual contest. And just like the athlete appeared before the Bema to receive his perishable award.......so the Christian will appear before Christ’s Bema to receive his imperishable award. The judge at the Bema gave rewards to the victors.........he didn't whip the losers..........he didn't sentence them to hard labor.........he rewarded them.

It's a reward seat.........it's a time of rewards or loss of rewards following an examination by a judge..........but it's not a time of punishment where believers are judged for their sins.......purely and simply because that would be inconsistent with the finished work of Christ on the Cross where He totally paid the penalty for our sins. It's a place where rewards will be given or lost depending on how we've used our life for the Lord.  Rev. 22:12..........Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.  His reward is with Him........not His punishment.

I admit that I can argue the other side with a couple of verses........but the overwhelming evidence is that it is not used for punishment.

The bottom line is this.........salvation is a gift........on top of that gift there are rewards given for faithfulness in the Christian life..........and loss of rewards for unfaithfulness.  Contrary to what many people think.........rewards should actually become a great motivation for how we live our lives. But we need to understand the nature of these rewards to understand the nature of the motivation. Many people are troubled by the doctrine of rewards because it seems to suggest “merit” instead of “grace”........and they say we should only serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.  And that's what we'll get into the next time I teach........what are we supposed to be building with......and what are the nature of the rewards?

Any questions or comments?

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Part Deux

You are going to die some day......think about that.......you are going to die.  You won't walk this earth......you won't laugh and play and hug your loved ones........you will die.  Now I know you didn't come to church this morning to get depressed......and that's not the intention here at all.......but the fact is you are going to die......unless the Lord returns beforehand.  What I've found interesting about this reality is that the older I get........the more it doesn't sound like a bad thing at all.  When I was young and strong and bullet-proof........the thought about the idea of diing.......I really wasn't that keen on it.  "Come on Lord.......let me stick around here a while longer."  But as the years go by.......as youth gives way to maturity.......and maturity gives way to old age.......it ain't sounding that bad.  Don't get me wrong......I'm still loving life......I feel sorry for anyone who's not me.......but there comes a time when I think we actually realize that God wasn't kidding.......Jesus really did leave to prepare a place for me........and that place is so much better than what I have here.......and what I have here is wonderful.  

But the emphasis of the passage that we're dealing with today is the inevitability of life coming to an end. One day.........every one of us will wake up dead........and we'll stand before our Lord and an account will be made for the life we've lived here on earth.  This's what Paul's reminder is today.  

There's an old saying, "Only one life.......will soon be passed; only what’s done for Christ will last.".......and that's where we're at this morning.......as we "return to the scene of the crime".......which happens to be the same passage we were in last time......in order to try to fully explain what Paul was saying.  We took something of a detour on our last outing talking about the Bema seat or the Judgment seat if Christ........and I believe we covered it well enough to understand that it is a place each and every believer will stand before our Lord where He will distribute rewards for our deeds here on earth........which is what this passage deals with.  And one thing I pointed out.......though I didn't spend a lot of time on it.......are the different interpretations of this passage regarding "suffering loss".  

Without a doubt a case can be made from Scripture that all of our deeds will be judged.......the good and the bad......and reward or punishment will be distributed accordingly.......in fact......that is what I believed prior to looking in depth at the passage.  But after studying it this time........I came to the conclusion that the Bema Seat will be a place of reward.......and that the loss suffered is the same as it would be in an athletic endeavor........you ran the race and others got the reward.......and you know that it could have been you.......a loss suffered......but not a punishment.  And there were so many verses that pointed to this interpretation.........like Matthew 16:27........“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”..........that's how the NIV puts it.......probably a more literal translation would be "........He will recompense each person according to their doing."   But the majority of references to the judgment of believers seemed to indicate a time of reward and not punishment.

But I know I'm not the final authority on any passage........and I've always tried to teach any passage that could have alternate interpretations with the caveat that other views of a passage could be correct........and that was my intent on this passage.  The best understanding that I could come up with is that the Bema Seat will not be a place of punishment.......but of rewards.  If your study takes you to another conclusion........then deal with it in that manner until the Holy Spirit changes your thoughts on the matter.......or until you can ask God face to face what He meant by this passage.

And we ended with the statement that the bottom line is that salvation is a gift........on top of that gift there are rewards given for faithfulness in the Christian life..........and loss of rewards for unfaithfulness........which is where we start this time.........and contrary to what many people think.........rewards should actually become a great motivation for how we live our lives. But we need to understand the nature of these rewards to understand the nature of the motivation. Many people are troubled by the doctrine of rewards because it seems to suggest “merit” instead of “grace”........and they say we should only serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.  And that's what we're going to get into this morning........along with the questions of what are we supposed to be building with......and what are the nature of the rewards?  When we understand these things.......we'll have a pretty good grasp of the passage.

So......let's look at the passage we're dealing with and try to figure out the answers to these questions.......... 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So......let's start with motivation and get that one out of the way first.  Is it true..... as some people think.......that we step over the line of grace when we utilize the doctrine of rewards as a motivation for Christian living?  Are we adding something here that doesn't exist?  Well......it's very plain that it isn't salvation that's being talked about here........because you've built upon the foundation that was laid......Jesus Christ.......and secondly.......if your work gets burned up you'll still be saved.  And Paul makes it pretty clear in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20...........that he drew courage and was motivated by the fact of rewards at the return of the Lord.......he writes......19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.  

In fact one of the primary subjects of his second letter to the Thessalonians is Christ's return and what's in store for believers.  The Lord’s return and what it means not only to the world but to us individually is a very prominent subject of the New Testament.  I think it's significant that among the final words that Jesus tells John in his Revelation........the last book of the Bible...........Revelation 22:12....... 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Jesus seems to indicate that He's coming with His reward........and we should be looking forward to it.  That sounds like a pretty motivational verse to me.

Of course we should serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.......and understanding the nature of rewards will help us do that. But the fact still remains that the Bible promises us rewards. God gives us salvation. It's a gift through faith.......and it's completely free........but He rewards us for good works. 

So......back to our passage........we know the foundation that's been laid is Jesus Christ......and there's no other foundation that we're supposed to build our lives upon but this one.......but the words used and the sentence structure certainly shows that it's up to us......individually........to do the building.  And this reminds me of the teaching that Jim gave a couple of weeks ago regarding our personal responsibility in our spiritual lives.

And if you remember he was dealing with the fact that we're to PUT OFF and PUT ON certain attributes as believers......and it isn't just a suggestion.......God demands it.  While Jim was teaching that passage in Colossians 3......I kept going back to one of his earlier teachings in the book......Colossians 1:29......."And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."  Paul says that it's us.......individually........we're to labor........we're to strive.......but we're to do it with the power of Christ within us. 

@I want to make it clear that Paul is probably one of the most adamant teachers there is that our salvation is free.......but when you look at this passage that we're in....verse 12......."if any man builds"......verse 13......"each man's work"........verse 14....... "if any man's work".......verse 15......."if any man's work"........he makes it very plain that we are looking at what we do here on earth......the works we perform......or fail to perform is what's being talked about here.......and make no doubt......they will be judged.

There's something we need to talk about here regarding the context of this passage.  Remember that Paul is talking in the context of church leaders......remember the last verses we dealt with....... 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Many take this concept of building with gold, silver and precious stones or wood hay and straw as dealing with church leaders and teachers........and Paul has laid a foundation for the church leaders at Corinth to build upon.  They can choose to build with gold, silver and precious stones......which could be likened to solid doctrine......God's Word........or they can use wood, hay and straw which would be the philosophies of the Greeks and their own wisdom.  I believe you could view this passage that way and not be out of line at all.......as the context seems to indicate this.  But I would be remiss if I didn't include a broader application that there are permanent and temporary works that each of us can involve ourselves in.......and there is a striking contrast between them.

God sets before each one of us the command to build our lives in His service.......He gives us the Holy Spirit to enable us.......He gives us the grace to endure.......but the decision to serve.......and the diligence employed in that service are our responsibility and God views this as rewardable. 

So it's up to us to build.......and it would appear that we have a choice of what we build with..........gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw.......and the final test of what we built here on earth is going to be fire.  There's no doubt that Paul is using a metaphor here that paints a picture of a spiritual application from common language that we use every day..........because I've built a lot of things in my lifetime......but I've never used gold or silver or precious stones to do it.  So Paul is saying that the building blocks we use for this life that we build has got to be something valuable.......something lasting.......something that will not be burned up by fire.  What are those things?

Well.......I started to make a list of those things that we can involve ourselves in that would have lasting results......those "good deeds" that it would seem that all of us should be doing......kindness to others........paying special attention to widows and orphans.......feeding the hungry........visiting the shut-ins........taking special time for the elderly......the mentally deficient........and the list could go on and on and on and probably not be exhausted even after we've thought of every kind act we could think of.  Then I looked at the list........and I thought to myself, "My unbelieving neighbor could do every one of these things."  So......it's got to be more than that.  

It has to be something spiritual.......it has to bring God glory.......it has to fit in with His plan........not mine........so what is it?  In looking at Ephesians 2:10 it seems to be stuff that God plans for us............For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  OK......so it would make sense that if the work I do is going to pass the test of fire then it would fall in line with what God has prepared for me to do.

What else?  Well........all of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians deals with spiritual gifts.......God equipping each believer in at least one area of ministry that He has chosen for us in order that the Body of Christ........the church.......would not be lacking in anything it needs.  It would make sense then that I should try to ascertain what my spiritual gift or gifts are and I should probably try to work along the lines of what God has apportioned for me. 

Anything else?  Well.........it should go without saying that the only things of eternal value in this world are those things that are actually eternal.  Our life in this world is temporal.......not eternal.......and therefore.......the only part of life that has eternal value is something that lasts through eternity.

Well.......I've read the Scriptures........some more than others.......admittedly......I've spent a lot more time in the book of Romans than in the book of Numbers.......but I've read it all.  And in the reading of God's Word something struck me many years ago.......some of you have been around long enough to probably remember a teaching I did on it a long time back.  If you go through God's Word with the intent of finding what will continue from this world that we now live in and go on into eternity.......what is going to pass through the veil of death and live on forever.......you'll only find three things........God.......God's Word......and the souls of men.  That's it.  God is here now........and He will be forever.  God's Word is here now and Scripture says that it's eternal.......we will still have it in eternity.  And the souls of men pass from this life into an eternal state.

The earth won't survive.......there's going to be a new heaven and a new earth.  Money won't be there........no need for it.  Time won't be there.......we'll be outside of time.  Prestige.......self fulfillment........a good job........fancy car.......nope......none of it.......it will all burn up.......it's nothing but wood, hay and straw.  And yet these are the things that most people spend all of their lives pursuing........and it'll all be burned up........and it's not only been a problem for mankind.....it's been a problem for God's people.  Moses addressed this issue 3,500 years ago as his people were about to enter the Promised Land. He warned them not to forget about God........Deuteronomy 8:12–14...........11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; 12 otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.   And that sounds like it was written to America in the 21st century........to God's own people today.

Jesus warned His listeners of the same thing in Matthew 6:19-20.......19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  That's what Paul's talking about here.......eternal treasures........stuff that lasts. 

So.......if we're looking to involve ourselves in works that will stand the test of fire.......then we need to look no further than God........God's Word.......and the souls of men.......and in-as-much as we are involved in those three things in this lifetime......we are involved in eternity.......and that's what we were looking for when we started........what's going to last.......what is it that's going to stand the test of fire.......what is it that's made of gold, silver and precious stone?

What it boils down to is this.......@God has prepared good works in advance for us to be involved in........@He's equipped us with the spiritual gifts to accomplish those good works.......@He's given us the Holy Spirit to not only guide us in these endeavors......but to give us the strength and power to accomplish them........@and all of them will in some manner deal with God........God's Word........and the souls of men.  With this as our guideline.......suddenly the list becomes exhaustive.......endless.  You may be thinking, "Hey.......I'm no Bible teacher........I'm no evangelist.......what can I do?"

We need to recognize that it was God's choice which spiritual gifts He gave to each one of us.........and if we think our gifts are insignificant.......Paul was very clear in his teaching on gifts that the church...........the body of Christ...........is made up of many parts.  And God has arranged the parts in the body just as He wanted them to be........and He even tells us that those parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable.  So......if you're exercising your spiritual gifts.........you're playing a significant role in the body of Christ.........and doing something that has eternal value.

Remember........here on earth.........Christ has no body but ours.........no hands but ours.........no feet but ours.  The Body of Christ here on earth is the church.......it's the vehicle He's left to further His kingdom here.  We are here for an incredibly short period of time........and Spiritual gifts are God’s way of administering His grace to others. Every member of Christ’s body can make meaningful contributions........can impact eternity.......when we seek to glorify God through our obedience and perseverance.   That's when we'll be building with the “gold, silver, and costly stones” that have true eternal value.

There are a couple of other things we need to realize in this passage.  What's being judged here.......and though this may seem insignificant.......I don't think it is.  No matter which person you are......one who built with gold, silver or costly stones.......or whether you're the person who built with wood, hay and straw.......either one of them are going to be saved.......they both built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  So it isn't a judgment on the person.......the person is saved.  It's a judgment on the quality of the work done........on the quality of the building materials.  

Those people of the Catholic faith use this passage to justify their belief in Purgatory........a place we go to between heaven and earth to be punished for what we've done.......but it is clearly the quality of the work.......the materials used......and not the person who is going to burn........the poor quality work will be burned......not the person.

Let me give you an illustration for what's being talked about regarding the quality of the work........regarding building with gold, silver and precious stones.......and just what kind of building it's possible to construct.     

@Anybody know the name Edward Kimball?  Well.......Edward Kimball was a man born in the early 1800's and he was a Sunday School teacher.......a layman......a regular guy.  One day.........concerned about one of his young Sunday school students who worked at a shoe store in town...........Kimball visited him at the store........found the student working in the back stocking shelves........and led him to Christ then and there. The boy's name......... @Dwight L. Moody.  Moody eventually left the shoe store to become one of the greatest preachers and evangelists of all time.

Eventually.......Moody.........whose international speaking took him to the British Isles........preached in a little chapel pastored by a young man with the imposing name of @Frederic Brotherton Meyer.  In his sermon Moody told an emotionally charged story about a Sunday school teacher who personally went to every student in his class and led each of them to Christ.

That message changed Pastor Meyer’s ministry.........inspiring him to become an evangelist like Moody. Over the years Meyer came to America. While speaking in Northfield, Massacheusetts........a young preacher heard Meyer say, “If you are not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?” That remark led @J. Wilbur Chapman to respond to the call of Jesus Christ on his life.

Chapman went on to become one of the most effective evangelists of his time. A volunteer by the name of @Billy Sunday helped set up his crusades and learned how to preach by watching Chapman. Billy Sunday eventually took over Chapman’s ministry becoming one of the most dynamic evangelists of this century. Billy Sunday’s preaching brought thousands to Christ.

Inspired by a 1924 Billy Sunday crusade in Charlotte, NC.......a group of Christians dedicated themselves to reaching their city for Christ. The group invited the evangelist @Mordecai Ham to come and hold a series of evangelistic meetings in 1932. A lanky 16 year old sat in the huge crowd one evening, spellbound by the message the white-haired preacher gave. Each evening the preacher seemed to be shouting and waving his finger at the young man. Night after night the teen came and finally went forward to give his life to Christ.

That teenager was @Billy Graham. Billy Graham has communicated the gospel to more people than any other person in history. And it all started with a Sunday school teacher named Kimball. Millions have been affected by his decision to go into a shoe store and share Christ with one person. Millions more will continue to feel his impact.  

I don't want to make something up here......because I'm not at all certain what those building blocks of gold.......silver......and precious stones really are.......but we can certainly assume some of those building blocks could be the souls of men who were spiritually affected by our lives.  If that's the case.......imagine the shining structure the men in this geneology had built in their lifetimes.  Can something like this happen today? Of course it can.   But this lineage didn't start with a preacher.......didn't start with an evangelist.  It started with a plain ol' guy who had a heart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted to tell others.  He was concerned enough for a boy in his Sunday School class that he went and visited him where he worked.......just to encourage him.

You don't have to be a preacher.......you don't have to have the gift of evangelism.......you only have to be willing to be used by God for the purpose that He created you........to bring glory to Him........however that may be.  One thing is clear.......the degree to which I live like Jesus will determine the degree to which I will one day be rewarded by Jesus. This is Paul’s emphasis in our passage today. Every Christian will be judged according to the QUALITY of the life they have built on the foundation of Christ.......and it will come in a variety of ways.  

It may be in the form of encouraging young people......encouraging old people.......spending time with shut ins or making a meal for a family who's mother is sick.  Whatever we do for God's glory.......in the power of the Spirit without any thought for ourselves or our advancement........all of that has got to be part of those building blocks that will withstand the test of fire.  We just have to be willing.

Remember in the book of Isaiah.........chapter 6......verse 8...... "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”"

Do you want to build treasures in heaven?  At the Judgment Seat of Christ......do you want to hear Him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant"?  It's not just going to happen.......it has to be purposed........it takes effort......it takes striving.  And it starts with the same response that Isaiah had.......HERE I AM LORD.......SEND ME!

    Just a side note..........The one question that we didn't answer this morning is the very nature of the rewards that we'll be recieving........so the next time we meet in this book we'll start with that and then continue in chapter 3 with verse 16.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Part Trois

Alright.......this is the third time we've been in this same passage of Scripture.......and I'm not sure you could come up with six verses that contain this much theology that needs explanation if you tried.  A casual look at the passage doesn't seem to indicate how much it contains regarding differing viewpoints.......but in a careful study you begin to see just how rich it is and how much theology it deals with.  

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

In the first session we did on these verses we dealt with an analogy of this passage with the story of the Three Little Pigs.......maybe not appropriate when talking with some of those folks who are a little more spiritual than I am.......but it worked for me.  Because these verses deal with how diligent we are supposed to be in building our spiritual lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ.........and the passage clearly states that building our lives requires some effort on our part.  After we got off the 3 Little Pigs analogy we went into an explanation of the Bema Seat or the Judgment Seat of Christ......and attempted to lay out the varying views of just what that judgment will entail.

The second session we mainly dealt with the aspect of motivation........should the anticipated rewards cause motivation for us to live our lives in a manner that we look forward to Christ's return and the rewards He brings with Him?  We further talked about the fact that Paul makes it very plain that the judgment we're looking at deals with what we do here on earth......the works we perform......or fail to perform......so there is definitely a "deeds" aspect to Paul's teaching.  

So it's up to us to build.......and it would appear that we have a choice of what we build with..........gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw.......and the final test of what we built here on earth is going to be fire.  So.......if we're looking to involve ourselves in works that will stand the test of fire.......then we need to look no further than God........God's Word.......and the souls of men.......and in-as-much as we are involved in those three things in this lifetime......we are involved in eternity.  

Every Christian will be judged according to the QUALITY of the life they have built on the foundation of Christ.......and it will come in a variety of ways.  Whatever we do for God's glory.......in the power of the Spirit without any thought for ourselves or our advancement........all of that has got to be part of those building blocks that will withstand the test of fire.  And that segment ended with an encouragement to utilize our spiritual gifts to that end.  We just have to be willing.

So now we turn to the one element of this passage that we haven't hit upon yet and that is the nature of the rewards that are going to be earned.......and remember there's a huge difference when we're talking about these rewards and our salvation.  Paul is absolutely clear that salvation is a free gift.......but the rewards that he's talking about here are earned by believers.  But what is it that we're working for.......what rewards has Scripture promised?  Because one myth that is pretty common in Christian circles is that each and every one of us will enjoy equal standing in Heaven........is that true?  And if that's not true then this must be part of the rewards that Paul's talking about here.

I don't know how many of you may remember the teaching on the Christian Response to Homosexuality.......it was a three part series done last year.......but in the second installment of that teaching we dealt with the fact that there are, in fact, sins that are greater than other sins......and in looking at my notes on that teaching......we encompassed three full pages of teaching and Scripture verses laying out that God does view some sins as "graver"........more serious than others.  

Well......let's face it......if there is "greater punishment" for some sins......then it would logically stand to reason that there are greater rewards......and greater positions in eternity for some people.  But we don't want to stand on logic alone to draw our conclusions from.......Scripture is pretty plain about this fact also........although God loves each of us without end.........some will be given positions of higher status, authority, and responsibility than others.   We see it in several places starting with Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.............Matthew 5:17-19......... 17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 

If everyone is equal in Heaven.........then how can some be "great" while others are "least"? This isn't a contradiction........but an indication of the true nature of Heaven. Jesus then goes on in that same Gospel to answer the Apostles' question about what their place in eternity will be by telling them in Matthew 19:27-30........... 27 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Clearly the first portion of this passage is talking directly to the twelve Apostles.......but that latter portion appears to deal with all believers.  Whether our earthly deeds are deserving of gain or loss is completely dependent upon what we do in our earthly lives.  In this life there are a lot of examples that we see where we exclaim......"That's not fair!"  We won't be able to do that in eternity.......because it will be a place where true justice......true fairness will reign.

I'll tell you straight up that after studying this passage for several months now.......I still don't know the exact nature of all of the rewards that await Christ's faithful when it comes to eternity......but I can tell you a few things.  Jesus.......knowing the nature of Heaven and the rewards that await us........discouraged us from becoming captives of this world and its fleeting pleasures. Instead.......He encouraged us to focus on the accumulation of heavenly treasures.  Matthew 6:19-21............."Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be".

We shouldn't have any doubt that the doctrine of rewards is taught in Scripture...... but this passage actually commands us to pursue those rewards.......or those treasures.  It's pretty clear that every disciple should lay up eternal reward........and it's not a selfish endeavor........it's God's appointed way that believers are supposed to follow.  Kinda makes you wonder why so many of us spend a lifetime hoarding earthly treasures......earthly status......none of that goes into eternity.

One of the reasons why I can't fully tell you the nature of the rewards that await us is because I'm not capable of it.  It's not that I'm the dumbest guy in the world.......because I know there's two other guys dumber than me.......I think they live in Nova Scotia.  The reason is that Scripture says I'm just not enlightened enough to understand it..........1 Corinthians 2:9........"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”" The rewards are going to be so much greater than we can even imagine.......that should be quite an incentive for us.  

Now I've always thought that fear can be a strong motivator......but God’s primary method of motivation is love. Therefore........God describes ways in which He'll reward Christians who go “above and beyond the call of duty.” Every student's familiar with the concept of “extra credit”. It's usually a question at the end of an assignment or a test that's not required.........but it provides the student an opportunity to receive bonus points........usually to make up for other questions that the student might have gotten wrong.........and if anybody needs extra credit......it's me!  

Everybody from teachers to parents to employers understand that the promise of reward can be a strong incentive for a person to put out a better effort. In a sense.......God has laid out an “extra credit” program for Christians.......and though we can't completely understand it........one of the things we do know is that some of our heavenly treasure that we're laying up will take the form of CROWNS.  Scripture talks about different crowns that believers are able to receive.......and depending upon how you look at it and how you interpret various Scripture passages.......you may be able to get up to 12 crowns.......or maybe just 8........or it could be just 5..........but they are available.....and for the sake of time and countless ramblings by some Bible scholars......we're going to limit you to only 5 crowns......which I hope is still enough motivation for you!

And we'll start with what's referred to as @ The Crown of Victory.........or also known as The Incorruptible Crown........1 Corinthians 9:24-27..........."Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 

Probably more than any other......this passage most clearly defines the context in which crowns will be awarded........so it’s a good one to look at first. The Crown of Victory is also the one that the Bible has the most to say about because it’s one that every believer can win. Paul used a sports analogy to help us understand the rules for winning so we wouldn’t be confused about how this works.

Just like the Olympics........winning the Victors crown requires that competitors qualify for the event........and then compete. For us.......qualifying means being saved........because these crowns are  for believers only. Then we go into “strict training” in order to increase our chances for victory.  Olympic athletes aren't satisfied just to qualify for the games.  They want to win the event they qualified for.  In the same way Christians shouldn't be satisfied just to be saved........even if it does mean gaining eternal life. That’s just the beginning.  We should also want to win crowns.  It’s a way to express our gratitude for the gift of salvation and be rewarded at the same time.  And in going for this crown we’re not competing against each other.......but against our old selves..........what Scripture calls “the flesh”.

Achieving victory means putting our flesh to death........getting rid of our selfish desires........our bad habits and attitudes.......anything that might bring shame upon the Lord. The Bible has a lot to say about what it takes to win this crown.......in fact, every one of Paul’s letters to the Church exhorts us to compete for this crown........out of gratitude for what we’ve been given. Gaining victory over the flesh is the best thing we can do to show the Lord how thankful we are that He saved us.

If we’re in Christ.......we’re a new creation in God’s eyes. I like to think of us as "royalty in training." Our challenge is to live up to what we’ve already become by acting like who we are in Christ. Those who succeed will receive the Crown of Victory.

If you want to win this crown........and it seems like one worth winning.......make sure to listen to the Holy Spirit within you. Train yourself so that your every thought........ feeling, and action is controlled.......that your thoughts and actions are measured and judged in accordance to God's will for your life. 

The second crown we'll talk about is @ The Crown of Rejoicing.......or The Soul Winner's Crown.........and it seems to be indicated in a couple of verses..........Philippians 4:1.........Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.  and........

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20........ 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy."  

This crown is reserved for those whose spiritual efforts here on earth have led to others becoming believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul states........this crown will be a source of pride and joy for all of eternity........represented not only in the form of a crown........but in the form of actual fellow Christians who'll be a source of joy for the Lord for all of eternity.  Now I have to admit.......I don't know exactly how this one works......whether you get a crown for each person who accepts Jesus Christ through your efforts.......or if it's like the old "Green Stamps" book......where you have to fill up a whole page to get a set of steak knives.    We just have to make the most of every opportunity the Lord brings across our path. And remember........we’re judged here by our effort........not our results. Each person bears the responsibility for his or her own choice regarding salvation. But however it works......this seems like a good one to have.

So.......if you want to win this crown.........whenever the opportunity presents itself to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with another person........make sure to do it and you'll be storing up treasures in heaven.  

The next one we'll talk about is @ The Crown of Righteousness.......and we see it in  2 Timothy 4:7-8........ 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

This crown is reserved for those who eagerly and patiently await the promised return of Jesus Christ. Throughout the Scriptures........Jesus encourages us to be good and faithful servants who are prepared for the Master's return. One day........He will come "like a thief in the night"........unexpectedly........and only those who have lived their lives in daily anticipation of this moment will be awarded this crown.  

If you look at the context of this passage I think it's interesting to note that he didn't say.........“Now, if you fight a good fight you'll receive the Crown of Righteousness.” 

He didn't say........“If you run a good race, you'll receive the Crown of Righteousness.” 

He didn't say...........“If you keep the faith, you'll receive the Crown of Righteousness.” 

He says........“If you love His appearing.........you will.” 

Every man who loves the appearing of the Lord will receive the crown........because you cannot love His appearing without fighting a good fight. You cannot love His appearing without running a good race. You cannot love His appearing without guarding the faith..

If you want to win this crown.......make sure to live every day of your life with the constant expectation that Christ could return at a moment's notice.

@ The Crown of Life is the next reward we'll discuss.........and we find both James and John talking about it.............

James 1:12........... Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Revelation 2:10.......... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This crown is reserved for those believers who endure testing......temptation......  persecution.........suffering........and even martyrdom for Jesus Christ. Believing in Christ has never been a recipe for carefree living in a world that hates Him.  Jesus was pretty plain when He said if the world mocked, ridiculed, and murdered Him........then why should His followers expect to avoid suffering? We can't. Some are certainly going to suffer worse than others........but everyone who remains faithful will receive the crown of life.

Remember John writing in the book of Revelation to the church as Smyrna?  Well.......history tells us that the pastor at the time of John’s writing was a man by the name of Polycarp. Polycarp himself died for the cause of Jesus Christ. History records the last words of Polycarp as he faced execution for His faith..........when he was urged to renounce Christ he replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never did me wrong. How can I now speak evil of my King who has saved me?”  At that they tied the old man to a stake and burned him to death. He was faithful unto death. Polycarp secured the Crown of Life. 

You see........this crown goes to the faithful........not to the fearful. If you want to win this crown.........make sure to love Jesus Christ more than you love your own life.  Don't let the world dictate your standards......don't let it force you into a mold......no matter what the consequences might be.  

@ The Crown of Glory is the last one we'll deal with this morning.......and we see it brought up by Peter........1 Peter 5:1-4......... Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The crown of glory is given to those who willingly shepherd God’s people here on earth........not because they're paid for it........or because they can "lord" it over a group of people.......or because it makes them feel important.......but because they're faithful to the call that the Holy Spirit has given them to help people maximize their spiritual potential. 

These people have got to exhibit love and humility......encouragement and responsibility to those that have been entrusted to them. Their motives and hearts have got to be pure........focused on serving God rather than serving themselves.

You may be sitting here thinking......."Well.......I guess I don't get that one."  But understand that all of us should be striving to be mentors and leaders to those who are less spiritually mature.  It's not just for professional pastors in our culture.  In fact.......I have to seriously wonder how many of those guys will qualify.  Paul told Timothy that men should strive......or aspire to leadership within Christ's church.  @ In 1 Timothy 3:1it says...... It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 

It's what each of us should be doing.  I think God recognizes that it's hard and often thankless work to shepherd His people..........so He offers a crown to those who will carry out the task in a manner that glorifies His name.

If you want to win this crown........make sure you're a good example to those who look to you for spiritual guidance..........and be a good and faithful steward of those God has entrusted to your care.

That's as close as I can come to deciphering the rewards that Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians chapter 3.  There's other Scriptures that discuss the fact that Jesus has much in store for His people.......more than we could possibly dream of.  But our ability to receive each reward is in direct correlation with how we handle the earthly opportunities He gives us. 

Remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25?  In that passage each servant is entrusted with a certain number of talents........each according to his ability.  And that's important.......it's according to our ability.  God doesn't expect something of us that we aren't equipped to do.  In the end........each is rewarded by the master on the basis of how he had invested the talents.  It's going to be the same with us.........each of us will be rewarded on the basis of how we've advanced the kingdom of Heaven here on earth.  We can't live our lives in "default mode".  There's got to be a purposing to rid ourselves of the world in our thoughts and actions.......and be the people that God has ordained us to be.

All who trust in Jesus Christ will experience eternity in His presence. In Heaven.......there won't be sorrow.......death......crying.......or pain. But there's no guarantee we won't experience regret........some loss suffered.  We won't look back out of jealousy or envy or pride..........but with the simple wish we would have glorified His name to a greater degree while we were here on earth. If that's the case........we should take advantage of the time we have left.

The things of this world should be of little value to Christians. We know that accumulation of wealth........career advancement........and earthly pleasures have no lasting value. Only a life that gives glory to Jesus Christ has lasting value. If God is showing you areas of your life that you need to do something about.......then get on with it........don't waste another minute.

Rearrange the priorities of your life.........look forward to His coming with great confidence..........live out the example set by Christ........and if you do those things you're promised to experience great reward for all of eternity. The time to do it is now.........we never know when our window of opportunity will close forever.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Part Deux

You are going to die some day......think about that.......you are going to die.  You won't walk this earth......you won't laugh and play and hug your loved ones........you will die.  Now I know you didn't come to church this morning to get depressed......and that's not the intention here at all.......but the fact is you are going to die......unless the Lord returns beforehand.  What I've found interesting about this reality is that the older I get........the more it doesn't sound like a bad thing at all.  When I was young and strong and bullet-proof........the thought about the idea of diing.......I really wasn't that keen on it.  "Come on Lord.......let me stick around here a while longer."  But as the years go by.......as youth gives way to maturity.......and maturity gives way to old age.......it ain't sounding that bad.  Don't get me wrong......I'm still loving life......I feel sorry for anyone who's not me.......but there comes a time when I think we actually realize that God wasn't kidding.......Jesus really did leave to prepare a place for me........and that place is so much better than what I have here.......and what I have here is wonderful.  

But the emphasis of the passage that we're dealing with today is the inevitability of life coming to an end. One day.........every one of us will wake up dead........and we'll stand before our Lord and an account will be made for the life we've lived here on earth.  This's what Paul's reminder is today.  

There's an old saying, "Only one life.......will soon be passed; only what’s done for Christ will last.".......and that's where we're at this morning.......as we "return to the scene of the crime".......which happens to be the same passage we were in last time......in order to try to fully explain what Paul was saying.  We took something of a detour on our last outing talking about the Bema seat or the Judgment seat if Christ........and I believe we covered it well enough to understand that it is a place each and every believer will stand before our Lord where He will distribute rewards for our deeds here on earth........which is what this passage deals with.  And one thing I pointed out.......though I didn't spend a lot of time on it.......are the different interpretations of this passage regarding "suffering loss".  

Without a doubt a case can be made from Scripture that all of our deeds will be judged.......the good and the bad......and reward or punishment will be distributed accordingly.......in fact......that is what I believed prior to looking in depth at the passage.  But after studying it this time........I came to the conclusion that the Bema Seat will be a place of reward.......and that the loss suffered is the same as it would be in an athletic endeavor........you ran the race and others got the reward.......and you know that it could have been you.......a loss suffered......but not a punishment.  And there were so many verses that pointed to this interpretation.........like Matthew 16:27........“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.”..........that's how the NIV puts it.......probably a more literal translation would be "........He will recompense each person according to their doing."   But the majority of references to the judgment of believers seemed to indicate a time of reward and not punishment.

But I know I'm not the final authority on any passage........and I've always tried to teach any passage that could have alternate interpretations with the caveat that other views of a passage could be correct........and that was my intent on this passage.  The best understanding that I could come up with is that the Bema Seat will not be a place of punishment.......but of rewards.  If your study takes you to another conclusion........then deal with it in that manner until the Holy Spirit changes your thoughts on the matter.......or until you can ask God face to face what He meant by this passage.

And we ended with the statement that the bottom line is that salvation is a gift........on top of that gift there are rewards given for faithfulness in the Christian life..........and loss of rewards for unfaithfulness........which is where we start this time.........and contrary to what many people think.........rewards should actually become a great motivation for how we live our lives. But we need to understand the nature of these rewards to understand the nature of the motivation. Many people are troubled by the doctrine of rewards because it seems to suggest “merit” instead of “grace”........and they say we should only serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.  And that's what we're going to get into this morning........along with the questions of what are we supposed to be building with......and what are the nature of the rewards?  When we understand these things.......we'll have a pretty good grasp of the passage.

So......let's look at the passage we're dealing with and try to figure out the answers to these questions.......... 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

So......let's start with motivation and get that one out of the way first.  Is it true..... as some people think.......that we step over the line of grace when we utilize the doctrine of rewards as a motivation for Christian living?  Are we adding something here that doesn't exist?  Well......it's very plain that it isn't salvation that's being talked about here........because you've built upon the foundation that was laid......Jesus Christ.......and secondly.......if your work gets burned up you'll still be saved.  And Paul makes it pretty clear in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20...........that he drew courage and was motivated by the fact of rewards at the return of the Lord.......he writes......19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.  

In fact one of the primary subjects of his second letter to the Thessalonians is Christ's return and what's in store for believers.  The Lord’s return and what it means not only to the world but to us individually is a very prominent subject of the New Testament.  I think it's significant that among the final words that Jesus tells John in his Revelation........the last book of the Bible...........Revelation 22:12....... 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Jesus seems to indicate that He's coming with His reward........and we should be looking forward to it.  That sounds like a pretty motivational verse to me.

Of course we should serve the Lord out of love and for God’s glory.......and understanding the nature of rewards will help us do that. But the fact still remains that the Bible promises us rewards. God gives us salvation. It's a gift through faith.......and it's completely free........but He rewards us for good works. 

So......back to our passage........we know the foundation that's been laid is Jesus Christ......and there's no other foundation that we're supposed to build our lives upon but this one.......but the words used and the sentence structure certainly shows that it's up to us......individually........to do the building.  And this reminds me of the teaching that Jim gave a couple of weeks ago regarding our personal responsibility in our spiritual lives.

And if you remember he was dealing with the fact that we're to PUT OFF and PUT ON certain attributes as believers......and it isn't just a suggestion.......God demands it.  While Jim was teaching that passage in Colossians 3......I kept going back to one of his earlier teachings in the book......Colossians 1:29......."And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."  Paul says that it's us.......individually........we're to labor........we're to strive.......but we're to do it with the power of Christ within us. 

@I want to make it clear that Paul is probably one of the most adamant teachers there is that our salvation is free.......but when you look at this passage that we're in....verse 12......."if any man builds"......verse 13......"each man's work"........verse 14....... "if any man's work".......verse 15......."if any man's work"........he makes it very plain that we are looking at what we do here on earth......the works we perform......or fail to perform is what's being talked about here.......and make no doubt......they will be judged.

There's something we need to talk about here regarding the context of this passage.  Remember that Paul is talking in the context of church leaders......remember the last verses we dealt with....... 5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Many take this concept of building with gold, silver and precious stones or wood hay and straw as dealing with church leaders and teachers........and Paul has laid a foundation for the church leaders at Corinth to build upon.  They can choose to build with gold, silver and precious stones......which could be likened to solid doctrine......God's Word........or they can use wood, hay and straw which would be the philosophies of the Greeks and their own wisdom.  I believe you could view this passage that way and not be out of line at all.......as the context seems to indicate this.  But I would be remiss if I didn't include a broader application that there are permanent and temporary works that each of us can involve ourselves in.......and there is a striking contrast between them.

God sets before each one of us the command to build our lives in His service.......He gives us the Holy Spirit to enable us.......He gives us the grace to endure.......but the decision to serve.......and the diligence employed in that service are our responsibility and God views this as rewardable. 

So it's up to us to build.......and it would appear that we have a choice of what we build with..........gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw.......and the final test of what we built here on earth is going to be fire.  There's no doubt that Paul is using a metaphor here that paints a picture of a spiritual application from common language that we use every day..........because I've built a lot of things in my lifetime......but I've never used gold or silver or precious stones to do it.  So Paul is saying that the building blocks we use for this life that we build has got to be something valuable.......something lasting.......something that will not be burned up by fire.  What are those things?

Well.......I started to make a list of those things that we can involve ourselves in that would have lasting results......those "good deeds" that it would seem that all of us should be doing......kindness to others........paying special attention to widows and orphans.......feeding the hungry........visiting the shut-ins........taking special time for the elderly......the mentally deficient........and the list could go on and on and on and probably not be exhausted even after we've thought of every kind act we could think of.  Then I looked at the list........and I thought to myself, "My unbelieving neighbor could do every one of these things."  So......it's got to be more than that.  

It has to be something spiritual.......it has to bring God glory.......it has to fit in with His plan........not mine........so what is it?  In looking at Ephesians 2:10 it seems to be stuff that God plans for us............For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  OK......so it would make sense that if the work I do is going to pass the test of fire then it would fall in line with what God has prepared for me to do.

What else?  Well........all of chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians deals with spiritual gifts.......God equipping each believer in at least one area of ministry that He has chosen for us in order that the Body of Christ........the church.......would not be lacking in anything it needs.  It would make sense then that I should try to ascertain what my spiritual gift or gifts are and I should probably try to work along the lines of what God has apportioned for me. 

Anything else?  Well.........it should go without saying that the only things of eternal value in this world are those things that are actually eternal.  Our life in this world is temporal.......not eternal.......and therefore.......the only part of life that has eternal value is something that lasts through eternity.

Well.......I've read the Scriptures........some more than others.......admittedly......I've spent a lot more time in the book of Romans than in the book of Numbers.......but I've read it all.  And in the reading of God's Word something struck me many years ago.......some of you have been around long enough to probably remember a teaching I did on it a long time back.  If you go through God's Word with the intent of finding what will continue from this world that we now live in and go on into eternity.......what is going to pass through the veil of death and live on forever.......you'll only find three things........God.......God's Word......and the souls of men.  That's it.  God is here now........and He will be forever.  God's Word is here now and Scripture says that it's eternal.......we will still have it in eternity.  And the souls of men pass from this life into an eternal state.

The earth won't survive.......there's going to be a new heaven and a new earth.  Money won't be there........no need for it.  Time won't be there.......we'll be outside of time.  Prestige.......self fulfillment........a good job........fancy car.......nope......none of it.......it will all burn up.......it's nothing but wood, hay and straw.  And yet these are the things that most people spend all of their lives pursuing........and it'll all be burned up........and it's not only been a problem for mankind.....it's been a problem for God's people.  Moses addressed this issue 3,500 years ago as his people were about to enter the Promised Land. He warned them not to forget about God........Deuteronomy 8:12–14...........11 “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; 12 otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.   And that sounds like it was written to America in the 21st century........to God's own people today.

Jesus warned His listeners of the same thing in Matthew 6:19-20.......19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  That's what Paul's talking about here.......eternal treasures........stuff that lasts. 

So.......if we're looking to involve ourselves in works that will stand the test of fire.......then we need to look no further than God........God's Word.......and the souls of men.......and in-as-much as we are involved in those three things in this lifetime......we are involved in eternity.......and that's what we were looking for when we started........what's going to last.......what is it that's going to stand the test of fire.......what is it that's made of gold, silver and precious stone?

What it boils down to is this.......@God has prepared good works in advance for us to be involved in........@He's equipped us with the spiritual gifts to accomplish those good works.......@He's given us the Holy Spirit to not only guide us in these endeavors......but to give us the strength and power to accomplish them........@and all of them will in some manner deal with God........God's Word........and the souls of men.  With this as our guideline.......suddenly the list becomes exhaustive.......endless.  You may be thinking, "Hey.......I'm no Bible teacher........I'm no evangelist.......what can I do?"

We need to recognize that it was God's choice which spiritual gifts He gave to each one of us.........and if we think our gifts are insignificant.......Paul was very clear in his teaching on gifts that the church...........the body of Christ...........is made up of many parts.  And God has arranged the parts in the body just as He wanted them to be........and He even tells us that those parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable.  So......if you're exercising your spiritual gifts.........you're playing a significant role in the body of Christ.........and doing something that has eternal value.

Remember........here on earth.........Christ has no body but ours.........no hands but ours.........no feet but ours.  The Body of Christ here on earth is the church.......it's the vehicle He's left to further His kingdom here.  We are here for an incredibly short period of time........and Spiritual gifts are God’s way of administering His grace to others. Every member of Christ’s body can make meaningful contributions........can impact eternity.......when we seek to glorify God through our obedience and perseverance.   That's when we'll be building with the “gold, silver, and costly stones” that have true eternal value.

There are a couple of other things we need to realize in this passage.  What's being judged here.......and though this may seem insignificant.......I don't think it is.  No matter which person you are......one who built with gold, silver or costly stones.......or whether you're the person who built with wood, hay and straw.......either one of them are going to be saved.......they both built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  So it isn't a judgment on the person.......the person is saved.  It's a judgment on the quality of the work done........on the quality of the building materials.  

Those people of the Catholic faith use this passage to justify their belief in Purgatory........a place we go to between heaven and earth to be punished for what we've done.......but it is clearly the quality of the work.......the materials used......and not the person who is going to burn........the poor quality work will be burned......not the person.

Let me give you an illustration for what's being talked about regarding the quality of the work........regarding building with gold, silver and precious stones.......and just what kind of building it's possible to construct.     

@Anybody know the name Edward Kimball?  Well.......Edward Kimball was a man born in the early 1800's and he was a Sunday School teacher.......a layman......a regular guy.  One day.........concerned about one of his young Sunday school students who worked at a shoe store in town...........Kimball visited him at the store........found the student working in the back stocking shelves........and led him to Christ then and there. The boy's name......... @Dwight L. Moody.  Moody eventually left the shoe store to become one of the greatest preachers and evangelists of all time.

Eventually.......Moody.........whose international speaking took him to the British Isles........preached in a little chapel pastored by a young man with the imposing name of @Frederic Brotherton Meyer.  In his sermon Moody told an emotionally charged story about a Sunday school teacher who personally went to every student in his class and led each of them to Christ.

That message changed Pastor Meyer’s ministry.........inspiring him to become an evangelist like Moody. Over the years Meyer came to America. While speaking in Northfield, Massacheusetts........a young preacher heard Meyer say, “If you are not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?” That remark led @J. Wilbur Chapman to respond to the call of Jesus Christ on his life.

Chapman went on to become one of the most effective evangelists of his time. A volunteer by the name of @Billy Sunday helped set up his crusades and learned how to preach by watching Chapman. Billy Sunday eventually took over Chapman’s ministry becoming one of the most dynamic evangelists of this century. Billy Sunday’s preaching brought thousands to Christ.

Inspired by a 1924 Billy Sunday crusade in Charlotte, NC.......a group of Christians dedicated themselves to reaching their city for Christ. The group invited the evangelist @Mordecai Ham to come and hold a series of evangelistic meetings in 1932. A lanky 16 year old sat in the huge crowd one evening, spellbound by the message the white-haired preacher gave. Each evening the preacher seemed to be shouting and waving his finger at the young man. Night after night the teen came and finally went forward to give his life to Christ.

That teenager was @Billy Graham. Billy Graham has communicated the gospel to more people than any other person in history. And it all started with a Sunday school teacher named Kimball. Millions have been affected by his decision to go into a shoe store and share Christ with one person. Millions more will continue to feel his impact.  

I don't want to make something up here......because I'm not at all certain what those building blocks of gold.......silver......and precious stones really are.......but we can certainly assume some of those building blocks could be the souls of men who were spiritually affected by our lives.  If that's the case.......imagine the shining structure the men in this geneology had built in their lifetimes.  Can something like this happen today? Of course it can.   But this lineage didn't start with a preacher.......didn't start with an evangelist.  It started with a plain ol' guy who had a heart for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted to tell others.  He was concerned enough for a boy in his Sunday School class that he went and visited him where he worked.......just to encourage him.

You don't have to be a preacher.......you don't have to have the gift of evangelism.......you only have to be willing to be used by God for the purpose that He created you........to bring glory to Him........however that may be.  One thing is clear.......the degree to which I live like Jesus will determine the degree to which I will one day be rewarded by Jesus. This is Paul’s emphasis in our passage today. Every Christian will be judged according to the QUALITY of the life they have built on the foundation of Christ.......and it will come in a variety of ways.  

It may be in the form of encouraging young people......encouraging old people.......spending time with shut ins or making a meal for a family who's mother is sick.  Whatever we do for God's glory.......in the power of the Spirit without any thought for ourselves or our advancement........all of that has got to be part of those building blocks that will withstand the test of fire.  We just have to be willing.

Remember in the book of Isaiah.........chapter 6......verse 8...... "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”"

Do you want to build treasures in heaven?  At the Judgment Seat of Christ......do you want to hear Him say, "Well done my good and faithful servant"?  It's not just going to happen.......it has to be purposed........it takes effort......it takes striving.  And it starts with the same response that Isaiah had.......HERE I AM LORD.......SEND ME!

    Just a side note..........The one question that we didn't answer this morning is the very nature of the rewards that we'll be recieving........so the next time we meet in this book we'll start with that and then continue in chapter 3 with verse 16.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Part Trois

Alright.......this is the third time we've been in this same passage of Scripture.......and I'm not sure you could come up with six verses that contain this much theology that needs explanation if you tried.  A casual look at the passage doesn't seem to indicate how much it contains regarding differing viewpoints.......but in a careful study you begin to see just how rich it is and how much theology it deals with.  

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

In the first session we did on these verses we dealt with an analogy of this passage with the story of the Three Little Pigs.......maybe not appropriate when talking with some of those folks who are a little more spiritual than I am.......but it worked for me.  Because these verses deal with how diligent we are supposed to be in building our spiritual lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ.........and the passage clearly states that building our lives requires some effort on our part.  After we got off the 3 Little Pigs analogy we went into an explanation of the Bema Seat or the Judgment Seat of Christ......and attempted to lay out the varying views of just what that judgment will entail.

The second session we mainly dealt with the aspect of motivation........should the anticipated rewards cause motivation for us to live our lives in a manner that we look forward to Christ's return and the rewards He brings with Him?  We further talked about the fact that Paul makes it very plain that the judgment we're looking at deals with what we do here on earth......the works we perform......or fail to perform......so there is definitely a "deeds" aspect to Paul's teaching.  

So it's up to us to build.......and it would appear that we have a choice of what we build with..........gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw.......and the final test of what we built here on earth is going to be fire.  So.......if we're looking to involve ourselves in works that will stand the test of fire.......then we need to look no further than God........God's Word.......and the souls of men.......and in-as-much as we are involved in those three things in this lifetime......we are involved in eternity.  

Every Christian will be judged according to the QUALITY of the life they have built on the foundation of Christ.......and it will come in a variety of ways.  Whatever we do for God's glory.......in the power of the Spirit without any thought for ourselves or our advancement........all of that has got to be part of those building blocks that will withstand the test of fire.  And that segment ended with an encouragement to utilize our spiritual gifts to that end.  We just have to be willing.

So now we turn to the one element of this passage that we haven't hit upon yet and that is the nature of the rewards that are going to be earned.......and remember there's a huge difference when we're talking about these rewards and our salvation.  Paul is absolutely clear that salvation is a free gift.......but the rewards that he's talking about here are earned by believers.  But what is it that we're working for.......what rewards has Scripture promised?  Because one myth that is pretty common in Christian circles is that each and every one of us will enjoy equal standing in Heaven........is that true?  And if that's not true then this must be part of the rewards that Paul's talking about here.

I don't know how many of you may remember the teaching on the Christian Response to Homosexuality.......it was a three part series done last year.......but in the second installment of that teaching we dealt with the fact that there are, in fact, sins that are greater than other sins......and in looking at my notes on that teaching......we encompassed three full pages of teaching and Scripture verses laying out that God does view some sins as "graver"........more serious than others.  

Well......let's face it......if there is "greater punishment" for some sins......then it would logically stand to reason that there are greater rewards......and greater positions in eternity for some people.  But we don't want to stand on logic alone to draw our conclusions from.......Scripture is pretty plain about this fact also........although God loves each of us without end.........some will be given positions of higher status, authority, and responsibility than others.   We see it in several places starting with Christ's teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.............Matthew 5:17-19......... 17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." 

If everyone is equal in Heaven.........then how can some be "great" while others are "least"? This isn't a contradiction........but an indication of the true nature of Heaven. Jesus then goes on in that same Gospel to answer the Apostles' question about what their place in eternity will be by telling them in Matthew 19:27-30........... 27 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Clearly the first portion of this passage is talking directly to the twelve Apostles.......but that latter portion appears to deal with all believers.  Whether our earthly deeds are deserving of gain or loss is completely dependent upon what we do in our earthly lives.  In this life there are a lot of examples that we see where we exclaim......"That's not fair!"  We won't be able to do that in eternity.......because it will be a place where true justice......true fairness will reign.

I'll tell you straight up that after studying this passage for several months now.......I still don't know the exact nature of all of the rewards that await Christ's faithful when it comes to eternity......but I can tell you a few things.  Jesus.......knowing the nature of Heaven and the rewards that await us........discouraged us from becoming captives of this world and its fleeting pleasures. Instead.......He encouraged us to focus on the accumulation of heavenly treasures.  Matthew 6:19-21............."Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be".

We shouldn't have any doubt that the doctrine of rewards is taught in Scripture...... but this passage actually commands us to pursue those rewards.......or those treasures.  It's pretty clear that every disciple should lay up eternal reward........and it's not a selfish endeavor........it's God's appointed way that believers are supposed to follow.  Kinda makes you wonder why so many of us spend a lifetime hoarding earthly treasures......earthly status......none of that goes into eternity.

One of the reasons why I can't fully tell you the nature of the rewards that await us is because I'm not capable of it.  It's not that I'm the dumbest guy in the world.......because I know there's two other guys dumber than me.......I think they live in Nova Scotia.  The reason is that Scripture says I'm just not enlightened enough to understand it..........1 Corinthians 2:9........"but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”" The rewards are going to be so much greater than we can even imagine.......that should be quite an incentive for us.  

Now I've always thought that fear can be a strong motivator......but God’s primary method of motivation is love. Therefore........God describes ways in which He'll reward Christians who go “above and beyond the call of duty.” Every student's familiar with the concept of “extra credit”. It's usually a question at the end of an assignment or a test that's not required.........but it provides the student an opportunity to receive bonus points........usually to make up for other questions that the student might have gotten wrong.........and if anybody needs extra credit......it's me!  

Everybody from teachers to parents to employers understand that the promise of reward can be a strong incentive for a person to put out a better effort. In a sense.......God has laid out an “extra credit” program for Christians.......and though we can't completely understand it........one of the things we do know is that some of our heavenly treasure that we're laying up will take the form of CROWNS.  Scripture talks about different crowns that believers are able to receive.......and depending upon how you look at it and how you interpret various Scripture passages.......you may be able to get up to 12 crowns.......or maybe just 8........or it could be just 5..........but they are available.....and for the sake of time and countless ramblings by some Bible scholars......we're going to limit you to only 5 crowns......which I hope is still enough motivation for you!

And we'll start with what's referred to as @ The Crown of Victory.........or also known as The Incorruptible Crown........1 Corinthians 9:24-27..........."Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 

Probably more than any other......this passage most clearly defines the context in which crowns will be awarded........so it’s a good one to look at first. The Crown of Victory is also the one that the Bible has the most to say about because it’s one that every believer can win. Paul used a sports analogy to help us understand the rules for winning so we wouldn’t be confused about how this works.

Just like the Olympics........winning the Victors crown requires that competitors qualify for the event........and then compete. For us.......qualifying means being saved........because these crowns are  for believers only. Then we go into “strict training” in order to increase our chances for victory.  Olympic athletes aren't satisfied just to qualify for the games.  They want to win the event they qualified for.  In the same way Christians shouldn't be satisfied just to be saved........even if it does mean gaining eternal life. That’s just the beginning.  We should also want to win crowns.  It’s a way to express our gratitude for the gift of salvation and be rewarded at the same time.  And in going for this crown we’re not competing against each other.......but against our old selves..........what Scripture calls “the flesh”.

Achieving victory means putting our flesh to death........getting rid of our selfish desires........our bad habits and attitudes.......anything that might bring shame upon the Lord. The Bible has a lot to say about what it takes to win this crown.......in fact, every one of Paul’s letters to the Church exhorts us to compete for this crown........out of gratitude for what we’ve been given. Gaining victory over the flesh is the best thing we can do to show the Lord how thankful we are that He saved us.

If we’re in Christ.......we’re a new creation in God’s eyes. I like to think of us as "royalty in training." Our challenge is to live up to what we’ve already become by acting like who we are in Christ. Those who succeed will receive the Crown of Victory.

If you want to win this crown........and it seems like one worth winning.......make sure to listen to the Holy Spirit within you. Train yourself so that your every thought........ feeling, and action is controlled.......that your thoughts and actions are measured and judged in accordance to God's will for your life. 

The second crown we'll talk about is @ The Crown of Rejoicing.......or The Soul Winner's Crown.........and it seems to be indicated in a couple of verses..........Philippians 4:1.........Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.  and........

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20........ 19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy."  

This crown is reserved for those whose spiritual efforts here on earth have led to others becoming believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul states........this crown will be a source of pride and joy for all of eternity........represented not only in the form of a crown........but in the form of actual fellow Christians who'll be a source of joy for the Lord for all of eternity.  Now I have to admit.......I don't know exactly how this one works......whether you get a crown for each person who accepts Jesus Christ through your efforts.......or if it's like the old "Green Stamps" book......where you have to fill up a whole page to get a set of steak knives.    We just have to make the most of every opportunity the Lord brings across our path. And remember........we’re judged here by our effort........not our results. Each person bears the responsibility for his or her own choice regarding salvation. But however it works......this seems like a good one to have.

So.......if you want to win this crown.........whenever the opportunity presents itself to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with another person........make sure to do it and you'll be storing up treasures in heaven.  

The next one we'll talk about is @ The Crown of Righteousness.......and we see it in  2 Timothy 4:7-8........ 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

This crown is reserved for those who eagerly and patiently await the promised return of Jesus Christ. Throughout the Scriptures........Jesus encourages us to be good and faithful servants who are prepared for the Master's return. One day........He will come "like a thief in the night"........unexpectedly........and only those who have lived their lives in daily anticipation of this moment will be awarded this crown.  

If you look at the context of this passage I think it's interesting to note that he didn't say.........“Now, if you fight a good fight you'll receive the Crown of Righteousness.” 

He didn't say........“If you run a good race, you'll receive the Crown of Righteousness.” 

He didn't say...........“If you keep the faith, you'll receive the Crown of Righteousness.” 

He says........“If you love His appearing.........you will.” 

Every man who loves the appearing of the Lord will receive the crown........because you cannot love His appearing without fighting a good fight. You cannot love His appearing without running a good race. You cannot love His appearing without guarding the faith..

If you want to win this crown.......make sure to live every day of your life with the constant expectation that Christ could return at a moment's notice.

@ The Crown of Life is the next reward we'll discuss.........and we find both James and John talking about it.............

James 1:12........... Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Revelation 2:10.......... Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

This crown is reserved for those believers who endure testing......temptation......  persecution.........suffering........and even martyrdom for Jesus Christ. Believing in Christ has never been a recipe for carefree living in a world that hates Him.  Jesus was pretty plain when He said if the world mocked, ridiculed, and murdered Him........then why should His followers expect to avoid suffering? We can't. Some are certainly going to suffer worse than others........but everyone who remains faithful will receive the crown of life.

Remember John writing in the book of Revelation to the church as Smyrna?  Well.......history tells us that the pastor at the time of John’s writing was a man by the name of Polycarp. Polycarp himself died for the cause of Jesus Christ. History records the last words of Polycarp as he faced execution for His faith..........when he was urged to renounce Christ he replied, “Eighty and six years have I served Him and He never did me wrong. How can I now speak evil of my King who has saved me?”  At that they tied the old man to a stake and burned him to death. He was faithful unto death. Polycarp secured the Crown of Life. 

You see........this crown goes to the faithful........not to the fearful. If you want to win this crown.........make sure to love Jesus Christ more than you love your own life.  Don't let the world dictate your standards......don't let it force you into a mold......no matter what the consequences might be.  

@ The Crown of Glory is the last one we'll deal with this morning.......and we see it brought up by Peter........1 Peter 5:1-4......... Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The crown of glory is given to those who willingly shepherd God’s people here on earth........not because they're paid for it........or because they can "lord" it over a group of people.......or because it makes them feel important.......but because they're faithful to the call that the Holy Spirit has given them to help people maximize their spiritual potential. 

These people have got to exhibit love and humility......encouragement and responsibility to those that have been entrusted to them. Their motives and hearts have got to be pure........focused on serving God rather than serving themselves.

You may be sitting here thinking......."Well.......I guess I don't get that one."  But understand that all of us should be striving to be mentors and leaders to those who are less spiritually mature.  It's not just for professional pastors in our culture.  In fact.......I have to seriously wonder how many of those guys will qualify.  Paul told Timothy that men should strive......or aspire to leadership within Christ's church.  @ In 1 Timothy 3:1it says...... It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 

It's what each of us should be doing.  I think God recognizes that it's hard and often thankless work to shepherd His people..........so He offers a crown to those who will carry out the task in a manner that glorifies His name.

If you want to win this crown........make sure you're a good example to those who look to you for spiritual guidance..........and be a good and faithful steward of those God has entrusted to your care.

That's as close as I can come to deciphering the rewards that Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians chapter 3.  There's other Scriptures that discuss the fact that Jesus has much in store for His people.......more than we could possibly dream of.  But our ability to receive each reward is in direct correlation with how we handle the earthly opportunities He gives us. 

Remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25?  In that passage each servant is entrusted with a certain number of talents........each according to his ability.  And that's important.......it's according to our ability.  God doesn't expect something of us that we aren't equipped to do.  In the end........each is rewarded by the master on the basis of how he had invested the talents.  It's going to be the same with us.........each of us will be rewarded on the basis of how we've advanced the kingdom of Heaven here on earth.  We can't live our lives in "default mode".  There's got to be a purposing to rid ourselves of the world in our thoughts and actions.......and be the people that God has ordained us to be.

All who trust in Jesus Christ will experience eternity in His presence. In Heaven.......there won't be sorrow.......death......crying.......or pain. But there's no guarantee we won't experience regret........some loss suffered.  We won't look back out of jealousy or envy or pride..........but with the simple wish we would have glorified His name to a greater degree while we were here on earth. If that's the case........we should take advantage of the time we have left.

The things of this world should be of little value to Christians. We know that accumulation of wealth........career advancement........and earthly pleasures have no lasting value. Only a life that gives glory to Jesus Christ has lasting value. If God is showing you areas of your life that you need to do something about.......then get on with it........don't waste another minute.

Rearrange the priorities of your life.........look forward to His coming with great confidence..........live out the example set by Christ........and if you do those things you're promised to experience great reward for all of eternity. The time to do it is now.........we never know when our window of opportunity will close forever.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

The last time we visited the book of 1 Corinthians we finally finished up with a very rich passage.......chapter 3 verses 10-15........and it took us 3 different sessions to deal with it because it had so much in it.  And I think we're going to run into the same thing with these next verses.......they contain a lot of information in a very short period.

But before we even read the passage.......I want to go back 4 teachings ago and just look at a single verse to remind us of what's being discussed......because I believe Paul goes back to verse 9 of this same chapter when he starts up in verse 16 here.

"For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building."  The original wording and the context here suggest that Apollos and Paul are fellow workers with each other…….who belong to God. Not that we are fellow workers with God as a third worker……..and I think it’s a statement of God’s supremacy……His authority……..these fellow workers belong to God.

So…….what about us……the church?  Well…….we’re God’s field……God’s building.  We belong to God also. We are God’s possession.   And I really like the analogies that Paul brings out here.   Scripture uses a lot of metaphors for the church…….Sometimes to a wife…….sometimes a body…...sometimes to the branches of a vine………other times to a garden…….a vineyard……and here to a field…….and a building…….which may seem like odd comparisons.  

 But if you think about it…….whoever built the building had control over its design and the materials that went into it……..and if you’re talking about the owner they’re also allowed to set the rules of the building’s use and what goes on there.  God’s the owner of the building.  The church at Corinth was in pretty good hands.

After that he talks about the foundation and the building material.......and he relates it to the teachers and those in charge of the church at Corinth.......and we ended up with the thought that those teachers in Corinth.......those in charge of the church there are going to be judged for what they've done......how they've built.......the materials they used.  Which brings us to today.

And I want to start with a rather protracted introduction.......by going back in time.......way back in time........back to the first recorded history of mankind.  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  That far back......and in Chapter 2:7-8 we see that God created man and immediately He made a special place for that man........... 7 Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. 8 The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.

Then in verse 3:8 we see........ 8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Unfortunately.......this is after Adam and Eve sinned......but I use it as an illustration that what's going on doesn't seem to be an oddity......this idea of God walking in the garden......God fellowshipping with the man that He created......does it?  No.  God made the Garden as a place where He could fellowship and commune with man.  God made man as a creature that He could fellowship with.  Do we see God that way?  We should......it's who He is.......it's why He made us.  The God of all creation made us to fellowship with Him!

But we don't see that today do we?  No......the result of sin is what we see all around us today......war and disease and poverty and crime.......and that unique fellowship has been broken........and that special place that God made to fellowship with His creation isn't available to us any longer.  

So.......fast-forward many hundreds of years and we see that God chooses one special man.......Abraham.......and God builds for Himself a people.......a nation......Israel.  And with this special nation.......this special people God desired to have fellowship......He desired to live among them.......like He had back in the Garden of Eden.  

So He makes a new plan and in Exodus 25:8.......speaking to Moses God said, "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them."  To me.......that's incredible.....the God of all creation desiring to dwell among His people.  God had dwelt with His creation in the past in the Garden of Eden.......and here we see God breaking into human history again......desiring to dwell among His special creation.  

So the tabernacle is constructed.......and the temple is built so that God would have a special place to live among His people.  I don't know if we truly understand how amazing this is.  Gods don't do that........the Greek gods on Olympus didn't want to hang around lowly man.......all the other supposed gods are far too superior to rub elbows with mankind.  But our God.......the God of the Bible is breaking into human history so that He can dwell among His people.

The tabernacle was very sacred.......the temple was very sacred.......the Holy of Holies was only entered by the High Priest once a year.  God's people were continually being reminded of the severity of sin because sacrifices were continually being offered at the altar for their sins.  And just like before.......the nation of Israel sins......the temple is destroyed.......the people are in exile.......and God no longer dwells in the midst of His people.

But God is ever faithful and still seeking fellowship with His people.......so once again He breaks into history.......and this time in an incredible way........He actually becomes a man and abides with His people.  100% God and yet 100% man......I don't know how that works......but Scripture says it's true.......and I believe it.  The first chapter in the Gospel of John makes it very clear........... 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This time though it was different........it wasn't the presence of God in a tabernacle.......or in the Holy of Holies.......this time is was God incarnate.......not a part of Him.......but God Himself.  Colossians 1:19 tells us......."For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him.......".  Jesus Christ was God Himself.......and He walked among His creation.......and when He died something happened in the temple......do you remember what it was?  Yah......the veil that kept people out of the Holy of Holies......it ripped from top to bottom........and now everyone who is a child of God has access.......full access to God Himself.  No more sacrifices.......full atonement has been made.......and people have access to God in a way they haven't known since sin entered the world.  Throughout history God has reached out to man and sought fellowship......not because we deserve it.......but because He desires it.  

And something that's even more incredible than that will happen.......because all of history is book-ended by God's special fellowship with His creation.  It all started in the Garden of Eden.........and then the epilogue is this......in Revelation 21: 1-4............... Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

This is where history started.......with God dwelling among His people......and this is where human history will end........a perfect place where God and His people reside together.  And we've gone from Genesis to Revelation and throughout we see that God is a God who desires to dwell among His people.  

Some of you may be aware that we didn't cover everyplace in the Bible that God dwells with His people......the Garden of Eden......yes.......the tabernacle......the temple...... Yes.  The New Jerusalem.......Yes.  But that isn't the only place Scripture talks about.

So......with this historical background of God dwelling with His people........and with the context established.......Paul is addressing the entire church at Corinth as a unit.......he's especially zeroing in on God's workers.......those who minister in the church........it brings us to today's passage........verses 16 & 17.........16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

Now.......there are a number of different interpretations of this passage that make some sense if you take them out of that context.......but really only one interpretation when taken in the context in which Paul delivers it.  

First off........when Paul says, "Do YOU not know that YOU are a temple......".  He's using the plural form of YOU.......kinda like when Greg says "Ya'll".  He means "All Ya'll."  Paul's addressing the church at Corinth as a whole.  He talks about God indwelling individual believers later on in the book......but that's not what he's talking about here.......he's addressing the church as a whole.  

And you can almost hear something of a scolding tone in the letter right here......it's a rhetorical question that should be almost insulting.......because they were a specially gifted group.  Remember in chapter 1 he told them......... 4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

This church in Corinth had everything it needed.......it had all knowledge......it lacked no spiritual gift......it was specially endowed by God to be His Body in that region of the world.  So I can't help but think that they knew this......but they weren't acting like it.  Paul's saying, "You already know this......but I don't think you're thinking about it."  He says......."Hey......Corinthian church.......you're God's temple.......and God dwells in you!"  And that's the reason we went from Genesis to Revelation this morning looking at just how God dwells with His people......because we need to think of that in light of what Paul's telling us here.  

CBC is God's temple.......and it doesn't matter where we're meeting......whether it's our living room or the building out back of our house or Bosque Farms Elementary School or the Senior Citizen's Center or this old cabinet shop.......we are God's temple.  CBC was built on a foundation of Jesus Christ.......and we built upon that foundation with gold, silver and precious stones.......and probably sometimes with wood, hay and straw..... but the fact is......what was built is a temple of the living God.  

The church.......the people of God.......the congregation of believers......that's what forms the temple of God.......His dwelling place. I know there's a lot of folks who don't believe this. They think that if God is living anywhere on earth.......it has to be in a ten million dollar building.......or a crystal cathedral.......or a magnificent edifice set on......maybe Mount Olympus. "Not so," says Paul........"you yourselves are God's temple." 

Unfortunately.......even in our circles people are under the mistaken illusion that a church building is a holy place. Within her walls they try to speak in quiet, reverent tones.  Children are told they can't run, or laugh, or play.......instead they've got to be quiet and solemn.

God's church isn't just another group of people......a social club or a fraternity.......it's where God dwells.  The Garden of Eden.......the tabernacle......the temple......the person of Jesus Christ......the church at Corinth.......the Community Bible Church.......all special.......all where God dwelt........God is passionate about every one of them........and He wants them taken care of........He wants them to represent Him in this world.

I want to ask a question.......and think about your answer.  If you were standing out on the porch out here this morning and some unbeliever came walking up and asked you, "What's going on in there?"  What would you tell them?  Just curious what you might say......."What's going on in there?"  We'll get to the answer of that in a few minutes.

Until I studied this I had no idea of the importance of God's dwelling place.  I've read it.....I've thought a bit about it.......but the degree to which God holds dear His dwelling place had escaped me.......in fact......the number of times Scripture addresses this concept was lost on me before this.  Paul returns to this same subject in 2 Corinthians 6:16....... "Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Again in Ephesians 2:19-22.......19 "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."

Remember how Peter describes us in 1 Peter 2:4-5....... 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

This is not a matter to be taken lightly......these aren't just "filler verses" because the writers were trying to come up with something neat to say.  This is from God's heart......this is something that God has shown throughout history that He is passionate about.

These two verses right here should cause each one of us to examine our lives......take a look at how seriously we view God's church.......you are living stones that are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood......offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.  When we come together......that's what we are.  Think about that.......think about the preparation that the priests had to go through to enter into the temple.......to prepare the sacrifices.......to physically offer up the sacrifices.......it was enormous and it had to be done in a specified manner that if they did it wrong it cost them their lives.  That's how seriously God took it.  

How much preparation did you go through this morning getting ready to meet God in His temple?  99.9% of the time in my life.......when I come to church I'm not thinking about offering spiritual sacrifices to God....... I'm not even thinking in those terms.  It's Sunday........I just go to church.  Is that the way we're supposed to approach it?  

Peter says we're living stones of God's temple........we're priests.......we're supposed to be offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God........What are those?  What am I supposed to be doing?  What does Hebrews 13:15-16 say....... 15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Just as the Old Testament talked about the priests offering up the sacrifices of animals and them burning on the altar and being a pleasing aroma to God.......our spiritual sacrifices offered up as priests of the New Testament are supposed to do the same thing.  Our praise.......our singing.......our testimonies to what God has done in our lives......our sharing and doing good for one another.......that's our spiritual sacrifice.  And I think about how seriously God took sacrifice in the Old Testament......how seriously He took sacrifice when He offered His Son.......How seriously should we take it?  We sit here......each one of us.......as priests this morning......prepared to offer up our spiritual sacrifices.  That should be both exciting.......and a little scary.  You see.......when you study it.......when you get down to the actual meaning of these verses.......attending church.......just coming to church as an observer........really isn't an option for a New Testament believer.......it's foreign to the Scriptures.  You come here as a priest to present your spiritual sacrifices.  And when you do come here.......God is dwelling with His people.  

I'm guessing that most people coming to church......if they even think about church prior to entering the door.......are thinking things like......."I hope I get something out of it this morning........

I hope whoever's teaching does a good job.......

I hope they're entertaining at least.  

I hope they don't go long.  

I hope Bob picks some songs that I like.......

I hope so-and-so doesn't come over to talk to me.......man he's freakishly annoying!"  

What if........on my way to church this morning I thought......."Wow.....another opportunity to meet together with God's saints........

Another chance to worship my God with other believers........

I hope God shows me someone who needs me this morning......I want to be used.  

I can't wait to tell God how much I love Him with other believers."

When you think of things this way........it changes the way you come to church......it changes the way you meet with a couple of believers for prayer........it changes the way you have coffee or lunch with others who love the Lord.  We should come absolutely prepared to enjoin in priestly activities.  

I've had the luxury of spending several weeks in this passage......and thinking about it and meditating on exactly what God desired of us when He wrote this down....... and I have to say that I came to church this morning with a different mind-set......with a different attitude than I've come most Sundays.  God is here this morning.  This building isn't holy.......the people are.......and God is dwelling with them.......interacting with them.  Those of you who are thinking about something else right now and just wishing Tom would quit talking and we'd get done with the three songs so we could go home.......God is here desiring to fellowship with you.......the God of this universe.......desiring to fellowship with YOU.  Matthew 18:20........"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

So.......let's go back to that unbeliever out there on the porch that asks you, "What's going on in there?"  The answer is, "There's a royal priesthood in there making sacrifices to God........and God's in there too!"  They'll look at you like your crazy!!!  But that's exactly what should be going on when we meet together.......DO YOU NOT KNOW?

Now verse 17.........17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.  Wow......pretty strong warning there.  What Paul is saying is that God protects His dwelling place.  God is love......God is patient......God is just.......but make no mistake about it.......God also destroys.......He's destroyed nations........He's destroyed leaders........He's destroyed people.  This shouldn't be taken lightly......and it's another reason for us to understand the Genesis to Revelation concept of God's dwelling place.  For all of human history it's been important for God to dwell with His people......the garden......the tabernacle......the temple.......all of it. 

I think our country used to understand this concept.......even those folks in Hollywood.  @ In 1953 there was a sci-fi movie called “War of the Worlds”.........an old black and white classic that starred Gene Barry.   It was remade more recently and they took this part I'm about to talk about out.......but this concept that Paul is talking about here seemed to be present in the original.  Does anybody remember seeing that old movie?  I would have thought Bob would have seen it.......kinda his genre.  Does anybody remember what the Martians destroyed just before they themselves began to die?
@The aliens destroyed several church buildings........and then through God's intervention the Martians began to die.  The director.......a guy named George Pal......was notoriuous for putting his spiritual beliefs into films......and I'm thinking he must have felt strongly about this particular passage.......even though he related it to church buildings. 

Think about how God's dealt with his dwelling place.  When Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden.....Genesis 3:24.......So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.

When Uzzah put his hand out to steady the ark of the covenant......what happened?  2 Samuel 6:6-7.........6 But when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen nearly upset it. 7 And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 

The Holy of Holies was covered by a great veil and one guy was allowed in on one day of the year.......and if he didn't prepare properly God would smote him on the spot.   God has always protected His dwelling place with a passion.

If we don't have a very high view of God......or His people.......His dwelling place......then we probably don't have a big problem with the way we approach these things.  But Paul is giving us a serious warning here........if he were sending an e-mail......this verse would be all in capital letters.  I think he's yelling here.  

The church at Corinth had a lot of problems......there was a lot of back-biting......a lot of pride.......a lot of jockeying for position and false teachers were invading their midst.......and Paul is telling them very truly.......God protects His dwelling place.

I think it's interesting that historically.......attacks from outside the church generally act as a positive influence on the church......kinda like fertilizer.......but it's attacks from within the church that Paul's concerned about.  Remember what he told the Galatiansin no uncertain terms........in chapter 1, verses 6-9....... 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!

There's contentions within the Corinthian church that Paul is warning about......and the warning is for the entire church......for all time.  The warning is for us.......it's pretty easy as human beings to get side tracked......to get irritated......to get provoked about something or dissatisfied with someone.  But there's no place for it in the church......in God's people.  It's where He dwells.......and He takes it very seriously.  When we become contentious when things don't go our way......when we start talking badly about another believer.......when we begin to start picking apart what someone else says or does.......we are participating in destroying the temple of God.

It reminds me of the story of the guy who was on a deserted island for many years.......all by himself.  But one day he saw a boat coming into sight.......and he waved frantically......finally catching the skipper’s attention. The boat came near the island and the captain got out and greeted the stranded man.

They talked for a bit........and as they talked the captain couldn’t help notice there were 3 huts on the island.  After a while the captain asked.......“What are those three huts you have here?”

“Well........that one there......that's my house.” 

"OK.......what’s that next hut?” asks the captain.

“I built that hut to be my church.” the man replies.

“Oh, OK........but what about the other hut?” the captain asked.

“Oh that........that’s where I used to go to church.”

The unfortunate thing is that churches are made up of people......and people can't even get along with themselves.  God tells us there's no place for that in His temple.

In the context of this passage Paul is zeroing in on the teachers and leaders of the church.  I thank God for the men that serve here in the capacity of teachers.  I believe each of them is very careful in their studies to present God's Word as accurately as they possibly can.  False teachers are destroyers of God's temple.  This warning is for us.  Paul is not mincing words here for those who lead God's people.......He will destroy those who destroy His temple.

James makes no bones about this fact..........in his letter.......James 3:1......Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.  Who wants to put themselves out there to incur a stricter judgment?  And yet we are blessed in this Body to have men who teach accurately the Word of God.......with no physical compensation......week after week.......knowing that they are held to a higher standard.  Do we pray for these guys?  Do we pray for Bob and Ray and Christopher who lead music during the worship time?  Do we pray for those who have Bible studies in their homes or at work?  We should.

God will protect His temple.......we need to examine ourselves to see if we take His temple as seriously as He does.

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

So........you're actually sitting there telling me that you believe that there is an almighty.......all powerful God out there somewhere........Who sent His only Son in the form of a Jewish baby........born of a young virgin girl in some obscure village in a somewhat primative time in history........to live a perfect life on this earth........and then to be crucified by the very people He created........only to be resurrected from the dead after three days........and if I believe all of that.......I'll live forever with Him in heaven?  Is that what you're saying?  And you REALLY believe that?  Have you ever experienced that response from people you talk to about Jesus Christ?

All of those things are at the very heart of what I believe.......but it's not too hard for me to understand why somebody else might not believe them.  Because when you lay it out in black and white........without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit........it sounds pretty stupid.......it sounds like foolishness.  Now there are some Christians who might think that even talking that way is blasphemous.......but we really need to understand that when people say these things it's because they CANNOT understand them.  Remember our study from just a couple of months ago in chapter 2 verse 14........."But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; or they are foolishnes to him, and he cannot undertand them, because they are spiritually appraised."  

And in their lack of understanding they become exactly what they accuse us of........they are truly fools themselves.  Paul said it on several occasions..........remember in the first chapter of Romans............ Romans 1:21-22......... 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,.......... 

And I'm guessing you remember what we studied in the first chapter of this letter........1 Corinthians 1:20-25..........20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Paul understood that to the world the things that we absolutely believe in......the things that we depend on regarding God........are absolute foolishness in the world’s eyes. The virgin birth.........a Savior on a cross........a final judgment.......eternity.......But when you realize that you're a lost sinner and you need to be saved.......and you need to live a life that glorifies the eternal God..........and that can only happen through believing in Jesus Christ.........it doesn’t matter if people think you're stupid.

And that's where we start our teaching today........with the same subject......in First Corinthians chapter 3 verses 18-23..........

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.

Do you remember.......I think it was from Sesame Street.......when they'd show maybe five pictures.......and four of them would be the same thing.......and one would be different?  Do you remember that?  And what was the song they sang?  "One of these things is not like the other.......one of these things doesn't belong.......".  

Well.........this portion of Scripture is one of those........unusual things. It doesn't naturally fit with either the context before it..........where he's talking about the church being the temple of God........or the context after it........where he's going to begin talking about servants and stewaredship.  It's almost like Paul went, "Ooops!  Before I forget.......this is too important to leave out as a reminder to you."  It's like he had this epiphany in the middle of talking about God's temple.......the church......and he needed to remind them of something he said earlier in his letter.........in chapter one and then again in chapter two.   

And I can't help but feel that his lack of continuity at this point is something of a clue that this is important.  "I know I'm not talking about this.......but you need to remember."  And what is it we need to remember?  That self-deception can be a very real problem in our spiritual lives.  18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.

Self-Deception is rooted in our thinking........we think a certain way.......we know we're smart.......and therefore what we think has got to be true.......and that thought process then becomes visible in our actions.  So......it would stand to reason that if we look at this in reverse.......what we do.......how we act......is in reality a product of what we think.......what our belief system is.  @So........let's look at the initial application of what Paul is saying here with regard to the church at Corinth........what do we know about them?

@Well that church had apostolic teaching.......right......I mean Paul's there.  

@They had freedom of worship.  They didn't have to go underground and worship in secret.  They were operating out in the open.  

@They had a pretty good "pedigree" of teachers.......Paul had founded the church there.......Apollos had continued in ministry there........verse 1:12 makes mention of Peter almost suggesting that he visited there.   Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

@The church at Corinth was obviously highly gifted by the Holy Spirit......according to verse 1:7.  ".......so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,......."

Seems like they had a lot going for them.......these are things they actually had.  But what did they choose to do with it........what were their actions?  

Well.......for starters......they developed their own form of "wisdom". 1 Cor. 3:1-2 ........And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,......".

They weren't growing in their spiritual lives......they were remaining infants.......spiritual babies.........and yet they had the best spiritual teaching available to them.  They chose to do it their way.  They should have been ready for the "meat" of the Word......but all Paul could give them was "milk".  Their thought process......what they really believed.......was shown in how they acted.  And how did they act?  They were backbiting.......there were divisions among them........they argued over which teacher they followed.  They allowed the pagan culture to infiltrate the church.  And when they did these things they were exalting man's wisdom over the ideals that God had for them.  And that's what Paul's telling them here......"You are choosing to do things your way......you are decieving yourselves.  Your wisdom is not wisdom at all........and it's showing in your actions."

And that got me to thinking......which is usually a pretty painful process for me.  Paul was calling their actions "Self-Deception"........they were only fooling themselves.  So I thought........"In what areas do we decieve ourselves today?  Are we better than they were?  Are we wiser than the Corinthians?"

So I got to thinking.......what if God had a written test to determine our commitment to His ideals for our lives?  What if we looked at Scripture and then looked at our lives.......and were able to grade ourselves on our own actions to see if we're consciously.......or even subconsciously deceiving ourselves when it comes to following God's will for our lives?  How would we do if there were a written test?  Then I thought, "How stupid........God doesn't grade us like that.......He doesn't sit up there and make checkmarks every time we sin......every time we don't do what He tells us.......God looks at the Heart.......right?"  Unfortunately.......that's right.  And I say "unfortunately" because Jesus was very plain when He taught that our hearts are revealed by our actions.  So I guess taking a look at a test might be a valid way for me to see how I line up with God's ideals for my life.  Have I replaced God's ideals with my own wisdom?  Have I decieved myself?

So.......let’s take the @ “GOD’S IDEAL FOR YOUR LIFE TEST” and see how we do.......

@Do you read your Bible daily?  Does Scripture tell us we should be in His Word?  Joshua 1:8.......This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.  Yah.......but that's the Old Testament.......but I might remind you that Christ said He didn't come to do away with one jot or tittle of the law.  But if you want some encouragement from the New Testament.......maybe 2 Timothy 3:16-17 will do it for you.......16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

So......we know what God says we should do in this area........have we replaced it with man's wisdom?  "I really don't have time for that."  Or maybe......."God understands.......I'm busy raising my family right now.  When I retire I'll have more time for that."  

How about this for a question....... @Do you attempt to memorize God’s Word regularly?  If God's Word tells us that that is His desire for our lives........have we replaced it with man's wisdom?  God says..........Psalm 119:11........Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

The apostle Peter tells us.........1 Peter 3:15.........but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

So.......there's no denying that we should "hide God's Word in our hearts"......what's man's wisdom in this area?  Maybe, "I'm way too old to memorize Scripture.......I can't even remember what I had for breakfast."  It may sound like a good excuse......but are we replacing God's wisdom for our own?

@Here's a good one........Do you pray daily?  "Well........I pray when I'm in trouble and need some help.....and when someone's sick........I pray then."  What about God's ideal for your life? 1 Thes. 5:16-18 .......16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. God's wisdom tells us to pray continually.......how much genuine.......fervant prayer do you do?

@How about meeting regularly with other believers?  Do you go to church regularly.......do you meet with other believers in Bible study.......do you have spiritual mentors that you regularly have breakfast with and just talk about spiritual things.......that kind of thing.  That's God's desire for our life.......that's His wisdom.  Hebrews 10:24-25.........24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

But what about man's wisdom in this area?  "Sure.......I come to church.......if there isn't something else going on."  Or maybe......"I worship God better out in His creation.  A beautiful morning out in the mountains.......I can't get closer to God than that."  And that strikes a chord within us that makes it seem alright.....but it's man's wisdom that is prevailing.  Because I'm pretty sure God knew how beautiful and tempting those mornings were going to be when He made them.......but the priority of meeting regularly with other believers is incredibly important.  It isn't just about worsipping God.......it's about being encouraged and encouraging others.  When's the last time you came to church with an expectation of finding someone who needs encouragement and meeting that need?  Have we deceived ourselves?

@Do you tithe?  Now there's an unpopular subject.......and one that I know we don't preach on unless it comes up in the Scriptures we're covering.  But is it part of God's whole counsel of Scripture?  You may say......."Hey.......that's on Old Testament concept."  And you're right......and it's talked about a lot in the Old Testament.......I especially love Malachi 3:8-10..........8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.  God laid down a challenge to His people......."Try Me.......see if I don't bless you."  But is it really just an Old Testament concept?   Are we deceiving ourselves?  

Well......like most of the Old Testament ideals........Jesus updated it a bit when He said..........Luke 6:38..........Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Paul certainly didn't think God's wisdom in this area ceased with the Old Testament............2 Corinthians 9:7........6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  Does the farmer expect to get more in return than he planted? When he plants one seed does he expect one seed back? Throughout the Scriptures God uses natural principles to explain the spiritual........and that's what's being done here.  In man's wisdom we say things like......"I just can't afford to."......or......."The church doesn't need it.".......or maybe........"I don't like the way the church spends its money."  All of those might sound good.......but are they contrary to God's wisdom........are we deceiving ourselves?

How about this one........ @Did you help someone in need today.......this week.......this year?  When's the last time you helped someone in need.......or how about widows and orphans?  That's certainly mentioned as God's ideal for us.

I think man's wisdom in this area says, "That's what the government is for."  God tells us in His Word that we were created "for His glory".  How does God get any glory at all in this area if the government has taken over?  I think churches were real happy in 1964 when the welfare act was started.  Now the government is responsible........and the churches can take all the money they used to spend helping those in need and spend it on bigger buildings.......more paid staff.......more programs.  But have we deceived ourselves.........is that man's wisdom or God's?  I think Jesus made it pretty plain.........Matthew 25:37-40...........37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.

OK.......last question.  @Did you come here today angry with another believer......with unforgiveness in your heart?  Do we really stop to think about this one?  This is so important to God that He doesn't even want your worship if you have relationship issues with another brother.  Look at Matthew 5:23-24.........23 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

In Christ's time what was offered as a sacrifice on the altar was man's way to worship God.......and yet He says "don't offer it until you right your wrong relationships."  But what's man's wisdom.......what excuses do we use to replace what God desires?  Maybe......."I didn't do anything wrong.......I'm sure not going to apologize."   Or maybe we say something like, "God never met Tom when He gave that command......otherwise He wouldn't have said it."  We can rationalize our reasons until the world's flat......but it doesn't make God's wisdom any less true.......or man's wisdom any less false. 

The world’s wisdom is superficial..........and we know that God's ways are not our ways........His ways are far superior to ours.  In other words when God tells us something.........He tells it to us because from His omnipotent perspective it's important for us to not only know........but to do!

In our society today the church doesn't look much different than the world.......and that's because the church has lost its way........Living life God’s way has somehow fallen into living life our way.  Commitment has become convenience.......and God's church has suffered for it.  Maybe we've settled for what the Corinthian church settled for.......which was much less than God had available for them.

We have to be careful that our logical......or rational.......or worldly thinking doesn't get in the way of God's ideals for our lives.  And I'm not saying that the areas we discussed on our test are the most significant areas of our spiritual lives.......or that they're important over any others.  They're simply areas that God has made Himself clear and that man has historically made up excuses not to follow God.  That's what was happening in Corinth when Paul wrote this.  @In verses 18-20 he's basically telling them that they've become so wise in their own eyes.......that they see God's way as being foolish.  So he's warning them that they have simply deceived themselves and probably need to get back to God's so-called foolishness in order to live rightly. 

Then in verse 21 Paul returns to the problem he's defined before......that of boasting in man whether it be Paul or Apollos or Peter......because God has given you everything in your relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Corinthians were content to boast and get excited about men and their thinking........and God says they've settled for much less than He has prepared for them.  Putting our confidence in man is always going to disappoint us.  Why should we settle for that?  If our confidence is in the Lord......we'll never be disappointed.

And after that first command of verse 21.......it's almost as if Paul's tone changes.  He seems to go from commanding and authoritative to being reassuring......like his words are full of hope.  It's something of a two pronged argument that Paul is making here.  On the one hand he says, "Don't think too highly of yourself or boast in man's wisdom....... because man's wisdom is foolishness.......and nothing good will come of it."

His second argument is something along the lines of........"You've been given everything........and you're concenrating on what doesn't matter."  @It's almost like he's saying, "God's given you a 3 million dollar Lamborghini.......and all you can talk about is how nice the ashtray is!"

Paul's telling us that in Jesus Christ we possess everything........and yet we get sidetracked......following men......following pursuits that ensnare us......focusing on the trivialities of life when we possess every spiritual blessing that can be given.  So why is it that so many Christians live like paupers when we've been given all of the spiritual riches we'll ever need to live and serve God. There's nothing left to give you. You have salvation through Christ..........You have the Holy Spirit that lives in you..........You have God Who hears your prayers. You have God’s written Word........the Bible. You have the promise of Heaven for all eternity when you die.  And it doesn't matter who you are....... whether Paul or Peter or Billy Graham or Carl Offner........you get it all.  And yet you follow foolish philosophies and chase after stuff you don't need.  All of it is self-deception.  

It seems that the warnings given in this text are designed to help us avoid the danger of shifting any boasting we might do off of God and onto man......or things......or philosophies.......or anything outside of Jesus Christ.........because He is everything......and we have all of Him.

I remember as a kid growing up.........watching the opening of the show @THE WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.  I remember seeing scenes of people winning sports events and being victorious........and the next scene was some guy wiping out off the ski-jump........and the narrator.......I think it was Jim McKay......said, @"The thrill of victory......." and what came next???????  @"The agony of defeat."

This passage today is very similar........Paul tells us the dangers of self-deceit.  The choice is ours.......as to whether in our life we experience @"the thrill of VICTORY or the agony of DECEIT."

We can go about our lives.........getting excited about things that really don't matter.........or we can get on board with the things that really do matter.........God’s ideals and plans for our lives.

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

OK.......we're going to start the 4th chapter of the book of First Corinthians this morning.......and we're going to deal with the first 5 verses.....which, quite frankly contain enough applicable information to spend 3 or 4 sessions on........but we're going to try to get it done in one shot and hopefully use the rest of the week to think about it's application to our own lives.........so let's get right into it..........

Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

We'll approach this from the standpoint of Paul making two important statements here........verses one and two sorta stand on their own........and verses 3 through 5 do the same thing.

He starts out by telling the church that the leaders in the Corinthian church....... himself.......Apollos.......probably some others.......that they should be regarded as servants of Christ who have been entrusted with the mysteries that God has revealed to them......and that they have proven themselves to be faithful.  That's the Reader's Digest version of those two verses.  And in this statement.......Paul reveals a great theological concept........that's very different than what the world thinks.

Think about your own life........Are you successful? What standard do you use to measure success? What standard does the world use?  Well.......I'm guessing that if you were to do a "Man on the Street" interview.......most people would measure success by money........how much are you earning?  Maybe by prosperity.......how much stuff do you own? Certainly prestige would enter into the equation........how high are you up the corporate ladder........how famous are you.......how well respected in the community are you........how many boards do you serve on?  Successful people enjoy the good life.......  being financially and emotionally secure......... being surrounded by admirers.......and enjoying  the  fruits of their labor.  Even a lot of churches in America today  define success in terms of numbers.......building size........budget and  prestige.  I don't attend very many "Pastors' functions"........but when I do it is nearly universal........as soon as you introduce yourself someone will say, "How many people in your church?"   When I met a particular pastor in Albuquerque several years ago.......He said, "Yah, I'm from such and such a church.........our budget is a million dollars a month."  First statement out of his mouth.

But success is measured and defined differently by God........and Paul puts his finger on it in this one passage.......first he calls himself a servant in verse one......and then in verse two he tells us the greatest requirement of his leadership......."I've been faithful."  God's measure of success involves our faithfulness to Him.......regardless of opposition and personal cost. His measure of success is whether or not we're being loyal in our personal relationship with Him.........whether our goals & purposes for our life are the same as His goals and purposes.  Are we FAITHFUL........are we TRUSTWORTHY?  And there's a huge difference in man's view and Gods' view in this area.

Take a look at Jeremiah.......he was an absolute failure when judged by man's definition of success. For 40 years he served as God's spokesman.......but when he spoke no one listened or responded. He was rejected by his neighbors.......his family.......the priests and prophets.......friends and the kings. He was poor and underwent severe hardships to deliver God's messages.  But in God's eyes he was a success. He faithfully and courageously proclaimed God's word and His messages.........he was obedient to his calling.   

Remember Vaughn's message two weeks ago.......John the Baptist?  Things didn't go too well for him did they?  And yet Jesus pays him the greatest compliment anyone could possibly receive from God.........Matt. 11:11........"Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist;"......... What was John?  He was FAITHFUL!

We live in a world where success is defined in innumerable ways.......almost all of which are wrong. Sadly......even much the professing church has missed the true understanding of Biblical success.  I absolutely love how Paul looks back on his life in 2 Timothy 4:7-8........“7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”   What was he?  FAITHFUL!

The world interprets success much differently........and probably the biggest difference we can see from Scripture is found in the book of Hebrews......chapter 11.......what we call the "Great Faith Chapter".   The writer has already talked about Abel and Noah and Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and Joseph.......and he goes on and on about the faithful saints who received acknowledgement from God for their faithfulness.  But in the world's eyes it didn't appear like success.  Look at verses 35-37.........."..........and others were tortured, not accepting their release so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated......".   I don't think the world views that kind of life as successful........these people suffered because they chose to remain faithful to God’s Word and God’s Work. According to the world’s standards.......all of them were absolute failures!  But God sets the world straight with the next verse when He says....... "........38 men of whom the world was not worthy........".  Can you imagine.......in your wildest dreams.......God saying that about you?  "The world wasn't worthy of Carl.......the world wasn't worthy of Ginger."  Wow.

 Paul........in these first two verses of chapter 4 tells each one of us what should be important in our lives........we should be servants of God who have been entrusted with His mysteries.........and above all we're to be faithful.......trustworthy.  That should genuinely be a thought that is foremost in our minds every day.

It reminds me of the story of the young man who had applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." The farmer didn't understand this exactly.........but he liked the young man, and hired him.

A few days later........the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm.  They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.  They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed........safe from the elements. The barn was properly locked.........even the animals were calm. All was well. And the young man......well.......he was sound asleep.  That's when the farmer understood the meaning of the young man’s words......."I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear.........he was prepared for the storm when it came. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

There wasn't anything dramatic or sensational about the young man's preparations.......he just faithfully went about what was needed each day. Consequently.......when the storms came........he was at peace.  I think that's what Paul meant when he said, "........it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.........or faithful."

That brings us to the remaining three verses...... 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

These verses all talk about JUDGMENT......and it's one of the very real problems that Paul was trying to deal with in the Corinthian church.  And it started me thinking about our judicial system here in the United States.  Paul is talking about different levels of judgment here.......and in our judicial system in this country........we've essentially done the same thing.  We have various levels of courts.  We have Magistrate courts and Municiple courts and District courts and Federal courts and then we have the Supreme Court.  And in determining what's legally right and wrong.......all of our courts are important........but let's face it......some of them have more authority than others. John Sanchez.......the Magistrate Judge for Valencia county is not going to overrule a judgement made by the Supreme Court of the United States.  There's an authority structure for judgment in our system. 

We find that the same thing holds true in the spiritual realm. Every day of our lives.........as Christians........we have a lot of decisions to make. Many of those decisions involve matters of right and wrong. We ask ourselves, "Am I doing what’s right? Am I making the best choice?" And there are different standards by which we can judge our actions.........different "courts" to hear our case.  And that's sorta what Paul is talking about here.......and I want to take a look at the courts that Paul raises.

Beginning in verse 3 we see the first "court" that we are subjected to.......the COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.  Paul says........ But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court;.........In other words, "You guys have been judging me.......and it's a small thing."  Now notice that he doesn't say........"Your opinion doesn't matter to me."  He doesn't say, "I don't care what you think."  No.......he just says that it's a small thing.

One thing that I would think we all realize by now is that the court of public opinion is always in session. Everywhere you go........to work.......to play......to the grocery store........probably even to church........people around you are making judgments about you. They're forming their opinions about you........whether you’re doing things right or wrong.......whether you're a good parent or a bad one.......whether you're acting like a Christian or not........whether you’re great in their eyes or a nobody. Sometimes they tell us what they think about us. Sometimes they keep it to themselves.......sometimes they whisper it to a friend.  But you can rest assured that all around you other people are making judgments about your life.

And we don't want to admit it.........but we’re at least a little bit afraid of the judgment of this court. Before we do something or go somewhere.......we usually give some thought as to what we look like.......what people might say when they see us.  Usually in my house it comes in the form of Tish telling me, "You need to change that shirt......it's got chicken grease all down the front of it!"  We concern ourselves with what people are going to think about us.  And more than once in your life I’m sure you’ve done things you really didn’t want to do just to gain the respect of your peers........or to keep people from thinking you're very "uncool".  That’s especially a problem among teenagers and young people.   Should we care about what other people think or say about us?  Well.....let's see what Scripture says. 

Paul was concerned about what people might think and say a little later on in this letter to the Corinthians......where he tells us to act appropriately because of what others may think about us in a certain context.........disorderly conduct in their worship services for one thing. Look at  I Corinthians 14:23........23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

Another place Paul addressed the Corinthians regarding what other people thought about them was in 1 Corinthians chapter 8.  The Christians wanted to know, "Is it all right to eat meat offered to idols?" And the answer to that question was........ "Yes. Meat is meat." And that seems like it should end the problem........but he goes on to say in verse 9......."But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak."  It matters if a weaker brother who thinks it's wrong sees you and you cause him to stumble......in fact it's sin if you do that!  In other words........ "You need to consider how it’s going to affect other people before you make your decision as to whether something is right or wrong for you to do."  So it does matter what the court of public opinion says.......doesn't it?  

I realize that there’s a part of us that doesn’t like to hear that. We want to say......."Paul, if there’s nothing wrong with doing something, then I’m going to go ahead and do it. If I want to eat meat, then I’m gonna to eat meat. And if somebody else has a problem with it........then that’s their problem and not mine." 

But Paul was concerned about other people and what they thought.......enough so that he said........."Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." It’s important that we consider how our actions will affect other people. 

But there's a line we don't want to cross when it comes to the court of public opinion.......and Paul is quick to warn about that also.  Look at Galatians 1:10......For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.  Pleasing men has a limit......and that limit is when it offends God.

Look at some of the illustrations we have in Scripture of this.  Remember this incident in John 9:1........As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”  What happened?  (Jesus made some mud out of spit and put it on his eyes.....told him to wash in the pool at Siloam......and WANGO.......the guy who was blind from birh can see.......and then the Pharisees get involved and start holding their own hearing and call the parents of the blind man in and question them.)

What was their answer.......it's later in John 9:20-23........20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

They wouldn’t acknowledge Jesus for fear of what their fellow Jews might say. Living our lives so as to receive the praise of people around us will get us into trouble.  It reminds me of another place in John's Gospel where even the chief rulers did the same thing...... John 12:43......... 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

When it comes to the court of public opinion.......like Mason said to Dixon....... "You gotta draw the line somewhere."  When we become so attached to public opinion that we’re willing to deny God to keep its favor........then we’ve crossed that line.  The fact is that you're never going to be able to please everybody.  It’s impossible.  Public opinion counts.......it's important to consider........because we don't ever want to be guilty of putting God to shame beause of our actions.......but we don't ever want to act in a manner that would deny God or His teachings. 

The court of public opinion is important........but it’s still a lower court.......what's the next court Paul addresses here?  The Court of Self-Examination........3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself,............What exactly is he telling us here?

There's no doubt that it's important for a Christian to evaluate his own life on a regular basis to see whether he’s doing what’s right or not.  Scripture certainly makes it plain that this is a very valid thing for us to be doing.........and it's usually Paul who's telling us to do so.  Let’s look at a couple of Scriptures that teach that truth.  Galatians 6:3-4..........3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

Paul says here that we have the responsibility to examine our own work........to evaluate our own deeds and actions. The emphasis here is on looking at what you are doing individually........what each one of us is involved in regarding the kingdom.

2 Corinthians 13:5........Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

The major element that plays a part in this process of self-examination is our conscience. One little boy defined conscience as "something that makes you tell your mother before your sister does."  Put in its simplest terms.........our conscience is a judge. It monitors our thoughts......our motives........our actions and our general manner of life. And then it reaches a verdict. It either congratulates us for doing what we believe to be right.........or it condemns us for doing what we believe to be wrong.

So what is it that Paul's saying here in chapter 4?  He says he doesn't examine himself.......his conscience is clear.  How do we make sense of this passage?  It seems evident that our conscience plays an important role in our activities as a Christian.......whether it's good we do or sin........we're to measure ourselves.  In the context here it would appear that Paul is using something of hyperbole........something of an exaggerated position to make a point........it appears to me that he's using the whole counsel of Scripture to make this statement. 

The point Paul's making is that even if he could honestly declare himself innocent.......honestly say......."Hey......I've got a clear conscience."........it's not a very valid judge of whether or not he's really righteous.......because even our conscience can be wrong.  Jeremiah 17:9........“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick;  Who can understand it?"  The fact is that we can even deceive ourselves.  Though saved......our human nature is fallen......it is sinful.  It's the reason that Paul writes about his own struggles in Romans chapter 7......how come I do the things I don't want to do and don't do the things I want to do?  And this is the guy who wrote most of the New Testament.  

Paul was thoroughly human. He was completely saved.......used amazingly by God......a spiritual giant........but human. And it was his recognition of his humanity and fallen nature that caused him not to put too much trust in his clear conscience. If the apostle Paul didn’t fully trust his own conscience........I shouldn’t put too much stock in mine.   

There's two other verses that came to mind here........Judges 21:25........In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 14:12.........There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Another problem with our conscience is that if we continually refuse to listen to it.........it can become seared or calloused.  You know how it is in the beginning of summer.......the first time you take off your shoes and walk across the gravel........it hurts like crazy. But the more you do it........the harder your feet become and by end of the summer........you hardly notice sharp rocks at all. Our conscience is like that. The first time we sin.......it hurts........we feel real bad. But as we sin more and more........our conscience bothers us less and less. 

But our conscience isn't totally untrustworthy.......and just like there were two sides to the court of public opinion.......there's two sides to our conscience also.  On several occasions Paul relied on his conscience and wasn't afraid to say it.  In two places in the Book of Acts he's not shy about his self-examination........ Acts 23:1...........Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”

Acts 24:16..........In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

Self examination.......our conscience guided by the Holy Spirit is very often a good measure of where we are in regards to walking with the Lord.  

So Paul's talked about two courts........the court of public opinion......which we need to be sensitive to.......but not too sensitive........and the court of self examination...... which we also need to be sensitive to........but not too sensitive.

But Paul finishes up this passage with the last part of verse 4 and verse 5 when he says........ ".........but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God."

 Here’s the Supreme Court.......the highest court in the land.  It rules over the court of public opinion.......it totally trumps the court of self-examination.......there's no where to turn........no higher court to appeal to after this court passes judgment.  

Peter proclaimed this truth in Acts 10:42...........And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead.

And Paul makes the same claim in Acts 17:31..........."......because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

No one will escape this final court.......Scripture's clear that every one on this earth will be there. 2 Corinthians 5:10........For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

For many.......the verdict will be, "Guilty of sin........Guilty of rebellion against the Father........guilty of not accepting Jesus Christ for who He is." ........and the sentence will be hell.........eternal separation from God. 

For others.........the verdict will be, "Not guilty........the blood of Jesus Christ has washed away all your sins...........you stand before this court without blemish." And the sentence handed down will be an eternity with the One who made your salvation possible.........Jesus Christ.  

A fundamental concept of justice requires that the standard of judgment be known in advance..........so what will be the basis of that judgment? Stated simply, we are going to be judged according to the gospel........Romans 2:16.........on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.  In light of this........our response to the Gospel becomes pretty important.......doesn’t it? 

What Jesus spoke in John 12:48 is this........He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.  What that translates to is that God’s Word will be our final judge.

The New Testament is the only book that can lay claim to the words of Jesus. By that book we'll be judged.  That would make me think that it's more than important to consult the New Testament on every question of life and godliness. It’s more important than public opinion........more important than conscience.........the court of God’s Word has final authority.  That's why Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians.......that's why God left it here for us to live by.  My prayer is that we are faithful.......remember.....that's what we started with.......being faithful.  My prayer is that we are faithful and obedient to God's Word in our lives.  

1 Corinthians 4:6-21

Alright.......this morning we find ourselves taking on most of chapter 4 of First Corinthians.......and this is the biggest chunk of the letter that we've done in one sitting so far........simply because it all relates to the same teaching.......and Paul tried to cover every conceivable angle in getting his point across.  

The same basic discussion is taking place.......that of divisiveness in the church and how people in the congregation are split over who's the teacher they're going to follow.......but now he gets personal in his application of all that he's been saying........and it starts in verse 6.............  

@ 6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other. 7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?  

@ 8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. 

@ 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.  

@ 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not havemany fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 

@ 18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

Does anyone remember the last time you were spanked?  You know.....the old corporal punishment.......blister your behind.......swat your buttocks.  It was probably more years ago than you care to recall for a lot of you.  It may have been your Mom or Dad......Maybe a Grandma or Grandpa......maybe a teacher at school.......though the probably don't do that any more.  I remember mine.  It was my senior year in high school.......Ag class.  My senior year I had 4 periods of Ag and one period of welding......that was it.......I'm not sure why I even went to school.  But we were doing a welding project and I was in a curtained off welding booth.......and I was smoking a cigarette.  Very much against the rules.  But it was pretty easy to get away with it because there's so much smoke coming from all the welding booths......you rarely got caught.

But this particular day my Ag teacher......Roque Sanchez.......came in my booth and there I sat......not welding......just bein' my own bad self.  Well......there was no doubt about the punishment........five wacks with the paddle.  But this wasn't just any paddle.......it was one of those two-handed models.......about three and a half feet long with holes drilled in it........less drag!  And you'd bend over a welding table and he would commence to have a little "come to Jesus" meetin' with you.  

Mr. Sanchez was one of the finest men I've ever known.  It's not like he enjoyed himself when he exacted his pound of flesh.  He did it because he cared.  Nobody ever doubted that Mr. Sanchez was very concerned about what kind of man you grew up to be. 

If you’re a Christian you realize that correction doesn’t stop with your earthly parents.........or teachers.  Your heavenly Father disciplines you so that you can “share in His holiness” according to the book of Hebrews.   But unlike your parents........who may have punished you wrongly at times........the Lord always chastens you for the right reason........in the right way.......at the right time.  He never makes mistakes.......and Hebrews tells us that He disciplines you to show His love for you .

In this passage........God is going to lovingly spank our spiritual bottoms through Paul's letter to the Corinthians.  Paul lives by the principle spare the rod......spoil the church.......and he uses a number of methods to get his single point across.  He has substituted himself and Apollos in verse 6 rather than put in the names of those leaders who were being divisive.  He uses a great deal of sarcasm.......and he ends the passage with both authority and gentleness.  But I believe the single point of this entire passage is HUMILITY.  It's the overarching theme of everything he's telling them.  When someone asked Augustine what the three most important Christian virtues are........he replied, "Humility, humility, and humility."  And that's what Paul is trying to teach a group of puffed up......self-important church leaders and members here........a little thing called humility.

I don't know if any of you remember seeing the Peanuts cartoon where Linus is talking to Charlie Brown....... @ and he says......."When I get big, I'm going to be a humble, little country doctor. I'll live in the city, and every morning I'll get up, climb into my sports car, and zoom into the country. Then I'll start healing people...I'll heal everyone for miles around. I'll be a world-famous, humble, little country doctor."  I think he might have missed at least a portion of the definition of humility.

Humility is absolutely at the very base of what a Christian is supposed to exemplify in every aspect of their lives.......and yet........this great virtue is in rather short supply in our culture. Paul's not only addressing the congregation......he's also zeroed in on the teachers.......because they were causing some of the divisions.  Even really good people seem to have a hard time being really humble.  It reminds me of a young preacher who preached a message one Sunday morning that was really good.  Had a great impact on the people there. After the service so many people came up to him giving him praise.......which the young man enjoyed very much.  

On his way home he turns to his wife and asks "I wonder how many great preachers there are in the world?"

 His wife replied.........."One less than you think!"

This thing of pride isn't just a problem for the Corinthians......or for the congregation.......a lot of churches have split over teachers thinking too highly of themselves.

We've taken a look at the situation in Corinth before.......in fact the first three chapters showed us what Paul was up against. Pride was a common attitude in the church. The divisions in the church were there because many of the folks at Corinth had picked their favorite teacher.......formed a little clique.......and decided their group was better than all the others. It would also appear that a lot of the people were quite resistant to some of the instructions Paul had given to them. @ You can see that in verse 18 of this passage..........4:18...... Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.  It's kinda like they were saying.........."Who does Paul think he is? We don't have to listen to him."  Both of these problems were rooted in pride. And what he's telling them in verse 6 is that they aren't supposed to exceed what the Bible tells them in any instance..........."Do not go beyond what is written."  

The phrase “what is written” could have two meanings.......neither of them change the basic meaning of the phrase........but we need to understand that Paul could have meant the whole Old Testament.......the Scriptures of the day.  It's also possible that he was referring to the five Old Testament Scriptures that Paul has quoted in the previous three chapters. Because most of these passages are talking about human pride........and call for trusting God alone. The Corinthians were arrogant and causing divisions because they weren't obeying the Scriptures. Paul’s trying to tell them that Scripture is meant to form the boundary for the conduct of the Christian life. Let me say that again........ Scripture is meant to form the boundary for the conduct of the Christian life.  If we humble ourselves and depend upon God we will experience greater unity in the church.

The Corinthians had failed to heed what was written in Scripture as to how leaders were to be viewed.  They argued about who was the best.......and apparently some of the leaders were fanning the flames.  And then Paul gets right down to the heart of the whole argument........the Corinthians had forgotten a very basic fact of life........God is the source of everything they have......everything they are.  They had nothing to do with it. 

I heard a story about a young man who was feeling very proud of himself. As a brand-new college graduate he had taken the C.P.A. exams and passed with flying colors. Now he was a full-fledged Certified Public Accountant. 

His father had been an immigrant to the United States........and now owned his own little business. Filled with self-importance........the young man began to criticize his father’s way of keeping books. 

He said, “Dad, you don’t even know how much profit you’ve made. Over here in this drawer are your accounts receivable. Over there are your receipts, and you keep all your money in the cash register. You don’t have any idea how much profit you’ve made.”

The father answered, “Son, when I came to this country the only thing I owned was a pair of pants. Now your brother is a doctor, your sister is an art teacher, and you are a C.P.A. Your mother and I own our home. We have a car, and we own this little business. Now add that up........subtract the pants,.......and all the rest is profit.”

Add it up, folks. That’s exactly what we need to do too...........Add it all up. We came into this world with nothing but the eternal soul that God gave us. Everything else is profit.  It's what God has given.  Do we have anything that we can boast about......anything that we can get puffed up about or act superior to another?

Then in verses 8 thru 13 Paul addresses them with both sarcasm and irony.  The Corinthians think they're on top of the world. They think they're pretty hot stuff. They see themselves as superior to the apostles.  Their attitudes reflect their hearts.......they think they're much wiser........much stronger.......and much more honorable than the apostles of Jesus Christ. They were a group of proud people. 

In stark contrast to the people of the church at Corinth........humility was a common attitude among the apostles. Even though they'd been chosen as the representatives of Jesus Christ.......they didn't place themselves on a pedestal........they didn't walk around like the Pharisees and look down their noses at people.  

So Paul tries to bring some reality into their thinking.  I wonder how this portion of Scripture would have been written if Paul were to write it today......with today's vernacular.  Probably something like........"There's a real world out there folks.......It's tough and ruthless and cruel. On the surface it might appear to be kind and responsive to your every desire.......but it doesn't care about you and your petty pride.  You and your Peter Pan world are just kidding yourselves.......this is a battleground........and we apostles are fighting the battle. We're living in the real world.......and it doesn't look like yours at all."  He's trying to give them a dose of reality. 

He's trying to tell them that the life the Apostles are living is the life of a Christian.......the life that Christ died for.  He's saying, "We apostles are the pattern for Christian living.  God has put us on exhibit in order that we might demonstrate certain things. He has exhibited us like men sentenced to death, we have become a spectacle........" and the word "spectacle" is where we get our word "theater".  He's telling them that they are on display to show other believers what the Christian life should be like........they're a pattern.   They're not super saints who live up at a level that no one else can hope to attain. They were sent out into the cruel.......rough......ruthless world just like Jesus........and they live in the very reality of life in order to show us how to handle it. 

Another thing I noticed is that Paul refers to the Apostles as "men condemned to death".  I think this would automatically stir up visions of the Roman Colliseum......and gladiators.......and fighting to the death.  Now I've never been to one of those events......but I can only imagine that those men in the arena are not very concerned about the trivialities of life......they don't get caught up in secondary things. Men sentenced to death use their time as wisely as possible.  If you were sentenced to death......you're in the colliseum and they're about to turn the lions out.......or there's some very large man with swords and clubs about to make mince meat of you.......I'm pretty sure you wouldn't care at all who the best teacher at the church was.......or whether you're backing the right leader.  You'd be concerned about what's about to happen......and what you might be able to do about it........and maybe what happens after you're gone. Paul says that was the way the apostles lived........in the reality of life........not dealing with trivial things but putting their time toward the things that count.

Paul paints a pretty grim picture here to try to get the people to look at their lives and see that this striving.......this pride......this dishonor that they bring upon the name of Jesus is worthless.  You think too highly of yourselves......We are fools for Christ.......but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak........but you are strong! You are honored........we are dishonored! We go hungry and thirsty.......dress in rags........are brutally treated.......we're homeless. We work hard with our hands.......and when people curse us......we bless them.  When we're persecuted.......we "cowboy-up".......when we're slandered........we answer kindly. It almost sounds like Paul is boasting here himself.......doesn't it?  But that isn't the case.  He's giving them a pattern to live by.

@ Back in the 60's there was a TV western called THE GUNS OF WILL SONNETT........some of you might remember it.......and Walter Brennan was the title character......roaming the west with his grandson.......looking for his son.  And whenever he'd try to teach his grandson something about one of his exceptional abilities or accomplishments........ @he would end with the phrase, "No brag, just fact." 

That's what Paul's doing.........."No brag, just fact." He's trying to show them that his example isn't being mirrored by the Corinthians.  In fact he tells them why he's saying these things in verse 14........not to shame you but to admonish you.

So.......with all this said.......is HUMILITY really that big a deal?  What's so important about HUMILITY?  I'm guessing the antonym of HUMILITY is PRIDEFUL.  Is being PRIDEFUL a bad thing?   Just briefly.......there's a difference between good pride and bad pride.  There's nothing wrong with being proud of your son or daughter for graduating college......or being in the military......or any myriad of other things.  Those are good things......not at all what we're talking about here.

Where pride takes a turn into the realm of being wrong is when we think that what we've accomplished is all because of our own effort.......when we fail to recognize that God has given us every ability that we have.........there's nothing that we possess that we didn't receive from the Lord.  When we try to take credit for our accomplishment and fail to recognize what God has given........pride has become a problem. 

I don't think we spend enough time in awe of God.......in awe of His power......His grace.......His goodness to us.  @ Max Lucado says.......“I wake up in a world of miracles every morning. Every time I breathe and use the oxygen and incorporate it into my body it is a miracle. Every time I open my eyes and see the beauty that surrounds me, that’s a miracle. Every time I touch the hand of a baby, that’s a miracle. Every time I take a morsel of food and put it into my mouth and chew it, and my body digests it and uses the energy from it, that’s a miracle. Just as surely as it was a miracle when God opened the waters of the Red Sea, just as surely as it was a miracle when Jesus fed the multitudes, just as surely as it was a miracle when Jesus healed the blind man, we wake up in a world of miracles every day. And some of us have the audacity to want more.”  We have to know that it's all God.

There's a second way pride becomes a problem and that's when we think we're better than someone else because of something we've done or we possess. If receiving that college diploma causes you to think, "Well, I'm a better person than that guy over there who didn't graduate"..........then pride's become a problem.   We genuinely cannot elevate ourselves above other people.

Teaching about humility is throughout the Scriptures.  Remember the 18th chapter of Luke's Gospel.......when Jesus is telling about the Pharisee and the tax collector praying.  The then Pahirsee says something about being glad he wasn't like that tax collector......because he prayed and fasted and paid tithes.  But the tax collector was humble and not even willing to lift his face to the heavens.......and just plead for mercy from God because he was a sinner.  Jesus finished the teaching with  @ verse 14.......I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

James and Peter both quote Proverbs 3:34.........He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.

If we're always looking down our noses at people there's no way we can experience true Christian maturity.  We're supposed to be looking more and more like Jesus with every passing day if we're growng spiritually......and what characteristics were very eveident in Jesus?  

Matthew 11:29 gives us a pretty good idea.........Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  Jesus certainly had some enemies........but in general people.......especially ordinary people........found Him to be the type of person they wanted to be around. And without a doubt part of the reason for that was His humility. Christians are often accused of coming off as "holier than thou" and unfortunately that can be a really accurate description.  I recently saw a bumper sticker that said, “Dear Lord, save me from your followers.”  Pretty sad social commentary.  But we do sometimes deceive ourselves into thinking that we're better and smarter than other people because we've received God's grace and trusted in Jesus Christ.  Maybe we've forgotten what grace really is.......by its very nature it's undeserved and unmerited.........remember that.......undeservd and unmerited.  You did nothing for it......your social standing.......your character or intelligence or beauty or wisdom has absolutely nothing to do with you.......it's simply the grace that you've been given. 

F. B. Meyer once said......."I used to think that God's gifts were on shelves one above the other; and that the taller we grew in Christian character, the easier we could reach them. I now find that God's gifts are on shelves one beneath the other. It is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower; that we have to go down, always down, to get His best gifts."  It's all about following in the steps of Jesus.......it's all about humility.

But Philippians 2:3-8 may explain better than any other passage what we as believers should look like......how we should walk through every day.......how we can become closer to what God designed us to be than any other way............3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus........the Creator God.......lowered himself to the level of man.  I can't even begin to think of an analogy for that.  Me voluntarily becoming an ant doesn't even begin to compare.  Christ doing what He did is the absolute epitome of humility......and unless we purpose to develop it in our lives we will never be able to say.......as Paul did in verse 16.....Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

So.......I'm thinking humility is a really good thing to have.......a good characteristic to be developed.  Is it something we can purpose.......or if I'm a proud guy who displays little humility am I just condemned to live that life?  Well.......Scripture tells us that there's no sin we can't overcome.......no flaw we can't fix with the help of the Holy Spirit within us.  So I tried to think of ways we could purpose to rid ourselves of self-importance......and consciously attempt to make humility a part of our character.

And the first thing I thought of was that we should make certain that we never compare ourselves with other people........we should only compare ourselves to God.   If we do this consistently.........we can't help but be humble.  Sure.......you might be smarter than Tom.........you might be more talented than Steve.......or prettier than Greg.......but when we compare ourselves to God........all of our delusions of grandeur pretty well go away. Each and every one of us falls far short of the standards He sets.  

Another thing we can do is to remember.......you're only a Christian because of God's grace. I'm a child of God.........not because I'm better than anyone else.......but because God has graciously chosen me as His own.  If it were not for the grace of God, I would deserve hell just as much as the most evil person that's ever lived. 

Another thing we might purpose is to recognize that God is the source of everything we have. Not just our salvation........but the air we breathe.......the water we drink..........the food we eat........our friends........our family........our health.......every talent or ability we have........all of the things that bring us joy and pleasure......they're all gifts from God.  If you're doing well in your career.......or getting good grades at school.....or doing great at sports or music........or raising children who are all above average......none of that should be a reason to get all swelled up and think you're  pretty good.  The success you enjoy is only because of the gifts God has given you.  When we remember that......it helps to keep us humble. 

How about making a concerted effort to admit your flaws and shortcomings.  Don't only confess your sins to God.......but sometimes it's appropriate to confess to other people.  It helps to keep us humble when we confess our sin to those who we've hurt or slighted.  And don't do it like the guy who had a fight with his girlfriend and sent  @ her a card that said on the front, "I'm sorry. I was wrong."  And then when you opened it up it says,  @ "Not as much as you were.......but I was wrong." 

The last thing you might use to develop more humility in your life is to make an effort to acknowledge the gifts and talents and work of other people.  We probably don't do that enough.......and maybe one of the reasons is that it may make them look better than me.  Usually we even take it to the point of maybe tearing them down a little instead of building them up.  Someone might say, "Boy, Ann sure is smart.....she's the valedictorian of her class."  If our response is, "Yah......she is.....but she could sure stand to lose a few pounds.".......we're not doing much to develop humility.  

Paul concludes this first major section of the epistle by reasserting his apostolic authority.  18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

The arrogance of the Corinthians wasn't in open rebellion against Paul’s authority. Their arrogant self-importance is like that of little children who have the house to themselves when the parents are gone. Paul warns them that......."Daddy's coming back and he had better find everything in order".......he warns them........“I’m on my way…......you better be ready. Talk is cheap!  Show me your power, not your talk.”

Humility is an extremely necessary trait when it comes to spiritual maturity......and it probably starts in realizing how great God is.......and how much He's given us.  All of us probably need to take some time to take inventory and be very thankful.......for all that He's given........Just add it all up........subtract the pants........and realize just how much we've received from God........it should keep us all pretty humble.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

OPEN SERVICE WITH THIS............

It's been a couple of years ago that I read this........and I always knew that someday I'd use it........and it comes from a portion of a speech that a baseball coach named John Scolinos gave back in January, 1996 to a convention of more than 4,000 baseball coaches.  And toward the end of the speech he took one of these..........

WHAT IS THIS?  (Hold up home plate)

How many former Little League coaches......or Little League players are here this morning? "Do you know how wide home plate is in Little League?"
17 inches.....

How about back about a hundred years agao......back in Babe Ruth's day?  Anybody know how wide home plate was back then? "Seventeen inches?" 

How about high school.......any former high school players here?
"How wide is home plate in high school baseball?"  17 inches.....

How about college..........how wide is home plate in college?"  17 inches.....

How about minor League ball......how wide is home plate at Isotopes park?"
17 inches.....

And what about the big guys.......in the Major Leagues, how wide is home plate in the Major Leagues?"  17 inches.....

And what do they do with a pitcher in major league who can't throw the ball over a 17 inch plate?  You might think they send them to the Isotopes......but that's not true.  

I'll tell you what they don't do...........they don't say, 'That's okay, Jimmy.  You can't hit a 17-inch target?  18......22....... If you can't hit that, let us know so we can make it wider still, say twenty-five inches.'"

But what happens when a coach's best player shows up late to practice?  What if he gets caught drinking?  Do we hold him account-able?  Or do we change the rules to fit him.  Do we widen home plate?

TURN PLATE OVER   (Draw two windows and a door - house)

"This is the problem in our homes today.  With our marriages, with the way we parent our kids.  With our discipline.  We don't teach accountability to our kids, and there is no consequence for failing to meet standards.  We simply, widen the plate!"

"This is the problem in our schools today.  The quality of our education is going downhill fast and teachers have been stripped of the tools they need to be successful, and to educate and discipline our young people.  We are allowing others to widen home plate!  Where is that getting us?"

"And this is the problem in the Church, where powerful people in positions of authority have taken advantage of young children, only to have such an atrocity swept under the rug for years.  Our church leaders are widening home plate for themselves!  And we allow it."

"And the same is true with our government.  Our so called representatives make rules for us that don't apply to themselves.  They take bribes from lobbyists and foreign countries.  They no longer serve us.  And we allow them to widen home plate and we see our country falling into a dark abyss while we watch."

If we fail to hold ourselves to a higher standard........a standard of what we know to be right.......GOD'S STANDARD.  If we fail to hold our children to the same standards.......if we are unwilling or unable to provide a consequence when they don't meet the standard.......

And if our schools and our government and churches fail to hold themselves accountable to those they serve, there is but one thing to look forward to ..."

TURN PLATE OVER to black side..........  "... dark days ahead."

This is a secular illustration for a very real spiritual problem that we'll be dealing with this morning.........We have got to keep ourselves at 17 inches.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Alright........in looking back over our study of 1 Corinthians......I realized that this is the 17th installment........17 messages on 4 chapters........which means I'm really slow!  "I'm not a smart man.......but I'd make a good husband."  And in the four chapters that we've covered.......two things have become painfully clear.  First.......the church at Corinth in the first century had some real problems.......and secondly.......those same problems plague the church in 21st century America.  Nothing has changed.......we have exactly the same problems.....and I've finally figured out what the problem is.........write this down.......THE CHURCH IS FULL OF PEOPLE.  If we didn't have people......we'd be fine!!!!

The church in Corinth was full of busybodies......backbiters......divisive people......and every form of malcontent.......and now in chapter five Paul addresses another problem that threatens the very character and witness of this newfound church..........

@ It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

@3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

@6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

@9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

Wow.......I'm not sure there are many passages of Scripture that so clearly tell the story of the current state of the church in America today.  And probably the entire chapter can be summarized by the first two verses....... @ It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

And in these two verses we see that Paul really makes three main points.......and the first one is that your sin is so prevalent that it has reached my ears......people are talking about it......everybody knows about it.  "It is actually reported......."......Paul's saying that this is front page news.......in fact......if the National Enquirer was being published back then.......Paul would have read it at the checkout line in Walmart.  It's like he's saying......"Right next to the article on the latest sighting of Elvis......there was the story about the Corinthian sexual scandal..........only it wasn’t a scandal........the actual story was about how “tolerant” you Christians are being about the sin in your midst.........THAT was the amazing part of the story."

Does that run any parallels to the church in America today?  Well.......just to confirm my fears I Googled......WEIRD CHURCHES IN ALBUQUERQUE........actually......I searched "LGBT churches, Albuquerque" the other day.  I found 13 churches advertising as LGBT churches.......four were Catholic.......three were Episcopal........two were Metropolitan Community churches.......whatever those are.......two Presbyterian and two were United Church of Christ. 

I went to two of the websites listed just to see how they promoted their sin....... @and if the church at Corinth had a website I'm pretty sure it would look something like this........with pictures of their gay marriages and their float in the gay pride parade.  Or perhaps it would just claim the merits and glory of transcending mere Christianity into a realm of PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY....... @where we just made some stuff up......and you can believe this junk too.  Because the reality that we made up for ourselves is that ".......the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey."

This sounds exactly like what Paul finds himself confronting in Corinth some two thousand years ago.  They weren't just tolerating sin.......they were celebrating their tolerance of sin.  

@ (Don't read)   It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.

The second main point that these first two verses makes is that we aren't talking about some small infraction of God's biblical ordinances here.......we aren't talking about the sin of worry.......or that you said something that wasn't nice.  We're talking about the kind of sin that even the pagans around you would cringe at.  It's the stuff that even those who don't know God wouldn't involve themselves in.

And the third point that Paul brings out in these two verses is that their response to the sin in the church isn't shock and awe.......it's not even a yawn.......it's an acceptance of the sin and a true arrogance and pride toward themselves because they are so "all inclusive".

This entire chapter is committed to church discipline........something that for at least the last thirty years has been almost as rare in the church as sightings of Big Foot.  The church in America today is viewed more as a social club rather than a God ordained institution with authority over believers.  It's a place to come and be with their friends or to be able to display their talents and have people applaud them.  

The problem is that social clubs today have more expectations of their members than most churches. The Masons hold their members accountable.........the Elks......Mooses and gooses.......and anybody else you can think of do too.  And it's a sad commentary.  

And that's probably because the church has followed the way of our culture here in America and decided that there are really three priorities in most of the lives of Americans today.......three mindsets that the church has decided to conform to rather than take a biblical stand.  @Our culture has deemed Open mindedness.......Total acceptance and Privacy as the mainstream thought of our society......and anyone who dares cast a negative light on these three "gods" is in danger of being labled an intolerant......bigoted......narrow-minded fool.  So the church pretty well leaves those topics alone.......at the detriment of the spiritual growth of Christ's followers.

Open-mindedness is considered the highest of all character qualities in the day in which we live. I’m all for keeping an open mind.......but that used to mean something positive......now it's taken to such an extreme that it is no longer a positive character trait as defined by our culture.  The definition of an open mind in the 21st century is a mind that says there's no such thing as absolute truth.......what's true for me may not be true for you and vice-versa.  All truth is relative to the circumstances that you find yourself in.  Truth is constantly changing.  Have you heard these things?

There actually was a time.......in the not to distant past when you could appeal to the Bible in a time of controversy......not just in church but even among the general public......and whatever the Bible said.......that settled it! That’s certainly not even close to reality any longer.  The Bible is outdated......it's irrelevant........it's no longer regarded with any respect at all.  Politicians run for office on platforms of open-mindedness........don’t take a stand on critical issues or you’ll be labeled as narrow-minded. “It’s just an alternate lifestyle........and you’d understand if you weren’t so narrow-minded!”

The problem is that we can no longer point the finger at someone else with these attitudes........because the same attitude has crept into the church.........so much so that preachers are afraid to deal with certain subjects.......even when they're asked to.  There are some controversial subjects that might offend certain people so they are left alone.  

There are a couple of men I meet with on a regular basis to discuss spiritual things......and one conversation we had.......back when we were doing the study on A Christian Response to Homosexuality.......I asked if their pastor ever addressed contemporary subject matter from the pulpit.........they both responded that he wouldn't touch those kind of issues.......even when asked to.  They were too contentious to deal with......not only would people's feelings get hurt.......but there are so many opinions out there.  But wait.......there's only one biblical opinion.

This passage today deals with church discipline.......but church discipline can't exist if the church has bought into the concept of "open-mindedness".

The second mindset that our culture has bought into is that of TOTAL ACCEPTANCE.  Today we're expected to accept the behavior of everyone around us.......no matter what it is. The cry of the day is “TOLERANCE!” And the price one pays if deemed INTOLERANT is to be cast out from mainstrem society.  Go to any college campus in the country and you'll get an earful of it.  But we don't have to go to a campus to witness it........we see it in the churches across America.  But think about it........What is the definition of TOLERANCE?  

The traditional definition of tolerance.......genuine tolerance.......means to put up with, allow or endure something that one doesn’t agree with. Genuine tolerance between the members of society entails a respect of individual differences and the acknowledgement of equality between individuals.  We may differ on our individual beliefs about something......but we agree to disagree.

The new definition of tolerance is a completely different animal. New tolerance demands the acceptance of beliefs......and behaviors......and practices one doesn’t agree with.  It's a one-way street.......and this is what makes it so valuable to those who use it as a political or social tool.  Our redefined tolerance is used to silence particular ideas or groups through shame......ridicule.......and intimidation.  We see the process lived out all the time.  And where it hurts us is when we see some church members expecting everyone to accept their behavior........no matter what it is.  Usually the response is "Why are you judging me?"

But the fact is that just as parents are expected to exercise discipline over their kids........God commands.........He doesn't suggest.........He COMMANDS the local church to exercise discipline and accountability over its members! 

One reason why church discipline has gone by the wayside is that we have become afraid of appearing judgmental.  We are afraid of being labled INTOLERANT.  And it's harmed the reputation of Jesus Christ.

The third "god" of the new millineum is PRIVACY.  "Stay out of my life!"  "What someone does behind closed doors is their own business."  In America today.......privacy has been elevated to constitutional status. The issue of privacy has invaded the home.  Have you ever heard of kids telling their parents.........“You have no right to invade my privacy! Stay out of my bedroom when I’m not home!”  Wow......that's so foreign to me.......I wasn't raised that way and my kids certainly weren't.  

Parents.......if they live under your roof.........you not only have the right........you have the responsibility to go into their room........their car......their fort........anytime you want to!  You have the responsibility to know what music they listen to.......what they're doing on the computer......what video games they play.  Scripture is very plain that God disciplines us because He loves us.  We should be on the alert with our children in every area of their lives.......and if we see them being involved with things of the world that will harm their spiritual walk we're required to take action.......because we love them.

That same cry is now heard from the church.  "It's none of your business."  "I don't care what they do behind closed doors."  "Who are you.......Big Brother?"  So is it true......should the church stay out of your private affairs?  What harm is it doing if you're involved in some open sin that is of a private nature?

Here's the problem.......and there's no way of getting around it.  The church is supposed to be a beacon of light in any community.......we as individuals have the Light.......and it's supposed to shine brightly.  But when we're no different than the world around us........there isn't any light.  If the divorce rate between couples outside the church is exactly the same as couples inside the church.......what happens?  Everybody keeps saying......“It’s so bad out there today!”  And they're right........but the darker this world grows........the brighter our light can shine.........unless we look no different than the world.  We've got to stop looking like the world.......we've got to stop compromising God's standards for man's philosophies.  

This is the dilema that Paul was dealing with in Corinth.  They were on the verge of moral collapse......they were losing their witness to the culture.......they were involved in open, flagrant, public sin, and the people of the church didn't just want to sweep it under the rug.......they wanted to show how loving they were by being tolerant.  That's not love......that's total compromise of godly principles in the name of satan himself.

We're not called to go around looking for sin in peoples' lives......we're not called to be busybodies.......but when a member of the Body of Christ is involved in sin that becomes public knowledge.......in a way that would harm the testimony of the church or the reputation of Jesus Christ.......then the leadership of the church is obliged to step in.

So how do we differentiate between sin......the stuff we all struggle with on a daily basis.......and sin that's of a nature that church discipline is required?  Because every one of us is capable of the most greivous of sins........look at David........ he probably broke about 7 of the 10 commandments all at once when he coveted his neighbor’s wife.......made lust his God........committed adultery.......lied.......stole.......killed and then covered it up.  Good grief......it sounds like a single day in Congress!!!!!!

So......which sins should be confronted by church leadership?  There's an old addage....... Sin privately.........repent privately.  Sin publicly.......repent publicly.  But I don't believe that's the only criteria to be utilized.  Much of it has to do with the attitude of the sinner.    If the offending party is not repentant when confronted with the sin they're involved in......it becomes a matter of church discipline.  In this case Paul is addressing not only a brother who is unrepentant.......but a congregation who are proud of their tolerance for sin.

Look at the greivous sin that David was involved in with Bathsheba that we just mentioned.  When confronted by Nathan the prophet regarding his sin what did David do?  @ In 2 Samuel 12:13-14 we're told.........Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord."  And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.  So we see a very repentant heart on the part of the sinner.......and a forgivness and reinstatement by God.  

@But go on to verse 14......."However, because by this deed you have given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die."  David's sin was a very public act......and God dealt with it very publicly. 

  We need to understand that the whole purpose of church discipline is not to get even.........it’s not to get rid of someone..........it’s to bring an erring brother to a place of repentance. The goal is ALWAYS restoration.

Probably the biggest deterrent or roadblock to the modern day church in the area of church discipline is that we tend to run away when anyone says, "Who are you to judge me?".........or .........."The Bible says we're not supposed to judge others."  

This past week.......I was already done with my message and was reading a new survey that had come out that was conducted on college campuses......and it was actually a follow-up to a survey that was done in 1970 on the same college campuses.  And one of the questions asked back then was, "What do you think the most well known Bible verse is?"  What do you think the answer was? @ JOHN 3:16.......of course. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." 

So now........some 46 years later.......the same question is asked of college students.......what's the answer today?  Matthew 7:1.......“Do not judge so that you will not be judged."  It's the GO-TO verse for our society today.  Christians aren't supposed to judge!  Is that what Scripture says?   And we find that the church has bought into this.  I've heard Christians spout that very idea in conversation regarding things that we are supposed to judge.  So how does that work?  Does Matthew 7:1 really say that?  Of course it does.......But it's imperative that we deal with every verse in the context that God placed it.......so what's the context.  Well.......let's look at verses 2-5 of the same passage........

2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

Jesus clearly says do not judge so that you will not be judged........but who's He talking to?  He identifies His audience in verse 5 with the words "You hypocrite."  Jesus isn't telling Christians not to judge.........He's warning that we will be held accountable for the manner in which we judge.........we will be judged by the same standard that we use.  In other words.........if we know enough about sinful behavior to tell others that it's wrong.........then we have no excuse for that sin to be present in our own lives.......otherwise we'd be hypocrites.   

This is completely consistent with Paul's advice in I Corinthians 11:31-32....... 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. 

Christ and Paul both tell us not to be hypocrites in our judgments.......but to judge righteously.  We saw a glimpse of the power that God has given to believers to judge earlier in this letter.  Remember I Corinthians 2:14-15...... 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.  The word APPRAISED here in this passage is translated JUDGED in other versions.  It's a word used in the sense of investigation or understanding.  We who have the Holy Spirit are able to grasp......to understand.......to scrutinize......to judge eternal matters. Through the Holy Spirit we are able to hear God's words and proclaim His judgments righteously. 

There are a few conditions that God has placed on our judgments.......and I want to briefly go over those so that we have an understanding that believers are not only allowed......but are expected to be judges in certain matters.

Scripture is plain that God is the only One that is capable of judging a person's salvation.......so that area is out for the church to judge.  But we can certainly judge people's actions.......people's conduct........but we can't judge their hearts.......their motivation. 

The primary stipulation given for Christians regarding judging is that we're not supposed to proclaim our own judgments......those based upon our opinions........but we're to pronounce the judgments of God based on His truth.  Jesus serves as the best example in this matter.  John 5:30.........“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 

Scripture tells us we have the mind of Christ.......we have God's Word and His Holy Spirit to guide those judgments.  And when I first put this message together I pulled out all kinds of verses that deal with us judging righteously.......and it would have taken an extra half an hour to deal with all of them.  But suffice it to say that Scripture is not opposed to Christians utilizing God's Word to judge the actions of others.

There is one area of judgment that I want to expound upon briefly and that is in the area of biblical doctrine.  And it's a two edged sword......it goes to extremes both right and left.  Many refuse to judge anything for fear of being called divisive. Still others cause senseless disputes and divisions by making everything a matter of doctrine.......by judging others in legalistic areas that are not matters of salvation. 

So......I want us to take a look at Romans 16:17 which is one verse that seems to make it clear not only what constitutes a division........but how to treat those who cause them........Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

Here is a pretty clear passage that deals with God's Word.  And Paul tells us to "keep your eye" on those who cause dissensions and hindrances.........keep your eye on.......mark those.......be aware of those who cause divisions.......but what kind of divisions?  Those divisions that are contrary to God's Word.  It says to mark those who cause divisions or offenses by espousing doctrine that is contrary to Scripture. This is an important distinction because it implies that there are divisions or offenses that are not contrary to Scripture.  But those that are contrary to Scripture we are to turn our backs on those who would proclaim it.  God is very serious in this regard.  He desires that the church be free of false doctrine and false teachers.     

Let's face it........the Word of God will be considered divisive and offensive by those who rebel against God anyway.  We cannot afford to take a lax or gentle approach to those causing division within the Body over doctrinal issues.  We in the church cannot be a part of not judging people in this area.  We cannot take a mamby-pamby approach to confronting people causing divisions of a doctrinal nature.  There have been times that we've had to confront these issues over the years in this Body.......and it isn't easy......but it's always necessary.  

This passage is very clear that church discipline is an essential scriptural doctrine that must be adhered to.  His illustration of  a little yeast affecting the entire batch of dough is very telling regarding what a little sin going unchecked in a church Body can do.  Open sin not dealt with will invade the whole church.  And a secondary lesson to this teaching is that we can bring it down to a personal level.........if we let sin go in our own lives without confronting it......without repenting........it will start to invade other areas of our life and will very quickly make us useless for the Lord.

And let's finish up with an interesting clarification that Paul makes here...... 9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

The Christian life is not expected to be lived in a monastery. Like Jesus.......we're expected to mix with those who aren't saved........people who are still in sin. We are not supposed to live in isolation from the world......we're just not supposed to act like the world.  We certainly shouldn’t be saying to them.......“You're doing just fine........I’m so proud of you.” 

Our message to the world should be........“God loves you and doesn’t want you to suffer the consequences for your rebellion against Him........so He made a way to rescue you by His Son Jesus.” That’s not condemning..........it's not tolerant.........it’s the gospel.

But our message to other believers should be that open rebellion to God's revealed Word is to be dealt with head-on.  We don't make the rules........God does.  It reminds me of a story I heard about Willie Nelson......who apparently at one time owned a golf course.  He said the great thing about owning a golf course was that he could decide what par for each
hole was. He pointed at one hole and said, “See that hole there? It’s a par
47. Yesterday I birdied it.”  Well........we can't decide what par for the course is either when it comes to determining right from wrong. God decides that.

The world accuses the church of judging them........condemning them. It's not supposed to be that way. We’re not the ones to condemn........we’re the ones to bring the good news.  But even as we don’t judge or condemn those on the outside of the church.........there's a responsibility to judge what’s going on in the church.  God disciplines those he loves.  As a church we're not showing love by tolerating sin within the body. 

The church in Corinth was wrong in the manner that they dealt with sin......and with the sinner.  The church today is just as wrong.  The only thing I can suggest is that when it comes to the church........all of us make every attempt to KEEP IT 17 INCHES.........don't allow any compromise to creep into your lives in regard to spiritual matters.

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Let me start out this morning with a question......what is “the great American pastime?” BASEBALL.........For decades........baseball has been referred to by this name. However.......litigation is quickly overtaking it. Our sense of justice in this country is big business. It’s also turning into a great entertainment value.......with shows all about somebody suing somebody else. The legal frenzy that we seem to be wrapped up in is driven by some of our favorite national slogans.........“I’ve got my rights.” 

“I don’t have to take that from you.” 

“I’ve got it coming to me.”

“I deserve it!”

Our national motto seems to have changed from “In God we trust” to “See you in court!”  To give you some idea of that........I looked up some of the frivolous lawsuits that have been brought to court in recent years.........

@ Richard Overton sued Anheuser-Busch for false advertising when he found that drinking a six-pack of Bud Light failed to produce visions of beautiful women on a balmy beach. He sought damages for $10,000.........claiming that this deceptive marketing caused him emotional and psychological distress.

@ Austin Aitken sued NBC for $2.5 million after a particularly grotesque challenge on Fear Factor allegedly made him vomit and run into a wall. According to the suit Aitken was a regular watcher of the show until he witnessed contestants competing in a rat-eating challenge...........which Aitken claimed caused his blood pressure to rise so much he became disoriented and was unable to see the door on his way to the bathroom. 

@ David Roller filed a $2 million lawsuit against magician David Blaine and another $50 million lawsuit against magician David Copperfield because he claims the two men "stole his Godly powers." According to Roller.......the magicians used witchcraft to extort his powers from him. 

@ Webster Lucas sat down at a California McDonald’s to enjoy a Quarter Cheese Deluxe Burger when he noticed only one napkin in his bag. The one and a half million dollar lawsuit claims Lucas approached the counter and asked the manager for more napkins and was treated rudely which caused him great emotional pain and suffering.

@ A Washington, D.C. judge took his pants to get dry-cleaned at a family-owned business called Custom Cleaners. According to him........they never returned the correct pair of pants which betrayed the "satisfaction guaranteed" sign in their store.  This served as enough reason to sue the business for 67 million dollars.....which is obviously the most expensive pair of pants in the history of pants.

It's what we do.......we sue people.......we sue businesses........one Nebraska Senator even sued God!  Democratic State Senator Ernie Chambers filed a lawsuit against God in Douglas County Court asking for a "permanent injunction ordering the Defendant to cease certain harmful activities claiming.......the defendant directly and proximately has caused........among other things.......fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornados, and plagues..."  Chambers bases his ability to sue God, as, "that defendant, being omnipresent, is personally present in Douglas County."

Tragically........the words “I’ll sue” are two of the most over-used words in our American vocabulary today........because everybody is suing everybody else. Children are suing parents, students are suing teachers, players are suing coaches..........and it isn’t limited to non-Christians.  A church in Ohio was recently sued by one of its members because the church published a prayer request that he felt violated his privacy......he won.  

Trying to counter our cultural obsession with lawsuits is a difficult task.......one made even more difficult when the church itself.......and its members are embroiled in lawsuits themselves.  In the 21st century it's difficult to tell the non-believers from the believers.......and when you couple that with the fact that incidents of abuse......fraud..... child support and other issues that are much more prevelant today than they were 2000 years ago.......it is a very relevant topic for the church to teach on.  So we'll be dealing with 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 this morning.......and it goes like this........Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

@7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

So.......obviously what we see today is nothing new. Two thousand years ago in ancient Greece the church in Corinth was “sue happy” as well.  But the apostle Paul states very clearly that Christians.......of all people.......ought to be able to settle their own disputes. 

Now today.......in the environment of our society.......we might not think that was such a big deal.  It hardly seems surprising.......especially in a large church.......that there would be disputes leading to civil action between members of the same church. But for Paul........this was a symptom of a much larger problem........the Corinthians neither understood nor lived out the gospel.  They didn't understand who they really were.  And that's a theme throughout this text.  We need to understand who we really are........and I hope we get that today.

We can readily see that the New Testament is both historically and culturally conditioned........The words that were written thousands of years ago were written in the context of the culture way back then.  Some of the things we face today didn't exist back when the New Testament was written.  But the basic problems and tendencies of humanity are exactly the same.  We're selfish.......we want our way.......we're greedy...... basically......we're sinners......and so were they.   

But God's Word is sufficient for application no matter the time in history.  I realize that some believers may view the issue of litigation and the proper use of it differently. We've all got to walk in the light we have. I'm hoping that we can learn the right application of these verses today and maybe shed some understanding on this contentious issue of litigation........because it would appear to me that the context of this passage is really one of the keys to a proper understanding of it.

In a day of little church discipline........rampant divorce between believers....... combined with a greedy law suit happy society it's crucial for us to study and adhere to God's desires in this chapter.  American freedoms are based on equality under the law........which means that as believers we naturally live in two realms........one civil and one spiritual.  From my reading of it.......Romans chapter 13 tells us clearly that we're not expected to abolish our legal system........but we've got to remember our heavenly citizenship as well. Both realms have rights and responsibilities. But one realm does have priority over the other.

As I said........the key to understanding the application of these verses is to understand our true identity in Christ. When we understand who we are in Christ.......we won't have to go to war with other believers over material possessions or legal rights. Paul’s point is that we should live out who we are..........if we would forget about our rights and become more Christ-like we'd be doing it God's way.  This whole passage shouts to us that personal loss is better than any loss the kingdom might suffer because of our actions. 

 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

In this section........Paul poses eight questions in eight verses. By hammering the Corinthians with questions he's hoping to get them to see clearly that they are making a mockery out of being a Christian.  They aren't seeing who they are and how different they're supposed to be. He tells them plainly that believers should keep their civil conflicts out of the courts of unbelievers. When there's a conflict.......it should be settled within the confines of the local church. 

Paul starts this section out with a very pointed question.......and it sounds to me like he's kinda ticked off........he's basically saying.......“How dare you take your legal grievances against each other before unrighteous people!  How could you do this? What are you thinking?” 

So.......why is Paul so upset?   The decision by these Christians to go to court reveals how little they realize who they are........and the fact that they have everything they need to settle their own disputes God's way.  Remember back in chapter 1.........Paul identified these people as “saints” or holy ones of God (1:2). He said they were enriched in Christ Jesus and were not lacking in any gift (1:5-7). In chapter 2 he said they had the mind of Jesus Christ; they could think the way Christ thought (2:14-16). So they have.......right there in their body of believers.........all the resources necessary to settle disputes. The Corinthians boasted of their great spiritual gifts........so why don't they use them in solving their own problems?

Besides that........when someone hauled a brother or sister into court they weren’t just settling a dispute.........they were holding the church itself up to public scrutiny and ridicule.   The Christians in Corinth were publicly airing their “dirty laundry” throughout the city. These lawsuit-happy Christians don’t seem to care what other people think......or how it looks to an unbelieving world.  This flies in the face of Paul’s simple exhortation that we should live out who we are.

Then Paul shoots two more questions at them......don't you realize you're going to judge the world........you're going to judge angels?  He makes his case by using future end-time realities to motivate the Corinthians in their present lives. Scripture tells us that one day we will rule and reign with Jesus Christ.......we will be in positions to judge.  Paul's saying that as Christ's representatives we've been given His authority to judge in the present and in the future. He's saying......."Come on guys......you're going to be ruling with Christ.......surely you ought to be competent enough to decide the kinds of disputes that occur among the members of your church."  We should live out who we are.

Paul continues this same thought in verses 4 thru 6.  Verse 4 could probably be better translated than what we have here......in fact......I think the King James may do a better job with it.......and it can be interpreted as either a question or a command.......but it seems better to view it as a command like the NIV and KJV do.  When viewed like that.......a paraphrase of the verse would say something like......."You're better off appointing as a judge the least qualified among Christians than to go to the secular courts."  

In  verses 5 and 6 Paul points out a bit of irony in the Corinthians thinking.  Throughout his letter so far the Corinthians have been guilty of boasting........so he hits them with a question that should really hurt their pride.   He sarcastically asks, “Are you so wise that there's no one in the church to judge legal matters? Do you actually need to go outside the church? I thought you were smart. Don’t you have at least one person who can judge legal matters?”

 Paul’s point is pretty clear.........Any Christian walking with the Lord is a better option than taking a case before an unbeliever in a secular court of law. After all........we have the mind of Christ........we have the motivation of love......we have the absence of revenge.......we have the desire to see even the guilty restored. Christians have the advantage of adhering to biblical truth and justice.  Why would you possibly go to a secular court?

So......what's the right way to respond?  He shows them in the next two verses.  @  DON'T READ 7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

Paul tells them that going to court with a fellow-believer is a no-win situation.......in fact it's a “total defeat.”  Paul says the better way is to take the loss........he's telling us that it's better to be a victim than a victor. 

Paul’s instructions here can only be understood in terms of the totally different value system between a Christian and that of the unbeliever.  Think about the number of times this same thought is revealed in the New Testament.

When Jesus invited men to follow Him.....what did He say?  He told them to “Take up ther cross daily” to follow Him.  It’s the same teaching that Jesus taught His disciples when He told them not to retaliate......but to return good for evil.  It’s what Paul teaches as well in Romans 12:17-21....... 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Jesus taught that if a man forces you to go a mile......you should go two miles instead.  Our attitude should not be to seek our own interests ahead of others......but rather to seek the interests of others ahead of our own.  This being the case.......we should be willing to be wronged and defrauded.......especially for the sake of the Gospel and for the testimony of the church.  It’s all the same teaching.......we’re someone different......we need to let it impact our lives.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I can think of a number of good reasons for not letting someone cheat me. 

First, it’s not fair. 

Second, I worked hard for what he cheated me out of. 

Third, if I let him cheat me this time without resisting, he’ll just do it again when he realizes I’m such a wimp. 

Fourth, if I let him cheat me.......I’m letting him cheat my family......and I'm a man who takes care of my family. 

And on and on we can go giving good reasons why Jesus and Paul just aren’t very practical on this point. But without trying to discuss all the ramifications.........I think we've got to at least see that if these passages teach nothing else........they teach that as a Christian my rights are not as important as my testimony.  If I look after my testimony.......I think there's a pretty good chance that God will look after my rights. After all........God's either in control or He is not. He's either the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills or He's not.  If He’s not........then we’re all just wasting our time here today..........and if He is..........then I don’t need to break my neck trying to protect my rights and my property and my reputation. God will take care of all that for me. 

Paul's preaching a powerful message here that needs to be sounded loudly and clearly to a society that is so bent on “getting our rights”..........but rarely about being willing to suffer earthly loss in order to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. After all.........we can't take anything earthly with us when we depart from this life.......so why should we be so concerned about earthly rights and possessions here? We should be willing to give to one another rather than trying to get from one another. There should be no going to court with one another. If we insist on going to court it should be a court of believers in the church.........not unbelievers outside the church.......unless we really don't mean any of this.

And in the last 3 verses of our text this morning Paul lays out the reason......the motivation......the whole purpose of his stand on Christians not taking one another to court....... (DON’T READ)....... 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [f]effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

And I’ve always used the secondary application of these verses in the past to show that no matter what the sin is that a person is involved in the can be freed from it.  If you look at this list of 10 pretty bad sins......most people think there’s a love of them that we’re just born with.  Homosexuals......drunkards.......the world says there’s no recovering from these.  The world’s wrong.  Verse 11 tells us very clearly SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU......but you’re not anymore......because of Jesus Christ.  Alcoholics Anonymous is wrong......they tell people “You’ll always be an alcoholic”.......God tells us we don’t have to be.  The world says, “I was born a homosexual......I will always be one.”  God says, “No you weren’t......it’s sin.”  But when you look at the context of these verses you realize that that’s a secondary application of this verse.

The primary application is in the context of what Paul’s talking about.  He’s talking about unrighteous judges.......Paul’s telling them that these judges they’re seeking out won’t spend eternity with them.  They’re not brothers and sisters in Christ.  Consequently.......they don’t have Christians’ best interest at heart.

What I see here is an exhortation to remember that they too once were unbelievers......but they aren’t any more.  And rather than scold them again he’s reminding them that they are different.  He’s saying to them, “Remember who you are.  Live out who you are.......you are washed......sanctified......justified.  You aren’t those people any longer.”  In spite of their serious behavioral problems......the Corinthians are believers......they need to live like it.  When we remember how much we’ve been forgiven in Christ.......is should put our petty grievances against one another in a proper perspective.

Now I want to wrap up this section by anticipating some questions this passage may have created......and trying to answer them......and the first one is.......IS IT EVER LEGITIMATE FOR A BELIEVER TO USE THE SECULAR COURT SYSTEM?  Yes it is......in fact Paul had a high regard for the Roman justice system.  Acts 18 tells us that in the city of Corinth during Paul’s time there......the Jews had dragged him before the proconsul.....a man named Gallio......and the Jewish leaders accused him of treason....of preaching a religion that would undermine Rome.   Gallio listened to it and said “NO......this is a minor religious dispute......it has no place in a court of law.”  So Paul himself benefitted from the fairness of Roman justice.

This passage in chapter 6 is dealing only with civil disputes between individuals......not criminal actions or other kids of legal action.  The only thing that is categorically ruled out is for a believer to sue another believer.  In Rom. 13:4, Paul makes it clear that secular criminal law courts are valid and needed.  In a fallen world.....there’s a lot of evil out there........people can be vicious and violent in the selfishness.  So God established government as a means to protect its citizens.  Romans chapter 13 provides a way to enforce relative social justice.....by force if necessary.....but it is a legitimate biblical institution.  We have to realize that there’s a very real difference between sins and crimes.  Sins are handled by the church while crimes are handled by the state.  Both are God’s governing authorities.  It’s possible that when a crime has been committed a Christian may at times be obligated to turn a fellow Christian in.....even to testify against him in court.  The church doesn’t have jurisdiction over criminal justice......that belongs to the state.

There is one time when I believe it is permissible to sue......and that is when one is seeking protection from the state.  Churches have filed class-action suits for protection of religious freedom.  Right-to-life organizations have sued for the protection of the unborn.  Civil rights organizations have sued for the protection of the rights of minorities.  A Christian university sued for protection from what it was as a vendetta by the IRS.  These type of legal stemps really have to be weighted carefully......we’ve got to consider any negative impact it could have on the name of Jesus Christ.......so it must be undertaken only with due consideration......but I don’t think this passage rules these type of instances out.

As believers......the poser of the Gospel ought to compel us to live by the law of love.  It should make us serve one another.  We should follow the example of Christ and not demand our rights......even when wronged.  And we ought to consider one another as more important than ourselves.  What does it say......or not say......to a watching world......bout the transforming poser of the Gospel when we can’t even settle disputes with one another?

Scripture says we’re different.......we need to show the world that se are.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

So........today we find ourselves back in the book of First Corinthians......the letter that Paul penned to the church at Corinth nearly two thousand years ago.  And so far we've seen that the church that was started there has some pretty serious problems.....and Paul's been dealing with them in order to set these believers back on solid ground.  Corrupt teachings have infiltrated the church and as a consequence.....their testimony to the world has been seriously compromised.  

Paul has repeatedly tried to move people away from an attitude of  "It's all about me"........and tried to get them to focus on the One who calls and saves them. He opens the letter with twenty references to God or Christ in the first ten verses........."This isn't about you......it's about the One who saved you." We in America need this teaching probably more than they did back in Corinth in the first century.  Our culture is all about ME.......and Paul's saying, "No.....it isn't."   

We dealt with the first eleven verses of chapter 6 the last time and saw that the people within the Body were involved in lawsuits.......even against each other.........and Paul's admonition to them was that it's better to be defrauded than it is to risk hurting our witness for Jesus Christ.  That same teaching is as valid today as it was back then.

This morning we're going to start in verse 12 of chapter 6 where Paul is going to deal with the proper attitude towards sex........and how badly the Corinthians were harming themselves and the reputation of the church by allowing false teaching regarding sex to creep into the church.  Paul's not bashful about the manner that he's dealing with this subject..........and I'm going to try to be as tactful and sensitive to our audience here today as I possibly can.......but it's a teaching we can't shy away from.  

I don't think any of us would choose to teach on this subject........which is why we go through Scripture on a verse by verse basis........that way you can't dodge the harder passages.  It's included in our "instruction manual" for a reason.........and it's nothing to get uptight about or to run away from.  There's nothing more relevant.......more up-to-date........more up-to-the-minute than the Word of God.  What we'll talk about this morning is exactly what's happening among us today. In the Christian churches there's a lot of voices being raised saying that we need to soften our view toward sexual immorality........and certain sexual practices........some even saying that the church needs to embrace them.  This is exactly the problem that Paul was confronting there in Corinth. So......with that in mind.......let's read the passage we have today............

12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. 14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” 17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Corinth was a large metropolis.......probably the center of trade......philosophical understanding........and a city given over to the worship of sex........as it was the home of the goddess Aphrodite.  Aphrodite was the the Greek goddess of love.......beauty....... pleasure and procreation.  Those who served the goddess weren't peddling love.......they were peddling sex.  @The temple of Aphrodite stood on the little hill behind the city.........and historians say that a thousand priestesses from the temple would come down into the streets at night and ply their trade. Sexual promiscuity was not only accepted in that culture.......but it was highly regarded.   Pretty much the same as it is today here in the United States. 

So......when Paul had come into the city he began to teach and preach about Jesus Christ........and a church started there........and Paul began to teach the believers there what they ought to know about life and truth and spiritual reality. Paul's teachings began to challenge head-on this whole loose sexual culture of the city.  I'm not sure there would be a more difficult challenge to try to overcome than that of sexual promiscuity.  But Paul made it plain that the behavior of Christians had to be different in this area.......that what was going on in the city was wrong.  Obviously there were those that wanted to hold their ground on this particular subject.......they didn't want to give up their sexual deviance.  So false teachings were going on regarding this immorality that was so prevalent.  

Now there's two schools of thought on the interpretation of this passage.......we'll talk about both of them only as a side-bar.......because the actual application is the same whichever interpretation you decide on.  The first thought on this passage is that the words......"All things are lawful for me".......come to Paul as a quote that people in the church were saying.  Remember verse 1:11........"For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you."  Somebody.......Chloe's people.......had given Paul information about the practices of the people there in the church.  Now whether that was from a letter or from someone who actually talked to Paul.......he doesn't say.  But we know that the people in the Corinthian church had written to Paul......and at least some of this letter that we're studying is in answer to that letter initiated by them.  We'll study this verse the next time......but verse 7:1 says....."Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman."  So......the first interpretation of "All things are lawful for me".......is that Paul is quoting something from that letter.  He's saying what they've been saying and responding to it.  It's almost like he says......."You're telling people that all things are lawful for you.......but I'm telling you they may not be profitable."

The Revised Standard Version and the New English Bible.......and probably some of the other versions of Scripture show the words "all things are lawful for me." in quotation marks. This is the editors' way of showing that they felt this was something these people had written to Paul about.........and were saying constantly within the church.  The other interpretation is that this phrase is one that Paul himself used in his teachings........and it's something of a core teaching that Paul has said other places.

This particular idea........that Christ has set us free.......lies near the center of the Gospel message. So......if he's quoting himself here......then he seems to be correcting a misinterpretation or over-application of one of his core ideas which they have gotten very wrong.  If you look at Galatians 5:1....... It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  or Romans 8:1-2....... Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 

Christ doesn't set us free so that we can do whatever we want.........Christ sets us free so that we can do whatever God wants us to do........we're set free from the power of sin.  Paul's message doesn't proclaim individual or communal license…….nor does he proclaim legalism.  The difference between legalism and true Christianity is right at that point. The legalist looks at life and he says, "Everything is wrong unless you can prove from a verse of Scripture that it's right." That's legalism. It's a negative approach to life.........it takes a prohibitive approach to everything that's fun and says it's all either illegal, immoral or fattening. 

But New Testament Christianity comes at it differently. It says everything is right........God made the earth and everything in it and everything is right except what the Word of God labels is wrong. That's an entirely different point of view.......opening the whole world to discovery and enjoyment........except for a very limited part that Scripture clearly labels wrong.

But......either way.......whether the people were saying "all things are lawful for me"........or the people were simply quoting Paul......you come to the same point.......and that's what Paul's trying to get to.   Their argument should sound very familiar to us today. They were saying that sexual freedom.......encompassing everything from homosexuality to adultery to any sex outside of marriage.......is theologically sound. Their argument probably went something like this: "The Law of Moses is what tells us that sex outside of marriage is wrong..........but Paul taught us that when Christ came into our life the Law ended its reign over us.........we're no longer under the Law.......we're no longer under this commandment...........therefore, by Paul's own words we're free to indulge in all of these sexual practices here in Corinth."  That same reasoning is going on in churches today.  So.......how does Paul answer it?  

First........notice what he doesn't do. He doesn't say, "Now that you're a Christian we have a new set of rules for you. You absolutely cannot do this and that and such and such........and there's no way you're allowed to do that!"  Paul doesn't do that.......he never retreats into legalism. What he does say is......."You know what.......you're right.......but you need to understand that truth always has to be balanced." And in this section he sets forth the balancing of truth.........legalism isn't the answer and neither is total license. 

@Balancing truth is like walking along the top of a fence. When Tish was a little girl growing up in Albuquerque........she lived in the Belaire district around Candelaria and Washington........and she used to walk on top of the walls all around the neighborhood.  She could go for blocks on the back alleys just walking on the walls.  It was fun......she really liked it........but it was a really narrow path.  And that's kinda like what Jesus said the Christian life would be like in Matthew 7:14........."For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."  

The problem is to keep from falling off.........@and the interesting thing about walking a wall is that you can fall off on either side. It does not make any difference....... falling off either side is equally dangerous........it's the same distance down. So Christians need to constantly remember that the path we're on is always narrow. It's a great place to be........it's a wonderful path.........but it's not very wide.........and you can easily fall off into one error or the other.  It  reminds me of C. S. Lewis' great admonition that Satan always sends error into the world in pairs.......pairs that are opposites.........and his great hope is that you'll get so upset about one of these errors that you'll fall off the fence into the other one.........and then he's got you either way........you've got to stay in the middle.

Liberty is liberty only when it's balanced between two extremes. These people in Corinth were saying, "The Law is an extreme........it makes an unfair demand on my life that nobody can live up to."  And that is true.........the Law is an extreme. When you begin to understand the impact and the importance and the broad range of the Law of Moses you find that it's so easily broken.........nobody in the world has ever lived up to it except the Lord Jesus himself.  The Law is an extreme.  Paul says........"You're right.......but license is an extreme too."  But the reaction to being under the Law is NOT to be free from all law.........just goin' around doing whatever you like.......because that's an extreme to........and you've lost your liberty when you fall off that side of the fence too.  "All things are lawful..........but they're not good for you." The moment your liberty begins to hurt you.........or to hurt someone else........you've fallen off into license........and you're in the same mess you were in on the other side.

Freedom doesn't mean the absence of constraints or moral absolutes. Suppose a skydiver at 10,000 feet announces to the rest of the group........“I’m not using a parachute this time. I want absolute freedom!” The fact is that a skydiver is constrained by a greater law........the law of gravity.  But when the skydiver chooses the “constraint” of the parachute........he's free to enjoy the exhilaration and the adrenaline rush of sky diving. God’s moral laws act the same way........they restrain us.......but they're absolutely necessary to enjoy the exhilaration of real freedom. 

@And then he goes on to say that those things that aren't profitable.......or helpful......are always enslaving..........and we shouldn't allow ourselves to be brought under the power of anything.  Paul's doing a great job here of balancing the truth.  The things that hurt you always have a tendency to be habit forming.........you noticed that? You tend to keep on doing them. They hurt you..........but it's kinda fun........it gives you a certain degree of pleasure..........and that's why you don't mind the hurt so much........but that degree of pleasure is habit-forming..........physically or emotionally.........and it becomes enslaving. I started smoking when I was 13 years old.  When I was in the service I smoked as much as 4 packs of cigarettes a day.  But I wasn't worried......because it was easy to quit smoking........I'd done it a hundred times!   

People don't start out wanting to get addicted to nicotine.......or heroin......or pornography.......or gambling........but it certainly shows how easy it is to develop habit patterns of sin that capture us.......that enslave us.  What we start to do freely can become our master. That's not liberty.....it's slavery......it's the end of liberty.........that's why the apostle says, "We've got to shoot for true liberty........the truth can be lost on either side of the fence."  

In their debate with Paul they apparently had another argument there in Corinth which may have sounded impressive.......may have been part of their arguement with him regarding why they were participating in this sexual permissiveness......and that was "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food."  In other words......the stomach was designed for food........food supplies the need for nourishment........and is obviously designed for the stomach........therefore the arguement goes........it's only natural and right to satisfy your need for food whenever it arises. We all run to the refrigerator when we get hungry. Nobody raises any objections.........nobody hauls us into court or charges us with immorality when we do that........we're just satisfying a natural need of the body. 

So the arguement goes in regard to sex.  Sex organs were made for sex.......therefore it's only natural and right to satisfy them.  The Corinthians were doing the same thing that everybody's doing today.  I'll be on some of their chariots they had bumper stickers that said......."IF IT FEELS GOOD - DO IT!"  

But Paul's answer to that is something that's hard to counter in a debate.......because he shows the vast difference in the comparison between our food appetites and our sexual appetites...........and it's a passage that clearly shows that the Word of God sees far deeper into the nature of our humanity than anything the world around us sees.  The shallowness of the world's view of sex becomes eveident in Paul's response. Paul tells them........"True..........food is made for the stomach and the stomach is made for food..........but God's going to destroy them both."  This is only a temporary arrangement........food and the stomach were designed with a temporary purpose.  There's coming a day when God is going to destroy both the food and the stomach.  God has no permanent plan for the belly........but He does have a permanent plan for the body. That's the point Paul makes. The body.......apart from its digestive properties........has a reason and purpose in God's program.  Our bodies are going to be resurrected........our bodies are currently the dwelling place of the living God.  Food is temporary.......it touches us on a physical level.  Sex not only is a physical act......but it touches us emotionally and spiritually as well.  

We're taught by the world that sex only touches us at the physical level. In the modern movements of today.........whether it's the "Sexual Freedom Movements," "Feminist Movements," "Woman's Rights".......whatever they might be........we're getting the philosophy that sexual differences between male and female are basically shallow, superficial, external differences.  Men and women are no different other than some physical attributes.  But the Word of God never tells us that.  In Scripture.......from the very moment that man appears on the scene until the end.........man appears as two sexes........male and female.........and we were created equal but different.  We have different roles to fulfill......and the difference is through our whole being. We're not only different in our physical bodies........be we're different in the way we approach each other in our attitudes, our emotions, our reactions.  God made it that way and God likes it that way. 

God has a purpose for the body beyond this present life.  The body isn't meant for immorality........but for the Lord........and the Lord for the body.  When God established the marriage covenant He said the two shall become one flesh.   If Christ resides in the believer......how could we possibly bring Him into some perversion of the sexual realm?  Paul tells us that our bodies were made for the Holy Spirit.......that it will be resurrected.......that it is to be used for God's purposes.

This is pretty easy to understand if we have a right concept of what happens when we become believers.  The Lord is a Spirit........and we are spiritual beings as well........human spirits.......and when regeneration occurs there's a fusing......a merging  of identity. This is what Peter refers to in his letter as having "become partakers of the divine nature," (2 Peter 1:4). Think about that for a minute.  That represents the uniqueness and dignity of humanity above anything in the animal world.  We have an ability........a capacity within us to fuse with the very nature of God.......that becomes our identity.  

This is what forms the basis for the New Covenant in the Word of God.........the availability of the life of God to the believer so that we face every situation and every circumstance with a new power and a new ability to resist temptation........an ability to chose right over wrong.  This explains the whole change that occurs in Christians when we become born again by the Spirit of God. There's an incredible inward change that takes place that means our spirits have fused with His Spirit.......we are one with Him.  How can we take that into an immoral experience?

The words Paul uses here have both individual and communal implications. In the original Greek........the pronouns of "YOU" and "YOUR" are plural. Since he's addressing a community.......a Body of believers........his words should be understood both as addressing individuals as well as the entire group. 

So it's right that we should understand this personally.........."MY body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within me".......and collectively........"This body of people is a temple of the Holy Spirit within us." What I do.........or don't do........in my body matters. What WEdo.........or don't do.........as a body of believers' matters.

This takes us back to Paul's overall purpose in this letter.......to focus our attention on the fact that our lives originate in Christ........we were bought with a price.........and that we don't live for our own sakes but for God's purposes. My individual body is not mine........it's God's creation to be used for God's purposes. The body of Christ.......the church.......is not ours.........it's God's creation to be used for God's purposes.  Anything that takes the focus off of that is sin.  Any disagreements.......petty bickering......selfishness......those are all diversions from what we were created for.  

@"You are not your own. You were bought with a price." That's basic Christian truth. This is something every Christian ought to remember every day of his life.  God has bought us........He owns us........we are His by right of creation and of purchase........you have no final right to yourself.  But He also ordained that we should have a free will........we make our own decisions.  God could have made us into robots when we accepted Him........so that everything we did was a glory to Him.  But He didn't.......because He's glorified when we decide on our own to glorify Him in the manner that we live.......in the choices that we make.  

By way of conclusion........I heard some rather shocking statistics a couple of weeks ago.  Did you know that there are three times as many professional tanning parlors in the United States as there were Starbucks.  And each year an estimated 2.3 million teenagers enter those parlors........which has helped indoor tanning become a $5 billion-a-year industry.  On their own these numbers may not seem surprising or even noteworthy........but when placed in the light of a recent medical discovery.......they're actually shocking.   Since 1975........the occurrence of melanoma.........the most lethal form of skin cancer........has doubled in the United States among women ages 15-29. It is estimated that 60,000 people die each year due to excessive UV exposure.

In a Time magazine article from a few years ago........two 16-year-old girls were interviewed. One girl said, “All the girls who are really tanned all through the year........they’re the popular girls. Guys are always complimenting girls on their tans.”  Another girl who visits a tanning parlor several times a week acknowledged that she is willing to risk her health for short-term rewards. Her rationale........“It may make my skin wrinkle earlier......it might even kill me.......but I’m going to look good while I can.” 

Short-term pleasure leads to long-term disaster. Nowhere is this truer than in the area of sexual immorality. For a few minutes of pleasure........countless men and women will throw their lives away.  Just think for a moment about the potential consequences of sexual sin........loss of fellowship with God, divorce, disease, pregnancy, guilt, estrangement from family and friends, psychological and financial loss, damage to one’s reputation, and countless others.  There's no sin in this life with such brutal consequences. This reality alone ought to keep us from sexual sin.  But Paul uses another approach in helping us overcome sexual immorality. He uses a positive affirmation.........“Your body is not your own........your body is God’s body.”

We can choose to "glorify God in our bodies".........it's what makes the world see that there's something different about Christians........God has come to dwell in His temple..........and He desires that His temple should be maintained without defilement.......without offering it to another person outside the institute of marriage........as God himself has ordained.

In Chapter 7 we'll go into that more........  

1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Alright………we’ve come to chapter 7 in the first letter to the Corinthian church……written by Paul to a fledgling church that was awash in a culture of sexual promiscuity and idol worship.  We’ve uncovered a lot of problems within the church so far and now Paul’s going to deal with some specific questions some of the people in the church had.  Chapter 7 could probably appropriately be titled “Everything you’ve wanted to know about sex and marriage……but were afraid to ask.”  Tish and I have been doing marriage counseling for about thirty years now……and almost all problems in marital relationships stem from one of three sources…….money……communication……and sex.  So…..it’s no wonder that Scripture is replete with how to deal with these areas…….and this chapter of 1 Corinthians is something of the primer on the subject of sex in marriage.

I read about an elementary school teacher who gave each child in her class the first half of a well-known proverb………and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb……something of a fill-in-the-blanks sort of thing.  Here’s some of the responses she got back………. Better to be safe than……WHAT?  No……. Better to be safe than (SORRY) ........punch a 5th grader.   

OK…….how about The squeaking wheel gets (THE GREASE)…….WHAT?  No…….The squeaking wheel gets.........annoying.

A rolling stone……..(GATHERS NO MOSS)?  No…….A rolling stone.........plays the guitar. 

A penny saved is (A PENNY EARNED)?    A penny saved is.........not much.

Two’s company, three’s (A CROWD)?  Two’s company, three’s..........the Musketeers.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you (CRY ALONE)?  Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you………have to blow your nose. 

The grass is always greener (ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE)?   The grass is always greener.........when you put manure on it. 

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”   This seems to be true in so many areas of life…….but especially in the area of marriage. So many people who are single are sure they’d be happier if they were married. A whole lot of married people are convinced they’d be happier if they were to get divorced.  A lot of divorced people feel they’d be happier if they had never been married at all.  And the fact is that in our society……it’s really about ME and what I want…..but what does God want in this area of sex and marriage?  Has He made His desires clear?   Which type of lifestyle is best for being a follower of Jesus Christ? Is it better to be married or to be single? Is it better to stay married to an unbeliever or divorce them?

Before we get into this chapter and the advice it gives to people in different marital situations…….let’s remember who the Corinthian church consists of. These are people who lived their entire life outside of anything remotely like “Christianity”. When many of them got married……the Gospel message had not yet come to Corinth. Sexual immorality was rampant……..and a major part of idol worship in Corinth.  And so…….those who converted to Christianity had questions about the role that sexuality and marriage had in their development as Christian disciples……..and they were concerned enough to ask Paul about it……..because that’s how he starts this chapter off…….Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.

Up to this point Paul’s been dealing with issues he had heard about from others…….but now he begins answering some specific questions they sent him in the form of a letter he received while in Ephesus.

It is good for a man not to touch a woman…….Here the word "touch" is used in the sense of having sexual relations. This was probably a statement made by the Corinthian Christians…….which they were asking Paul to agree with. Paul agrees with the overall thought of the statement…….but he does so with reservations.   The But……or the Nevertheless of verse two qualifies what he’s saying. 

Why would the Corinthian Christians suggest complete celibacy…….which is what is meant by a man not to touch a woman?  Well…….I think the question is a sincere one……I don’t get the feeling that they’re trying to be confrontational here.  They probably figured that if sexual immorality was such a danger……then one could be more pure by abstaining from sex altogether…….even in marriage. 

Throughout history there’ve been people known as “ascetics” who believe that the way to spiritual maturity is through the denial of anything the physical body finds pleasurable. They advocate only eating certain bland foods……only dressing in bland clothing with bland colors…….and they believe that denying sexual urges elevates one to a higher spiritual plane.

So, the idea that marriage was a less holy state than celibacy was being floated around……..and that naturally led to the conclusion that married people ought to separate……and it soon came to be regarded as a way to become much more spiritual.  Paul isn’t denying that being celibate may be a better state…….he tells them that the sexual desires that people are born with are incredibly strong…….so in light of the dangers presented by sexual immorality…….it’s very suitable for husband and wife to have each other to quench that need and quiet temptations in that area.

Paul isn’t commanding the Corinthian Christians to GET married…….an issue he deals with later in the chapter…….but here he’s telling them to LIVE as married people……especially in the area of sexual satisfaction. Paul’s saying that husbands and wives should be satisfying one another in this area.

Paul’s not saying sex is the only reason for marriage……or even the most important reason for marriage. Here he’s simply answering their specific questions about marriage…….not trying to give a complete theology of marriage.  He certainly addresses the theology of marriage quite well in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3.  Here he’s merely advocating the principle of mutual sexual responsibility in marriage. 

3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But this I say by way of concession, not of command.

It’s not often I think that the New American Standard Bible gets a translation wrong……but in verse three I don’t think they gave the translation its full due.  

3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (NASB)

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. (KJV)  

3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. (NRSV)

The literal word-for-word translation from the Greek says, “To the wife the husband due kindness let pay; likewise and also the wife to the husband.” 

I really think that the New King James Version might have a more accurate translation that entails a clearer picture of the full counsel of Scripture here.  It says…….Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (NKJV)

Instead of a man not to touch a woman within marriage…….Paul’s saying a husband must render to his wife the affection due her. It’s wrong for him to withhold affection from his wife. The affection due her is an important phrase…….since Paul meant this to apply to every Christian marriage.  It shows that EVERY wife has affection due her. Paul doesn't think only the young ones……..or the pretty ones…….or the submissive wives are due affection…….every wife is due affection because she is a wife of a Christian man. 

There’s a distinct difference in the makeup of men and women…….in their needs.  Men were designed to be respected by their wives.  Women were designed to need to be loved by their husbands.  Here Paul emphasizes what the woman needs……not merely sexual relations……but the affection due her. If a husband is having sexual relations with his wife……but without true affection to her…….he is not giving his wife what she is due.

I think there’s something else here too…….it may be subtle…..but I think it’s intended.  Giving affection also reminds us that when a couple is unable……..for physical or other reasons……..to have a complete sexual relationship…….they can still have an affectionate relationship…….and thus fulfill God's purpose for these commands. 

On the same idea……..also the wife to her husband.  The wife is not to withhold marital affection from her husband. Paul strongly puts forth the idea that there is a mutual responsibility in marriage…….the husband has obligations towards his wife, and the wife has obligations towards her husband. The emphasis is on giving……."I owe you" instead of "you owe me." In Scripture we see that sex is put on a much higher level than merely being the husband's privilege and the wife's duty. 

@In fact……these obligations are so concrete……it could be said that the wife's body does not even belong to herself…….but her husband. The same principle is true of the husband's body in regard to his wife.  Paul's point is that we have a binding obligation to serve our partner with physical affection……..and if you think of it in that light……it’s an awesome obligation.  Out of the billions of people on the earth…….God has chosen one person……and one person alone…….to meet our sexual needs. There is to be no one else. 

Paul is actually rebuking their notion that husbands and wives could be more holy by sexual abstinence. In fact he says…….harm can come when they deprive one another……because they open the door to Satan himself.  

The word for deprive is the same as defraud in 1 Corinthians 6:8. When we deny physical affection and intimacy to our spouse……..we are cheating them out of something that is owed to them.  This deprivation in marriage that Paul’s talking about has not only to do with frequency…….but with romance too. That’s why Paul tells husbands to render to his wife the affection due her. Either type of deprivation gives occasion for the deprived to look elsewhere for fulfillment…….leading to the destruction of the marriage. 

If you want to both agree for a short period of time to abstain from sex…….that’s OK…..but even that should be for a focused period of time……and done together……which should bring you even closer. It’s interesting how he phrases this portion……that I say this by way of concession.  God will permit a married couple to abstain from sexual relations for a short time…….for the sake of fasting and prayer…….but He does it reluctantly…..by way of concession.   God is not commanding……or even recommending…….abstaining from sex within marriage…….but it can be done for a brief time for a specific spiritual reason. 

The principle in this passage is important. God makes it clear that there’s nothing wrong…….and everything right…….about sex in marriage. Satan's great strategy is to do everything he can to encourage sex outside of marriage…….and to discourage sex within marriage.  It’s an equal victory for Satan if he accomplishes either plan!  This can be seen pretty clearly by the way some of the Corinthian Christians thought it was just fine to hire the services of a prostitute……..and yet other Corinthian Christians thought it was more spiritual for a husband and wife to never have sexual relations.  Both were wrong.  We weren’t made that way.

 A Christian husband and wife should never accept a poor sexual relationship with their spouse.  The problems may not be easily overcome…….they may not be quickly solved…….but God’s design is that every Christian marriage should enjoy completely a relationship that’s a genuine blessing………instead of a burden or a curse. God designed sex and He meant for married people to enjoy it as a tool for increased intimacy between them. His advice to married people was……..Enjoy the sexual benefits of marriage……..and serve God right where you are!

In verses 7-9 Paul recognizes the benefits of singleness……..but also the benefits of marriage…….and what it’s all dependent upon is how God has gifted you.

7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Paul was not married when he wrote this…….so he puts himself among the unmarried and the widows……..and he is recognizing that there are benefits to being single……which he’s going to elaborate more on later in the letter.  What’s interesting though is that there’s certainly evidence that Paul was married prior to writing this letter.  

There is no mention of Paul having a wife in the book of Acts…….but that book does give us a clue that he had been married……in Acts 26:10 Paul appears to be a member of the Sanhedrin…….and he says “I cast my vote against them”…..speaking of the early Christians.  A man had to be married to be a member of the Sanhedrin.  

Also…….Paul was an extremely observant Jew……..an example among his people as he tells the Philippian church………Philippians 3:4-6…….. 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 

In Paul's day………Jews considered that marriage was a duty……in fact, one commentator said that it was to the extent that a man reaching 20 years of age without having been married was considered to have sinned.  So……the consensus is that Paul was married earlier in his life and that we don’t a have a clue what happened to his wife.  She may have left him when he became a Christians……..she could have died very early on……..but it certainly shows that Paul was probably a good one to speak of the gifts and responsibilities of both marriage and singleness.

And Paul knew singleness was good for him…….but it certainly wasn’t for everyone and he wouldn’t impose it on anyone.  Our state of being married or single is a gift from God……so treat it as such.  There are a lot of people who get caught in the "grass is greener" trap…….singles wishing they were married and married people wishing they were single……and he’s saying that God has placed you in this situation……and for it to work we need a special gifting from God…….or it won’t.  

And when you think about it…….Paul's understanding that the unmarried state can be a gift from God is evidence that the Holy Spirit has revealed this to him simply because he wasn’t raised that way.  I mentioned earlier that it was regarded as a sin for a Jewish man to be unmarried according to ancient Talmud writings…….such as the Gemara, which states……"It is forbidden a man to be without a wife; because it is written, It is not good for man to be alone. And whosoever gives not himself to generation and multiplying is all one with a murderer: he is as though he diminished from the image of God". 

Though Paul preferred the unmarried state for himself…….he doesn't want anyone to think that being married was less spiritual or more spiritual………it’s all according to an individual's gifting. Remember what Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-3…..But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.  Any such doctrine of forbidding to marry was a doctrine of demons.  When people make up these kinds of doctrines it amounts to…….as Calvin called it…….“a counterfeit show of purity deceives the godly.” 

Paul tells us plainly that It is better to marry than to burn with passion.  Herecognizes marriage is a legitimate safe haven from sexual immorality and temptation…….and nobody needs to feel they’re less spiritual because they desire to get married.

In verses 10 and 11 Paul begins to answer questions about divorce that have been posed to him from the people at the church at Corinth.  1 Corinthians 7:10-11…….10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. 

The Corinthian Christians were wondering if it might be more spiritual to be single……and if they should break up existing marriages for the cause of greater holiness. Paul answers their question pointedly……in fact he says this answer comes from the Lord Himself……listen……write this down……NO!  And if by chance a wife should leave for this reason she either needs to come back to her husband or remain unmarried……which actually addresses the only two recognized biblical reasons for divorce……unfaithfulness…..addressed by Jesus in Matthew chapter 19……. or when a believing partner is deserted by an unbelieving spouse……addressed in 1 Corinthians 7:15…….any other grounds for divorce are not recognized by God.  God considers the marriage covenant as a binding contract that should not be entered into in a frivolous manner.  In our society today marriages are disposable…….I’ll just get another one…….God doesn’t think so.  

Maybe God has given you some grand idea of how you’re being called to be a missionary in a foreign country…….but your spouse would never go for it. The question could come to your mind……..“Shouldn’t I pursue this ministry dream for the sake of the Kingdom, even though it means divorcing my spouse?”  God’s answer is a resounding NO. 

It’s never God’s will that you divorce your spouse in order to free yourself to serve Him…….that’s what this passage is all about.  That’s what the Corinthians were asking.  What you need to do is serve the Lord in the situation you find yourself. 

So many times you hear someone say something like……."God just doesn't want me to be married to this person any more" or "God brought someone better to me,"……and it just ain’t true.  They’re wrong……they’re deceiving themselves……and it’s sin.  The same standard is applied to the husband and the wife.  Except for sexual immorality……two Christians never have a valid reason for divorce……..and just as importantly……we need to understand that Jesus never commands divorce in the case of infidelity. He specifically says that divorce is PERMITTED…….and that permission was given because of the hardness of your hearts.  It still isn’t God’s best.  The marriage covenant is that important to Him.

We’ll end with verses 12 thru 16…….12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Paul shifts the focus here from the group previously addressed……..couples where both partners were Christians…….to couples where only one of the people is a Christian……and he starts it with a phrase that may be a little confusing……”But to the rest I say, not the Lord…..”.   Not for a minute should we think that this next command is any less inspired by the Holy Spirit than the rest of Paul’s writings.  When he says not the Lord……he simply means that Jesus did not teach on this specific point…….as He had in the previous situation where both people are married.  And all he’s saying is that Jesus did not speak on this specific point……but I’ll tell you what God wants here.  Paul knows that although he was able to base his earlier remarks on something directly taught by Jesus……the Holy Spirit is fully capable of letting him know what the Lord would have said on this subject.  He knew he was writing with God's authority to the Corinthians.  

Let’s face it…….if the Corinthians were asking Paul if it would be more spiritual for two Christians to divorce to become more spiritual……then certainly they were saying that God wouldn’t want them to stay married to an unbeliever…….would He?  There’s no doubt that this spiritual concern is valid……and even urgent when you’re talking about marrying a non-believer……..but it’s not a reason for ending an existing marriage to an unbeliever. 

So……why should a Christian try to keep their marriage to a non-Christian together? Because God can be glorified in such a marriage……..and do a work through the believing spouse to draw the unbelieving spouse to Jesus Christ…….it’s not a guarantee……but there’s a good chance of it happening.  But even further……with a believer in the family…..God’s channel of blessing is opened up to the family.

Remember…….marriage is a “one flesh” concept…….the blessings of God meant for the Christian affect the whole family.  This isn’t a foreign concept in Scripture.  Remember Jacob……when he was trying to depart from serving Laban in Genesis chapter 30…….27 But Laban said to him, “If now it pleases you, stay with me; I have divined that the Lord has blessed me on your account.”  

And a similar situation with Joseph in Potiphar’s house in Genesis chapter 39……5 It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.

The context of what’s being said here just doesn’t allow for one to think that Paul is talking about salvation…….he’s talking about blessing.  And it’s in this sense that the unbelieving spouse is sanctified and the children are regarded as holy.  There’s a practical sense to this whole line of thought.  God loves me…….and He wants the best for me…..and He blesses me……..and Tish and my kids live in my house……they are going to be beneficiaries of some of the blessing that’s bestowed upon me…….it’s only natural.  

@Not only does the presence of a believing spouse do good for the unbelieving spouse…….it also does good for the children……in fact Paul says they are considered holy.  And I really had to look hard at this concept that Paul’s laying out here…….and the conclusion I’ve come to is different than the thoughts I had on this passage before I studied it.   

I have long believed that children……though born with a sinful nature……are not accountable for sin until they reach a certain age of understanding……and it would make sense that it varies from child to child.  And this passage seems to hold some assurance that the children of a Christian parent are saved…….at least until they come to that age of personal accountability.  The thing this passage seems to be saying……without coming right out and saying it……is that there is no similar assurance for the children of parents who are not Christians. In fact…….the text argues against it. How could Paul claim it as a benefit for a Christian parent to be in the home……..if the same benefit automatically applies to the children of non-Christians also?  Along that line he also says……..otherwise your children would be unclean……..clearly giving the sense that apart from the presence of a Christian parent…….the child is not regarded as holy……but instead……as unclean.   

Throughout this section Paul has counseled that the Christian partner should do what they can to keep the marriage together. But if the unbelieving spouse refuses to be married……they want nothing to do with it and just walk away……then the marriage can be broken…….but it’s never to be initiated or sought after by the believer. If the unbelieving spouse should leave…….without influence from the believer……then the Christian is not under bondage to the marriage covenant.  I believe Paul is saying that God has recognized their divorce as valid which leaves that person free to remarry. 

And Paul ends this section with a great deal of hope…….because many Christians who are married to unbelievers are discouraged.  He wants them to know that God can work in the heart of their unbelieving spouse…….no matter how difficult the situation seems.  Christians married to unbelievers should also know what Peter says in his first letter…….that your unbelieving spouse will not likely be led to Jesus by your words…….but by your godly and loving conduct.   1 Peter 3:1-2…….In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

We’re out of time here…….but I just want to say that the overarching principle of this passage is to live as you are called…….to be content with where God has you……to live your life in such a manner that you serve Him no matter what your circumstance.  He will always bless it.

1 Corinthians 7:17-40

Alright…….we’ve taken a two month break from 1 Corinthians……and we ended the last time covering chapter 7 verses 1-16……which means we take up at verse 17 this morning…..but to get us up to speed on the context of this chapter…..Paul’s talking about marriage……and he covers a lot of aspects of the subject……but probably the highlights can be covered in a few talking points here…….and the one I think hit me the most was found in verse 3……and it seems the New King James Version might have a more accurate translation that entails a clearer picture of the full counsel of Scripture here.  It says…….Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (NKJV)  

The affection due her is an important phrase…….since Paul meant this to apply to every Christian marriage.  It shows that EVERY wife has affection due her. Paul doesn't think only the young ones……..or the pretty ones…….or the submissive wives are due affection…….every wife is due affection because she is a wife of a Christian man.

The second highlight of the passage is that Paul recognizes the benefits of singleness… but also the benefits of marriage…….and what it’s all dependent upon is how God has gifted each individual Christian.  Some of us can serve God better married…….some can serve Him better single.

Probably the third highlight of the last teaching is just how sacred God holds the sacrament of marriage.  He does not give much room for our present day thinking of…… “If this doesn’t work out I’ll just get a new one.”  Except for sexual immorality……two Christians never have a valid reason for divorce……..and just as importantly……we need to understand that Jesus never commands divorce in the case of infidelity. He specifically says that divorce is PERMITTED…….and that permission was given because of the hardness of your hearts.  It still isn’t God’s best.  The marriage covenant is that important to Him.

But the overarching principle of the passage is that each one of us is to live as we’re called…….to be content with where God has us……to live our lives in such a manner that we serve Him no matter what our circumstance……..because He will always bless it.

And that’s the same vein that Paul continues this morning…….1 Corinthians 7:17-20….

17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

The basic principle that Paul forwards here is that you can live for God where you are right now…….you don’t have to wait until something else happens…….you don’t have to depend on going back where you were or going forward to be something else……as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.

No matter what your station…..married, single, divorced, widowed, remarried, whatever……..God can work in your life. Instead of thinking that you’ll live for the Lord when something in your life changes…….live for the Lord in the place you are at right now. 

And Paul uses circumcision as an example……and he’s basically saying……either way is irrelevant to serving the Lord.  He could just as easily used a hundred different examples…..It makes no difference whether or not a person is……single…married…divorced…happily employed…unhappily employed…unemployed…healthy…sick…rich…poor.  The important thing is to keep God’s commands. Right where you are…….in the situation you find yourself. 

You may think the grass would be greener if you were in some different situation……..may even think you’d be able to serve God more effectively if somehow your life situation changed. But God wants you to learn to serve Him today.  You’ve been given the Holy Spirit……..you’ve been told to live your life in a manner that brings glory to God…….and He’s able to use you right where you’re at.  

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Paul gives us another example of this principle from the practice of slavery.  A slave can please God as a slave. He shouldn’t live his life thinking, "I can't do anything for God now, but I sure could if I was a free man." He can, and should, serve God as he’s able to now.  Notice though that in saying that a slave can please God just the way he is…….Paul doesn’t want any slave to think God does not want him to be free. If he has the opportunity…….he should take advantage of it. 

And then he gives another warning…..DO NOT BECOME SLAVES OF MEN.  And I don’t think he’s talking about this only in regard to literal slavery……..but spiritual slavery as well.  We need to be careful to never put ourselves under the inappropriate control or influence of others…….and that can be a problem in the church……especially when we follow blindly the teachings of others without faithfully studying ourselves.  Spurgeon had an interesting thing to say about this idea by rewording an earlier passage in First Corinthians……….."Do not follow even good men slavishly. Do not say, 'I am of Paul; I am of Apollos; I am of Calvin; I am of Wesley.' Did Calvin redeem you? Did Wesley die for you? Who is Calvin and who is Wesley but ministers by whom ye believed as the Lord gave unto you? Do not so surrender yourself to any leadership that you rather follow the man than his Master. I will follow anybody if he goes Christ's way, but I will follow nobody, by the grace of God, if he does not go in that direction." (Spurgeon) 

Anything can be a distraction to serving the Lord.  Paul’s list is not exhaustive……but his conclusion is final…….serve Him wherever you find yourself…….whatever your relationships are.  

As a reminder……Paul’s answering questions that were posed to him……probably through a letter…….by the believers back in Corinth.  It seems that a lot of the questions centered around marriage……and that’s why nearly this entire chapter is referencing marriage.  And beginning in verse 25 Paul gives something of an editorial on marriage……because…..let’s face it……. Love and marriage……it’s a complicated issue…….which got me to thinking about marriage in general.  And I recently read some kids’ answers to important marriage questions…..and they were not only funny……but pretty insightful.   For instance……Alan, age 10 answered the question HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?  Like this……."You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming." Alan, age 10 

Kirsten, age 10 answered the same question like this……"No person really decides before they grow up who they’re going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you’re stuck with." 

 IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?

"It's better for girls to be single, but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them."………..Anita, age 9

How about this question……HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED? Derrick, age 8 tells us……"You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids." 

Lynnette, age 8 was posed the question…….WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?   She said……."Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough." 

When Martin, age 10 was asked the same question he said……."On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date."

Here’s a good question that was asked of Lori, age 8……..WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?  "Both don't want no more kids."

Craig, age 9…….when asked this question WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?  Said…….I’d run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.

And finally…….HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK? Ricky, age 10……has all the answers you need…….."Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck." 

So…….how about us…….How would you make a marriage work? Paul doesn’t answer that question directly……but he has some thoughts regarding some of the questions that the Corinthians have asked him………25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.   

He starts with the question of whether or not……at this point in history and culture and politics and with all that’s going on……should a virgin get married……and the real question here is, “I’ve never been married…….should I get married?”  And he answers again that the Lord Himself didn’t teach on this subject……but we’re not to think his answer here is any less inspired than the rest of what he’s said.  And Paul understands that he’s dealing with life-situations that differ from person to person…….so he’s not going to give a command……even though he will give inspired advice and principles. 

In speaking to the never-married men……he recommends they remain as they are.  Why? Because of the present distress. Apparently……there was some kind of local persecution or problem in the city of Corinth……..and because of this distress, Paul says there are definite advantages to remaining single. What is the advantage of remaining single? I think we can easily imagine……especially in a time of persecution…….how much more of a burden a wife or a family can be for someone committed to standing strong for the Lord.  I may be able to say….. “Go ahead and torture me……..I’ll never turn my back on Jesus".  But what if we were threatened with the torture of our wife or children?  That’s a whole other problem……isn’t it?  This may seem like an impossible scenario…….like it could never happen…….but it certainly wasn’t a stretch for the first century Christians…….and I don’t know if you’ve looked around lately……but it’s not too much of a stretch for us today.  So……that’s a pretty good reason to stay single.  

What’s the advantage in remaining married? At a time of chaos and distress and persecution……your family needs you more than ever. This would be a really bad time to abandon your wife and kids.  And then Paul repeats the idea of remaining as you are.

 And then he goes on to tell them that if they decide to marry they haven’t sinned…..he’s just trying to spare them some heartache that might come with making a decision to marry.  Paul felt…….especially for himself…….that the greater advantages were found in being single.  But he readily admits it’s not for everybody.  For most folks marriage is worth it.  It reminds me of the proverb regarding having a clean stable verses having a dirty stable…..Proverbs 14:4…….Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.   In other words…….if you have oxen…..the stalls gonna be dirty……but it’s worth it.

The one thing that’s worthy of noting here is that Paul is never implying that being married or single is more spiritual than the other state…….which was one of the big conclusions that the Corinthians had wrongly come to.  Let’s move on to verse 29…..

29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

This portion of the passage can probably be misinterpreted worse than about any other…..because of a couple of words in it.  There are some theologians who would say that Paul is talking about life being short.  We’re all gonna die and it comes way too soon.  But there’s pretty strong indication that Paul is speaking in an ES-CA-TO-LOGICAL sense in this passage.  He’s dealing with people……with Christians……having an END TIME PERSPECTIVE.  

Where the New American Standard says “the time has been shortened”……other translations tell us simply “the time is short”.  To clarify……the Greek word for short is sustello…….which actually means "contracted and rolled up”…..and this is the word that would be used by a sailor for what he has to do with the sails on a ship as it enters the port.  You’d shorten the sails……you’d roll them up.  If you came into port at full sail you couldn’t stop…….you’d crash right through the docks.  So he’s not saying that God has shortened the appointed time for Christ to return……he’s simply saying that every day we get closer to our destination……the more we shorten the sails.

The second Greek word we have to understand is the one used for TIME.  There’s two words that could have been used here for time……..chronos and kairos.  Chronos has to do with chronological time……..minutes, hours, days, etc. When we say that we will do something at a particular time, we are using the word chromos.  Kairos…….on the other hand…….has to do with a crucial time……..a decisive moment……..a pivotal point in history.  For instance…….if we said, “You don’t want to miss the boat on this opportunity”…….we’re referring to missing the opportunity of a lifetime…….that’s kairos time. When we say, “Now is the time to act!” we are talking about a decisive moment in history……..kairos time. The fact that Paul uses kairos rather than chronos in this verse certainly gives credence to the fact that he’s focusing on something other than our lives being short……so make the most of it.  He’s talking about Christians looking toward the Second Coming of Christ.  

If you combine that with the last part of verse 31……for the form of this world is passing away…….and I think it makes the perspective of Paul’s writing pretty clear.  The world isn’t going to last forever…….Christ is returning……keep your focus on that one fact……don’t get distracted by lesser concerns.

And I have to admit……when I was studying this passage…..I came to a point where I asked the question, “What does this truly have to do with us?”  Let’s face it……it’s been over two thousand years…..and every generation has thought that the Lord would come any second.  So……do we share this same perspective?  Are we less likely to believe that Jesus is coming back this week…..or this year?  Paul thought His return was right around the corner.

What struck me……because of the context of what Paul’s talking about……is that we shouldn’t lose hope……it really could be this week……and our lives should be lived with an end time perspective.  The apostles all thought Christ would return very quickly……the Thessalonians quit their jobs and gave their stuff away and just sat on a rock waiting for Jesus.  Take a look at chapter 24 of the Gospel of Matthew……a whole chapter devoted to Christ’s return…….and then He tells us in verse 36…….“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  And I can’t help but feel that these verses are meant to encourage us to live with that perspective.  No one knows…..it really could be this afternoon.  So keep on keepin’ on…….keep believing……keep your eternal perspective.

And that’s where Paul heads with the next verses.  Keeping an end time perspective allows us a great deal of freedom as we live in a world that celebrates almost everything that God is against.  We can actually go about our normal lives…….marrying…….working……raising kids and planning for retirement.  But we can do it without being preoccupied by it.  

A couple of weeks ago in men’s Friday morning Bible study we were talking about trials and the fact that everybody faces hardships in their lives.  Nobody goes through life unscathed.  Everybody you meet is going through something…….one of the guys even said, “Life is hard!”  And I think God knows that and desires us to have an end time point of view.

But every now and then……certain events intrude upon our lives and force us to think more deeply……to focus more intently.  When the doctor says “cancer”……..when we learn that one of our kids has been in a bad accident……..or when a spouse dies…….these are times when suddenly the things that seemed so important a few minutes earlier fade into the background.  Working……and planning for retirement……and the things that I was caught up in just five minutes ago really don’t matter right now.  These times in our lives quickly reorient us to those things that are truly important.  This text calls us to live that kind of refocused life as a matter of course.

And Paul gives us five examples of the ways that an end times thinking people can live differently from the rest of the world.  

When Paul says that those of us who are married should act as if we’re not…….Paul’s not encouraging us to neglect our family duties……..he’s encouraging us to live as if the time is short…….we’re to live with an eye on eternity.  All of the weeping and rejoicing and the having of stuff should really take its rightful place in the whole scheme of things when we live with an eye to eternity. This world is temporary…….so it deserves only secondary attention. The kingdom of God is already a reality…….and it’s forever.  It’s what really counts.

32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

In the earlier verses of this chapter he’s encouraged the Corinthian Christians to carry on with the normal activities of life……but do it with God’s agenda in mind…….and he tries to point out some of the reasons that it’s harder for married people to pull this off.  And it must be a serious distraction from a spiritual perspective because he repeats it so many times.  Personally……I have to admit that I find being married a real asset to my Christian walk.  I can’t even imagine trying to minister without Tish……she’s almost a muse when it comes to my spiritual walk.  But Paul points out the distractions that married life can bring.  And I think his real message here in these verses is that the unmarried have the potential to please God with less distraction…….and he’s doing it from a pastor’s heart…….”I want you to be free from concern.”   He simply recognizes that when a person doesn't have family responsibilities…… they’re more "free" to serve God. That’s why he considered the unmarried state preferable for himself………he could please God better as a single man……..but another may please God better as married…….it just depends on your calling. He has no desire to forbid marriage.

And it’s probably important to point out here that when man makes his own rules about such things as marriage without consulting the Scriptures……it usually doesn’t work out all that well.  Just look at the Catholic Church over the past several decades.  The mandate is that priests cannot get married…….it doesn’t matter if you’re gifted to be celibate or not……you want to serve God as a priest…….no marriage.  History would point out that it may not be a very good idea to forcibly impose that upon men who are not gifted by the Holy Spirit to remain celibate.

Starting in verse 36 he goes on to say……..36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

Again…….be reminded that this portion of Paul’s writing is that he’s answering questions from the Corinthian Christians regarding marriage……and he now comes to one in reference to the customs of the times……arranged marriages.  Remember that in this ancient culture…….a young person's parents had the primary responsibility for arranging their marriage. So……..based on what Paul has already taught……should a Christian father recommend celibacy to his child?  Is he doing something wrong if he has them marry……or if he has them remain single?

When Paul says…….“If any man thinks he is behaving improperly towards his virgin……”….. The man Paul refers to is the father of a young woman……or man of marrying age………and the “behaving improperly” part has nothing to do with any kind of improper moral behavior.  He’s simply talking about a man denying his daughter or son the right to marry…….based on Paul's value of singleness. The term virgin includes the young of both sexes…….this is a gender free passage.

Paul says it’s not wrong for a father to allow his son or daughter to marry……even though it may be more desirable at that time to remain single.  The father isn’t sinning either way…….even though singleness does have its benefits, Paul will recommend it, not only to individuals, but also to fathers in regard to the marrying off of their daughters. For Paul……the choice between married and single was not the choice between good and bad…….but between better and best.

And the chapter concludes with one last answer regarding marriage…….39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Paul gives one last insight into the questions that the Corinthians needed answers for……is it alright for a widow to marry again…….to which he replies……Of course it is…..she has a right to remarry if her husband dies…….but only to marry another believer.  And then he gives something of a caveat to what he says……”In my opinion she’s happier if she doesn’t.”  When Paul gives his opinion…….he often follows it up with something like what he has here.  It’s a reminder that he may say it’s his opinion……but the Holy Spirit has something to do with all of his answers.  He’s done something similar in other places……and it doesn’t mean it’s not just as important as the rest of what he says…….he simply has no direct teaching from Jesus Himself.

Paul will take off in chapter 8 next time……still answering questions from the Corinthians……but he’ll be dealing with other topics.  The big takeaway from chapter 7 is that we can serve the Lord faithfully no matter what position we may find ourselves in…..the important thing is where our hearts are.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Alright…….this morning we’ll be in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians……and we’re in a section of Scripture that was written by Paul to answer the questions that the Christians at Corinth had sent to him regarding any number of things that they wanted clarification on.  “Now that we’re Christians……what should we do regarding marriage……what should we do regarding singleness…….what should we do regarding eating meat offered to idols?  What changes now that we’re Christians?”  And I think these were pretty important questions when you consider the culture and lifestyle that these new believers were coming out of.  They’re surrounded by pagan worship……by prostitution……by any number of gods and idols that demanded sacrifice and honor.  “So…..now that we don’t do that anymore……what should we do when confronted with it?”

So……Paul answers these questions through the power of the Holy Spirit…..readily admitting that some of these questions weren’t addressed by Jesus…….but none-the-less….. Paul’s answers are Spirit driven.

 @ Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

@4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we existthrough Him.

@7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. @10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

So……two principles that we’ll see…..starting here and running through chapter ten are The principle of love……verses the principle of liberty.  

@ (back to verse one)  The words “now concerning” are important here because Paul’s noting that a transition is taking place……we were talking about one thing…….now we’re talking about something else.  And that something else starts here and goes thru chapter ten……and I think you could label these other issues as “doubtful”……or maybe “gray areas”…..issues that the Bible doesn’t speak explicitly about…….and those issues may clash with the freedom and liberty that we’ve finally found in Jesus Christ.  

The specific issue that raises this dilemma was whether it was right for a Christian to eat meat offered to an idol. If a non-Christian invited a Christian to a meal in his home and the meal contained meat offered to an idol……..was the Christian committing idolatry by eating this meat? Some Corinthian Christians said it was a sin to eat it and others said that it was not a sin.  So which way is it Paul?

And I can’t help but feel that the answer that Paul fashions here was done to respond to a question that probably went something like this…..”These idiots around here are saying that it’s a sin to eat meat offered to idols……but I have a PhD in idol meat……and I know it isn’t……what do you say Paul?”

The big problem with the question is that the Corinthians had begun with the wrong premise…….knowledge is where all the answers were at…..knowledge is the most important thing……and Paul wastes no time in trying to correct them.  Knowledge was of great value……but you can never solve all your problems with knowledge alone……….it has got to be tempered by love.

So he starts with, “We all have knowledge……but it should never make us look down our noses at others…..it should never make us feel superior to anyone else.”  I think Paul’s making a statement that knowledge is important……we need to have knowledge…..but knowledge that stands alone is incomplete. Mature Christians knew that meat offered to idols was nothing……..it didn’t matter……there isn’t anything inherently wrong with that meat.  Nothing happened to it……no voodoo…..no high jingo took place.  It was meat before it was offered to the idol and it’s still meat.   But the point of all of this is that there were some believers who didn’t have adequate knowledge on this subject……there were some new believers who weren’t aware of their liberty in Christ. They operated on taboos…..on rituals……on tradition…..rather than grace……and they wanted to force their legalism on others.  

Knowledge without love produces pride……it forms an illusion that we’re better than someone else…..we’re smarter……we’re more spiritual.  Knowledge only “puffs” up. It creates pride…….an intellectual snobbery……..it tends to divide us.  Love on the other hand edifies or builds up.  The Corinthians had knowledge…….their big flaw was that they were lacking love. You can sit in the same seat every Sunday for 75 years…….but that isn’t what God’s looking for.  He wants us to develop a heart full of love towards others and towards Him…….He wants us to mature in the manner that we treat other believers……He wants us to become more like Jesus.

Do we run across these same kind of problems in the church today?  I remember a lot of years ago……maybe 30 years or more.  Tish and three other women…..Gretchen being one of them…..were standing around church one Sunday morning and one of the women……a brand new believer……said, “Hey…….why don’t we get together this week and go to a movie?  There’s one coming out that I really want to see.”……and she told everybody the movie she wanted to go to. One of the women……an elder’s wife who had been a Christian since Fred Flintstone was in diapers immediately said, “I’m a Christian……and as a Christian I couldn’t go to a movie like that.”  What did she just tell that brand new believer?  “You have been weighed…..you have been measured……you have been found wanting!”   The really crumby part about this story is that Tish remembers….. there wasn’t anything wrong with the movie the new believer wanted to go to.   This is exactly what Paul’s addressing here……and it’s still done all the time in the church……by mature believers who have knowledge……but lack the love and discernment and the encouragement needed to deal with the situation rightly.  They just have an astounding sense of superiority!  

And then in verses 2 & 3 Paul paints a picture of what he’s talking about.  You say you’ve got knowledge……but let’s face it……nobody knows it all……no one has completely mastered all of doctrine…….although what you know may be true……it’s incomplete…..simply because we’re all finite beings……we see through a glass dimly.  A mature believer recognizes how little he really does know. Albert Einstein said: “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.” Just because you know something, doesn’t mean you really understand it.  The more we know…….the more humble we should be because we know that God is the only one Who knows it all.  And it seems like the less we know……the more proud we are of what we know.  I talk to God about this often.  I couldn’t count the number of times I’ve told God, “God……I really wish I knew what I don’t know!”

When we’re faced with these situations involving a new believer……or a weaker brother in the Lord……the mature believer needs to deal in love with that person…..not in a condescending or superior way.  The issue here is one of attitude.  An attitude of superiority……of knowledge……of intellectual pride does nothing but puff a person up……An attitude of love takes into consideration the weaker brother’s belief and knowledge.  Christians need to know by experience as well as theory. Doctrine and love have got to work hand in hand. 

And then he reminds us that God recognizes those who love Him…….What’s that song we sometimes sing, “They’ll know we are Christians……by our doctrine?  By our knowledge?  No……by our LOVE.  We have got to operate on the principle of love……..we need to love others as God loves us……that’s what strengthens our relationship with God.   That kind of love is interested in edifying and building up weaker believers…….not tearing them down.  

@.......DON’T READ…..4 Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

So……picking back up in verse 4 Paul begins to explain……and as is his usual practice…….he begins with a theological answer. He reiterates the question that’s been brought up concerning meat that’s been offered to idols. So the first issue is the idols. Have they made the food unclean? 

And his answer……somewhat logically…..is that this whole thing is really kinda dumb.  Idols aren’t real……just because you make up something and say it’s a god doesn’t mean it’s real.  @We may act like it is……we may worship it……we might sacrifice to it……we might even let it run our lives…..but it isn’t real.  

The prophet Habakkuk tells his people the very same thing in chapter 2:18-20…..

18 “What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it, Or an image, a teacher of falsehood?  For its maker trusts in his own handiwork When he fashions speechless idols.

19 “Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’  To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’  And that is your teacher?  Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all inside it.

20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple.  Let all the earth be silent before Him.”

Man has been making up idols that cannot speak…….made of silver and gold……that have no breath since very early on in the book of Genesis.  And we do this all the time…..even in our culture today…….we just make stuff up.  In fact…..it seems to be all the rage in our country now days…….whether it’s your gender……your race or the bathroom you want to use.  You just make something up and you expect everybody else to conform to what you made up.  I don’t care what anybody says……@Rachel Dolezal will always be a white woman……no matter how black she thinks she is……@Bruce Jenner will always be just another guy wearin’ a dress…….@and I don’t want anybody using a bathroom they don’t belong in when my grandchildren are in there!   There’s no doubt that this is just as much of an assault on Christianity as idol worship was back in Paul’s time.  

@ (back to verses 4-6)And that’s kinda what Paul is trying to get across here……..And he says it doesn’t matter what they make up……He acknowledges that there are a lot of gods out there that man has made up…..and they’re worshipped and prayed to……but it doesn’t matter what they say…..it’s made up…..because there’s only one real God……and only one real Jesus…….oh, and by the way……He made everything.  So the conclusion is that since there’s only one God…….and idols have no real existence…….offering food to idols won’t change the food. So we’re free to eat it……..those Corinthians who had so much knowledge were right…….we’re free……we can eat what we like.  Theologically……that’s the right answer……but it isn’t a complete answer.

And we’ll get back to what that complete answer is in a minute…..but I want to go off on a little bit of a rabbit trail here because you’ll have to face it in your studies or you’ll be confronted by it with someone trying to point out that the Scriptures contradict one another in this area.

What do we do with the 15th chapter of the book of Acts?  What about James who tells the Gentiles that they should abstain from things offered to idols?  “See……I told you the Bible contradicts itself.”  So let me briefly explain this…….because the conflict can be resolved in the verbiage and the context of the passages.  

In the 15th chapter of Acts…….Paul and Barnabas come to Jerusalem to talk to the Apostles regarding the teaching that some men were doing.  They were telling the Gentiles that they couldn’t be saved unless they were circumcised.  This was actually the first ecumenical church council……and it was basically dealing with the issue of keeping the law or the principle of grace.  In speaking about it James says, 19 Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The things listed were from the Mosaic Law and were preached by Jews everywhere.  There was a lot of dissension between the Gentiles and the Jews…..and in this area of temple worship it reached a boiling point.  

The issue had to do with those who worked among the Gentiles……Paul and Barnabas…….and how they related to the Jews. It was settled in favor of the grace principle. The advice by James didn’t pertain to salvation but to practical issues relating to fellowship between Jews and Gentiles……..as indicated by the phrase “should not trouble.” There was no need to impose the requirements of Jewish proselytes on them such as circumcision or observance of the Mosaic Law. 

The only qualification was that Gentile believers not offend Jews in three areas……..all of which had to do with worship issues.  The letter sent to the Gentiles reads……… 28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

The soft verbiage of both passages suggests that these are not critical issues……but rather relate to not flaunting your liberty in Christ before the Jews who would be highly troubled by these things.  James didn’t put Gentile converts under the Mosaic Law by these qualifications……he simply urged them to limit the exercise of their liberty in order to reach the Jews.  There is no contradiction between Acts 15 and what Paul is teaching here……in fact…..they complement one another.

So……getting back to Paul……starting in verse 7…….here’s where the problem really has to be dealt with……it’s our attitude toward the weaker brother.  @.......DON’T READ…..

7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Verse 7 is one of those YES/BUT verses…….there’s a lot of them in Scripture……it’s the other side of the coin.  There’s nothing wrong with it…….but actually……there could be.  “Yes……it’s alright to eat the meat……..BUT…….”.

Maybe it’s all very well and good for the strong believers to eat anything they want…….but what about those whose consciences are weak?  What about somebody who’s come out of a pagan background where they were heavily involved in the whole culture of idol worship……somebody who can’t easily get rid of the connections they have in their minds between the evil of paganism and the food associated with it. These people still think of this food as being tainted……..so their consciences are defiled by eating it.

We don’t have a lot of pagan worship and sacrifice in our culture today…….but we still have the same dilemma……just with other things……gray areas of Christianity that we’ll talk about in a little bit.

So……we not only have to resolve the matter of what’s clean and what’s unclean…….there’s a third consideration we need to be aware of. …….we need to be discerning about the impact the exercise of our freedom might have on other Christians who share a different view of our liberties. The knowledge we’ve gained in a particular area may not necessarily be shared by everyone. Some people need time to understand and take on board the freedom they now have. 

So the first thing we need to do if we’re to work out what to take part in and what not to take part in…….is to ask ourselves whether our handling of this issue affects our relationship with God…….or with others who belong to Him.

Verse 8 is real plain…….eating or not eating is a non-issue as far as our relationship with God is concerned.  But we have to remember that just because we’re free to eat…….doesn’t mean we have to. Some people think that because you’re free to do something then you should do it……but if you think about it…….that sort of thinking means that our freedom actually becomes bondage. We saw this in chapter 6…….remember……Paul said that everything may be permissible but not everything is helpful. 

@.......DON’T READ…..9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

But the real question we have to think about starts in verse 9 and goes through verse 13…….whether our freedom could become a stumbling block for others. We need to ask ourselves if seeing our example as a mature Christian could lead others astray. If that should happen then your freedom has become the source of sin against members of the Body…….and therefore it would be better if you didn’t exercise it.  What the strong may have thought was “good for” the weak…….to exercise their freedom in Christ……..was actually causing them to sin by daring them to do something that went against their conscience to do.  So you see…….it’s not whether or not you’re technically right…….it’s how what you do or don’t do affects your brother who might not be as far along in his or her walk with Christ as you are.  

But let’s get this down to a very real application in our culture.  Let’s face it…….our meat we get at Walmart or Albertson’s hasn’t been sacrificed to idols……but there are other things that we do or don’t do as Christians that can offend a weaker brother……or cause them to stumble…….or even cause unbelievers to think badly of Christianity because of the way we might act……even if we’re free to act in that manner.  

The Bible is very definitive as to what is right and wrong…….what’s sin and what’s not.  ……..Lying…..Murder……Adultery……WRONG……WRONG and WRONG.  But think for a minute……what sort of things in today’s world might equate to eating food offered to idols……..What are the sorts of things that may have a shadow of evil or idolatry associated with them…….that might be difficult for a Christian to be part of?   What are some of those gray areas……….the areas left to our conscience as to whether they’re right or not?

We hit on one earlier…….for some Christians it’s a struggle to know whether they should go to the movies or not…….and if movies are alright…..what can I see……only G rated?  PG?  Is PG-13 pushing it?  Surely R’s not OK…….

Does the Bible address such things as whether we’re allowed to watch movies or not?  Well technically……the first movie was 16 frames in length and depicted a horse running…..it was done in 1878…….so…..NO…..the Bible doesn’t directly address the subject of movies.  But within the whole counsel of Scripture can we come up with valid guidelines to allow us to make a biblical decision?  Certainly.

What about whether we’re allowed to drink alcohol or not?  Well……alcohol’s been around a long time……and Scripture does address the use of it.  What does it say?  Well…..there’s several places that it talks about drunkenness being a sin…..outright forbids it.  But you look at Jesus……His first miracle was turning water into wine…..but some would say it wasn’t really wine……besides……I grew up in a house where alcohol of any kind was forbidden……so it’s got to be wrong!  Right?

Well…….alcohol has had a rather storied history in the church. For instance……on their journey to Plymouth Rock…….the pilgrims loaded more beer onto the Mayflower than water. Pastor John Calvin……one of the most influential theological thinkers in Christian history……got a salary package that included 250 gallons of wine per year. I didn’t get that kind of salary package here.  I get one bottle of Mike’s Hard Lemonade!!!

But this has been a problem for countless Christians since the days of the Puritans and the Methodists. Christians were seen as strange people who never went near the pub…….who didn’t know how to have a good time……judgmental people who looked down on ordinary people as though they were sinners for enjoying themselves.  

I have a friend……many of you know him, Bruce Schneider……we’ve been friends for about 45 years now……..and he tells the story of how him and his wife Carol……fairly early on in their marriage…….had asked a missionary family who was speaking at their church over for dinner.  Carol had fixed her specialty dish…..some kind of chicken in a special sauce.  The missionaries dug in and were really enjoying it…..and then one of them asked how she had made the sauce.  When Carol said she had put a little wine in it……they all set their forks down and pushed their plates away and wouldn’t eat another bite.  What did that tell this young couple?  “We’re holier than you!”  Actually the funniest part of the story……when I asked Bruce what the dish Carol had made was called…….he said, “I don’t remember……but from that time on we just called it missionary chicken.”  

Sometimes we take stands that need to be taken…….and sometimes we don’t.  But in areas where the Bible addresses the subject we need to be aware of what it says.  Is drinking alcohol……or cooking with it wrong?  Is it sin?  NO it’s not……BUT IT COULD BE!!!!!  We need to know what Scripture says.  

We tend to overlook verses like Psalm 104 which is a really heartfelt psalm of praise to God for His creation and all the wonderful things in it……and in verses 14-15 the psalmist says………14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,  And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth, 15 And wine which makes man’s heart glad, So that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart.

All good things.  It would be difficult to make a case that drinking alcohol was a sin in and of itself…..but any number of things can be a sin for the individual believer if it violates their own conscience.  I put together a list……albeit limited…….on some of those things that the Bible is silent on…..those things that leave room for us to figure it out ourselves.  I believe Paul refers to them as “disputable matters” in Romans 14:1…… Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. (NIV)  

Things like……..Christmas trees……..Easter eggs……..Playing cards…….Smoking….. Gambling………Halloween…….Television…….Dancing……..Playing Dungeons & Dragons… … plus whatever else you might want to include.  

There are things that are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves……but what if we think it is……what if we have a conviction that it would be wrong?  For instance……I used to smoke cigarettes.  Does the Bible deal with cigarette smoking?  We may be able to stretch a few verses over the concept……our body is a temple……we have to take care of it…….be good stewards of it….but we don’t have a “Thou shalt not smoke” passage.  Back in 1976……I quit smoking…..and let me tell you……quitting smoking is the easiest thing to do in the world.  I personally did it about 250 times!  Staying QUITTED…….that’s a whole other animal.  But I’m laying in bed one night and talking to God about it…..and I said, “OK…..that’s it God……I quit for good.”  And as sure as you and I are sitting here I heard God say…….not in an audible voice……it was actually louder than that…….He said…….“So…..make a vow to Me that you quit.”  And I said, “That’s not necessary God……..I just quit.”  And He said, “Make a vow.”  And it went back and forth like that for several hours.  Finally……about 5 o’clock in the morning I made a vow to quit smoking.  Haven’t had a cigarette since.  Would it be a sin for me to light up a cigarette?  Yes it would……may not be for you……but it would be for me.

And one of the things that Paul’s addressing here is that we need to understand…… just because we feel something is wrong for us……..doesn’t necessarily make it wrong for everyone.  We need to realize that our convictions don’t determine right and wrong……..God’s Word does.  Let me boil this down to a relatively simple concept here……and I think it’s exactly what Paul’s getting at in this passage.  If the Bible addresses something specifically as sin……then it’s sin…..and you can’t wiggle your way out of it.  It’s time that we held to the concept of being biblically correct instead of politically correct.  

But in the areas that the Bible doesn’t directly address the issue…….or there’s no overriding passage that applies to the situation……then there is freedom in Christ to be allowed to do it.  But because we can do it…….doesn’t mean we should.  Our concern should be for our witness to other believers and to non-believers.  Paul ends this section with the fact that he’d never eat meat again if it were to cause a weaker brother to stumble……even though there’s nothing wrong with it.

This is written to encourage mature believers to take the weaker brother’s feelings into consideration before exercising our freedom.  One of the things I discovered when I became an adult was that I was able to handle eating things I didn’t care for……like sauerkraut.  I remember the first time I was invited to Tish’s parents’ house for dinner……they had hot dogs and sauerkraut.  I would never have eaten them by choice…….but I was willing to waive my right to turn up my nose at such a revolting……disgusting……smelly vegetable because I was no longer a child…….I didn’t want to hurt their feelings.  I have to admit……it probably wasn’t as much maturity on my part as I was trying to impress their daughter!  Come to think of it……maybe that’s a bad example.  But that’s what’s required in our spiritual walk…..considering others as more important than ourselves.

I’m not here to judge you whether you smoke or drink or use make-up.  You need to allow God to shape your convictions.  But the reality is that the Christian life is not a private matter. There are things I don’t do that I could do…….places I don’t go that I could go within my freedom in Christ.  I could say I don’t care what others think…….but I do care.  It’s important for us to “care” for the weaker brother.

God has given us liberties and freedoms to enjoy…….but not to abuse.  There are a lot of things the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn that can be viewed as Christian liberties. That doesn’t mean we should exercise that freedom whenever we want…….but that we should examine things closely and make decisions on whether it’s OK for us based on how it expresses love for a weaker brother……..and how it glorifies the Lord.  Bottom line…….we’re called to love one another…….to edify or build up one another…….not be a stumbling block……but to consider others as more important than ourselves.   

1 Corinthians 9:1-18

OK…….this morning we’re going to resume our study of 1 Corinthians and take up where we left off……starting in chapter 9……and it’s going to be important to remember that Paul wrote a letter here……this really isn’t a chapter in a book……it’s one continuous letter that deals with a bunch of different topics.  And the reason I remind us of this right up front this morning is because if we don’t understand the context of what we’re about to study…….we will get the message very wrong……and I think that’s what has happened historically with this passage……..because if you start off with just verse one of chapter 9……without the background…….you’re likely to take a rabbit trail that wasn’t intended in the initial writing.

So let’s read the passage for this morning and get into breaking it down and seeing how we can actually apply it to our lives……..because even though it may sound like it couldn’t possibly apply to us…….it really does.  

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?  

@8 I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

@15 But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Well……there it is…….and I’m guessing…….from many of the commentaries that I’ve read……that this passage is a favorite for those televangelists and others who make a very good living at telling people what Jesus did for them.  In fact……when I was a new believer I remember at least two sermons preached from this passage that basically defended the new raise the pastor got……and how he should probably even be getting more.  So……is that what this passage is really about?

Just to give you a little insight into how this works……when I prepare a teaching I have a pretty standard manner of putting a message together.  First I try to read it…….really slow…….every word……trying to make sure that I’ve got as clear of an understanding as I can get of just the words themselves.  Then God and I talk about it for a while……and usually…….His end of the conversation is minimal…….but after a while of discussing it…….a direction begins to form……and from there on it’s pretty easy to put together.  The direction is the hardest part……what is the thrust of the passage…….where is it really heading…….is the main topic really the main topic…….is there a valid spiritual application if that’s the direction?   The direction is everything.  Tish usually asks me the second week of preparing…….”Do you have a direction yet?”  If I do….then all is well…….if I don’t…….she knows I’m in trouble.

This passage took me into the third week before I got a direction I was comfortable with.  It just seemed like there was something deeper that Paul is dealing with than simply paying our preachers.  OK…….so then once I flesh out the message in the direction it’s going to take……then I usually consult some commentaries……both liberal and conservative.  It amazed me how many commentaries took a completely different path than I did……and usually that bothers me when I find this out because I know I’m not that smart.  

In fact……..I remember John MacArthur teaching once that if you have a totally different interpretation of a passage of Scripture than anyone else…….you can be sure you’re wrong……and I pretty much believe that.  This ground has all been plowed before…..by much brighter and more dedicated men than myself.  But I wasn’t totally alone on my direction…..and some of the most conservative writers were in my corner…….so I’m comfortable with what I’m about to share.  And that is this………..@ vrs 1-7

To begin with Paul is once again defending his position as an Apostle.  Those false teachers who had infiltrated the Corinthian church brought Paul’s résumé into question……and that’s usually the case when jealousy and envy enter into the equation…….the jealous person begins to tear down the other guy…….starts to sow seeds of distrust and gets others to question a person’s credentials.  Somebody there within the Corinthian church was saying something like………."Wait a minute. Who is this Paul fellow anyway? Why do his views on subjects like sex or divorce carry any more weight than mine? Why should we do something just because he says so?"So……Paul starts out here with a number of obviously rhetorical questions that the answer to each is clearly, “Yes.”

1. Am I not free? Yes.

2. Am I not an apostle? Check.

3. Have I not seen our Lord? Yes.

4. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Sure.

5. Don’t we have the right to food and drink? Don’t see why not.

6. Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us? OK.

7. Is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living? Oh wait…..that would be a No.

Paul’s saying, “I’m an Apostle…….and that comes with certain privileges……certain rights.  You do understand that don’t you?”  Paul clearly can defend his ministry as an Apostle…….and in doing so he’s telling them that whatever topic he addressed…….the Corinthians needed to heed his words. Though they may not have liked what he had to say…….he was indeed the apostle of Jesus Christ…….the Lord's representative. 

OK…….so this passage is kind of interesting and was obviously very important to the folks in Corinth almost 2000 years ago…….but what does it have to do with us in the 21st Century?  Actually…….something very important.  

As an apostle of Jesus Christ…….Paul's words are just as authoritative for Christians today. Now I realize that not everyone believes that. I’ve heard people say that Paul's teaching on women is inconsistent and contrary to what Jesus taught. I’ve heard pastors say we don't really need to pay attention to what Paul says…….al we need are the teachings of Jesus.  That sounds exactly like the Corinthians back in Paul’s time doesn’t it?  The fact is……and he makes it perfectly clear here.........Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ…….the representative of our Lord to us as Gentiles.  An honest study of the New Testament clearly shows there’s no conflict between Jesus Christ and Paul. Paul's message and ministry are totally focused on the Lord Jesus. 

But let’s face it……the fact is that this is America…….you don't have to believe what Paul says about sex, divorce, worship or anything else. The problem with that thought is that if one is to call themselves a Christian…….if I’m to identify with the name of Jesus Christ…..I have to accept the authority of His apostles…….including the authority of the Apostle Paul. When he speaks through the Scriptures we need to not only listen……but also to believe and obey.  That’s one of the peripheral teachings of this passage.  1 Corinthians is as relevant today as it was back in the first century…….and Paul’s writings are every bit the authority that the rest of Scripture holds.

And he follows up his defense of his apostleship and its privileges with real life logic that anyone can see is right…….7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? 

Who does these kind of things?  NOBODY!  There isn’t a person in the world who would think it was alright to charge each Marine for the ammunition he uses during deployment……nobody would think that a guy who owns a vineyard can’t have some grapes.  That’s all crazy thinking.  And then Paul takes his argument back to the Old Testament……. Deuteronomy 25:4……..“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.

This isn’t the only time Paul’s dealt with this subject…….remember 1 Timothy 5:18……For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”  In this verse he uses both Moses’ teaching and our Lord’s teaching regarding the workman and his wages.  @And Paul’s going to lay out other examples……and press his analogies further through verse 14……and all of it is in defense of the same thing…… His whole argument is relatively simple. He says……."You know that my concern for you and my commitment to the gospel is genuine because I’m willing to serve without any financial or material compensation…….even though I have a right to it. I don't just talk about giving of myself for your sakes…….I’m actually doing it. I practice what I preach."

@And there in verse 15 Paul finally gets down to what he’s wanted to say…… “You guys should be paying us for what we’re doing and we haven’t taken one red cent.”

I told you that I thought there was a much deeper reason why Paul was saying what he was saying……about getting paid and having rights……Well this is where we have to put this section of Scripture back into the context of what he’s said before.  And I’m not saying that there isn’t validity to all this surface talk about paying those who work full time for the Gospel of Jesus Christ……but I truly think it’s a secondary application to this passage…….I don’t think it’s his point at all……in fact all of what he’s said before verse 15 is just an illustration leading up to his main point.

If you remember the last time we were in 1 Corinthians……we were in chapter 8….which is why we’re in chapter 9 today…….DUH!!!!  Chapter 8 dealt with KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE…….and whether we should eat meat sacrificed to idols……and how it might affect the weaker brother…….and everything he’s said so far in chapter 9 refers right back to that single idea……the weaker brother.

We said last time that there are certain things in the Bible that are absolutely always right……and there are certain things that are always going to be wrong…….and then there are those other things that need to be looked at through the lenses of knowledge and love.  We always have to consider what others will think when they see us……as  Christians……engaged in those activities.  There are some things that it may be OK for a Christian to do…..but if a non-Christian……or a weaker brother sees us doing them……will their faith be destroyed?  Love demands that we consider others before we engage in those activities.

Paul said in chapter 8 that if eating meat would cause another person to fall into sin……then he would never eat meat again.  WOW…….I love you all…….but never eating meat again?  Like Mason said to Dixon…….you gotta draw the line somewhere!  But the main take-away from chapter 8 is that Christians need to be willing to give up some of their rights for the sake of others……..and here in chapter 9……Paul immediately uses himself as an example of giving up some rights for the sake of others.  Paul did not exercise his right to be paid for preaching in order to not offend some people. In his culture……he knew that if he exercised all of his rights as an apostle there were some people who wouldn’t listen to the message of the Gospel because of it.  So Paul uses himself as an example of practicing what he preached.

You remember that concept don’t you?  We get it thrown into our faces by the world all the time.  We’re often labeled “hypocrites” by the world……we’re always being told to, “Practice what you preach.”

Practicing what we preach…….it’s always been a challenge for us…….hasn’t it?  We get bombarded with things like, “Christians are the biggest hypocrites in the world.”  We’ve certainly earned much of the criticism……we’re legalistic…….not sincere or genuine…….judgmental…….and it’s a charge that continues to plague the church. 

Certainly, there are Christians who don't practice what they preach……and they’re probably genuinely saved……the problem is that they’re not usually very effective servants of Jesus Christ. Though God may overlook some sin in our lives……..the rest of the world usually doesn’t……and they call us out on it……they point it out…….or they just turn away from Christ because of our lack of a genuine witness of Who Jesus Christ really is.  

So……what makes a credible testimony of faith in Jesus Christ?  What makes us effective in showing others that Jesus is real in our lives?  It’s when folks around us can see that we practice what we preach. Other people can't see the cleansing from sin that salvation brings…….they can’t see the relationship between a sinner saved by grace and the God of this universe.  What they can see are changes in the way we live that are a result of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. An unchanged life isn’t very convincing……but a transformed life is a credible testimony to the truth and reality of the Gospel.

For example…….some guy gets up and says……."I was once the town drunk, but then I received Jesus Christ as my Savior and now my sins are forgiven. I am still a drunk, but I'm a forgiven drunk." That’s not going to be very impressive…….probably won’t see him on the 700 Club.   A testimony like that doesn't have any credibility. 

But if the guy was able to say……."Yes, I used to be the town drunk……..but then I received Jesus Christ as my Savior three years ago…….and I haven’t had a drink since." Wow…..all of a sudden we’d pay attention. All of a sudden this guy’s got a testimony that has some serious credibility. It may even cause some people to consider Christianity in a whole new way. When we practice what we preach…….when our walk matches our talk……people are much more likely to listen to what we have to say.

And that’s what this whole section of Scripture is about.  Paul knew that a lot of people in his culture would be turned off if he exercised all of his rights.  Paul is using himself as an example of the truth that he was teaching in chapter 8.  Paul is using himself as an example of someone giving up his rights for the cause of the Gospel.  Paul was using himself as an example of how a Christian ought to behave. Paul gave up his rights in order to not lead others astray.  Paul’s saying Christianity isn’t about rights……..it’s about grace.  You see……grace and rights don’t go together.

Now contrast this with our society’s love affair with our “rights” today.  Everyone seems to be demanding their rights. Every time you turn on the news there’s another group that’s demanding their rights.  

Jesus told us very plainly that we are to be servants……not people with tremendous egos that need to be pampered…….but here in America in our present culture we need to be served.  We are a totally self consumed society.  We’re a “victim” society…….where everything is an attack on us. Nothing neutral happens………everything is a direct attack on me. 

For instance………you go into a restaurant and the service is slow…….or the waitress is not very happy……..is your immediate concern what might be wrong with her……what she might be going through?  Or are you upset that your schedule’s going to be disrupted…..that these people have it in for you…….that you’re a victim of yet another sinister plot of the “waitress underground”……..a conspiracy of the darkest kind bent on ruining your life through poor service. 

What if……instead……we went through life with a bus-boy mentality?  What if we chose to be the bus-boy instead of the boss?  You can chose to be the boss……as far as your attitude goes.  You can expect people to cater to your every whim…..to meet your every need…. Or you can choose to be the bus-boy…….they do the crumbiest job…….the one you don’t want to do……and then they disappear.  They clean the tables……fill the ketchup and the salt shaker.  The busboy’s job is to make everyone else successful. The key to lasting significance and meaning in life isn’t how other people treat you……..or how you are served…….it’s how you serve others.  Many people miss this facet of life……..mainly because we are a self-consumed society. 

By our demeanor what kind of example……what kind of testimony are we leaving behind? Is it one where the world can see no difference between us and them……or is the difference so great and so appealing to them that they might actually find the Gospel of Jesus Christ absolutely irresistible because of the way we live?

Jesus didn’t come to earth as a king…….though He could have…….He had every right to. He didn’t come as president…….or as CEO of a fortune 500 company……..or the head of Microsoft. He came as a servant.   

Paul’s explaining pretty clearly that Christians shouldn’t insist on their rights……..in fact Christians should give up their rights for the sake of others……..simply because of the love that’s been shown to us by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ…….and Paul offers himself as an example of this kind of love. Paul gave up many of his rights for the sake of the Gospel because he loved people…….really loved people.

I read something a few weeks ago that really applies to so much of everyday life……I believe it was a rabbi who was talking and he told the story about this older man who was watching a young man fishing by the shore.  He caught a really beautiful fish……he snatched it out of the water and took out his knife and gutted it……and he looked so pleased.  The older man asked the younger guy why he was so happy.  The man replied……."I love fish!" 

The older man says: "If you love fish so much, why did you take this fish from the lake and kill it…….just for your consumption?"  

The rabbi went on to comment that the young man doesn't really love fish. He loves the way the fish makes him feel. He is really loving himself……he loves the way the fish tastes……he loves how it makes him feel……but he doesn’t love the fish.  Usually……especially in our culture today……when we say we love something……we’re talking about “fish-love”.  And it’s so pervasive in our society today……in our marriages…..in our families.  Do we truly love our spouse…….or do we love the way they make us feel?  And if that’s where some people are with their own families……where are they with their love for those who don’t know Jesus Christ?  Do we care with a self sacrificing love like Paul is talking about here?  Are we willing to give up our own rights for the sake of the furtherance of the Gospel?

The fact is…….and it’s not pretty……but the simple fact is that if we had our rights…..if we all got what we deserve……we’d all be in hell.  Romans 3:23 tells us pretty clearly what our rights are…… "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,".  And Romans 6:23 follows that up with what we deserve……."For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  If anyone really wants to insist upon their rights……well…..you’re not going to like it.  According to these two verses, to insist upon our rights, what we all deserve is to die and go to hell.  Personally…….I’m not interested in what I deserve…….I’m a lot more interested in grace!!!

The whole message from Paul’s writing today is that we have got to live what we believe……we’ve got to be diligent about practicing what we preach.  It’s the same message he gave to young Timothy in I Timothy 4:16……Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.  “Watch your life and doctrine closely” is what he’s saying. This verse is about having what you say and what you do match up

That’s what made the life and ministry of Jesus so powerful. Paul’s trying to show us the same kind of life that Jesus exampled.  Jesus wasn’t just about talking He was about living it out…….and that’s the issue at hand that Paul’s dealing with here in the city of Corinth. This isn’t about rights……it’s about their witness……their testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  

The same is certainly true for us. Could it be that the reason why so many of our churches and so many of our lives are so powerless is because we’re more concerned with doctrine then we are with living that doctrine out? Could it be that we’re forfeiting the possibility of others coming to the Lord because we are saying one thing and doing another?  Could it be that we’re more concerned with our rights……our revenge…….our winning……then we are with being an example for the Lord, Jesus Christ?

As we wrap up here…….I encourage each of us to ponder this question this week……How can people see that my faith in Jesus Christ is genuine?  If a list of ten different things come to your mind right away…….WOW……Praise God. I’d say that’s probably pretty clear indication that you’re experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit in your life…….and all I can do is to suggest you keep on keepin’ on. 

If however……you find it hard to think of even one thing that clearly shows others that your faith is genuine…….that Jesus Christ is real and that you don’t just talk about it…..you act upon it……then you have some things to work on.  Ask the Lord to help you put into practice a genuine Christianity that clearly demonstrates not only your love for the Lord……but a love and concern for other people as well.  Maybe we should give serious thought to the bumper sticker that’s been around forever…….it asks the question…….@"If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" I hope you can answer that with a resounding…….@”Yes……there would be enough to put me away for life.”  If not……then maybe a concentrated effort to put God and others first is what it’s going to take.  Maybe giving some thought to what Paul was communicating to the Corinthians…….an example……a model of how to use our Christian freedom and rights in a manner that shows others that Christ is real.  

Paul knew his rights…….and has explained them quite sufficiently……but he used none of them. He would rather die than be deprived of his boast that he did not preach the gospel for reward.  He told the Corinthians not to stand on their rights……and then he showed them that he has not stood on his. 

We’ll take up next time in verse 19………….

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

So……we’re in chapter 9 of First Corinthians…….and thus far Paul has not only defended his Apostleship and all of the perks that could come with that position…….he’s shown the Corinthian Christians that he hasn’t taken advantage of any of them……and the whole purpose behind the first 18 verses of this chapter is that Christians should never insist on their rights……..in fact Christians should give up their rights for the sake of others……..simply because of the love that’s been shown to us by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ…….and Paul offers himself as an example of this kind of love. Paul gave up many of his rights for the sake of the Gospel because he loved people…….really loved people.  

And now he’s going to follow that up with an explanation of exactly how and why he did this……..and we’re going to take an overview shot of the end of the chapter here…….and then we’ll get down to specifics.  First the HOW……..19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Paul became all things to all people……that’s the HOW.  Next the WHY…….24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

There’s the WHY…….Paul was pursuing a goal………He was seeking a “prize”……He ran after a “reward”.  There’s the Reader’s Digest version of the end of chapter 9……and it really comes down to just one big point……. and each one of us can take it with us and apply it to our lives……and that is the concept of single-mindedness.  Paul lived for one reason……to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others……..and here in these verses he first shows us HOW he did it…….and then here he tells us WHY he did it.

@I read a story about baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller…….a major league pitcher for the Cleveland Indians back in the 30s, 40s and 50s. He was signed up in 1935 when he was only 16 years old……..and in his 1st start in 1936 he struck out 15 St. Louis batters. The next year…….he became the 1st pitcher to strike out every batter in one game.

When Bob Feller was 9 years old…….his teacher asked him to write an essay about an oak tree. Here’d part of what he wrote…….“An oak tree can be cut down and sawed into boards. You can make baseball bats out of them. You can also make home plates out of the boards. You can make bleachers out of the boards so people can watch baseball games.”  What do you think Bob Feller’s life focus was?  That’s called single minded……and it’s exactly what Paul was.  

Just look at Romans 9:1-3…….With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. 2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief 3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.  Paul would give up his ticket to heaven so that the Jews might be saved.  His focus……his life concern……was the salvation of men’s souls.  Look a little further in Romans 14:7-8……. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  That’s the main point of what Paul writes in verses 19 through 27……..he would do anything to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Well…….that’s it…….that wraps up chapter 9 for us today……just leave here and become single-minded.  And it would be really nice if that’s all we had to do……but in thinking about that whole idea in the present culture that we find ourselves……how in the world could we possibly live that out?  All sorts of problems seem to come about when I really start to think about it…….and probably the first problem that came to my mind is that hardly anyone wants to listen to a presentation of the Gospel in this present version of America 2017.

A couple of weeks ago I saw what I think is a modern day analogy to this entire passage that we’re in today……something analogous of Paul’s life and his concern about preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.  I am hesitant to use it this morning……since it was only about a year ago that I used the story of the 3 Little Pigs as an analogy to chapter 3 where Paul describes himself as a master builder…….and he’s building on a solid foundation……and everything that is built with wood, hay and stubble will be burned up…….and it wasn’t a bad analogy…….but it broke down in the end.  So now…….for this passage regarding how zealous Paul was concerning the spread of the Gospel…..@we’re going to use “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Sues…….to build our evangelism foundation on.  I just saw        turn to         and say, “I knew it was a cult…….. let’s get out of here"!  

 But bear with me a minute and maybe there’s something here.  Who knows the story of “Green Eggs and Ham”?  You know the story……..some weird looking dude named Sam-I-Am  keeps trying to get his friend to try green eggs and ham……..and his equally weird looking friend keeps refusing.  Would you eat them in a box? Would you eat them with a fox?  And at every rejection he tries something new. And his friend keeps saying……”no, no, no I don’t like them!”  

And I got to thinking that if Sam-I-Am had been your typical Christian……from your typical church……then when his friend said……"I do not like them Sam-I-Am, I do not like green eggs and ham"…… Sam-I-Am would have said…..”OK. No problem.”…….And that would have been the end of the story. Sam-I-Am would have happily gone on his way and his friend would never have experienced the joy of eating green eggs and ham. 

But Sam-I-Am wasn’t content to take no for an answer. Luckily for his friend…….Sam wasn’t like a typical Christian in a typical church…….or more to point……. Sam-I-Am was just like the Apostle Paul.  He wasn’t worried about offending his friend or driving him away. All he knew was how important it was that his friend make the decision to try green eggs and ham.  Why? Because he liked his friend........and he felt like his friend was missing something in his life. But he cared enough that he not only asked his friend........but he continued to ask his friend. His friend mattered to him. And I’m not at all suggesting that we become the annoying neighbor who hounds somebody......who beats them over the head with the Bible until he submits.  But from the statistics I read.......and from conversations I’ve had with believers.....there aren’t a lot of Christians out there putting even the minimal amount of effort into evangelism.  And I have to admit........it makes one wonder if we actually believe the Gospel message.

@How many of you know who Penn Jillette is?  He’s half of the magical performers Penn and Teller.......he’s the half that talks.  And Penn Jillette is an extremely vocal atheist........so much so that when he signs his autograph for fans he writes “There is no God” after his name.  And he’s a pretty crass and crude person........nobody I would care to hang around with......but he made a statement a few years back that seems to hold a lot of truth in it.  When referring to Christians being vocal about their faith and trying to convert others he said, @ “I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize, I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think it’s not worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward........how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? 

How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you—and you didn’t believe it, that truck was bearing down on you—there’s a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”

So........if those are the thoughts of an atheist.......what are our thoughts?  What do each one of us.......as Christians perceive to be the problem.......what is the disconnect here?  If I asked you to come up with a list of reasons why the church.......as a whole.......doesn’t evangelize....... what would be on that list.......what excuses would you be able to come up with?  Because......I’m afraid that any list we could come up with would be exactly that.......excuses......not reasons.

I was talking with a friend of mine a couple weeks ago.......and we were discussing this problem.......and he apparently took the conversation to heart and started dwelling on it......because later that day he sent me an e-mail with a list of excuses for not evangelizing........here it is......see how it might conform to your list..........

1. @Hell seems unreal.......less than real.......not imminent.

   1. @We don’t really care about other people’s destiny.......not enough love.

   2. @We feel we don’t know enough to give an effective presentation of the Gospel.

   3. @We’re afraid of.......

      1. i.Making fools of ourselves

      2. ii.Offending others

      3. iii.Disagreement

      4. iv.Rejection

   4. @We don’t want to be a nuisance.

   5. @It’s not our responsibility......someone else will do it.......it’s someone else’s job.

   6. @People are responsible for seeking the truth themselves.

   7. @Everyone’s already heard it anyway.

   8. @The present environment in our country makes it unacceptable.....and almost illegal.

This probably isn’t an exhaustive list.......but it’s a good start.  So which one......or which combination of excuses do you fall back on......which is your personal favorite?  If I were to venture a guess.......it would probably be between one and two.......or a combination of the two.  If that’s true.......what are we saying?  Do we actually need to be convinced of the reality of the Scriptures?  How convinced are we that there’s a heaven to be gained........and a hell to be avoided?

It seems that if we believe the reality of hell........and according to the Word of God hell is a reality........then we should be heartbroken over the fact that we have friends and family who will........in reality..........be in hell for eternity.  Are we as convinced of the reality of Hell as Sam-I-Am was convinced of the value of green eggs and ham? Well.........if we are then the next question has to be are we convinced that Jesus is the only solution to avoid the reality of hell? There aren’t a lot of ways to get to heaven.........there aren’t even two ways to get to heaven. You can’t get there by being good........or by being sincere.......following Buddha won’t get you there.........Mohammed.......that’s a bust.  The fact is that Jesus said in John 14:6..........“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”  These are things that we hear over and over again........but are they a reality in our own lives?

In this passage......Paul is saying that nothing is going to keep him from telling people about Jesus......and he’s certainly gone into some detail about his methods..........he says he became all things to all men..........so that he may by all means save some.  How do we translate that to action in the 21st century?

Howard Hendricks......many years ago.......told the story of how he came to Christ......he said.......”I was nine years old, a little terror. I was out playing marbles one day, when a man named Walt came along and invited me to Sunday School. There was nothing appealing to me about anything with “school” in it, so he made me another proposition -- one I liked a lot better. “Wanna play a game of marbles with me?” he asked.

After he’d wiped me out in a couple games of marbles, he inquired, “Wanna learn how to play this game better?”

By the time he’d taught me how to play marbles over the next few days, he’d built such a relationship with me that I’d have gone anywhere he suggested. You know what that meant? I ended up in his Sunday School class with a dozen other boys, most of whom he’d magnetized in very much the same way. Of the 13 boys in that class, nine were from broken homes, and five were Roman Catholics. Eleven of those boys ended up in vocational Christian work.”  This guy sounds almost like Paul........because it seems that Walt became “All things to all people”.

We need to think about the people around us. The people who don’t go to church…….what motivates them……..what interests them?  That’s what Paul was saying…Are they Jews?  Are they Gentiles?  Are they weakened by hardship or sin?  Paul’s telling us that when he met someone who didn’t know Jesus… he asked himself……..What is there about their lives that I can use to reach them for Christ?  And to be able to do this……we’ve got to be prepared……not just a little prepared…….but as Paul shows us…….we have to be Olympic athlete prepared.

How many of you enjoy the Olympic games every four years?  I do……I have to admit that seeing athletes try as hard as they do is something that’s just a bit amazing to me.  The amount of preparation……the time and the discipline that are committed all for a few seconds of competition is really phenomenal.  What I didn’t realize though……until studying this passage is that Paul…….and the Corinthian people were really familiar with the Olympics.  

In ancient Greece, there were four major athletic games that took place in successive years. @The most famous and prestigious were the Olympic Games which took place in Olympia. Next were the Pythian Games which were held in Delphi……then the Isthmian games held adjacent to Corinth and the Nemean games at Nemea. So……in the small country of Greece they held what amounted to the Olympics every year someplace nearby.  And the athletes competed for a crown……braided from the small branches of various plants.  At Olympia…….it was made of wild olive…….at Delphi it was a laurel wreath……at Nemea it was made of wild celery……which was helpful if you got hungry right after winning the race……and at the Isthmian games at Corinth……a pine wreath.

Of interest is that at Isthmia…….near Corinth……the only permanent structures were the racetrack and the sanctuary……which meant that Corinth had to provide tents for all the visitors to the games……and this is where Paul comes in……’cause what did he do for a living?  He was a tent maker.  Acts 18 tells us that Paul went to Corinth and hooked up with Priscilla and Aquila who were also tent makers and he lived and worked with them.  The three of them probably would have been busy for months making tents for the visitors. Paul would have seen the athletes training and maybe even witnessed the races and the boxing events themselves. So Paul would not only have been familiar with the games……he was probably pretty familiar with the athletes and their training regimens.  So Paul knew what he was talking about when it came to athletes……and he would use the metaphor of these athletic contests for the Christian life……. as a race to be run…….a fight to be fought…….and the goal an imperishable crown of everlasting life.

I thought it was also interesting…….the use of the sports metaphor is a rather radical departure from everything else we have in biblical literature……..and I think it shows just how radical Paul was in adapting the faith to his culture.  This would have meant something to his readers.  Paul was trying to relate to them on their level.  He set aside traditions and customs for the sake of winning these Greeks………these people who ran races and boxed and thought that men should be strengthened and trained and pummeled…….he even used the same language for himself…….I RUN IN SUCH A WAY…….I BOX IN SUCH A WAY……I DISCIPLINE MY BODY IN SUCH A WAY………that’s all language that tells us we’re to train……to be disciplined…….to be ready for the arena.  

Paul’s not afraid to be speaking to men using images that real men could understand. I mean……he’s talking about playing in the Super Bowl of the ancient world……..running a race and coming in first……..being a fighter not a shadow boxer. He’s not offering comfort and consolation here……he’s offering challenge and sacrifice.  He’s not talking about safety but risk.  He’s calling us all to new challenges. It’s not easy being a Christian…….it should be compared to training for the Olympics. It’s not easy proclaiming Jesus in America today……but it’s what we’re called to do.

So……the big take-away from this passage is that Paul was totally sold out to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person he came in contact with…..and he was ready when he encountered anyone.  To follow Paul’s example isn’t easy…….in fact……it doesn’t come naturally……..it only comes supernaturally.

So……with all this said……how do we stack up?  I’m not talking about the general WE……like the church in America…….I’m talking about us…..you and me.  How are we doing in this area of evangelism?  

I don’t have to think too hard about the answer to that question…..there’s a certain deducible logic to figuring it out.  Since we believe that there’s biblical support that the church service is not for unbelievers……..so we don’t need to have an evangelistic message on Sunday morning.  Then it would be right to deduce that we evangelize outside the walls of the church building.  The evidence of new believers here at CBC is pitifully lacking…….to say the least.  So one can conclude one of three scenarios………1.  Either we’re not evangelizing……2.  we’re evangelizing like crazy but nobody’s interested……or 3. we’re evangelizing like crazy……winning souls to Jesus Christ on a daily basis……and we’re telling all of them to go to church somewhere else……because we’re dead here!!!!!

Let’s face it…….you can go down the street in just about any direction and find a church that tells you to bring your unsaved friends to church and we’ll get ‘em saved……but that isn’t a biblical approach to believers assembling themselves together.  Our Sunday morning worship service is designed for believers……which means that evangelism has to be done out there……not in here. Each one of us should be out there in the world talking to our friends and neighbors and relatives and strangers about the most important decision they will ever make.  But it doesn’t seem like we are.  

And if that’s the case……there’s no doubt that the church leadership is responsible for equipping and encouraging this Body to be about their Father’s business…….telling others about the saving love of Jesus Christ.  Well…….it’s time to face the truth……I’ve failed in that area……failed miserably.  In accessing whose doorstep the blame needs to be placed……I don’t have to look too far.  The leadership of this Body has not duplicated itself…….I haven’t convinced all of you that service is something to be sought after……not run from.  There have been some glaring examples lately of just how badly we’ve done.

Several months ago I asked a couple of times for 3 men to volunteer to teach a 9 week class to the Boy Scouts……for a religious merit badge.  Had one taker…..and he’s got grandkids in the program.  I don’t doubt that any man here could have accomplished the task quite easily.  These are kids that actually want to sit in a class and learn about Scripture…..they’re volunteering……and we didn’t have any teachers for them.

A couple of weeks ago……Jim asked well in advance for someone to fill in and do his KidzKorner the next Sunday……because the Obers were going to be out of town.  How many people wanted to do a five minute teaching to a bunch of kids?  NONE.  Seriously?  You’ve taught Sunday School……you’ve taught your kids and grandkids.  It doesn’t require the spiritual gift of teaching…..just a willingness…….a compassion……a stretching of ourselves to serve in an area that almost anybody could.

The four men who teach regularly on Sunday morning have been doing it for a long time…….and they aren’t men that have nothing else that they need to spend time on.  They’d like a break……but which man among you is willing to step up and fill in?   Which men among you have been preparing and are ready to take on the responsibility of eldership?  I don’t know if you’ve noticed lately……but we’re all getting pretty old.  Where are the young men that are in training now so that one day they’ll be prepared to take over?  The fact is……we hardly have any young men in this Body…….does that in itself speak of a failure in evangelism?

I know the blow-back I’m going to get from this…….I can already hear it…….

“The Lord hasn’t called me to do that.”  

“I don’t have that spiritual gift.”  

“I know that whole ‘Body analogy’ that Scripture uses……and I’m a little toe…..I’m not a tongue!”

“You’re not saying I should do something that God hasn’t led me to do…..that wouldn’t be biblical!”

It’s time for excuses to end……and real commitment to begin…….the kind of commitment that Paul is talking about in this passage today.  Do you actually feel that since you don’t have the spiritual gift of EVANGELISM that you’re not supposed to do it?  The Christian walk is a way of life…….it should encompass every part of our world……not just the comfortable parts…..not just the parts we want to do.  

We’ve become a nation of excuses…….and I know I’m gonna get creamed for saying this……..and I’m not minimizing spiritual gifts at all……but you don’t have to have a particular spiritual gift to function in that area.  When needs exist…….somebody needs to step up…….do you think God’s not big enough to equip you to do something you’ve stretched yourself to do?    

I have a couple of spiritual gifts that I’m well aware of and utilize them in very specific areas……and I can assure you that TEACHING is not one of them…….never has been……probably never will be.  I don’t like speaking in front of people……I don’t like studying to the depth that I need to in order to teach on Sunday morning…….but I function in that area because of a need that exists.  

You may be looking at me right now thinking…….”Well isn’t he being judgmental?  This doesn’t feel very good.”  I firmly believe that what we’re experiencing here at CBC is nothing unusual in the cultural climate of America today.  Because I believe the problem is that we have two Jesus-es in the church……they both exist and we’re purposely trying to get rid of one of them.  Which Jesus do we like…..which one do we tend to talk about?  @Well……there’s the Lamb of God Jesus.  He wept over Jerusalem……welcomed children to His side and showered compassion on the suffering poor.  He taught us not to judge and to turn the other cheek.  Lamb-Jesus is the Christ of popular culture…….the one politicians use to point to His compassion when trying to justify increasing government spending.  He’s extremely popular.  People who never read the Bible like this Jesus……and when pollsters ask them “What’s Jesus like?”…..they answer “He’s peace and love.”

@But what about the Lion of Judah…….the King of Kings?  We don’t hear much about the Lion Jesus do we?  This Jesus is so wild that conflict doesn’t seem to bother Him……and He says things like, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”  He’s constantly rebuking His friends and offending the Pharisees…….He threw a bunch of vendors out of the temple with a whip…..and threw all their stuff on the ground.  If He came today and did that we’d tell Him, “You’re not acting very much like Jesus!”

Actually……let’s just measure this Lion Jesus up against the fruit of the Spirit passage in Galatians……let’s see……. love….. joy…… peace….. patience….. kindness….. goodness….. faithfulness……gentleness and self control.  Wow…..does Lion Jesus flunk?  Certainly not…..He was perfect in every way.  Jesus is the Lamb of God……but He’s also the Lion of Judah.  If you think I’m wrong…….I challenge you to take a cheap paperback New Testament and go through the 4 Gospels with two highlighter pens……a pink one for all the passages where Jesus is tender…..loving and kind…….and a blue one for all the times He’s tough and challenging and wild.  You’ll be amazed at the results.

The problem is that the church likes the Lamb of God Jesus……He’s more acceptable in our society today……He’s more politically correct……we don’t feel a need to apologize for Him.  We’ve taken the Lion of Judah and locked Him away in the attic like some crazy uncle.  We don’t speak of Him……we don’t imitate Him…….we don’t like hearing about things like accountability…..and sin……and hell.  Since all we hear about in the church is the Lamb Jesus then we expect that every experience in church should be a pleasant one……and when it’s not we get upset.  We get wounded……or hurt……or disappointed……or indignant.  We’re so convinced of God’s meekness that we no longer fear His wrath……I mean…..who’s afraid of a raging Lamb?

We’ve got to get to a point in our Christian walk where the message of Jesus Christ is truly important to us.  And if none of what I’m saying here right now applies to you……don’t take offense……just let it roll off your back……YOU’RE DOING GREAT…….but I’ve spoken to a lot of people over the years about what Paul is talking about here……and get the same replies almost across the board…..usually starting with the, “It’s not my spiritual gift”……and then it’s something like, “The Bible tells us to be prepared when someone asks us about the hope that is in us…….and I’m prepared……but nobody’s asked.”  Or how about, “I just don’t come in contact with anybody but believers.”

We’re not going to win anybody to Jesus Christ by opening our door on Sunday morning and having coffee in the next room.  It may have worked at some point in our culture……but not anymore.  We’ve got to go to them……the unchurched……the unlovely……..the broken…… and for most people that’s a stretch too far.  We’ve got to become culturally relevant to the next generation…….or there won’t be a church to even talk about.  We’ve got to meet people where they are……and without compromising the message at all…..show them that Jesus is the God of all time……even today.  To do that……we’re going to need to change……and change is hard.  

I’ve heard it said…….“The only person who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper.”  From my observation…..that’s pretty much true. Change takes us out of our comfort zone……..it doesn’t allow us to relax……..it doesn’t give us the assurance and security that we long for.  I know psychologists would have a field day with us…..think about it……we park in the same parking space……we sit in the same chairs……we do three songs…..a teaching and then three more songs.   We’re so predictable……and to goes to every portion of our lives.  Why would I go talk to my neighbor today?  I didn’t do it yesterday.  

This teaching kinda evolved into talking about two things…….Paul’s commitment to evangelism……and some of our commitments here in our own Body…..but I don’t think it’s two separate things at all……I think it’s the same thing……complacency……indifference…… apathy.  There’s no formula that’s going to be applied to this and fix it……no program that we can come up with that’s going to make us more committed.  But we do need to change.  

When the Community Bible Church of Los Lunas started some 36 years ago……it was established by men who truly wanted to have a Body of believers that was different……that was strong on biblical teaching……that wasn’t like every other church that sucked the life out of people by meeting every night of the week…….that was led by men who weren’t doing it for the monetary gain……but simply because it was what Jesus wanted them to do…….and to varying degrees it has worked.  But maybe that’s what worked in 1980……and maybe it doesn’t any longer.  Things change…….and maybe we need to adapt.

Worship styles…..technology……outreach methods to the lost and teaching styles to those who are already disciples of Jesus……all those things can change.  Let’s face it…….Paul wrote on papyrus with a quill and ink…….I used an HP desktop computer with a 6th generation Intel Core processor.

The one thing that I know we have consistently tried to do here at CBC is to encourage your own personal ministry in any manner that we can.  If you feel like you want to start a ministry to three legged……left handed……bald people……we want to give you everything you need to pull it off successfully.  If you have a personal idea of how to reach others for Christ…..we’re there for you.  Our commitment is to encourage you to love and good deeds……that’s something that won’t change…….along with a commitment to biblical truth……no matter what changes around us.

What Paul’s dealing with today is commitment…..and he shows us by his own life what that really means.  I pray that’s where we’re headed.

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.

6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 8 Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

What do you think of when you hear the following names……Jimmy Swaggart…….Bill Cosby……Jim Bakker…….Tiger Woods…….Josh Duggar? Most people think……What were they thinking?  How in the world could you let yourself do this? Why did you give up so much for so little? What would make you compromise your dreams with so little to show for it?  And I think those are all pretty legitimate questions given the fact that each one of them self destructed…….. Each of them experienced so much success……..yet in the end they failed.

Paul starts this section of Scripture out by showing how privileged the Israelites were…….how they had God’s special blessing……they were called His people……He had protected them and guided them…….and what happened?  They fell…….and great was their fall.  And in the same way…….the Corinthians were privileged……..but where are the Corinthians now?  The fact is that spiritual privileges are no guarantee of security or success.  

The United States is a great nation…….but as surely as our laws stray from God’s revealed will……as surely as our nation turns from our Creator and embraces other pursuits…….as surely as we celebrate sin and shame righteousness…….our glory has waned.   A local church may have great fellowship……..gourmet pot-lucks…….and fine music……..but as certainly as that Church ceases to be led by the Spirit and ceases admonish its members to actively live the kind of lives that Christ died for…….that church will fall from God’s special blessing. The individual Christian may have conquered sin in various forms…….but as soon as he begins to say, "I can do it on my own,"……. in that moment he has begun his fall.

Starting out well really doesn’t count does it?  The former New York Yankees catcher, Yogi Berra once said……..“It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.”  Now I’m pretty sure that Yogi was no theologian……..but he expressed one of the greatest principles in the Christian life. It matters little to have the lead at the beginning……..what matters is how you finish. Victory is won at the finish line…….not at the starting blocks.  I’ve heard it said a number of times that the Christian life isn’t a sprint……..it’s a marathon that requires endurance and a lifetime commitment to keep running with the intent of finishing strong.  Yogi’s words, “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over” also serves to remind you and me that even if we’ve fallen far behind in the Christian race there’s still time to finish well.

In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Paul warns us about the severe consequences of sin. He is also going to challenge us to avoid sin and persevere in our Christian lives.  We don’t like to talk about that three letter word in our society today…….not even in our churches.  The warnings of a sinful life are throughout Scripture…….but we’ve chosen a different topic to talk about from our pulpits today……..God’s grace……..and there’s no doubt that God’s grace is monumental…….incredible…….consuming…….but so are the consequences of our sin.  Paul’s going to show that there’s a very real possibility that many Christians won’t finish their Christian lives well. Remember where we just came from in chapter 9:26-27………….26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.  Paul was careful to keep himself in check because he didn’t want to end up being disqualified from the prize………..something that he thought was a real possibility in his life.   Now if Paul sees being disqualified from God’s rewards as a possibility in his own life…….if he sees himself having to take extraordinary measures to keep from falling victim to temptation…….how much more do you think we should be on guard in our own lives?   

And the way Paul brings this to light is through a major history lesson…….and he’s pretty plain about the fact that history should teach us something about our own lives.  I’ve heard a saying that goes……..“If history teaches us anything, it is that history teaches us nothing.”  In other words……..those who fail to learn the lessons of history are condemned to repeat the same mistakes.  

@ (first 5 verses) So verse one starts out with Paul telling his readers that he doesn’t want them to be unaware……he doesn’t want them to be uninformed…….he doesn’t want them to be stupid in their understanding of Israel’s history…….because they are destined to repeat it if they don’t heed its warning.  

And these first four verses give a basic history of the Israelites fleeing Egypt……and we could go back to the book of Exodus to read all the details……but I’ll let you do that yourselves as a reminder……..but the implication here is that they were people of faith…….they observed the Passover……an act of faith……they left Egypt……God had provided salvation…….in fact……the SAVED status of the Exodus generation can be seen in the use of the word “all” which is used five times in four verses.  Paul tells us that “ALL were under the cloud…… ALL passed through the sea……. ALL were baptized into Moses……. ALL ate the same spiritual food……. and ALL drank the same spiritual drink.”  And the picture Paul’s painting here is of a people……blessed by God……set free by God…….protected by God…….provided for by God.  It’s a picture of the Corinthians……but more importantly…….it’s a picture of us!

Paul tells the Corinthians that they’ve been blessed with the same spiritual blessings as Israel of the Old Testament……….and just like Israel in the Old Testament……you and I have received many spiritual privileges. Just like Israel was “under the cloud” of God’s protection……we’ve experienced God’s protection and guidance. Just like Israel “passed through the sea” we’ve “passed from death to life” when we accepted Jesus Christ’s salvation.   In the same way that Israel was “baptized into Moses” we’ve been “baptized into Christ”.  In the same way that Israel “ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink”……whether we’re talking about God’s Word as our spiritual food and drink or we’re talking about celebrating the Lord’s Supper.  And in the same way that Israel was “followed” by Christ……..Christ has said He will never leave us or forsake us.    

A couple of clarifications on those verses……and probably the first one that may need a bit of explanation is verse 2……. “and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea”.  When we think of baptism……we generally think of a pool of water and someone getting dunked……and if that’s the only way we look at it then Paul’s statement is a little difficult to understand.  But when we understand the word baptism to mean an immersion or a complete identification with something else…….the statement becomes clearer.  God protected the people of Israel by use of the pillar of cloud and fire……..and God helped them escape through the sea…….but both of these protections were actually provided through Moses.  According to Exodus 14……Divine protection was sent from God in response to the prayer of Moses on behalf of the people.  As a result……..what was the response of the people?  According to Exodus 14:31…… When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.   Israel saw that Moses was God’s servant…….that their survival depended upon Moses interceding for them. Every time they sin and God thinks about destroying the Israelites……Moses begs for God to forgive them…….and He does.  From the events at the Red Sea……..the people of Israel fully identified themselves with Moses…….they were “baptized into Moses”.  

@ (first 5 verses) The other statement in there that might cause a problem is the last part of verse four that says…”for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.”   If you remember your accounts of the Israelites leaving Egypt……within the first month the people are grumbling because of a lack of water…….Moses prays and God gives him instructions to go speak to a rock and the rock will bring forth water.  Moses gets torque off and smacks the rock a couple of times with his rod and water pours forth and the Israelites quit complaining……for a day.  

Now there are a couple of explanations that I think we can dismiss……though you could actually hold to them and not have missed the point of the passage……and the first is that some Jewish traditions hold that after the Jews had watered their stock and themselves……a fragment of that rock that provided the water was broken off and carried through the wilderness and perpetually provided water for them on their journey.  And if that’s what you think……you’re probably not worse off for it……the provision was still from God.

There is a possibly more common Jewish tradition recorded by three different sources that say an actual material rock did follow the Israelites in their wanderings. The rabbis said that it was round…….and rolled itself up like a swarm of bees…….and that when the tabernacle was pitched wherever they stopped…….this rock came and settled in its vestibule and began to flow when the princes came to it and sang……."Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it".  If you want to go with that one…….I think you’d miss Paul’s point…….but I’m certain your salvation would remain intact.  What I think Paul is saying here comes to light in the repetition of the word "spiritual"……….before "drink" and "rock"……and he’s just telling the readers that it’s the spiritual and not the historic aspect of the Jewish tradition that he has in mind here.  The traditional account…….or the storied account of the Rock was a more complete illustration of God’s provision and the fact that He never left them.  

Hopefully that clears up any questions you might have had in the first reading of that passage…….but the whole point is that the Israelites were a privileged people…….just as were the Corinthians…….and just as we are.  

When is the last time that you’ve actually reveled in the spiritual privileges that God has given you? Can you honestly say that you’re awed by the fact that God saved you? Do you ever ponder the wonder……that out of all the people in the history of the world…….God chose to save you…….just because He wanted to?  Think about those questions for a minute.  Are we so privileged here in America that we actually feel entitled to God’s salvation?  What other reason can you give if you find yourself to be indifferent or UN-awed by God’s choice of you?  We’ve got to get to a point in our spiritual lives where we’re genuinely grateful…….incredibly happy about the privileged position God has placed us in.  Indifferent……apathetic……unmoved are not adjectives that should describe a spiritually healthy Christian.  

So after reminding the Corinthians that they share the same spiritual blessings that God’s chosen people had shared……in verse 5 he tells them……5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness.  

The word “nevertheless” brings out the contrast between how many were blessed…..which was ALL of them……..versus how many with whom God was not pleased……..“MOST of them”.  And let’s face it…….that statement may be the greatest understatement in all of Scripture.  Over two million Israelites came out of Egypt.  How many adults were allowed to enter the Promised Land?  TWO…….Joshua and Caleb.  The rest were “laid low”…….as in six feet under low!  Think about it…..their bodies were scattered across the wilderness……because they were disqualified……the very thing Paul feared for himself if he didn’t stay the course.  

Several years ago I was in a discussion with a couple of people that were questioning why God would bring all of those people out of Egypt just to let them all die in the wilderness because of their sin against Him……and it was followed up by a genuine question……”So did all those people go to hell?”  I remember one person immediately said……“Yes…..they ended up in hell.”……but I didn’t know the answer…….so I started studying it……looking at what they had done……were they saved……..what did they lose……was God just a big meanie?  

The Israelites who were brought out of Egypt were saved by the Passover Lamb.  The Jews who left Egypt had faith in God……they believed Him……they put the blood of the Lamb on their doorposts……and they were saved from their life in Egypt.  They didn’t go back to Egypt and get “unredeemed.” The blood of the Lamb…….which had taken them out of Egypt was irreversible. They didn’t lose what they had……..but they lost the reward God wanted to give them.  None of them got to cross over to the Land of Milk and Honey…….not even Moses……and I’m pretty certain he was saved!  

@So we come to verses 6-11……..and notice what Paul does here.  He’s going to summarize some accounts of sin by the Israelites in the wilderness……but not without a really good reason……and the reason is found in verses 6 and 11.  6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. …….11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.   Why is Paul telling us about Israel’s failures?  As an example…….for our instruction……..so that maybe we won’t duplicate their mistakes.  Paul wants us to see ourselves here because there’s a danger that we could end up just like Israel and be disqualified from our reward.

Before we look at the four sins in 10:7-10…….it’s important to note the source of all four of these sins……..and it’s found in the latter half of verse 6…….craving evil things. The “craving of evil things” that’s referred to is found in Numbers chapter 11……and it was an episode that took place about a year after the Exodus. Do you know what the “evil things” were that they craved? Fresh vegetables! They were sick and tired of manna……..and they wanted to go back to Egypt where there were cucumbers, garlic, and onions. We may think this is a little silly……but think about it……..how often are we guilty of “craving” a new car……a larger home……a new spouse…….new clothes? In light of eternity…….these cravings are on par with cucumbers, garlic, and onions. 

Seriously………in eternity…….what difference will it make what kind of car I drove or how large my house was? What difference will it make how successful I was in my job? Who’s gonna care what material possessions I left for my children?  What Paul’s talking about here is our discontent with God’s provision…….always striving for more……always craving what we don’t have.  When we get unbalanced in our lives…….when the material world becomes more important than the spiritual world……we will become the people Paul is talking about here.

So……what are the sins that Paul is going to bring up here…….and more importantly……how does it apply to us?  Well…..the first one is idolatry…….and the idolatry the Paul is talking about here took place during the giving of the law at Mount Sinai……we find it recorded in Exodus 32.  And I think we’re familiar with the story.  But we don’t have any Golden Calf that we’re worshipping…….how can that apply to us?

For you and me…….idolatry is putting anything or anyone in God’s rightful place in our lives. Anything can become an idol…….material possessions…….popularity…….our job….. if it becomes more important than God then we’ve replaced Him.  I don’t have to make a list…….you know what it is in your life.

The second sin he mentions is immorality…….and there are several incidents of the Israelites participating in flagrant immorality……like the one he’s mentioning here……found in Numbers 25.  Certainly we’ve seen that the Corinthian church was awash with immorality…..but again…….how does this apply to us?  

Our society…….our culture is easily the most immoral group of people ever gathered on one continent.  It is impossible to totally recuse oneself from being bombarded by the homosexual agenda…….suggestive advertising……scantily clad human beings or those living together without the blessing of marriage.  Because of these influences……and certainly others……we’ve adopted a “throw-away” attitude when it comes to marriage.  How do we deal with this……how do we bullet proof our relationships?  Well it takes purposing…….and here’s just a couple of suggestions.

First…….take inventory of your marriage……..monitor it……look for any danger signs and take action to strengthen those areas.  Beware of child-centered marriages…….because that will kill intimacy as quick as anything. I can’t tell you this enough…….invest first and foremost in your spouse.  They are the most critical family relationship you have.  Purpose them first.  They are more important than your children……more important than your job……more important than anything on earth…….except God.

And speaking of God……being in God’s Word is another way to escape immorality in our culture.  Every one of us has 96 15-minute periods of time every day……..ww all have seven days in each week.  Honestly……can you not spare 15 minutes a day to read the owner’s manual……the lesson plan that God left to guide our lives?  We can all become so busy doing urgent stuff…..that we forget the important things…….like reading and meditating on the Word………listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Neglect these things and everything else becomes futile. 

Beware of the lure of the Internet. I’m guessing we’ve all got it……and in a lot of ways it’s invaluable…….but probably in more ways it is purely temptation.  Put safeguards in place to avoid succumbing to on-line immorality.  Paul wants us to know that sexual immorality can keep us from finishing well. We’ve seen it again and again in the Christian world. 

Paul then lists “testing God” as the next sin that Israel was guilty of……as were the Corinthians.  God’s provision was never good enough……they were continually dissatisfied to the point of taxing God’s patience as chronicled in Numbers chapter 21.   We’ve already talked about dissatisfaction with God’s provision in our own lives……and the next sin that’s mentioned is pretty much the way we show our dissatisfaction…….through grumbling.

Unfortunately…..the image of grumbling characterizes the whole wilderness experience of Israel…….recorded in Exodus 15 through Numbers 17……..and that sinful behavior started just one month after they were freed from captivity…….and they sadly grumbled incessantly for a period of two years……at which time Numbers chapter 14 tells us that God decreed all those twenty years old or older would not be permitted to enter the Promised Land.  Apparently God takes grumbling particularly seriously.  

The theme of ingratitude for all the blessings that God had given them seems to be forefront in all of the sins that Paul lists here…..and it’s a good warning for us.  God’s people wanted more. His presence……His provision…..His availability and His power weren’t enough.  We have all of those things……is it enough……or do we grumble.  Dissatisfaction…. an ungrateful attitude…..complaining….questioning God’s provision …..all seem to be things that kept the Israelites from finishing well.  Are we in danger of the same results?  

@ (verses 12 & 13) The last two verses of this section not only give a pretty good summary of what Paul was getting at by balancing an important warning with a word of encouragement and grace. In light of all that Paul has said…….he challenges the Corinthians with this warning……. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”  We see it time and time again in our society……just like the celebrities I mentioned when we first started.  Just when we think we’ve made it…….when we think we’re beyond participation in a particular sin……that’s when Satan is most active.  Nothing helps his cause more than one of God’s people to be caught up in some scandal.  And when that happens……we all know that the world takes notice.  Many times those who have great beginnings have very poor endings.  Think about some of the heroes of the Bible…….Moses…… Lot……Samson…..Saul….. Solomon……Ananias and Saphira……they all seem to have started well……but they all failed miserably and suffered loss of the reward God intended for them. I can’t help but be reminded of Jesus’ words from Luke 12:48…….one of the scariest verses of Scripture……“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required.”  How much have we been given?  (PAUSE)  My point exactly.

But fortunately for us…….verse thirteen shows us that we can choose to avoid disqualification and finish well. Paul closes this passage in 10:13 with these powerful words: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”   

 So let’s break this verse down a little bit…….And I think the first thing we see here is that temptation is common to every person…….so there is no temptation that is unique. No one can hide behind the argument that his sin is unique and so he can be excused. 

The second thing that sticks out to me when reading it is that God controls the context of our temptation…….and apparently……human beings have a “maximum load limit”.  We have load limits everywhere…….highway signs……bridges……elevators……even restaurants have “Maximum capacity” signs.  Some engineer calculated the exact amount of stress something can take and then they post warning signs that we shouldn’t exceed that amount.  Human beings also have their load limits……which vary from person to person. Some people can endure a great deal……some people have a tendency to fold with the smallest amount of pressure.  But one thing we know for certain is that it was God who created us……and He knows our limits.  

And the third thing I noticed is that God personally provides a specific way of escape for each and every specific temptation.  The use of the definite article “the” with both “temptation” and “way of escape” points to a particular way of escape that is available in each temptation. And I think Paul’s point is that we should be very mindful to look for the escape route…….there is a way out.   Overcoming temptation is not a matter of simply sitting down on a sofa with a box of bon-bons and telling God to make the way of escape for you. We’re responsible to do our part as well…….and we see it throughout Scripture…….especially in the next verse…… @Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  That’s a responsibility……we are to actively flee……we don’t just sit there waiting for God to move us…….we FLEE!

Or how about James 4:7-8……7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Those are all active verbs……we’re required to do something.  

Many years ago……probably about when the reality TV show craze hit…..there was a show called Temptation Island.  I never saw it……but it was advertised as a show that put four couples who already had strains in their relationships on an island with two dozen good looking men and women and the whole weak plot of the show was to see if these couples would remain true to one another.  Fairly disgusting concept of a television show……but the fact is that every one of us is living on Temptation Island.  None of us are without our own personal dissatisfactions……discontentment or temptation.  

I’m reminded of a story that Paul Harvey told on one of his radio broadcasts regarding how Eskimos kill wolves.  First……the Eskimo coats a razor-sharp knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood……and another, and another…….until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood.  The hunter then fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait he begins licking it…….tasting the fresh, frozen blood. 

Then he licks faster……..more and more voraciously……..lapping the blood feverishly……..harder and harder the wolf licks the blade.  So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf is unaware of the razor-sharp sting of the blade on his own tongue…….nor does he recognize when his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN blood. Unknowingly the wolf’s life slips away as his appetite craves more and more.  In the morning……the hunter comes back to find the wolf dead in the snow.  

Giving in to temptation is just like that…….and Paul’s telling us that we’ve got to learn from history……learn from Israel. We don’t have to repeat their mistakes. We can be obedient to God and finish well. Remember…….it’s not nearly as important how you begin……..it only matters how you end. 

1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1

So we find ourselves this morning in 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1……..where Paul is going to conclude a three-chapter discussion on the freedom that God has given Christians…….the freedom that comes with accepting Jesus Christ……the freedom to worship the God of all creation……the freedom to serve one another in Jesus Christ……the freedom to put others’ needs in front of our own…….the freedom to be a real servant.  

And the fact is that what Paul’s talking about here isn’t easy…….it’s hard……in fact it reminds me of an experience I had several years ago as a police officer.  One of my first assignments I had was a walking beat in downtown Albuquerque…….and back then there were a number of very seedy…..very rough bars downtown……some of you may remember it back then.  There was the Federal Bar……El Madrid……the Cross Keys Inn……and two other lesser notorious establishments…….but the Federal was probably the worst.  And nearly every Saturday night a very large human being named Elijah Grishom would get drunk and try to set a new record as to the number of police officers it would take to arrest him…..it was usually 6 or 7 and it hardly ever was accomplished before Elijah would launch one or two officers over a patrol car.  For him it was sport……for me it was a trial…….to say the least…….but over the years we had developed something of a relationship……though it was somewhat adversarial!

Well……Elijah’s wayward ways caught up with him and he was convicted of robbery and sentenced to several years in prison.  One night…..years later……I was working a plain clothes detail in the south Broadway area when a commercial burglary in progress was called out at a church in the area.  I was right near the church and jumped the call……..and I found the largest human being I’d ever met standing at the front door with the entire large church door handle in his hands…….that he had just ripped from the door.  It was Elijah……fresh out of prison where all he had to do was lift weights.  The guy had bulked up and was enormous…….probably 350 pounds of pure muscle.  I remember thinking to myself……”I’m gonna have to shoot this guy!”  When I walked up I said, “Elijah……is that you?” …….and he said, “Mr. Nagy……Oh, Mr. Nagy……you gots to take me back to jail……it’s just too hard out here!”

I’m afraid too many Christians today are a lot more like Elijah Grishom than we care to admit. Either consciously or subconsciously…….we prefer to take the easy way out. Instead of working to bless God and others……..we choose a selfish prison of our own making. Instead of giving God the worship that He alone deserves…….we worship ourselves. Instead of serving others…….we seek our own good.  God has given us great freedom…….but a lot of Christians find that it’s just too hard.  What we’re called to do takes effort and a lifetime of service……and we’d rather take the easy way out.  So let’s take a look at our passage today……..

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. 16 Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? 19 What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?

@23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

@31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. 11:1…Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

I see this passage being divided into two major sections…….verses 14 thru 22 gives us a rather stern warning…….and then in verses 23 thru the first verse of the next chapter he gives us counsel on how to use our freedom to God’s glory……and for the good of other people. Paul’s going to tell us that true freedom is putting God and others first…….but first……let’s look at the warnings. 

@Paul starts out with a pretty straightforward command…….“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”  Nothing new here…….but starting out with the word “therefore” concludes the previous discussion regarding temptation and moves toward a conclusion.  And I think it’s interesting that Paul addresses the Corinthians as “my beloved”.  Think about that.  He’s pretty well ripped them for nine chapters because of their backbiting and arrogance and idolatry and every manner of immorality…….and yet Paul loves the saints in Corinth…….he wants to remind his readers that they are precious to him…….even when he has to speak harshly to them.

I remember hearing a pastor say one time……. “Soft preaching produces hard people and hard preaching produces soft people.”  The most loving thing the men who teach this Body can do is not only to be encouragers……but to be honest…….to be biblical……to sometimes hit us right between the eyes when necessary.  Preaching a soft, fluffy Gospel is not productive.

“Idolatry” in the Old Testament was pretty easy to spot…..it usually had some created image that some artist made out of metal or wood or stone of a pagan god.  Today…….in the 21st century……..we’re still idolaters…….but we’re just more sophisticated idolaters. Our idols appear more innocent since they’re people, possessions, work, and entertainment.  That doesn’t sound nearly as bad as a graven image…….but let’s face it………if anyone or anything besides God gets our best thoughts…….feelings…….energy or effort……then we’re idolaters. 

Let me throw out a few quick questions…….

Do you know sports or a particular sports team better than you do the Bible?  If so, you will amass endless knowledge that will amount to nothing in eternity. 

How about the entertainment industry?  Do you keep up with the Kardashians?  Can you tell me all the best lines from your favorite movie……but you can’t quote much Scripture?  You’ve exchanged information that’s life-changing for useless information.  

Do you spend more time at your hobby than you do serving Christ? If so……what are you gonna tell Jesus as to why He and His church meant so little to you during your brief stint here on earth?  

Is all of your conversation and hospitality wasted with faceless people on the internet rather than in person with living breathing people who need your spiritual gifts in their lives?  If so…….you will have neglected eternal souls you could have personally impacted. 

Are you so driven to succeed in your job that you don’t have time to set aside for a healthy prayer life? If so you’re replacing conversations with the God of this universe……for something that will be gone when you retire……or when you die at your desk.

Paul’s just telling us to flee from those things that distract us unnecessarily from God……and he invites the Corinthians themselves to judge his words.  He’s basically telling them, “Look……I’m an Apostle of Jesus Christ……but I invite you to judge what I say here because I know the Holy Spirit lives within you.  I expect you will be wise and discerning.”

So what do they need to be wise and discerning about?  Well……basically……the next set of rhetorical questions he asks.  From here through verse 22 he’s going to ask a number of questions that each one has an obvious answer for…….”Yes” or “No”…….and he starts by using the Lord’s Supper and Israel’s sacrificial meals as an analogy to demonstrate that God’s people have always had one God.  “Is the cup we share together a sharing in the blood of Christ?  Is the bread we share together a sharing in the Body of Christ?”    He’s trying to show them that when we partake together of the elements at the communion table, Paul says it involves a koinonia…….a spiritual sharing with not only the Lord Jesus……but also with our brothers and sisters in the Body.

And the parallel he’s drawing here between our partaking in communion and Israel’s sacrifices under the law show that we are defined……we are spiritually set apart by partaking together.  We commune with the Lord by partaking of communion just as faithful Jews under the old covenant communed with the Lord through the forgiveness associated with those animal sacrifices.  That very same dynamic was at work in ancient Israel as worshipers ate sacrificial meals in the temple in Jerusalem.  In both cases it’s a picture of our relationship with the Lord of the universe.  So…..partaking in communion together defines who we are in Jesus Christ. We’ve died to sin with Him……..and we’ve been resurrected to new life because of Him.

The natural response to our oneness with Christ and each other should be to avoid idolatry at any cost…….which is exactly where he heads in verse 19…….and he’s going to draw a distinction here that we cannot……in any manner…..mix any type of idolatry with our shared fellowship.  

From verses 19 thru 21 Paul’s contrasting partaking in the Lord’s Supper with eating meals in the pagan temples…….because they did basically the same thing…….only it was an offering to idols that was taking place.  The point Paul’s making is that while the meat that was partaken of in these pagan sacrificial meals had no spiritual power……..the meal was representative of satanic evil.  And if you think about it…….the spiritual force behind all idolatry……..religious or otherwise……..is demonic.  It’s trying to draw us away from our ultimate purpose in life…….which is to glorify God.  And no matter how innocent we may think it is…….any form of idolatry is destructive in our lives.  So Paul’s warning these Christians that even unwitting involvement in idolatry is dangerous…….because Christianity is a total lifestyle……it’s not a religious hobby.  Compromise of truth always weakens our faith. 

The final verse in this section is particularly interesting.  Paul writes, “Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?” In the Old Testament……..the metaphor of marriage was often used to describe the Israelites’ relationship with the Lord in the context of their flirting with idols..........and as a result the Lord became jealous……..certainly not to be unexpected.   All you have to do is imagine that your spouse tells you he or she has another love interest.  Your nostrils would flare…….veins would stick out of your neck……and something short of the wrath of God would be perpetrated.  All through the Old Testament God identifies Himself as a “jealous God.” God’s jealousy comes from His loving ownership of us. He loves us too much for us to get away with whatever rebellion or idolatry we’re pursuing. He will intervene………He will crash into our life and it will be painful.  And……by the way…the answer to Paul’s question is “NO”…..we are not stronger than He is. 

The jealousy of God requires us to be zealous for God.  The person who is jealous should also be zealous for the object of his love. You and I should be righteously zealous for God’s name and reputation.  You and I should be zealous for God’s people……..both those who are already His and those who aren’t yet……..and we don’t know who they are…….so we should be zealous for all people. 

Think about it…….when Paul was preparing to establish the church at Corinth God gave him some real encouragement……..@In Acts 18:10 He tells us……“I have many people in this city”.   Well…….there weren’t any Christians there yet……..so He was referring to the many who were destined to become Christians……..but Paul needed to be zealous for them…….they needed to be evangelized. Do we have a passion for souls? Do we have a passion for making disciples? Do we have a zeal for serving God’s people?   Are we zealous for God’s house……for His church?  

Do you remember when Jesus was throwing the moneychangers out of the temple…..and the disciples remembered that God’s Word says “Zeal for Your house will consume me?”   That’s a quote from Psalm 69……..David speaking prophetically of the Messiah to come.  Do you ever ask yourself how you’re doing in this area?  We’re supposed to be becoming more like Jesus as we mature in our walk……and He was zealous for God’s church.  I would think that in every church there’s those whose zeal has waned……maybe even totally evaporated.  There’s a lot of American Christians who would have to say…….“Zeal for my job has consumed me,”………..or “Zeal for sports has consumed me,” or “Zeal for my family has consumed me,” rather than zeal for God’s house……..zeal for God’s people.  Maybe we all need to take our own temperature in this area and refocus our zeal on those things that will last for eternity.  Do you remember the three things that will pass from this life into eternity?  I’ve spoken of it many times over the years.  God…….God’s Word…….and the souls of men.  If those aren’t the things that we’re defined by…….if those aren’t the things that we’re zealous for……then we’ve missed the mark.  So…….Paul’s warning for us in the first part of this passage is for us to flee idolatry or face God’s wrath.  Starting in verse 23 he’s going to change his warning.

Earlier…….Paul spent the better part of two chapters dealing with idolatry and things sacrificed to idols…….which were obviously big problems in Corinth.  He’s now going to touch on it again……but with a little different emphasis and application.  This chapter has dealt with how we act……how we respond to others with this newfound freedom that we have in Jesus Christ……..and his counsel is we need to be willing to relinquish our “rights” for the sake of our brothers and sisters.  That’s not a very popular thought in our society today.  Why?  Because it’s all about ME!!!  We live in a “me-centric” world……….everything revolves around ME … my happiness … my wants … my pleasure … ME!

Up until about 474 years ago……..everybody believed that in the universe……..the sun and the planets all revolved around the earth. Then in 1543 Copernicus told them that the earth wasn’t the center of the universe.  50 years later Galileo said that the planets revolved around the sun. People were so opposed to this idea that they threw him in prison……..and even kicked him out of the church. The very idea that WE weren’t the center of the universe was unthinkable!

God has a very important lesson in all of this for each one of us……..the world doesn’t revolve around YOU…….it doesn’t revolve around ME. God’s priority isn’t my comfort or pleasure or happiness.  God isn’t that concerned about our happiness…….He’s concerned about our holiness.  The prosperity Gospel doesn’t align with Scripture. In America we seem to think that God exists for our happiness.  Let’s face it……if God existed to please you & me then why aren’t we pleased all the time?  Is He not capable……is He falling down on the job?  The truth is that it’s not all about you or me……….it’s all about GOD.

So he begins with a really important principle……@EDIFICATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PERSONAL GRATIFICATION!!!!  Every Christian in America needs to memorize this concept.  Jesus Himself told us that He didn’t come to be served……but to serve.  We’re supposed to be OTHERS centered in everything that we do…….and the principle is laid out in @verse 23………..“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”

One of the important things Paul pointed out earlier in his letter is the freedom we have in Christ……and we really do.  In matters of morally neutral things we have absolute free will. But our behavior has got to be tempered with concern for others in the Body.  That word “edify” means to build up or to strengthen. It’s used to describe the strengthening of Christian character in other people. So when we’re faced with a decision about doing something…….about a particular practice we might get involved in…….the first thing we’ve got to do is ask ourselves if we have the right to do it……..and if it’s not forbidden by Scripture……then absolutely we have the right. But the next question has to be whether it’s profitable and edifying. Will this activity build people up……..both ourselves and others?  And if the answer is again “Yes”……. then we can participate with an absolutely clear conscience.

A second principle is found in the very next verse……“Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”  The freedom we have in Christ is going to express itself in serving other people.  Our thoughts should always be directed to others…….we should desire to sacrifice for others.  It’s what Christianity is all about…….but that’s a pretty hard concept in America today……in our ME centered culture…….because a lot of times we take our freedom wrongly.  There’s two wrong responses as to how we can view our freedom in Christ.  Some say……“I don’t care one spit what anyone says about what I do……..I’ll do as I please. I operate on the principle of grace and am free to do whatever I want.”  This attitude amounts to nothing more than spiritual rebellion……bordering on anarchy. The opposite side of that coin are those who live in a spiritual straight jacket…….a prison. They’re afraid to sneeze without a sense of guilt.  Those folks can’t enjoy the freedom they’ve been given because they’re too afraid they might offend someone.  There’s got to be a balance……but if you’re going to err……..err on the side of putting others’ feelings and desires and rights first. 

Verses 25-30 deal with the same topic that Paul talked about earlier in chapter 8…..and he gives nearly the same advice regarding meat sacrificed to idols.  There’s no way that eating a piece of meat that was offered to an idol is going to defile a Christian.  What defiles the Christian is participating in heathen worship…….so don’t do that. So……if eating a piece of idol-meat doesn’t defile the Christian…….there’s no need to make an issue of it. Exercising an overly sensitive conscience only adds an unnecessary disrespect to the hospitality of the person who has invited you to eat.  The implication here is that if we don’t make any mention of it……if we don’t turn it into a big deal……we may actually have an inroad into their lives.  Paul’s solution to a potential violation of conscience is “Don’t ask!” To the extent that we’re willing to do that……we’re reflecting the life of Jesus……He ate with tax-gatherers and sinners. 

But if we are legalistic…….uptight…….self-righteous…….“holier than thou” Christians……then we’re gonna blow a potential opportunity to glorify God…..because any non-Christian acquaintances we have aren’t going to be asking us to dinner any time soon.  won’t want anything to do with us anyway.  God’s message may be offensive to non-believers……but the messenger should never be.  

Paul is now ready to summarize chapters 8, 9 and 10……and he does all three chapters with just three verses………31-33.  @It’s obvious……with his usage of the word “then”……that Paul intends to bring this whole discussion of food to a conclusion……because he talks about whether we’re eating or drinking……no matter what we’re doing…….all believers should do everything “for the glory of God”.  

Why do the planets exist? For God’s glory........Why did God give you talents and abilities? NOT for YOU to receive honor and glory … BUT … for His glory……..Why do you have money……. For God’s glory.  Why do you live in poverty? For God’s glory.  Why do you have victory……..or struggles in life? For God’s glory.  Everybody exists……..everything was created…….to give glory to God! Including US! We think that the world should revolve around us. Do you really want that?  Because I’m afraid that if it’s ALL ABOUT YOU…..then IT’S ALL UP TO YOU!  Is that what you really want?  

To do something for the glory of God means to reflect God’s glory in the way we live. He’s told us earlier that the Gospel itself is going to be an offense to some people……his fear and his warning to us is that we shouldn’t ever be an offense to people.  Legalism and a controlling attitude keeps people from listening to us……it keeps people from the Lord.  Paul’s desire was to try to live without offending in any direction……..always thinking of both honoring Christ and affecting other people in how he lived. And Paul always looked in both of those directions. The aim we ought to have in using our liberty carefully and selflessly is to glorify God. 

Paul closes this section with one final verse…….and unfortunately, the folks who divided the Scriptures hundreds of years ago included the final verse of this chapter into chapter eleven…….but it certainly seems to fit better rounding off the past three chapters……and it’s a rather unsettling invitation and challenge to each of us…… Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

For Paul…….it wasn’t just a matter of preaching and teaching. It was a matter of living out the truths that he taught………so watching him live his life was very important for them to understand the reality of the gospel.  Throughout this whole section of Scripture Paul is asking us some very challenging questions……and I think it’s fair and right for us to think about them……and answer them honestly.  

• Do you want to know what it means to live a consistent Christian life?

• Do you want to properly balance freedom and restraint?

• Do you want to be in the world and not of the world?

• Do you want to have a positive spiritual influence in your community?

• Do you want to live a balanced life…….not being driven by the two extremes of legalism or selfish license?

If you do……Paul says…….”then watch me……follow me…….live with me. I may not be perfect…… but I try to imitate the selfless life that Christ lived. I want to glorify God in what I say and what I do……..and in the attitudes of my heart. To the extent that I succeed, then the good news is that you can, too.”  It’s a matter of focus……it’s a matter of purpose.

There’s a lot of confusion in our country over what we want……versus what we need.  We need food…….we want chocolate ice cream.  You need shelter…….you want a mansion.  We need transportation……we want a fancy car.  The problem is that people are searching for real meaning in their lives…….so they keep running……all the time trying to find it……the next car…..the next house…..the next spouse…..and they find those things empty when they get there…….so they keep running.

The problem is that most people……even most Christians…..when they get my age realize that the things they want don’t bring true satisfaction.  Christians need to realize early on in their lives that most of the things that we strive for and yearn for……and want…….they never bring true satisfaction.  What brings true satisfaction is engaging in the things we were created to do……serving others so that God may be glorified.  That’s what brings true satisfaction.

There’s a lot of you folks sitting here that I’ve known a really long time……and if I’ve known you a long time……that means you’re past “middle-age”.  I remember……I used to laugh at my Mom…..in her seventies she’d say, “I’m just middle-age.”  Yah Mom…..if you’re an oak tree!!!  Anyway…….I’ve known a lot of you a long time…..and if you’re normal you’ve probably asked yourself “What happened?”  “What happened to the time?”  “What happened to me?”  I’ll tell you what happened…….the 70’s and the 80’s and the 90’s and then another century happened……and you put on a few pounds and you got bald or gray……or both.  Life happened……and you may look back and think……”I haven’t really succeeded in the areas that I should have.  I haven’t been the man or woman that God designed me to be…….I’ve been chasing the wrong things most of my life.”

It’s never too late to reorder things.  Jesus told us how to live our lives……and if you do a self-assessment and find that you’re not quite stacking up…..you’re not where you want to be……it’s not too late.  Step off the treadmill……the hamster cage……the vicious circle……whatever you call it……and take a breath and then insert yourself into the work that God has set apart for you to do.  Get involved in people’s lives……pay attention when they speak……share one another’s burdens……be a friend…..be a mentor……be bold enough…..and humble enough to say,  “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”  

We ought to wake up each morning and say…….“God, how can my life give you the most glory today?”……..and really mean it……..and then really do it!!!!

I CORINTHIANS 11:2-16

Many times in this study of 1 Corinthians I have found myself ruing the day that I decided to teach through this letter.  I know we’ve mentioned it before......that if we did not follow the format of teaching through entire letters or books of Scripture.......there’s a lot of passages that would never see the light of day when it comes to being taught.  I’m quite certain that this is one of those passages.  But I am convinced that it’s one of the strengths of this Body to insure that we can be exposed to and learn from the whole counsel of God.  I have studied this passage for over two months now......and though I’m much closer to its true meaning than when I started.......I’m still not certain I have captured it in its entirety.  

Dr. Thomas Schreiner is a Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary........and considered an expert in Pauline theology......and when asked about it he says he considers 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 the most difficult and controversial passage in the New Testament.

So......is Dr. Schreiner correct? Let’s read the passage and I’ll get some of your ideas on it.

2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also [e]have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or [g]her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. @ 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.

So…….is the passage difficult?  Is it controversial?  Why?  How does it set with you ladies?  How would our current culture view it?  Is it offensive to women with short hair …….and men with long hair?  Do we just ignore it and “cherry pick” verses we want to follow and completely ignore those that we don’t?  Is a literal interpretation of this passage a correct interpretation…….or do we have to view it within the culture it was written?  If that’s the case then can’t we do that with other verses……like that whole “love thy neighbor” thing?  Maybe in the first century culture it meant something different.  Wow……are you confused yet?

Be reminded that God inspired every thought.......idea and argument in the Bible.......and it is not my place......nor am I qualified to sit in judgment over the Word.   Our place is to understand it and obey it..

We here at CBC......as much as possible......take a very literal interpretation of the Scriptures......as much as possible.  But obviously there are times when a literal interpretation would clearly be wrong......for instance...... Psalm 91:4a…….He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge…….or……. Psalm 61:4…….Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.   From this one we can conclude not only does God have wings…..but He lives in a tent.  That should make the Boy Scouts feel a little better.  @The same wording is found in Psalm 17:8……Psalm 36:7…….Psalm 57:1b……. and Psalm 63:7.  You may say, “Ha!  But those are books categorized as poetry…….they’re written in poetic language…….they’re supposed to be filled with metaphors.”  But in the book of Ruth……categorized as “historical” it talks of the same thing……Ruth 2:12…….May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”  Ruth’s back in the historical writings……no poetry there.  And Jeremiah…..in the category of the major prophets……tells us about wings and flying……Jeremiah 49::22a…… 22 Behold, He will mount up and swoop like an eagle and spread out His wings against Bozrah;

So……is our stand that if you draw a picture of God He better have wings?  Obviously not……it’s understood to be a metaphor……an illustration…….a picture of what the writer is trying to get across.  

And I know we understand these things…..but I just want to refresh the idea that context and culture and audience all have a part in accurately interpreting God’s Word.  The big problem comes when we start “cherry picking” verses in order to appease ourselves rather than trying to draw out the most accurate understanding that we can.  But in the first reading of this passage today……what does a literal interpretation tell us?  Every woman in this room is in rebellion to God’s Word……and I am a dishonorable man.

This is a pretty unique passage........with a lot of interpretive issues.....things like headship.........head coverings.....the glory of God......the glory of man........authority.......angels .........long hair.......nature….....a lot of words and ideas that all have various meanings depending on the three things we mentioned earlier......context, culture and audience.  And this entire passage is grounded in creation and the created order......the ordered universe that God authored.  

So……setting the context of this passage…….we’re still in the part where Paul is answering questions that the Corinthians had about a lot of things……lawsuits, marriage, immorality, eating meat offered to idols.......and he’s made explanation to all of these questions.  Now for the next four chapters......he deals with issues related to public worship and church life. And the first issue he takes up is this issue of authority in the church.…….so we can assume that this question of head covering…..authority……men’s and women’s roles…..those were all things that they were having trouble with and they wanted Paul to clarify so they could move past them as a church Body.

Culturally……the Corinthian society was awash with overt idolatry……temple prostitution……flagrant immorality and every manner of sexual sin.  Out of this culture God desired to grow a people who were committed to Jesus Christ and His Lordship.  So we would also categorize the audience as these same people…….or at least people who have come out of this culture.

In trying to fully understand the culture and audience of this writing we need to look at the Ancient Middle East of the time......and they had an extremely low view of women.  Women were seen as property......either of their father or husband.

In the writings of the times it’s shown that even the Greeks had three reasons for being grateful.......that they were not made a beast.......a woman or a barbarian.  Jews thanked God daily that they were not made a slave, a woman or a Gentile.  Jewish women were heavily veiled and they sat in the gallery of the synagogue......above and away from the men.  That’s the cultural view of women.  What’s the biblical view?

Well......in the Old Testament economy.....from the very beginning......man and woman were created equal....... Gen. 1:27.........27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Now there is no doubt that in the Old Testament men were primarily in the leadership role......and that’s because right from the very beginning God created us with differing roles to perform.....but the Old Testament is not without woman’s leadership.  Miriam helped Moses and Aaron to lead Israel at her very inception as a nation.  Deborah was a prophet and led Israel as a judge in Judges 4 and 5.  Ester was the Queen who saved Israel from annihilation.

Remember what the prophet Joel prophesied......it’s recorded for us in Acts chapter 2......

 17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says,

‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind;

And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

And your young men shall see visions,

And your old men shall dream dreams

18 Even on My bondslaves, both men and women,

I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit

And they shall prophesy.

But it’s the New Testament where we find a real radical shift from the culture in the treatment of women.  We don’t think too much of it in our culture today......but when you read through the Gospel accounts......the way Jesus treated women was extremely radical for the time.   Jesus ministered to them.......healed Peter’s mother-in-law.......delivered the daughter of the Syro-phoenician woman from a demon........raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead......heals the woman with the hemorrhage........raised the widow’s son at Nairn........taught Mary and Martha in their home.  He announced Himself to the world through a Samaritan woman at the well.  

Jesus had women disciples in a time when other Rabbis taught that it was better to burn the Law than to teach it to a woman.  He had women followers who learned from Him....... traveled with Him at times......and supported Him financially.  It’s women who are all that’s left at the crucifixion......and women who first experienced His resurrection.

It’s from Paul that these Corinthian women had learned of their high status in Christ. From Paul……..they had also been liberated to minister in ways unthinkable in other religions.  So it’s rather ironic to realize that passages like this one……which has often been used to brand Paul a repressive chauvinist…….are in fact evidence of his liberation of women. It would never have been necessary to correct their abuse of new freedoms if he hadn't extended these freedoms in the first place! 

Paul may be accused of being a repressive chauvinist......yet Lydia was his first convert in Europe.... and sounds like she was a leader in the church at Philippi.  Paul spends a great deal more time telling men their responsibilities in the Lord than he does women.  All you have to do is look at Ephesians 5 where he lays out what a marriage is supposed to look like.  Three verses for women and nine verses for men.

Just as the Gospel can be summed up in a single verse.......John 3:16........there’s a lot of Bible scholars that believe Paul’s writings can be summed up in a single verse.........Gal. 3:28...... 28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” In Christ, there is neither male nor female, we are the same, we are one.

@So with all of that as a “prologue”……let’s see what the passage says.  Paul starts out in verse 2 saying…… Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.  And there’s one word there that I think is going to help us identify the interpretation that needs to take place in order to be accurate.  That’s the word TRADITIONS.  @Couple that with the last verse of this passage…… verse 16……. But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.  The operative word here is PRACTICE.  We’ll keep these two words in mind when we make a final analysis…….because the difficult verses are bookended by these two verses.  

These verses deal with both culture and theology……..pretty much all the way through.  The culture is explained simply by the use of the head covering…….the theology is explained by the five reasons Paul gives regarding God’s ordered creation.  

@First……..I think we need to understand the significance of a head covering in the 1st century. Back in Paul’s day…….a head covering was not a veil that covered a woman’s face……..like a bride would wear on her wedding day. Back then a head covering was more like a shawl that covered the top and back of a woman’s head. And in the culture of that day…….a woman would wear a shawl…….a head covering……..in public as a sign of submission to her husband. And Paul says the Corinthians should follow that practice when they meet together for public worship…….because culturally it was significant.  

Would Paul expect ladies to wear head coverings in churches today?  No, I don’t think so. Why? Because a head covering doesn’t have the same connotation today as it did in the first century. The head covering signified submission in the first century. If you wore a shawl over your head here at CBC this morning no one would equate that with submission. People would probably ask you if you were having a bad hair day!

Cultural traditions change……sometimes drastically.  They didn’t celebrate Christmas back in Paul’s day…….but we sure make a big deal out of it in our culture.  But what are some traditions in our culture that might indicate submission to a husband’s authority?  How about wearing a wedding ring?  A wedding ring indicates that you’re spoken for…….you belong to your husband. Another way to demonstrate submission is to take your husband’s last name when you get married.  In our culture those things probably track pretty squarely with God’s created order.  Usually……women who don’t wear a ring……because they refuse to be “branded”…… or a woman who doesn’t take her husband’s last name……or even a woman who might demand that HE take HER last name…….those are most likely women who have bought into the women’s movement……the NOW philosophies that are tearing down family traditions to a point that our culture is disintegrating.  Those are usually defiant acts that in no way demonstrates  godly submission.

Some women are obviously superior to some men in abilities……intellect……. maturity……and spirituality…….but that doesn’t change God’s created order.  He established an ordered universe……and part of that order is the principle of male authority and female submission……solely for the purpose of order and complementation…….not on the basis of any innate superiority of males. A church may have some women who are better Bible students,……better theologians……..and better speakers than any of the men…….including the pastor. But if those women are obedient to God’s order they’ll submit to male leadership and won’t try to usurp it…….simply because that’s God’s design.  None of this is a matter of male superiority……The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Women have spiritual equality with men. So…….submission does not indicate inferiority…….it merely shows how God has ordered the universe.  And the Corinthian women were having a problem with this.  That’s why Paul steps into the fray…….and he tells them in no uncertain terms that not only should they show themselves in public to be submissive to their husbands…….but they are to look like women also.  That’s why Paul goes into the hair aspect of this passage.  The hair covering and the shawl covering are two different elements of the same problem.

Much like our women’s liberation movement for several decades now……..these ladies in Corinth were using this new freedom to throw off social norms regarding the way that men and women were “supposed” to act. And that’s where both aspects of the head coverings come in. Some of the marks of loose…….rebellious women of the time were to shave their heads or cut their hair short like that of a man. So when the Corinthian women shaved their heads and removed their head coverings to show their new “freedom in Christ”……..they were really doing a lot more than that. They were indicating to the culture disrespect for men…….for God…….for authority……and for creation.

If the women were unwilling to wear veils…….they might as well cut their hair……. because it’s going to have the same effect…….others are going to view them as sexually loose. Paul’s really telling them that if they don't want to be thought of as prostitutes……they shouldn't dress like them.  It’s pretty easy to see the significance of Paul’s admonition.  Put yourself back in the first century.  You’re “church shopping”.  Last week you visited the temple of Aphrodite.  The whole atmosphere was morally loose.  Didn’t seem like a good place to bring the kids.  So you figure you’ll try this new church that you’ve heard about there in Corinth.  Something brand new…….some sort of Savior is worshipped.  So you go there and you find that there are women who appear to be sexually loose……..people speaking in tongues chaotically…….people eating gourmet meals and not sharing with the others……people getting drunk. What would you conclude? That this Jesus is just the head of one more mysterious and goofy fertility cult instead of the Son of God Who has come to forgive us and enable us to live according to God's moral design.  These women were disgracing Christ by misrepresenting Him to the non-Christian Corinthians. 

This is the main reason why Paul argues that they should wear veils. They should voluntarily limit their freedom by observing this custom so that others will not be hindered from coming to Christ. This is the context of the spiritual principle that he grounds his comments on.     Paul’s been stressing this principle ever since chapter 6. Even though in Christ we are free…….we should be willing…….out of love……to limit our freedom in every area of our lives so that others will benefit spiritually…….whether we’re talking about food or drink or cultural identification.

@And right in the middle of all of this verse 10 says, “For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.”

Why does Paul mention angels? I think it’s because angels watch and observe how the church behaves. And since angels are completely submissive to God……..they’re offended by insubordination.  When the church assembles……they desire to see proper submission to the order that God has established in the universe.  I think we can see this in Scriptures like Ephesians 3:10-11…….10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,

And 1 Peter 1:12………It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

So where does all of this leave us today?  Should Christian women wear head-coverings in church meetings in America today? There are certainly a number of Christian groups that insist on it……..but the correct answer is an emphatic "NO."  What are the spiritual principles that are being taught here?  Headship……submission…..creative order……flaunting freedom…… gender distinction.  There are a lot of them.  And what’s important here is the heart attitude.  The fact is that THE principle is………Don't needlessly defy cultural custom. The first-century application of this principle was………Do wear veils in public. In twenty first century American culture women do not wear veils as a matter of custom. So the correct application is……Don't wear veils in public.  And we’re not allowing custom to interpret Scripture here……because the purpose of Paul’s warning is the weaker brother being harmed by defying custom. 

Let’s face it……the whole point of the passage is that a woman shows her submissiveness to a man by the head covering.  So when people come to corporate worship and see the woman being submissive it reflects rightly on Jesus Christ.  But the point would fail badly in our culture because no one would think that if they saw Tish sitting here with a shawl over her head…..they would actually think she was a little weird…..not that she was submissive.

 So……Scripture is saying……in this area of practice……do what the custom is.  If you’re a female missionary in south east Asia you may need to observe this custom in some settings……otherwise you’ll be offensive.  

So……right in the midst of all this teaching on head covering and submissiveness we have verses 14 & 15…….14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

OK…….the moment you’ve all been waiting for…….what’s he gonna do?  I am going to attempt to teach this passage as rightly as I possibly can……because at first reading it would appear that I am in direct opposition to Scripture……and if so……I shouldn’t be up here at all.  But the very first part of it…….verse 14 has a hint that it may not mean exactly what the words appear to say.  “DOES NOT NATURE ITSELF TEACH YOU THAT IF A MAN HAS LONG HAIR, IT IS A DISHONOR TO HIM,”  Think about that.  Does nature itself teach us that men shouldn’t have long hair.  Well…….I took a look around nature……and I found…@…the turkey……@..and then there was the elk……@.and then the peacock……@.and there was the gorilla….@.and the lion…….and then I got to thinking……. “Scripture is always right”……so I must have a skewed interpretation of what these words that Paul has written really mean…….because if I look at nature it seems the men usually have the long hair…..the long antlers……..the long feathers.  So it must not mean what I’m thinking it means.  

So…..the sentence, “Does nature itself teach us that men shouldn’t have long hair.”….. we need to figure out what “nature” is……and probably the best definition would be to look at how it was used by this same writer……Paul……back in his letter to the Romans in the first chapter…….26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

These are the same words that Paul uses in the passage we’re in……and the closest usage of the word in both passages is INSTINCTIVE…….what we know instinctively.  The dictionary definition is “instinctive consciousness of propriety”. 

Women look like women with their long flowing hair…….men look like men with short hair……but the distinction is not the hair…. the distinction is that men should look like men and women should look like women.  If there were any chance at all that someone would mistake me for a woman……then I should cut my hair……or I should advise that person that at their earliest convenience I will take them to an eye doctor!

Adam Clarke’s commentary on this passage points out the following……. “In ancient times the people of Achaia, the province in which Corinth stood, and the Greeks in general, were noted for their long hair; and hence called by Homer, in a great variety of places, the long-haired Greeks, or Achaeans. Soldiers, in different countries, have been distinguished for their long hair……”.  He did admit that he didn’t know if it was to their praise or blame.  What is clear is that many of the men of war……men of valor wore their hair long at the time of this writing…..but I don’t believe any of them would be mistaken for women.  With these evidences it seems quite unlikely that Paul is setting a standard of hair length rather than a standard of gender identification.  

Could this be a problem in our society today……..certainly it could……in fact it is.  The rise of the radical feminist movement in our country is continuing to blur the lines in role distinction…….because they say there shouldn’t be any.  A man who wears his hair long and coiffed like a woman……wears makeup and acts effeminate is violating the standard of gender identification.  So Paul is telling the Corinthians that women should dress like women and look like women……and men should dress like men and look like men.  

Men shouldn’t look like women, and vice versa. This is about the simplest application there is.  What Christ wants from us is much bigger and much deeper than shawls and hair length.  This whole passage is more a condition of the heart than it is about clothing and hair.  What is our attitude toward God……toward other believers……toward the weaker brother?  Do we flaunt our freedom in Christ or do we consider others as more important than ourselves?   Paul just wants his readers to realize that God has made things a certain way for a certain wise and purposeful reason. And things actually work better if we do it God’s way!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?????

1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34

We’re in the middle……or a little past middle…….of studying the first letter Paul wrote to the church at Corinth…….and thus far we’ve learned that Corinth was a church that started off pretty good…….but just as quickly, it got off track……it derailed.  They forgot some of the important truths that they’d been taught…….and people with different mind-sets had crept in and given them a defective understanding of the Gospel.

All of this led to divisions within their fellowship…….several unbiblical ministry practices…….and numerous doctrinal errors which Paul is attempting to straighten out with this letter to them…….because he maintains a deep love for the people there.

Over the course of more than 45 years of being a Christian……I’ve certainly had some ups and downs in my walk with the Lord.  There’ve been times of growth and encouragement……and there admittedly have been times of stagnation……barrenness……real discouragement.  I’ve met a lot of people over the years that claim to love Jesus…..but don’t want anything to do with His church.  And it’s really a pretty common story…….for years they attended church and were actively involved in ministry…….but when they saw how some things in the church were done……when they became aware of the ugly underbelly of the visible church…....how people treated each other……how people talked behind other believers’ backs and how easily people got offended……..they eventually decided they could love Jesus but pass on His church.  It doesn’t speak very well of what we call the church today.  

During His earthly ministry Jesus told His disciples that He had a mission……and He lays out something of a skeleton of that plan in Matthew 16:18…….And remember what Jesus was responding to when He said this.  Peter had just made the proclamation that “You are the Christ......the Son of the living God!”.......and Jesus responds with.......”I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”  Jesus’ mission was to build His Church. And this church was going to start out small…….but would one day grow into something big……..and beautiful and powerful……and profound. And it would be unstoppable…….persecution wouldn’t keep it from growing……oppression wouldn’t stop it from spreading……..even the gates of hell itself would not prevail against Christ’s church.

This church would be a gathering of people unlike the world had ever seen before.  Unlike some civic assembly where people unite around community service or sports or politics or caring for the environment……..the thing that would unite this gathering of people would be their commitment to follow Jesus and His teachings.

And the people who would make up His church would have different stories and life experiences. They’d come from different backgrounds and peoples.  Some would be morally respectable citizens…….who paid their taxes……faithful in marriage……..served in the military and made great neighbors. 

Others would come from a background of sexual immorality, idolatry, thieves, drunkards, and con artists who cheated people out of money. But the beauty of this gathering of people would be that none of that mattered.  No one felt superior……nobody looked down on someone else……..because each and every one of them recognized the unifying factor between them……they were all sinners in need of a Savior.  It would certainly make an interesting group picture!!!  

 But from the beginning of time people in society separate themselves from others based on things like gender, age, ethnicity, wealth, education, disabilities, political worldviews and of course……whether or not you like the color purple. But when Christ established the church……..He created something different……..something new…….that the world had never seen before. He took people divided by all sorts of things………individuals who normally would never interact with one another……and turned them into a family.

And not just any family…….but the kind of family where people deeply love each other from the heart.   Where we use our gifts to sacrificially serve each other.  Where we don’t act judgmental when one of us sins…….but instead we restore one another with humility and gentleness.  A family where gossip and slander are as repulsive as eating a dead skunk…….and kindness and compassion are the motivating impulses behind every action.   Where love is the law……..and humility is the governing attitude.

Isn’t the church that Jesus died to establish a beautiful thing?  Wouldn’t you love to be a part of a group of people like that?  No matter what……..through good times and bad…….they’re there.  Kind and compassionate…….earnest and humble…….patient and loving……..they don’t judge you or throw you away……they genuinely love you because Jesus does.  

Unfortunately…….the church I’ve just described……..the one that Jesus called out from the world…….that’s not the church I’ve consistently seen over the years……at least not in any sustained manner.  Oh…..there’ve been glimpses of it…….short periods where you could see what Jesus had in mind…….but not consistent.  And I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in recognizing this.  

You may find yourself kinda beat up from your church experiences……scarred and hurting……disillusioned……just worn down.  You read the statistics and see that the divorce rate in the church is virtually the same as the divorce rate in the world…..and you don’t see the church making much of a difference.  Or maybe this morning……you’re like so many Christians that still maintain hope that what Christ came to establish isn’t some far off fantasy….but actually attainable by each of us yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have to tell you……that’s what keeps me going.  And in the midst of a corrupt and broken world……now as much as in Paul’s time…….we need to heed the warnings of Scripture and commit ourselves more purposely to fulfilling what Jesus has called us to.  Let’s take a look at what Paul tells the Corinthians in the first century……and see what we can adapt to our use to make us closer to what Christ had in mind………..

But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. 20 Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper, 21 for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you.

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come.

Corinth was a congregation that had lost its way.  The members ended up making the church about themselves……not about Jesus Christ and the collective unity of the Body. Divisions and selfishness surrounding the Lord’s Supper were only symptoms of the deeper problem........they were lacking love for Christ and each other.  When love for each other fades then self-seeking and personal agendas become our focus.

We see this really addressed in these verses. On the outside…….the whole of this passage deals with how to act when we are involved together in partaking in Communion……a sacrament of the church established by Jesus at the Last Supper to be a continual part of His church.  But in reality……the passage deals with heart attitudes…..with selfishness…..with divisions and in-fighting.  I’ll break this message down into two parts……one dealing with the mechanics of taking communion together……and the other……which I really feel is the meat of this passage……our attitudes when we come together…….and Paul addresses these things head-on here…….he minces no words in v. 17…….

(Back to 17-22)  But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.  What did he just say?????  How does a church get to a place like that………where you’re worse off AFTER you go to church than before you got there?  I’ll be honest with you here……there are times I just don’t feel like going to church.  I’m tired…….maybe a little discouraged…….but I always talk myself into coming.  And every time I feel that way…….and I have to wrestle with myself to get to church…..I always end up saying, “Man, I’m glad I came to church today! I would have missed out on a real blessing!”  But what Paul’s saying is exactly what’s happening in Corinth…….only in reverse!!!!  The people felt worse when they went home! How does that happen in a church……how does it get to that point? The answer’s pretty simple…….you make the church about you and your needs and your agenda……..rather than making it about Jesus and about other people.  That’s the perfect recipe for a church gone amuck.  And then Paul proceeds to tell them what’s wrong starting in verse 18.

For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.  19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

Paul says, “I hate to believe it, but apparently it’s true!” You come together as God’s people…….but you’re really broken……..you won’t reconcile your differences…….this group can’t stand that group. You act like the United States Congress. 

And in these times of division……..you can really see who is actually seeking God’s approval. Christian maturity comes out in times like these.   Christ’s goal is that His church be one people who passionately love Him and each other. But so many times the Body of Christ is divided…….groups are formed…….sometimes it’s skin color……sometimes wealth and poverty……sometimes it’s power to be gained or held on to. God hates division because it makes the church ineffective………so much so that Paul says it has corrupted your worship gatherings. 

And in verses 20-22 Paul gets to something of the meat of the matter.   When you come together you’re selfish…..and gluttons……and drunkards……and you’ve made it all about you and your desires……and you’ve forgotten all about what it really represents…….Jesus Himself.  So……let me throw something out here……get some input.   It’s really a two-fold question.  What is the Lord’s Supper…….and why do we celebrate it?  

(Sacrament……reminder…….fellowship…….worship…..gratitude……)  Yes……I think it’s all those things……and more.  @Look at verses 23-26……which lays out something of the “mechanics” of partaking in the Lord’s Supper……because the Holy Spirit shows us something very important in the wording here…….and we see it in verse 25…….  25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 

Christ established a NEW COVENANT with God’s people.  Remember that the Passover was the beginning of the Mosaic covenant that God had established with Israel.  Here is a new covenant……written in Christ’s blood.  Paul is concerned about the manner in which the Corinthians are observing something so special.  What does Paul say in verse 27?  27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.

It sounds to me like taking part in Communion in and unworthy manner is a pretty bad thing…….so what do we need to know in order to take of this communion in a worthy manner?  What were Jesus and His disciples doing that night when the Lord’s Supper was instituted?  They were celebrating Passover……so we probably need to take a look at some of the requirements to participate in Passover to get a clear understanding.  

Exodus chapter 12 lays out most of the requirements for God’s people, Israel, to take part in the Passover.  A great deal of the chapter has to do with the Lamb itself and the specific preparation that was to take place.  But we don’t have to worry about that part because God has already provided the Lamb……and after Jesus……no other sacrifice is suitable.  But what else should we be concerned about? 

The next requirement has to do with leaven. There is to be no leaven in the meal or the house.  In the New Testament……what is “leaven” usually symbolic of?  (SIN)  Look at Matthew 16:6…….And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

This is where Paul urges us to examine ourselves……and I believe it’s the crux of the entire passage.  Each and every one of us are aware of our sin……we know when we do it…..we know when we hold on to it……we know when we confess it.  Remember what 1 John 1:9 says?  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  Scripture seems clear that we need to confess our sin…..otherwise we’re unrepentant.  Celebrating the Passover required Israel to rid their lives of leaven.  In celebrating Communion we need to do the same thing.  To repent is to turn away from.......it requires change.  I can talk about repenting all day long......but  if I don’t change my attitudes and my actions then I haven’t repented.  We need to rid our lives of willful and unconfessed sin……otherwise we’re partaking in an unworthy manner.  

Since this warning is given in the context of disputes and divisions within the Body of Christ…….it would seem obvious that our concentration shouldn’t focus on merely our vertical relationship with God……but needs to be on our horizontal relationships with each other.  

Paul’s asking us to see if we’re causing our brother or sister to stumble…….to make sure we’re treating each other the way we should…..without hateful attitudes and divisions. Bad attitudes toward Christians give the devil a foothold. That’s all he needs to trip us up……and suddenly we find ourselves dissatisfied…..complaining and grumbling……and pretty soon we move on to another church thinking it’s going to be better…..when in fact……you’re the problem all along.  Unity is supposed to be one of the hallmarks of Christ’s church.  Our relationship with God isn’t based on class or race or wealth or personality……but on GRACE.  Grace that’s to be extended to each and every believer within the Body of Christ.  Preparing to take communion in a worthy manner involves a serious gut check on our horizontal relationships.  

OK…….what else was involved in celebrating the Passover that carries on to celebrating communion?  Since the Passover was being instituted for the specific purpose of helping the Israelites remember that God had delivered them from slavery…….foreigners would not be allowed to share in it.  Look at Exodus 12:43-45……..43 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: no foreigner is to eat of it; 44 but every man’s slave purchased with money, after you have circumcised him, then he may eat of it. 45 A sojourner or a hired servant shall not eat of it.”   

Circumcision was the sign of a covenant before God…….and you couldn’t participate in the Passover without it.  There’s an equivalent requirement in the New Covenant…….a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  This covenant is for believers only……it’s our reminder of what the Lord has delivered us from.  There’s no sense in celebrating something that hasn’t happened.  This is another sign of unity for God’s people.  

The last requisite for the Israelites to partake in the Passover that I see from Exodus 12is found in verse 50……..”Then all the sons of Israel did so; they did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.”   This was also a sign of the unity of God’s people…….they all participated………the whole community of Israel without exception.........the men and their wives and their children.  And in the new covenant that Christ established it’s no different.  Should kids participate in the communion service?  Certainly they should when they meet the criteria..

Paul is telling us here that communion is something special…….something to be held in high regard…….something not to be taken lightly.  When we come to the Lord’s Supper we should be focused on one thing…….Jesus Christ.  Not on what we’re going to do this afternoon…..what game might be on……what we have to do at work tomorrow……or any other thing except Jesus.  If we truly meditate on the sacrifice that was made on our behalf……we’ll approach the Lord’s Supper with the right attitude…….and it will spill over to reflect in our lives…..because what has been given to us is immeasurable……and it’s forever.

So…….if you’re wondering how you end up corrupting one of the most beautiful ceremonies of worship the church participates in…….you make it about you and your pet issues……and your dislikes……..rather than making it about Jesus Christ and fellow believers. So……..Paul says you can give your gathering a spiritual name……..you can call it worship or the Lord’s Supper…..or anything else you want to…….but it’s not because the way you’re going about things dishonors the Lord and your brother.

Back in Paul’s time when they had the Lord’s Supper……it would be in conjunction with a larger meal…….something of a pot-luck......it was called a “Love Feast”.......and everybody brought lots of food and shared it with everyone else.......everybody went away satisfied.  But the Corinthians only brought food for themselves.......they didn’t share.  So some people went away hungry……and some drunk……and some absolutely stuffed.   The wealthy people felt entitled to the food and wine since they paid for it and brought it and left none for the poorer members……..leaving them hungry and humiliated.  They took something that was sacred……..the Lord’s Supper………and treated it as common…….as if it were the last run at the Golden Corral just before closing time.  These things shouldn’t be.

And Paul tells us we need to examine ourselves......judge ourselves......discern ourselves.  And I got to thinking about that.......Do mean people know they’re mean? Do self centered, selfish people know they’re self centered and selfish? What do you think?  (WAIT FOR ANSWERS)

Have you ever seen the show “American Idol”?   I don’t like the name of the show that much......but for someone who loves music it was a pretty decent show.  If you have then you know that in the early stages of the competition........when the coaches are first picking......or when the ticket to go forward is passed out.......some of those auditions were as scary as Grandma’s toe nails!!!!.

I used to think.......those folks have to know how horrible they sing.......right? But I’ve changed my mind.........I think many believe they’re really good.  They’ve believed their mother their whole lives.  When mommy said, “Oh.....that was beautiful!”  They believed it.    We don’t usually have much trouble loving ourselves......do we.  It’s loving our neighbor that we struggle with.  Discerning ourselves is one of the most difficult things we do........because we don’t want to see the truth if it hurts our pride.  But it’s something necessary for a healthy church Body.

Paul evaluates the spiritual condition of Corinth’s members and says “For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.”   Seriously.......is that what’s going to happen if I don’t heed Paul’s warning?  That seems rather harsh doesn’t it?  Did God really strike them dead for partaking in an unworthy manner?  Well......Paul says so. And don’t forget Ananias and Sapphira in the 5th chapter of the book of Acts.......“Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.” Man......I guess great fear came over them!!!  And about three hours later his wife came in......told the same lie......died......and was carried out by the same men.  I’m really thankful that God doesn’t usually operate that way today......but it’s not to say He won’t.  If it were me......I don’t think I’d knowingly tempt God by taking the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner.

So......what’s the takeaway from this passage?  Paul deals with something of the “mechanics” of the Lord’s Supper........but in a much larger sense he deals with our heart attitudes......the very same things that God deals with us about every day.  The unity of the local Body of Christ has got to be very visible......no divisions......no cracks......as perfect a bride as it can be......and communion is a good place to show that by confessing our faults and attitudes..... by meditating on what has been done for us by Christ’s shed blood......and by looking forward to what’s in store for those that He has granted eternal life.......all said......by partaking in a worthy manner.

We are going to join together in our Lord’s Supper in just a few moments......but let me explain something that was discussed last week at the elders’ meeting.  There’s no place in Scripture that prescribes how often a local Body is supposed to engage in communion.  Over the years we’ve done it differently and had settled in on once a month.  There are some who think that’s not often enough.......some who think it’s too often.  I read about a denomination that has communion once a year so that it makes it something very special......but if you happen to miss that Sunday you could go years without participating in the Lord’s Supper.  So rather than attempting to mandate when we join together.......it’s now up to the individual teacher for any particular Sunday to make the call.  We may be having communion every Sunday......every other Sunday.......I don’t know.  The one thing I’m sure of is that we’re having it this Sunday!!!

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

So......we find ourselves this morning on the last day of our latest lap around the sun.  It’s been an interesting year.......one filled with happiness.......heartbreak.......laughter......tears and change.  It’s a time of reflecting back on our triumphs and mistakes.......a time of learning where we could have done better......and of being grateful for the incredible blessings that have been bestowed upon us.......the rather unworthy lot that we are.  But besides being a time of reflecting.......it should also be a time of projecting........looking ahead to 2018 and what it holds for us.  It’s a time for planning......for setting goals.......a time for figuring out where we can shave just a few more seconds off our personal best......in every aspect of our lives.  But that’s not going to happen all by itself.  No one ever broke their own personal best while operating on default mode.  It has to be planned for......it has to be practiced.......it has to be purposing to give our very best to the task.  That’s when records are set.  And this coming year.......my prayer for each one of you is that you set your goals at becoming closer and closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.  That the main goals you set this year are to strengthen your walk.......to expand your ministry......to utilize your spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body of Christ; which brings us right to our passage today......spiritual gifts.

But before we jump into our text in 1 Corinthians 12, let’s make sure we remember the context of these verses so that we can better understand the passage. The Corinthian church was filled with people who were prone to selfishness and boasting which had caused serious divisions in the church.  On top of that they were bent on arguments, lawsuits, and immorality........and there was a great deal of confusion about marriage, food sacrificed to idols, worship, the Lord’s Supper, the Resurrection, giving, and spiritual gifts. Some people even thought they were more important than others because they had some of the more spectacular spiritual gifts. When Paul wrote this letter to the church he specifically addressed all of these issues in an effort to get everyone on the same team........to get everyone thinking about the whole Body of Christ rather than just their little portion of the world.  So what does Paul tell them...............Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Of all the subjects that deal with practical Christianity.......I believe spiritual gifts are the least understood. Most Christians don’t have the foggiest idea what spiritual gifts are.......how they function.......or for what purpose they are given........in fact.......I don’t think we have a clue as to how important they are for the church.  John MacArthur said..... "No local congregation will be what it should be, what Jesus prayed that it would be, what the Holy Spirit gifted it and empowered it to be, until it understands spiritual gifts." 

So.......for the next couple of teachings that I have......we’re going to deal with the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to believers.  We’re going to try to come to an understanding of why the church is so weak and what we can do about it regarding this area of gifts.  

@And Paul starts right out the same way I want to start out.  Concerning spiritual gifts.....I don’t want you to be ignorant!!!  This is historically one of the most neglected or under-utilized theological concept of the church.  Spiritual gifts......the very words conjure up a plethora of questions.  What are they?  Who has them?  What are they for?......and maybe the most important.......when is the last time you used yours?  Paul wanted to explain to the Corinthians......and to us......the functioning of spiritual gifts because he didn’t want us to be unaware.......ignorant.......oblivious.......stupid.......unacquainted.......or whatever other adjective you might want to put in there.

I will abstain from asking the questions on a recent Barna poll taken of “born again adults” regarding what their spiritual gifts were........as it could prove to be embarrassing.    Some of the answers were pretty eye-opening.  Listed among the spiritual gifts by those responding were things like:

@  a sense of humor         patience        a good personality

friendliness        poetry        going to church        being likeable

drawing        survival skills        observation        clairvoyance 

a good listener        health        happiness        premonitions        

hard work        flexibility        empathy        and honesty

OK......these are self-proclaimed Bible believing, born-again Christians.  The spiritual gifts given to believers by the Holy Spirit are found in four books of the New Testament........Romans 12........1 Corinthians 12........Ephesians 4........and 1 Peter 4.  Not a one of the “gifts” I’ve just listed is in any of those passages.  That same survey also reported that while 88% of evangelical Christians have heard about spiritual gifts........more than half have no idea what particular gift they have been given.  So......it’s not hard for me to believe that the church has done an incredibly lousy job of teaching this most fundamental aspect of our Christian life.  It’s no wonder the church is so ineffective in the world today......especially here in America.  We’ve left behind the essential tools needed to allow a local Body of believers to function properly and to function with power. 

Have you ever asked yourself what the purpose of the local church is?  We certainly got a taste of its mission the last time we were in this letter with the exchange between Jesus and Peter found in Matthew 16:18…….And remember what Jesus was responding to when He said this.  Peter had just made the proclamation that “You are the Christ......the Son of the living God!”.......and Jesus responds with.......”I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”  Jesus’ mission was to build His Church. But have you ever given thought to the question of the purpose of the local church?  It seems to me that there are two rather pervasive schools of thought on that question.......and both of them leave us with the church we see today in America......powerless......diminished and willing to try anything just to stay alive.  

The first is that the local church exists for evangelism. In this view.......the primary purpose of the local church is to draw unchurched people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. So then.......the local Body of believers is primarily evangelistic in nature........which is at the very heart of the “seeker-sensitive church” movement championed by people like Rick Warren of Saddleback Church.  You remember his book several years ago.......The Purpose Driven Church.  The thought is that since reaching the lost is the ultimate purpose of the church.......everything the church does........from preaching to worship to the design of the building.........should be determined by the perceived needs or desires of the unchurched. We must do anything and everything we can to make church a place where they feel welcome and comfortable. Warren says in his book.......“Once you know your target [unbelievers], it will determine many of the components of your seeker service: music style, message topics, creative arts, and more.” This view insists that the more we learn to think like unbelievers.......the better we’ll do in drawing them to the church.

A second common view is that the local church exists for discipleship. According to this view........the purpose of the church is to serve the needs of Christians. They claim that instead of putting all its energy into evangelism.......the church should put all its energy into discipleship. Instead of making decisions based on the preferences of unbelievers.......the church should make decisions based on the preferences of Christians. With this idea.......building up the Body of Christ becomes the ultimate purpose of the local church.

Both of these views have some serious problems.......for very different reasons.

The first view.......that the local church exists for seekers........assumes that unbelievers know what they need the most. It assumes that their spiritual desires are genuine and that by following them they will arrive at truth and salvation. And while Jesus did pay attention to the needs of the crowds of unbelievers........He was also sure to point out that they were unable to recognize their greatest need........namely, eternal life in Him.  Remember John 6:26.......Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”  You sought Me because I gave you something to eat.   Their seeking was ultimately self-centered and led only to greater condemnation.  Because this view emphasizes the needs and desires of unbelievers........it inevitably causes the church to become like the world.  And because the church adapts to the world........in order to win the world........it ends up looking like the world. There’s one thing we can be sure of.......the church that the world likes the best.......is sure to be the one that God abhors. Carl Trueman.......an evangelical professor and church historian at Westminster College says this.......“When church is just one more product to buy or leave on the shelf, then marketing, not theology, become the driving forces in her life.”  And we see that so vividly in the churches in America today.  Jesus is being marketed to the masses as if He were a new brand of sausage that we haven’t tried yet.  

The second viewpoint.......that the local church exists for the needs of Christians.......is closer to the priorities of the Bible........but still misses in significant ways. In large degree all we’ve really done is repackage the same consumer mentality of the “seeker-sensitive movement” with a new target audience.......so that the perceived needs of Christians become the ultimate determining factor for all that the church does. An overemphasis on meeting the needs or desires of Christians can lead a church to neglect any attempt at reaching the lost.  Without evangelism.......a church is not a church......it’s just a group of disobedient Christians hanging out together.  And we don’t need to look too far to find churches that are full of well-taught Christians who haven’t seen anyone saved in years.

So what’s the biblical answer as to the purpose of the local church?  The local church exists for God and for His glory.  So the ultimate determining factor for how the church functions.......for all that the church does.......should never be either the needs of saved or unsaved people.......the local church exists to glorify God through worshipping Him......discipling His people......and evangelizing the world.  All of that is accomplished when the entire congregation of people......functioning as one Body.......combines their spiritual gifts with that singular focus that God be glorified.

So......let’s get down to the foundational aspect of spiritual gifts and build upon that.  Our discussion began with four questions......and the first one was.......What is a spiritual gift?  In short......a spiritual gift is the supernatural ability to carry out the work of Christ through His church. And it’s important that we understand the definition........the supernatural ability to carry out the work of Christ through His church.  Look........just because I’m naturally beautiful doesn’t translate into my spiritual gift being a model for GQ magazine!   Note the word SUPERNATURAL.  It is a gift given by the Holy Spirit at the time of our conversion.  A natural talent is something we’re given at birth through genetics and practice and endurance........something you were born with.  Certainly we’re supposed to yield our whole selves to the service of God......which would include our natural abilities.......but those natural abilities are not our spiritual gift.......they can be used to assist us in exercising our spiritual gifts but they aren’t our spiritual gift.  

In his book called, “The Ministry Playbook,” Henry Klopp writes: “Without maximum utilization of spiritual gifts, the church will not fulfill its mission. The church needs to be organized in such a way as to make full use of the spiritual gifts of the congregation. Ministry should not be viewed as a bunch of jobs to be done or positions to be filled but rather as a bunch of opportunities for spiritual gifts to be unleashed.”

Think about this.......you’re a visitor from another planet.......and you took your time to visit churches all across this country.......from one end to the other.......what do you think your conclusion about church in America would be?  I think you’d come to the conclusion that the church operates solely for the purpose of running meetings on Sunday mornings.   Everything is aimed toward that goal.......all the work of leadership is directed toward it.......and when it’s over it just starts up all over again.  But that’s a far cry from God’s concept of the church. The church is made up of individuals who have truly been born of the Spirit......therefore......by definition..... the church is a living body.......growing and developing within the world.......not apart from the world......but within the world......and it’s there to touch the hurt and pain and death that’s part of the world we live in.  It’s there to show this hurting world what the love of God looks like...... what Jesus looks like.  And it’s done through the gifts of the Spirit.  So if the gifts of the Spirit are not being utilized......are not evident within the Body of Christ......then the mission of the church is a complete failure and all we’ve become is a club that’s sole purpose is to organize meetings for Sunday mornings.

The second question that we raised was, “Who has spiritual gifts?”  Well......that’s a really easy one to answer.......verses 7 & 11 make it pretty plain that EACH one of us has at least one spiritual gift......... 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  AND........ 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.  So......none of us can say....... “Sorry........ain’t got one.  I was busy the day they passed those things out.”  Peter tells us the same thing in 1 Peter 4:10........ "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 

So.......the third question that was raised is.......“What are they for?”  Again......another pretty easy one to answer.......again verse 7....... 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.........and then over to the letter to the Ephesians..... chapter 4...... 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the ]saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

@Spiritual gifts are given for the common good of the local church.......and for the equipping of the saints and the building up of the Body of Christ.  That’s how a local Body of believers functions......and without every member functioning under the power of the Holy Spirit we are going to be weaker than we should be.  And that’ Paul’s focus in verses 2 & 3 of our passage.  We are all going to be led by something.......When you were pagans you were led astray by the world and its idols.......when you said “Jesus is Lord”you were led by the Holy Spirit.  

And the take-away here is that we’ve got to be submitted to the influence of the Holy Spirit before we can serve with any kind of spiritual impact.......before we can utilize our spiritual gifts.   Our focus has got to be on the Giver........not on the gifts themselves. Unfortunately......the Holy Spirit is often neglected today in our churches.  

One of the lessons we can learn from the church at Corinth is that having spiritual gifts does not necessarily make you spiritual. The Corinthian church had all the gifts.......Look at chapter 1 verses 5 thru 7........”....... that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed ]in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”.  They had all of the gifts......but they were carnal. They had spiritual gifts running our their kazoo......but they were selfish.  It’s impossible to live supernaturally.......without being led by the Spirit.  Christianity isn’t just some other club you belong to.  It’s a life commitment that Jesus is Lord.  And we can’t say that unless we’re being led by the Spirit of God.  Galatians 5:25 tells us.......“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

Verses 4-6 are pretty cool in that it shows us something really important....... 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  What stands out to you in those verses?  The entire Trinity is involved with the giving of gifts.....the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  It seems to me that in light of that......shouldn’t we be serious about using what we’ve been given?    We can see pretty clearly a picture of the local church when we look at the Trinity.  It plainly models diversity within unity.  Three distinctly separate individuals within one God.  That’s what we should be here at CBC.......we certainly have the diversity......and we should be striving for the unity.  When we recognize that we’ve all been gifted differently and have different roles and responsibilities.........we reflect the Trinity to the world.  

During my study I came across an article that was reviewing a book called......“Pinocchio Parenting: 21 Lies We Tell Our Kids”.  Guess what one of the top lies is that parents tell kids? “You can be anything you want to be.”  Have you heard that phrase before? I have.  Have you ever told your kids that? I’m sure have.  But the truth is......you can’t be anything you want to be.  I wanted to play basketball in the NBA......Jim wanted to be a hair model and do shampoo commercials.......but that ain’t gonna happen is it?  We were born with physical limitations!!!!  

When you were born......you were given a specific set of talents and passions and a unique personality. Then as you grew.......you went through a series of experiences.......some good and some not so good........all these things are tools God uses to make you into the unique you He had in mind from the beginning.  And then we start to grow up and we accept Jesus Christ and we’re given spiritual gifts.......and those gifts are diverse.......and part of our responsibility is to figure out what our gift mix is and how God has designed us for service.

We’re not all gonna be the quarterback.......we aren’t all the upfront person......we can’t all do miracles.  But we can all do something with the gift we have.  Let’s face it.......the big toe is a pretty important part of the body!

And in verse 8 Paul begins to list some of the gifts of the Spirit.  If you were to add up all the distinct spiritual gifts that are listed in Scripture........you’d come up with about 20.......depending on which lists and letters and teachings you adhere to.  Since each of the lists does not appear to be exhaustive.......there may even be more.  In this particular list Paul tells us about wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and the interpretation of tongues.  Those are some of the gifts given to be utilized within the Body in a supernatural way.  

And I think it’s important to keep in mind that each one of us are commanded to do many of the things that are also listed as spiritual gifts. For instance.......while some people have the spiritual gift of giving........Scripture tells us that we’re all supposed to give.  Some do it in a fashion that is beyond the norm of scriptural giving.  While we may not have the gift of evangelism......every one of us is supposed to be involved in leading people to Christ.  And the picture here is that every one of us is supposed to be utilizing what they’ve been given to further the kingdom of God.

But that’s really not the way it works is it?  I heard a really great comparison between the church and a football game.  During a football game there are twenty-two people on the field in desperate need of rest........and sixty thousand people in the stands in desperate need of exercise.  Does that sound at all like the church in America today?  Think about it for this Body of believers here.  Everyone sitting here this morning knows what your level of involvement is in ministry.  You could be fooling some people......but you yourself knows what it really is.  What if every single person occupying a seat here this morning decided to get out of the grandstands and into the game........you went from being spectators to being sold-out servants who are actually doing what God has already enabled you to do?  Do you think it would make a difference in our community?  

That’s where all this has to start. ......with commitment.  I said just a minute ago that each one of us knows deep down inside our involvement in ministry.......and there is a really huge gap between our involvement and our commitment.   

Have you ever heard the fable of the chicken and the pig?   A Pig and a Chicken are walking down the road.  The Chicken says: "Hey Pig, I was thinking we should open a restaurant together!"  Pig replies: "Hm, OK.......what would be on the menu?"

The Chicken responds......."How about 'ham-n-eggs'?"

The Pig thinks for a moment and says: "No thanks.......you see.......I'd be committed...... but you'd only be involved."

@It’s not too hard to see that in a ham and eggs breakfast.......what's the difference between the Chicken and the Pig?  The chicken is giving something that doesn’t hurt it at all.....she lays eggs every day......she’s giving out of her abundance.  The chicken is only involved in the breakfast........whereas the pig.........the pig’s pretty much committed to the breakfast.  

There are a lot of people sitting in churches around the world right now.  Some of them are there because that’s just what you do on Sunday morning.  Some are there and feel like just being there makes them involved in church.  They’re giving of their 2 hours on Sunday morning......but very little else.  They’re just involved.  And then there are those who are committed to a church Body.  They’re functioning within the confines of their unique spiritual gift and are glorifying the Lord with that commitment.  That’s what God wants to happen here at CBC......total commitment......a fully functioning Body of believers who are truly impacting our community.  

We’ve all been gifted differently........and so we act differently.......we serve differently. This church has every gift that is needed in order to function as a biblical community.......just like the church at Corinth in the first century.  Even with all its problems it didn’t lack any spiritual gift.  Your spiritual gift represents a stewardship from God........something you’re responsible for........and will give an account some day as to how you managed this gift.  

Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30........a wealthy man was going on a trip and he entrusted his possessions to three slaves......5 to one......2 to another and 1 to the third.......and the Scriptures record that the man gave to the slaves “each according to his own ability”.  Remember that.......“each according to his own ability”.  So he didn’t give them something they weren’t equipped to handle.  And after a long time he came back home and had the slaves give an account of what they had done with the talents they were given.  

The slave with 5 talents invested well and gave his Master back 10 talents.  The guy with two talents doubled his money too.  And their Master told them “Well done good and faithful servants”.  But the guy that was given one talent dug a hole and buried it and gave his Master back the talent he’d been given.  His Master was not pleased and cast him out......in fact verse 30 says.......”Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and G-nashing of teeth.”  Now......I’ve never G-nashed teeth.......but it sounds bad!

God is in the process of building His Kingdom here on Earth. The way that He’s chosen to do that is through His church. Not the wood and brick kind of church.......not a particular denomination or specific congregation........but the church that is made up of His true believers.  He’s building this kingdom through us.  He has a personal interest in the project.......He wants to see as many come into a relationship with Him as possible. And because of that.......He’s given us everything we need to be successful in our work. He’s given us the right tools......He’s given to each believer gifts that will enable them to carry out the important role that He created them for. His way of accomplishing that is through spiritual gifts.

If you were to do some research on gifted and talented children you’ll find one common problem that most of them experience. Gifted children are often bored in school or with life in general. Very often they’re never challenged to use their gifts and so they waste them. I believe the same thing happens to many Christians. Their gifts go unused because they’re never challenged to put their gifts to use.  That stops today.  I’m asking every one of you to look honestly at yourself.........find your spiritual gifts.......and put it or them to use in service to others.

That will be the focus of this coming year.......our “vision” if you will.  Remember Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)........Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.  Paul started this passage out telling us he didn’t want us to be ignorant regarding our spiritual gifts.  That’s what the leadership here desires as well.  So for the next couple of times that I’m teaching we’ll deal with spiritual gifts.......in an attempt to get each of us functioning at a level where God says, “Well done my good and faithful servants.”

@LET US make this year the very best that it can be!!!!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31

We’re continuing our study of 1 Corinthians this morning......and we’re going to build on what we went through last time.......as Paul introduced us to the idea of Spiritual Gifts.  Those supernatural abilities bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit in a variety of ways.  And we ended up with verse 11 of chapter 12 last time.  But I heard a story that seems to be so fitting to start our study out this morning...........

Back in 1926.......just before the Great Depression a man by the name of Ira Yates bought a  sheep ranch in west Texas.  Mr. Yates wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on the mortgage........so he was in danger of losing his ranch.

With little money.......the Yates family was forced to live on government subsidies to try to make ends meet.  Desperate......and against conventional wisdom at the time......Yates convinced an oil company to drill an exploration well on his ranch.   

At 1,115 feet they struck a huge oil reserve. The first well came in at 80,000 barrels a day.......other wells produced more than twice that amount.  Even 30 years after the discovery.......a government test of one of the wells showed it still had the potential flow of 125,000 barrels of oil a day. And Mr. Yates owned it all.

The day he purchased the land he had received the oil and mineral rights........he owned all that oil.........yet, he’d been living on welfare.........a multimillionaire living in poverty.  The problem? He owned the oil........he just didn’t know the oil was there.

And I believe that’s the way the majority of Christians live their lives.......in spiritual poverty........even though the Holy Spirit has already given them spiritual gifts that are the riches of a spiritual life.......they live in spiritual poverty not knowing what they already possess........ they’re not aware of their spiritual birthright.

Paul spends chapter 12 of First Corinthians on the subject of spiritual gifts......and the last time we were in this book we went through verses 1-11.......and if you remember.......Paul starts with the statement......Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware....... Paul wanted to explain to the Corinthians......and to us......the functioning of spiritual gifts because he didn’t want us to be unaware.......ignorant....... oblivious....... stupid.......unacquainted.......or whatever other adjective you might want to put in there.  

My first introduction to Spiritual Gifts........and I think I may have shared this story before........but when I was a brand new believer...... the church we were attending at the time was going through a study of Spiritual Gifts in the adult Sunday School class.  We had been attending church there for a couple of months but I usually worked on Sunday back then so we didn’t get to Sunday School too often........so nobody really knew me very well.  The teacher was going around the room asking people what their Spiritual Gifts were........and when it got to me......the teacher said.......”and Tom.......do you know what your Spiritual Gift is?”  And I said, “Yah........I do miracles!”  You coulda heard a pin drop......right before you heard me go “Umph” because Tish put an elbow in my ribs.  

This morning.......in attempting to tackle the subject of spiritual gifts we may not be able to follow a verse by verse study this time......because there’s a lot of explanation that has to go along with it.  Another thing I’d like to accomplish is to make you at least partially familiar with the various teachings on Spiritual Gifts.......give you the various teachings out there so that you can make an educated decision between you and the Holy Spirit as to which interpretation is right.  I will also inject what I believe to be as close to the right interpretation as possible.  Let’s face it.......the arguments over Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ have been around since this letter Paul penned to the Corinthians......because they were arguing about them too.  So I’m going to try to make this a broad stroke teaching and then get down to the specifics.

We will eventually go over each verse.......but I wanted to go ahead and read the remainder of the chapter and then get into a more general study of the gifts that should flesh out what Paul is saying here.  Verse 12 starts us out..............12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

@14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. @ 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 

@27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And I show you a still more excellent way.

We answered 3 questions the last time we visited this book.......1) What is a spiritual gift?  In short......a spiritual gift is the supernatural ability to carry out the work of Christ through His church.   

@2)  “Who has spiritual gifts?”  Well......that’s a really easy one to answer.......verses 7 & 11 make it pretty plain that EACH one of us has at least one spiritual gift......... 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ............. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

3)  “What are they for?”  Spiritual gifts are given for the common good of the local church.......and for the equipping of the saints and the building up of the Body of Christ.  

So that leads us to a fourth question.......what exactly are the different spiritual gifts?  Verses 4-6 tell us........4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  

So......there’s a variety of gifts.......a variety of ways those gifts can be used and a variety of outcomes that can take place.  What exactly does that mean?  Well.......that depends on who you ask to a great extent.  If you ask someone who is faithful to the Roman Catholic Church they would readily tell you that there are 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and they’re found in Isaiah 11:1-3.......... Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear;

@Those gifts are enumerated as Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear of God.  It’s interesting that these gifts are taken from an Old Testament source......since Jesus and several passages in the New Testament hold that the Spirit would be left for us after Jesus departed.......and come upon us at Pentecost.

The explanation of these gifts.......taken directly from Catholic theology states......@”The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ, but they are also found in all Christians who are in a state of grace. We first receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Baptism; these gifts are strengthened in the Sacrament of Confirmation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 1831)

So......the idea here is that every person who undergoes the sacrament of Baptism into the Catholic church receives all of the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit at that point in time.  So......being raised a good Catholic boy.......I was baptized on the eighth day......according to protocol......and then all of those gifts of the Spirit were strengthened even more when I was Confirmed as a 12 year old.  If that really happened.......then why was I such a cruddy kid?  That’s one take on the Gifts of the Spirit.......

You can also come up with teaching that says there are 9 gifts........12 gifts.......19 gifts, 20 gifts and innumerable gifts.  But even in conservative evangelical circles opinionsdiffer on the actual number of spiritual gifts.......the more important factor is that God's Word clearly indicates a variety of gifts. @You’ll find twenty different Greek words used for the gifts listed in the  four key passages on spiritual gifting........Romans 12, here in 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.  There are also miscellaneous passages in Scripture that might indicate 5 other spiritual gifts not normally included in teaching on spiritual gifts.   

There are those that would teach that Ephesians 4 deals with a list of offices within the church and therefore don’t qualify as Spiritual Gifts.......but when you review the purpose of the spiritual gifts.......it seems to me that those offices exist for the common good of the Body and for the building up of the Body of Christ.........so my take is that they do qualify.

@Any legitimate study of the Spiritual Gifts would be incomplete without a discussion of whether or not some of the gifts are temporary and some of them are permanent.  Are all of the Spiritual Gifts listed in Scripture still in use or have some ceased to exist?  While there are many ways to categorize the gifts of the Sprit.......some theologians view them in two distinct groups.......temporary and permanent.  The TEMPORARY gifts being those categorized as FOUNDATIONAL, SIGNS and REVELATORY.......while the PERMANENT gifts would be SPEAKING gifts and SERVING gifts.  

After careful study I believe there is substantial merit to the idea that some of the gifts listed in Scripture have ceased to function in the same manner they did in the first century.    Second Corinthians 12:12 tells us....... 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. (NASB)  12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. (NIV)  12 When I was there I certainly gave you every proof that I was truly an apostle, sent to you by God himself, for I patiently did many wonders and signs and mighty works among you. (TLB)   It certainly appears that these gifts were given to the apostles and were critical to the church in its formative years to authenticate the apostle’s authority and message as being from God Himself.  Gifts such as MIRACLES, HEALING and PROPHECY were especially important in the first century......before the cannon of Scripture was put together.

1 Corinthians 13:8 suggests that many of these kinds of gifts will cease to function........“.........but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.  So with this in mind.......all you have to do is look at the televangelists out there today and I think you can readily see that there’s a great deal of misuse of what they’re passing out as Spiritual Gifts.  That said.......this is God’s world and He can do anything He desires.  Do I believe authentication gifts are still used in areas of missions and evangelism.......especially in foreign locations that have no prior revelation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Yes......I do. 

And I think it would be valuable to go through the gifts listed in the main passages to get an idea of what they are and how they’re manifested in real life.  I’ll include not only what I think are bona fide gifts of the Spirit......but also those that I believe have ceased and even those that I don’t believe Scripture would support as a gift of the Spirit.  We’ll go through them in alphabetical order.......but here are the gifts that are listed......and we’ll take a quick look at each one.........with my personal interpretation included.........

Romans 12

1 Corinthians 12

Ephesians 4

1 Peter 4

exhortation

administration

apostle

service

giving

apostle

evangelism

speaking

leadership

discernment

pastor

mercy

faith, prophecy

teaching

prophecy

healings

service

helps

teaching

knowledge

miracles

Miscellaneous vrs.

prophecy

celibacy (1 Cor. 7:7)

teaching

hospitality (1 PET. 4;9 – Titus, Hebrews?)

tongues

martyrdom (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

interpretation of tongues 

missionary (1 Cor. 9:19-23- Romans 10:15)

wisdom

voluntary poverty (Acts 2:44-45 – 1 Cor. 13:3)

@ADMINISTRATION......(1 Cor. 12:28).......to steer the body toward the accomplishment of God-given goals and directives by planning, organizing, and supervising others.  

Practical application.......Leadership in church, para-church and missionary organizations.  

@APOSTLE.......(Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28)......FOUNDATIONAL.......but those who believe it’s still in existence would say it means.......to be sent forth to new frontiers with the gospel, providing leadership over church bodies and maintaining authority over spiritual matters pertaining to the church.

Practical application........exactly what the definition implies.

@CELIBACY.......(1 Cor. 7:7-8).........to voluntarily remain single without regret and with the ability to control sexual impulses so as to serve the Lord without distraction. 

I struggle with this one being a true gift of the Spirit rather than a basic personality bent.......but it is definitely not something that can be forced upon a person by regulation......as exampled by the disaster of the Catholic priesthood.

Practical application........to be able to minister in any area of Christian service with less distraction than a married person.  

@DISCERNMENT.......(1 Cor. 12:10)......to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power.  There is a line of teaching that places this gift in the category of foundational gifts that have been done away with but I believe it to be a very active and necessary part of a healthy Body.

Practical application........eldership, leadership, pastoring......anyone responsible for the scriptural purity that a congregation is exposed to.

@EVANGELISM.......(Eph. 4:11)........which comes from the Greek meaning “messenger of good”........to be a messenger of the good news of the Gospel with a passion and desire not usually accompanied with our salvation.  Someone who’s passionate about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are all required to do the work of an evangelist......but we’re not all gifted in this area.

Practical application........missionary work......building up the local Body numerically.

@EXHORTATION.......(Rom. 12:8)......to come along side someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them be all God wants them to be. 

Practical application........counseling ministries, mentoring, discipling, equipping.

@FAITH........(1 Cor. 12:8-10).........to be firmly persuaded of God's power and promises to accomplish His will and purpose and to display such a confidence in Him and His Word that circumstances and obstacles do not shake that conviction.

Practical application........visionary leadership, prayer, eldership.

@GIVING........(Rom. 12:8)........ those who joyfully share what they have with others, whether it’s financial, material, or the giving of personal time and attention. The giver is concerned for the needs of others and seeks opportunities to share what they have with liberality and cheerfulness without any thought of return.  This is another area where Scripture declares that all should give......but there are those that do it with such generosity......never giving thought to benefitting from it materially.

Practical application........benevolence, physical and material support for a Body or for individuals.

@HEALING........(1 Cor. 12:9,28,30).......to be used as a means through which God makes people whole either physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.  Many would claim this to be a foundational or sign gift......I don’t see it that way.  I believe that God is still in the business of healing people......I just think the manner in which it’s done today has hijacked the Spiritual Gift to a degree that it’s mocked by the general public and is looked upon as superstition by many.  I don’t believe this gift is given very freely......and I don’t believe it is as much of a sign gift as it was in the first century.  It’s use today is much more private and is done for the benefit of the recipient and not as a show of miraculous power.

Practical application........to encourage people’s faith and to heal them in the four realms of their lives mentioned above for further service to the Body of Christ.

@HELPS.......(1 Cor. 12:28).........to render support or assistance to others in the body so as to free them up for ministry.  This and the gift of Service are probably the more prominent and necessary gifts within any Body of believers.  Without the exercising of these gifts very little would ever get done in Christ’s name.  I believe there’s a slight difference in the gift of Helps and that of Service.  Service helps people in need......no matter how menial the task may be and it does it simply because that person needs help.

The gift of Helps is focused on interjecting ourselves into someone else’s life and responsibilities in order to allow them more free time to exercise their Spiritual Gift.  Jim is involved in prison ministry.......the only time he can do that is Sunday afternoon......but his car is broken down.......he has to get it fixed and Sunday afternoon is the only time he has to fix his car.  I’m a mechanic and I could no more go to the prison to minister to those men than I could fly.  In exercising my gift of helps I would go to Jim and say, “Hey Buddy.......I know you’re pressed for time......so take my car to the prison this afternoon and I’ll fix your car for you.”  A very practical application.  

Practical application........as mentioned.

@HOSPITALITY........(Pet. 4:9,10).......to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one's home or church for fellowship or as a means of serving those in need of food or lodging.  It actually comes from the Greek word for love of strangers.  The exercise of this gift is something that seems to be fading away in our current culture.......and yet it’s so necessary.  

I look around this room and I don’t see very many people who aren’t fully equipped to exercise this gift.  Oh it’s kind of a pain to have to put yourself out.......to welcome people into your home.......to cook for them......or God forbid......to put them up for a few days.  

I remember.......before I was a believer.......we visited this church.......the Sandia
Church of the Nazarene......and after church I’m trying to get out the door as quick as I possibly can......and this couple comes up and says, “Why don’t you come to our house for lunch after church today?”  All I could think of was, “What are you.......nuts?  I don’t even know you!”  Over the years I learned a lot from Dr. Carl Hattler and his wife Esther about what hospitality looks like and how necessary it is to have it functioning in a local Body of believers. 

It’s pretty hard to get to know somebody very well if your only exposure to them is on Sunday morning.  It’s hard to know how to minister to people if you don’t know what they’re going through.  The only real way to do that is to spend time with them.  A barbeque, camping, dinner......just come over for dessert after supper.......anybody can do that. 

Practical application........fellowship, encouragement, belonging.......

@KNOWLEDGE.......(1 Cor. 12:8)......to seek to learn as much about the Bible as possible through the gathering of much information and the analyzing of that data.

Practical application........Christian education, elder, teaching......

@LEADERSHIP........(Rom. 12:8).......to  attend to the direction of the body with such care and diligence so as to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of Body goals.

Practical application........Elder, Pastor, Administrator.......

@MARTYRDOM.......(1 Cor. 13:3).......to give over one's life to suffer or to be put to death for the cause of Christ.

This seems like a “one and done” concept here.......sorta like a firework.......you don’t use it twice!  And I’m not mocking this gift......but I’m not standing in line to get it either!  All kidding aside.......there are sometimes things worth dying for......and I believe our faith is one of them.  There could be a time......even in our country where we’re given a choice to renounce our faith or be martyred........

Practical application........to strengthen others’ faith......to stand for what you believe in.

@MERCY........(Rom. 12:8)........to be sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion but more so caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress

Practical application........Caring for the elderly, sick, invalid.  

@MIRACLES........(1 Cor. 12:10,28).......to be enabled by God to perform mighty deeds which witnesses acknowledge to be of supernatural origin and means......that’s the description given in several texts that I’ve read.......but I believe it to be one of the foundational gifts given for authentication of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ........and therefore was given for a specific time period.  That’s not to say it isn’t utilized in the same fashion today on a very limited basis for very specific purposes.......especially utilizing foreign missionaries.  God can still do anything He wants to.

Practical application........if God wants you to do it.......I’m sure He’ll let you know.   

@MISSIONARY........(Eph. 3:6-8)........to be able to minister in another culture

Practical application........usually cross-cultural outreach with the Gospel.

@PASTOR........(Eph. 4:11)........to be responsible for spiritually caring for, protecting, guiding, and feeding a group of believers entrusted to one's care.

Practical application........Shepherding God’s people.

@PROPHECY.......(Rom. 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, Eph. 4:11).......This one’s a little bit “iffy”.  There are a lot of people who claim this is a valid gift for our times.......and others who would say that it has ceased to function.  Here are my thoughts on it with a bit of biblical evidence.  

With the completion of the New Testament writings.......I believe that the gift of prophesy changed from declaring new revelation to declaring the completed revelation God has already given.   Look at Jude 3........ Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.   I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Jude is telling us that what we know about our faith was given to us by the saints.......or Apostles.......and it doesn’t need the addition or refinement that comes from extra-biblical revelations.

The other place I see a hint of the gift of prophecy no longer dealing with new revelation is in the transition from prophet to teacher in 2 Peter 2:1....... But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you........”.   Peter indicates that the Old Testament age had prophets.........whereas the church will have teachers. 

 During the time that prophecy was a revelatory gift........it was to be used to declare God’s revelation to His people.  @If the modern gift of prophecy still exists it’s defined as “to speak forth” or declare the divine will and purposes of God.......it’s a gift of proclamation.........it describes one who speaks the message of God to His people.  So that would encompass teaching, exhortation and the very specific application of God’s Word.  

Practical application........exhorting others with God’s Word in a specific application.

@SERVICE.......(Rom. 12:7).......the ability to identify undone tasks in God's work, however menial, and use available resources to get the job done........practical help to those in need.   This is one of the things we’re wired for......we’re saved for......

Remember Matt. 20:26-28.......26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and WHOEVER wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

@This is another gift that everyone is supposed to be involved in as needs arise.  There are some individuals that are supernaturally bent toward service to others......but we all should be doing it to one degree or another.

Practical application........everywhere!

@TEACHING........(Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11)........to instruct others in the Bible in a logical.......systematic way so as to communicate information for true understanding and growth.  

Most commentators say that those gifted in this area of ministry actually love to study God’s Word.  If that’s one of the criterion for having the gift......then I definitely don’t have it.  I hate in-depth study and the time it takes.  The problem is.......I need to study......and I know that if I wasn’t teaching I’d slack off on studying.  So apparently......I don’t have the gift.....but I need it!!!!

Practical application........Christian Education of all types.

@TONGUES.......(1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27-28).......to speak in a language not previously learned so unbelievers can hear God's message in their own language or the body be edified.

INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.......(1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27, 28).......to translate the message of someone who has spoken in tongues.

 I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes with this one but the fact is that the clearest illustration of the gift of tongues is found in the book of Acts............

Acts 2:4-6........4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 

That’s the application of the gift right there.  If somebody wants to take you in the back room after a service at a Foursquare church and teach you how to speak in tongues.....that’s not the gift of tongues.  

Others would claim that the modern day gift of tongues is a prayer language......and I would assume that comes from Romans 8:26........26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;.......and for that it would seem that God Himself is the interpreter.......so you don’t need the other part of the gift.  The best interpretation of these two gifts from my study is that it was a foundational gift for authentication and the spread of the Gospel message and it has ceased.  That’s not to say God cannot use it as He pleases.......but I think there’s a segment of the church that has this one wrong.  

And the next one is @VOLUNTARY POVERTY.......(1 Cor. 13:3)........to purposely live an impoverished lifestyle to serve and aid others with your material resources.  Tish and I had this gift for a lot of years early on......but it was called INVOLUNTARY POVERTY.  But there are very selfless individuals that live very frugally in order to be able to use their resources for the spread of the Gospel.  

Practical application........sharing resources and the Gospel with everyone you meet. 

@WISDOM........(1 Cor. 12:8).......to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths quite relevant and practical in proper decision-making and daily life situations.  

Practical application........Counseling Ministry, Crisis Intervention, Discipleship and mentoring.

 That’s it........that’s something of the definition of what I see as the Spiritual Gifts mentioned in Scripture.  What I’ve said needs some clarification......and I pray that this hasn’t messed any of you up permanently......but that you give thought to the concept of each of us having Spiritual Gifts and just how we can use them to the furtherance of the Gospel and the building up of the Body.

The next time we visit this subject my intention is to further clarify exactly how the Holy Spirit works in this area of gifts and just how Paul has shown them to be used.......and I hope it brings some real definition to how each one of us needs to be off the bench and into the ball game.

CORINTHIANS 12......#3

We’re doing our third installment on 1 Corinthians chapter 12........and it’s all about Spiritual Gifts......which can be defined as God’s special endowment to believers for service.......and that service is primarily within the Body of believers.  While God equips us in many ways to impact and help those who don’t know Him........spiritual gifts have a specific purpose.......and they’re primarily to be used in the church to strengthen and build God’s church.

That’s why each one of us should think very seriously when we make a decision like......”I’m not going to church today.......there’s a big sale at Wally-World.” or “I just don’t feel like it today......I’m tired and gonna stay in my jammies!”.......how about.......”I don’t know about anybody else......but the ball game starts at 10:00 today......I’m staying home.”   

God gives gifts very specifically to accomplish His will in the building up of the Body.  And one of the things we need to understand by the time we’re done with this topic is that on those occasions when you arbitrarily decide that you’ve earned a Sunday away from all of us.....YOU may have been given that special spiritual gift that someone in the Body desperately needed that day.  He didn’t need to give it to someone else.......you have it.  And as a result......a portion of the Body wasn’t built up that day because you decided it just wasn’t for you.  And I think we’ll see that pretty clearly as we go on with this.

But if you remember........the last time we spent most of the message dealing with textbook definitions of the various gifts listed in Scripture and trying to define what gifts were foundational.....meaning they were given in the first century to authenticate the Gospel message......and which gifts have continued until today to be used to serve one another.  

Today we’re going to take up where we left off......defining Spiritual Gifts from a little different viewpoint.......and then we’ll take a look at a couple of other very important aspects of Spiritual Gifts before we go on to chapter 13.  

I’ve heard it taught that you’ll know your spiritual gift when you find joy in doing some particular ministry......and if you don’t find real happiness and fulfillment.......then keep looking because that’s not your gift.  Really?  I believe those are the same people that think the term “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” is found in the Bible rather than the Declaration of Independence.  God is not nearly as concerned about your HAPPINESS as He is about your HOLINESS!  The Gifts of the Spirit don’t have anything to do with finding happiness.....they have everything to do with the building up of the Body of Christ........and God made certain that no one was left out.  

Back when I went to school.......back when there was no such thing as a calculator......we used an abacus back then.......anyway......way back then.....there was no such thing as “gifted programs”.  You either took English or Dummy English.  You took Algebra or General Math.  That was back when nobody cared if your feelings got hurt or not.  But by the time my kids went to school we became aware of our inherent fragility......and developed “gifted programs”.  And all of a sudden there was this definite line drawn between those who are “gifted” and those other.......common people.  And I think it actually caused more trauma when this was done because a lot of kids felt left out.......and not as good as the others if they weren’t included among the gifted.  Well........God made sure that should never be an issue in His church. He didn’t gift only the pastors or the elders.......each one is gifted and each one is a part of the work that’s to be done.

The New Mexico Public Education Department......in all of its wisdom......has authored what it calls the Technical Assistance Manual.  It’s 136 pages long and lays out the protocols and requirements for gifted students and their teachers.......and a good portion of it is how to determine if a student is gifted.  That manual states that.......“A variety of testing instruments may be used to evaluate students who are potentially gifted and determine if they meet the criteria for gifted education services in New Mexico. Those tests include: (a) intelligence testing instruments, (b) achievement testing instruments, (c) group screening instruments for achievement, (d) critical-thinking test instruments, (e) creativity testing instruments, and (f) referral checklists. It then goes on to talk about The Eligibility Determination Team......comprised of at least six professionals to figure out if your child is gifted or not.

So......that’s how man does it.  How does God do it?  How do you know if you’re gifted spiritually? No series of tests is required........no Eligibility Determination Team is necessary.   You and I don’t ever need to wonder if we’re gifted.  If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.......we’ve already been given the gift of faith.  Look at Ephesians 2:8-9....... 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.  And because the Holy Spirit has created faith in our heart.......each and every believer has also been given spiritual gifts for serving others........and they’re given to us without any actions or qualifications on our part.  And it’s important for us to understand this in any meaningful discussion of Spiritual Gifts......because spiritual gifts grow out of our faith in Christ.

If you remember the story of Ira Yates.......the Texas sheep rancher who discovered billions of dollars of oil reserves on his land......and yet he was living on government subsidies......he was ignorant of what he had......and I believe that’s our problem in the church today.  So many Christians live in spiritual poverty because they don’t see themselves as gifted.  They try to step out and do something in their own power and fail miserably and never venture off the porch again.  

We’re like Israel when they were afraid to enter the Promised Land......they put too much confidence in their own abilities rather than in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We don’t attempt something because we feel we’re just not capable.  Well......that may be true.......maybe we aren’t capable........but that’s the whole point of Spiritual Gifts........God IS capable.  When we accomplish things beyond our abilities.......God gets the credit......we’re just along for the ride. 

Amos makes this point in the Old Testament.  He was just a shepherd and fig tree farmer when God called Him.  Did he have the ability to present God’s message boldly to Israel?  Look at Amos 7:14-15........14 Then Amos replied to Amaziah, “I am not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. 15 But the Lord took me from following the flock and the Lord said to me, ‘Go prophesy to My people Israel.’”  He didn’t possess the ability to be a prophet......it was God who gave him the ability.  So like Amos.......God is calling us to reach beyond ourselves........to stretch out in service to others so that God gets the glory.

The last message dealt with a lot of definitions of the various spiritual gifts listed in the four main passages.......plus a couple of other odds and ends passages that call something a spiritual gift.  And in the midst of looking at all those definitions and which ones were given for the first century and which weren’t.....I got to thinking that maybe we’ve got something wrong here.  Maybe what’s listed in Scripture isn’t really a list of all the spiritual gifts at all.  Maybe we don’t fit into one of those twenty seven boxes that Scripture lists.......and the reason I started thinking in this direction is because of verses 4 thru 6 of this chapter.  Remember it?........  4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  

So......there’s a variety of gifts......there’s a variety of ministries.......there’s a variety of effects.......but all the same God.  Could it be that the lists we view in Scripture are just a sampling of the variety that God has for us?  Could it be that God’s just saying “for example”?  Could it be that the sum total of spiritual gifts available is as endless as the number of believers that exist.........that each of us are so unique in our character, personality and abilities that God customizes our spiritual gift with us as individuals?  Think of it this way.  What if we took the lists of spiritual gifts we have recorded and numbered them........something like this........1.  Exhortation  2.  Giving  3.  Leadership  4.  Mercy  5.  Prophecy  6.  Service  7.  Teaching  8.  Administration  9.  Apostle  10.  Discernment  11.  Faith  12.  Healing  13.  Helps  14.  Knowledge  15.  Miracles  l6.  Tongues  17.  Interpretation of Tongues  18.  Wisdom  19.  Apostle  20.  Evangelism  21.  Pastor  22.  Speaking  23.  Celibacy  24.  Hospitality  25.  Martyrdom  26.  Missionary  27.  Voluntary Poverty  

And we viewed them in a way that is customized just for you......just for me.....with each one of our personalities and experiences and character traits......like Scripture says “a variety”...... and we take into account the fact that God knows us better than we know ourselves.....and we combine it with what we see in Ephesians 2:10.......For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Suddenly we do get the idea that each of us has very unique gifts.  This verse says that God Himself has prepared good works for us to accomplish......just for us......unique......different.  So why wouldn’t He design for us unique and different gifts in order to accomplish our tasks.

@So instead of Zach having the gift of Wisdom.......what was designed for Zach was a number 18......plus a half a measure of 14 and one 4......because that’s what Zach needed to be able to do what God desired.  God decided that Tish should have two 6’s and a 13.......and Perry back there should have one 10 and a double portion of 1.  

I just remember growing up with an older brother......he got the new clothes and I got the ones he grew out of......the hand-me-downs.  I wanted my own clothes......not the ones he grew out of.  That’s what I’m saying here.  The gifts that God has chosen for us don’t fit anyone else......they were made for us. They fit right because we were made for them to be a part of us. They’re ours.  

I think it’s possible that as people.......we design God to fit in a box.......one that we design for Him and it can’t work any other way.  Very possibly......what Paul meant to be general areas of giftedness......we made to be absolutes.......and our incredible.......boundless......creative God said.......“I’ll give you exactly what you need.”  God’s act of gift giving may be so incredibly customized that we fail to appreciate how awesome the gifts given to us really are.

Because one of the things we may not have thought about when dealing with this biblical concept of Spiritual Gifts is the actual act of gift-giving.  All of us are something of a reflection of God Himself.  We were created in His image.  So......some of the things that we should be able to identify with when it comes to gift-giving.......we may be able to view a shadow of God’s thoughts and attitudes when He gives us gifts.  For instance........when you give other people gifts you usually base those gifts on your knowledge of the person you’re giving it to.  You wouldn’t just pick up a bag of Kibbles and Bits and give it to Dino because he might have a dog!

This is one of the hardest parts about giving a gift.......figuring out what the person needs......what they want.   Gifts are only successful if they fit the desires and personalities of the one you’re giving it to.........you want it to be perfect. You choose a gift based on who the recipient is.  I can assure you that I wouldn’t get Steve the same gift I’d get for Tish.  It probably wouldn’t fit him.......and he’d look funny!!!!!   When you know and care for someone.......you know what they like and you can give a gift that you know they’ll appreciate.  The best gifts are not necessarily big and expensive and flashy.  The best gifts are well thought out and meaningful.

When you were a kid.......how many times did your mom or dad say.......“It’s better to give than to receive.”?  When you’re little........your response is usually to shake your head and look sincere.........but on the inside you’re thinking........“Have you been eating paint chips?” But.......as you get older though........it starts to make more sense.  There’s joy in giving. Think about the best gift you’ve ever given to someone.  The excitement........the anticipation you felt as you waited for them to open it and be surprised and see how much you care for them.  That’s better than the thrill they’re gonna get receiving the gift.   If I get one of the grandkids a gift I know they’re gonna love........I can’t wait for them to open it.  I remember last year we were with all the grandkids for some event.......Super Bowl or Thanksgiving or Final Four or some other Holy Day of Obligation where we were all together.......and Austin saw some guy in a full length “onesy......footsie.....pajama thing” that looked like a polar bear.......and he made the remark that he’d like one of those.  So last Christmas Tish and I found one in a store and just had to get it.  @Now Austin’s 6’3” and we actually got one that fit him.  I couldn’t wait for him to open it.  It was a riot.......and I was really pleased with what we got him. 

You wouldn’t intentionally pick out a gift that you thought would get thrown under the bed or into a closet and forgotten about.  Usually I was horrible about getting gifts for my kids that they weren’t old enough for.......and I thought it would be cool and they’d really love it.....but they just weren’t interested.  The gifts were wasted.  Gifts are meant to be used and when a gift isn’t used........it affects the gift giver.

These few principles about gift giving aren’t rocket surgery.  Most of us would agree with them and knew them before I said anything.  The reason I bring them up is that they’re something all of us can relate to........we’ve all given gifts.  And I think it helps us to understand......just a little bit.......the mind and heart of God when He gives. Each of these principles is a reflection of the way that God gives His spiritual gifts to us.

God knows us........better that anyone......better than we know ourselves.  So when He gives a gift you know it’s gonna be the right one.   Remember John 10:14...... 14 ”I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me,”

The word that’s used here isn’t just to know something in a general sort of way.......as an acquaintance........it literally means to know the innermost workings of. Like a watch maker knows every detail of his creation inside and out.  That’s the way God knows us........and has known us since before we were even born.  Jeremiah 1:5....... “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.......”.  

God has an intimate knowledge of each of us because it was He who formed us and gave us life.  He chooses to give gifts as He sees fit........not randomly........they’re a reflection of who He created us to be........and what He created us to accomplish.  He shows this clearly in the passage we went to earlier......Ephesians 2:10.......For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  He gives His gifts perfectly. Knowing that......meditating on that should help us understand and accept the way that He’s gifted us.

We can see that God enjoys giving gifts to His people.......we see it throughout Scripture.  He loves to provide.......He loves to surprise.  He gave Abraham a baby in his old age.......He gave the Israelites food and water when they needed it in the wilderness.......He gave Adam a wife when He needed companionship. God enjoys giving to His people.  Matthew 7:11........”If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  

God’s telling us to think about something.  If you.......who are imperfect and sinful......enjoy giving gifts and seeing your children be blessed........just imagine how much more........in My perfection and holiness........I enjoy giving and blessing My children. God enjoys giving........He delights in it........and it should also be a pleasure for us to accept them.

But when He gives.........He intends us to use and appreciate what He gives us.  He doesn’t give gifts that are impractical or unusable. He gives us gifts that fit our personalities and our passions and our talents and then He wants to see those gifts used for His purposes and to His glory.  1 Peter 4:10.......As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Understand that His gifts aren’t something you can return to Wal-Mart if you think it doesn’t fit right. When God gives a gift to you.......it’s based on these principles. He delights in it........He gives it because He knows you in a way that no one else can.......and then He expects to see you use that gift or gifts to build His Church.

Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25?  Verses 14 through 18 set the scene for us.........14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

How did it work out for those slaves?  Well......the guy with five talents utilized them wisely and gained five more....... 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your [c]master.’

The guy that was given two talents invested and doubled his talents....... 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

What about the guy who did nothing....... 26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed........30 Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The ones who used what they were given wisely were entrusted with more.........the one who hid his and wasted it was rebuked and what he had was taken from him.  God wants us to use our gifts and if we’re faithful with what we have He’ll entrust you with more.

In verses 14-30 of chapter twelve Paul points out that the members were arguing over who had better gifts and who was more important......and it seems like a lot of people weren’t happy with the gifts they’d received.  They had elevated some gifts and had relegated some gifts to second-class status.  Think about this type of mind-set. If one of you owned a set of tools......would you spend all your time counting them.......naming them.......organizing them......polishing them and putting them on display......or would you simply use them to make something beautiful?  .......and I can relate to this illustration because I used to own hundreds of tools........don’t remember ever polishing them.......they were there to use.   That’s the way it is with the gifts of the Spirit........they’re tools........not to admire but to use. They’re not medals to be won or trophies to be displayed or treasures to be guarded.  We’re supposed to use them.

And all of this really brings us to the end of chapter 12 where Paul tells us in................... I Corinthians 12:31.......... 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.  And I show you a still more excellent way.

 It’s amazing sometimes how limiting the English language is.  What is translated “greater” in this passage is probably not the best translation.  BETTER........MORE ADVANTAGEOUS........MORE USEFUL........would probably all be a closer translation to the original.  He’s telling all of us to strive after those gifts that are more useful within the Body.  You look around......and you’re walking in the Spirit.....and you’re in tune with God and you try to do whatever it takes to complete the tasks that need to be accomplished.  “God......I look around and it seems we need to encourage people in this Body of believers......show me what needs done......point out those folks who need a little extra encouragement.  Give me the ability to be hospitable and have them in my home for dinner.  I’m willing.......equip me......send me.”  And then start to work in that area of need and see if the Holy Spirit didn’t come through with exactly what we needed.  I don’t in any way believe that we can put God in a box and say........“He gave me the gift of teaching.......sorry.....that’s all I do.”  

Our spiritual gifts aren’t a stagnant measure.......instead.......they’re fluid and given to help the local Body in any manner that’s needed.  Remember what Paul said earlier in this letter.......1 Corinthians 1:4-7a...... 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift......”  The church at Corinth was a mess......we’ve spent months talking about all their problems......and yet they were not lacking in any gift.  They just weren’t willing to use them.  Each one of us really needs to ask ourselves the hard questions.......“Is that where I am?  Am I where the believers were in Corinth.......unwilling to step out the way God desires”  

Paul’s telling us that we should not only use the gifts we have......but we should also have the desire to seek even more opportunities to exercise more gifts in our lives to build the church. We should put ourselves in situations where God can bless us in new ways and use new gifts in our lives.

So Paul tells us in this last verse to seek those gifts that are most needed in the Body and then he ends with...... 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts.  And I show you a still more excellent way.

A more excellent way........What is he talking about?  One of the problems we have in deciphering some of Scripture comes from the manner that we’ve broken the passages down in order to be able to find them.  If we didn’t break things down into chapters and verses it would be difficult to find those areas of admonition or encouragement or of training.  We’d have to say, “You can find what I’m talking about in the hundred and thirty second paragraph of this letter.”  Not exactly efficient.  So......someone came up with this breakdown and sometimes it hinders our understanding.  Because I don’t think Paul intended a pause here between chapters 12 and 13......it’s one continuous thought.  He’s going to show us a more excellent way with Spiritual Gifts......and that’s the fruit of the Spirit that he takes off with the first verse of chapter 13.  If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

We need to understand the distinction between the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit.  We’ve got a pretty good idea by now what the Gifts of the Spirit look like and we each have at least one.  The fruit of the spirit is something very different and is the result of a Spirit filled life........as opposed to living in the flesh.  When we come to Christ we receive gifts of the Spirit.......the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us.  When we purposely submit to the Holy Spirit......when we yield to His leading.......we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.  This goes for every believer........we should all bear the fruit of the Spirit.......and the closer our walk.......the more like Christ we become.  The “more excellent” way is letting the gifts of the Spirit flow out of a life filled with the fruit of the Spirit.......and we find that fruit listed in Galatians 5:22-23...... 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

And that’s where we’re going to take off the next time we’re in this letter......My challenge to you this morning is to understand that you have a part.  Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and He has given gifts as He has seen fit.  He tells us that we are His Body.  The various parts of the human body never take orders from the hand or the foot........they take orders from the head. It is the head that sends down messages. As members of the body........Christians must take their direction from Jesus Christ.

I’m fairly certain that everyone here has put together jigsaw puzzles at one time or another. What starts out as a bunch of cut up pieces with persistence and time eventually comes together to form a picture. The church is just like a puzzle. Christ puts us together. Christ forms us into a body........from individual pieces to a group of pieces who are united in purpose and mission and love for the Lord and one another.  The whole body fitting together. When we’re directed by Christ.......when we’re following the leadership of the Holy Spirit everything fits......everything works.  

It should humble us to know that God’s plan for the world is the local church.  The local church is the vehicle God uses to spread His message to the world.  The church has to succeed......there’s no plan “B”.  And the local church succeeds when every part is fit together through the workings of our spiritual gifts.  I know that’s what Christ wants here at CBC.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

An author by the name of Stephen R. Covey......who wrote a lot of books about the habits of successful people and successful families......once said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”  This morning......we are going to talk about THE MAIN THING.  Jesus talked about THE MAIN THING throughout His ministry.  He hardly taught without mentioning THE MAIN THING.  And this morning......this message is quite possibly the most important message I’ve ever taught

We are about to embark on a study of First Corinthians chapter 13......commonly referred to as what?  THE LOVE CHAPTER!  It’s quoted at weddings.......in Valentine’s Day cards.....by teenagers trying to charm a romantic interest.......and even by political speech writers. I’m not sure that any chapter in the Bible has been taken out of its immediate context more than the “love chapter”.  What is the context?  Paul’s spent 12 chapters trying to show the people in the Corinthian church just exactly what a church is supposed to look like.  It’s a Body that is fully functioning in the world......with Jesus Christ as its Head.  And there’s so many things wrong with the church at Corinth and Paul’s trying to show them how to function in the manner that Christ intended them to be.  So......he spends chapter 12 talking about the spiritual gifts that every believer has been given......and he’s going to talk throughout chapter 14 about spiritual gifts again. 

Then......sandwiched in between these two narratives on spiritual gifts is “the love chapter”.  There are some commentators that feel Paul’s thoughts drifted to another subject here......the subject of love......and then he gets back to what he was talking about in chapter 14.   But make no mistake.......Paul’s insertion of chapter 13 wasn’t an out of place narrative.......as some think.......but a timely assertion of the fact that spiritual gifts are worthless without love.  We don’t even need to talk about spiritual gifts without understanding love.  Love is indispensible in the body of Christ.

So......we have spent the last three messages in the 12th chapter of the first letter to the Corinthians......and we talked about Spiritual Gifts until I actually believe we have something of an understanding of this teaching that Paul’s been giving us.  And after pounding us with what Spiritual Gifts are and the fact that all of us have at least one......and they’re chosen by the Holy Spirit Himself.......he ends chapter 12 with the last half of verse 31 that simply says, “And I show you a still more excellent way.”  That’s it.......that’s where we left off.......and that singular sentence is the transition from the gifts that the Spirit of God bestows on believers to the manner in which every single Christian should live every single moment.......of every single day.  Paul is about to embark on a teaching that is at the very heart of everything that Jesus Christ taught.......everything that His life represents........and yet it’s a teaching that we really don’t want to think about......because it holds us more accountable for our actions than any other teaching you’ll ever hear.

Remember when the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus in Matthew 22?  Matthew 22:34-40.......34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. 35 One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

What does all of the Law and the Prophets depend upon?  LOVE......love God......love people.  That’s God’s measuring stick for both the individual and the church......love.  In John 13:34-35 Jesus says,....... 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  That’s the standard......that’s the measure.  

Early on in the life of this Body.......I would get invited to “PASTOR’S BREAKFAST” at some church or restaurant here in the valley........and as you move around the room trying to get to know the other pastors......one thing became crystal clear.......most pastors measure the success of a church by a multiplication of “nickels and noses”.  The very first question that every pastor asks......after you get through your name and what church you represent......you’re then asked, “How many people do you have?”  And shortly after that the discussion of your yearly budget comes up.  Man measures success by multiplying nickels and noses.  Most churches today are run as corporate businesses.  If we just have more programs.......have more special events......have more Christian rock groups in......and we’ll put more butts in the seats......and that puts more nickels in the collection plate........and that spells success! 

But true Body life isn’t found in busy church activities........it’s found in the way that we love one another.  Christ’s church isn’t a business......it isn’t a corporation.......it’s a Body......it’s a family......and success is measured by one standard.......Quite simply......Jesus measures the church by its love.   If Jesus measures the church by its love.......then we need to understand what that love looks like and how it is applied. We need to grasp why He considers the way that we love to be so important.

 Remembering the context of chapter 13 will help us in its application......because there’s a big difference between the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.  The fruit is what God is after.......because it’s the very character of Christ coming through.  Remember Galatians 5:22-23......... 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  

We have got to come to the realization in our lives just how important love is.  Every one of these qualities......these fruits......are just a manifestation of love. Joy is love enjoying itself.  Peace is love resting........patience is love waiting......kindness is love reacting.......goodness is love choosing.......faithfulness is love keeping its word.....gentleness is love empathizing.....and self control is love resisting temptation.

One of the most sobering......most frightening passages in all of Scripture is found in Matthew 7:17-23........17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Does that verse send a chill up your spine?  “Lord.......we cast out demons......we did many miracles......”.  “I never knew you; depart from me,.......”.  

The same Greek word KARPOS.......the word used for fruit in this verse....... 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits.  Is also the word used in this verse.......22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,.......

Love is the key to the Christian life......love is the main thing.  Paul is describing what happens when the Spirit of God is freely working inside of us......reproducing the character of Jesus Christ Himself.  Once you have love then all of these other qualities......or fruits......are possible to express.  With the love that’s being talked about here we can be joyful.....peaceful and patient and kind and all the other qualities that Christ exhibited.  But without love all we can do is imitate these qualities and produce a phony love that people can see right through.  Remember what Paul tells us in Romans 12:9....... 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Isn’t that one of the greatest criticisms of the church today.......we’re a bunch of hypocrites.  We act one way on Sunday morning and another throughout the week.  Paul’s saying let love be genuine.  

The gifts of the Spirit are given to enable us to achieve the fruit of the Spirit.......But understand it’s the fruit that God’s looking for.  Every congregation.......every Christian should be infinitely more concerned with the fruit of the Spirit than they are with the gifts of the Spirit.  

Do we remember why the gifts of the Spirit are even given?  For the building up of the Body of Christ.......they’re given to be utilized within the local Body of believers to strengthen and encourage other believers......to build people up to be all that God designed them to be in order to function as a living organism within the world.  The church is God’s vehicle to show the world who Jesus Christ is.  There isn’t a secondary plan in case this one doesn’t work.....we’re it.  We’re plan A.....B.......and C.  That we should become loving people is far more important than becoming busy people.  Both are necessary.....but one is much more important than the other.  

Let me explain one more thing before we launch into this more excellent way.  I think we’re pretty much aware that the Greek language is far more descriptive than the English language.  We love everything....... @look at this obituary I found.  This woman just loved, loved, loved.......everything......including 5 husbands!  She was also extremely spiritual.....believing in a lot of stuff......but mostly herself.  We Americans use the word LOVE @for everything from infatuation with someone of the opposite sex.......to a visit to McDonald’s.  “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son......”......and “I love cherry pie.”......are not exactly on equal footing.  

@The Greek language has three different words for LOVE...... @EROS is used to describe erotic or sensual love......it’s not used in Scripture.  @PHILEO which means strong affection or a feeling of warmth and friendship towards another......and @AGAPE.....the word used here in chapter 13......which is referred to as God’s love.......and we need to understand that this word is always addressed to the will.  It is a purposed love......it’s a commitment to cherish and uphold another and it entails a decision to act with concern and care and thoughtfulness.......no matter if there’s return in it or not.  God didn’t love us because we’re so darn cute and loveable.  He loves us as an act of His will.  God’s love is unconditional......whereas our love for others is usually based upon how other people behave toward us. God's love doesn’t take that into account.......ever!

It’s important for us to understand that the love talked about in this passage is a supernatural kind of love.  God alone can awaken in us this kind of love.  Remember John 15:5.........5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.  What we’re talking about is a spiritual love that bears spiritual fruit.......and only by abiding in Jesus Christ can that be accomplished.

So......with these things in mind......let’s take a look at our passage for this morning.  Remember......Paul just said.... “And I show you a still more excellent way.”  And then he says......... 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.........If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Remember in chapter 12 Paul was trying to get the church to see that none of them had any right to brag about the gifts they had been given by the Holy Spirit......they had nothing to brag about.  The Spirit gave the gifts and they were to be utilized at the discretion of the Holy Spirit.  Yet some people with more visible types of gifts......like tongues and prophesy.......were actually looking down on others because they had less visible gifts.  So that’s where Paul starts in his defense of how the gifts are supposed to be viewed.  Every one of them through the lens of love.  

So those who were bragging about having the gift of tongues are talked about first and Paul says, “If you could speak with the tongues of men and of angels.....it doesn’t matter if it’s not done in love.”  This beautiful, poetic language that Paul’s speaking here is actually a chastisement to those who were acting puffed up because they spoke in tongues.  It’s just noise if it’s not done in love.

With all due respect......Paul’s reference to the “tongues of men and of angels”  gives  no evidence whatsoever for the so-called “Pentecostal Experience,” in which the uttering a series of rapidly-spoken......indiscernible syllables is alleged to reflect a “heavenly” tongue of an inexplicable variety.

I believe that we all understand that when Paul refers to the tongue of men he’s talking about what happened at Pentecost when men of all nations heard the Gospel message in their own language.  Paul is talking about intelligent communication.......and if he’s talking about intelligent communication in regard to men speaking........then the word “tongues” .......when used of angels also talks about an understandable language.

In order for the “Pentecostal” view to be valid.......there would have to be some compelling evidence to indicate that the term “tongues” is used in two different senses in this passage.......and there simply is none.

In this verse.......Paul’s use of “angels” is a form of hyperbole.......an exaggeration for sake of emphasis........and it’s designed to highlight his argument.  And this isn’t the only time he writes in this manner.  Look at where Alex is teaching right now.......Galatians 1:8.......”But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” 

I don’t think any of us would come to the conclusion that an angel from heaven is likely to proclaim a different Gospel than what Paul is preaching.  The point is clearly one of emphasis. So similarly.......in this verse........Paul’s not saying that some Christians speak an “angelic” language..........he’s merely saying that even if one could ascend to a new height and speak on the level of angels.........if he didn’t do it with love he’s still nothing but a distracting noise. The apostle’s argument does not hint of a mysterious.......unintelligible utterance.  

It’s easy to pull up any number of biblical examples of angels speaking to men.  None of them suggest that they communicate in anything except in languages that are perfectly understandable.  There’s not one shred of biblical evidence to suggest that angels speak in disjointed.........incomprehensible sounds. 

When we get to chapter 14 one of Paul’s major points of emphasis is that if the gift of tongues are employed within an assembly......and there’s no one there that understands the language spoken in order to translate the message.......it would be a violation of God’s will.

But the identical point is made whether the allusion is to “the tongues of men” or to the “tongues of angels.” Even if it were possible to speak in the tongues of angels......the only appropriate way would be intelligible communication.  There’s nothing here suggesting a “gibberish” sort of utterance.

So......Paul’s telling us that if we exercise a gift......like tongues......and we do it for our own benefit.......for recognition......for anything motivated outside of love......then we’re doing nothing but making noise.  God is not glorified in the exercise of the gift.  

We can exercise our gifts without love. We can go about the tasks and ministries of church life through pure determination without love. But that kind of mechanical living doesn’t go far.

I think we have a tendency to dismiss a lack of love because......“Hey.....we’re doing useful things for others in the body.  We preach and teach and administrate and serve and counsel with great skill......so what if it’s not done in love.”   The Holy Spirit doesn’t gift us in order for us to operate out of selfish motives........and that’s what was happening at Corinth......even to the point of some thinking that they were superior to others by reason of their particularly sensational gifts.  But if love isn’t the motivating factor then we’re just doing things.......and God isn’t getting the glory.......and that’s what we were created for.  

 The problem that all people have.......well, all except us of course.......is that pride tends to be part of the gravitational pull of life.  Whatever we’re doing.......a lot of the motivation is pride.  We have a tendency to make it all about us........and suddenly the things we do aren’t being done for the sake of Christ and His Body...........and like an actor on stage......we wait for the applause of man instead of doing all to the glory of God.  And it’s not hard for me to see that it’s pretty easy to substitute service.....or great deeds......or incredible teaching in the place of love........because love requires the most of us.......love is the way of the cross.......the way of humility......and the way of selflessness.  It’s who Christ was.......It’s not just an attitude of mind.......but much more.  It’s an act of giving freely of yourself in humility and concern and affection on behalf of others.  To have the mind of Christ in the application of Spiritual gifts is the essence of agape love.  

Verses 2 & 3 are somewhat rhetorical......but some explanation needs to be done.  2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Verse 2 says that I can have the gift of prophecy......I can know all mysteries.....and WOW......I can have all knowledge.......and enough faith to tell a mountain to go away and it does......all those things.......but if I don’t have love I am NOTHING!  That kinda brings to mind the “Depart from Me, I never knew you” passage.......doesn’t it?  I can do all those things without love and I am nothing.  You remember what nothing is don’t you?  Nothing is what rocks dream about.  I love that definition.  Nothing is what rocks dream about.  Rocks don’t dream.  Their dreams don’t exist.  You are absolutely NOTHING!  “But Lord......didn’t we prophesy in your name?”  Pretty sobering thought.  

So let’s picture this kind of giftedness in the church: The ability to speak God’s Word with depth......breadth.......and clarity.  The capacity to explain virtually anything that others ask about.  The amazing ability to see the miraculous done. Sounds wonderful! We’d admire anyone with such an amazing ability to serve Christ’s kingdom. Yet Paul insists.......without the love of Christ being at the center of those gifts.......the one performing them is nothing.......an absolute zero. Even great knowledge and faith is no substitute for love.

“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”  The illustration that Paul gives us is one of a great philanthropist......someone who gives away everything he has to those who are less fortunate......of one who gives away everything.  But the fact is that it’s possible to give money to the poor without loving them.  It’s also possible to give your life as a martyr and not love people.  Let’s face it.......the pages of Christian history show that men will fight and die for Christianity.......and yet they will not live in love.  It’s nice to give money to the poor.......it’s noble to die for your faith.......but if you don’t love others.......all you’ve done is wasted your money and squandered your life......it profits you nothing.  Oh......men might admire it.....but Jesus doesn’t measure the church by how sacrificial we are or how knowledgeable and articulate we are or how eloquent we are in multiple languages. He measures the church by the way we love one another.

So how does that love play itself out in real.....everyday life?  Well......you can’t possibly think you have love and say, “I can’t stand the sight of so-and-so.”  You can’t think you have love and yet spend time bad-mouthing the elders of the church......or the way the music’s done..... or how so-and-so teaches.  If we spent time praying for those individuals that we’re apt to slander and think poorly of.......I think we’d have a lot more of the visible love that Paul’s talking about here.  If we are not purposing to be accepting of one another’s flaws and warts and personality quirks.......then we have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal........we are nothing........it has profited us nothing.......all of the consequences that these three verses tell us about.

Here’s the reality........we cannot manufacture the kind of love that this chapter talks about. We cannot have ‘love training classes’ to get everyone functioning in love. We cannot attend a seminar or read a book and discover the steps to this kind of love. This kind of selfless love only comes from someone who is entirely sold out to Jesus Christ.  There’s two things that are critical for the practice of genuine Christian love. First......and most obvious......is that a person must have new life in Christ if he or she is going to love like Jesus.  Being born again.......that new birth gives us a new nature that actually has the capacity to love as Christ did.   Second.......we have got to practice the humility that only comes from the biblical concept of self-denial.  Can we be born again and still be selfish?  Sure.  But in order to fulfill the call of love that’s being discussed here we have got to consider others as more important than ourselves.  

We’re not measured by our deeds or by our numbers or by our resources. Jesus measures the church by its love.  Christ has loved us so that we might love one another.......we should never be found lacking in love.

I want to end this morning with an illustration of what it is that God is telling us in this passage.  In 1967, Doug Nichols was serving as a missionary in India. When he contracted tuberculosis, he was sent to a sanitarium to recuperate.  He wasn’t living on much more money than the people from India who were in the sanitarium......but they thought that because he was an American he had to be rich. Doug said, "They didn't know that I was just as broke as they were." 

It wasn’t a very good place to be. It wasn’t very clean and the conditions were difficult because there were so many sick people there. But Doug decided to do the best he could in the situation he found himself in.

So he took a bunch of Christian books and tracts and tried to witness to the other patients. But when he tried to pass out tracts.......they were rejected.......no one wanted them. He tried to hand out books........but no one would take them. He tried to witness.......but he couldn’t speak their language.  He became frustrated and discouraged.  Here he was trapped in a sanitarium and no one would listen to him.

Because of his tuberculosis........every night at about 2 o’clock he would wake up with chronic coughing. Then one night when he awoke he noticed across the aisle an old man trying to get out of bed. He said the man would roll himself up into a little ball and teeter back and forth trying to get up the momentum to get up and stand on his feet. But he just couldn’t do it. He was too weak. Finally.........after several attempts the old man laid back and wept.

The next morning Doug understood why the man was weeping.  He was trying to get up to go to the bathroom........but didn’t have enough strength to do that. So his bed was a mess and there was a really foul smell in the air.

The other patients made fun of the old man.  The nurses came to clean up his bed and they weren’t kind to him, either.  In fact.......one of them even slapped him in the face.  Doug said that the old man just laid there and cried.

He said........"That next night about 2 o’clock I started coughing again. I looked across the way and there was the old man trying to get out of bed again. I really didn’t want to do it......but somehow I managed to get up and I walked across the aisle and I helped the old man stand up."

But he was too weak to walk, so, "I took him in my arms and carried him like a baby. He was so light that it wasn’t a difficult task. I took him into the bathroom.......which was nothing more than a dirty hole in the floor.......and I stood behind him and cradled him in my arms as he took care of himself. Then I carried him back to his bed and laid him down. As I turned to leave he reached up and grabbed my face and pulled me close and kissed me on the cheek and said what I think was `Thank you.’"

Doug said......."The next morning there were patients waiting when I awoke and they asked if they could read some of the books and tracts that I had brought. Others had questions about the God I worshiped and His only begotten Son who came into the world to die for their sins."

He said that in the next few weeks he gave out all the literature that he had brought......and many of the doctors and nurses and patients in that sanitarium became Christians.  He said, "Now what did I do? I didn’t preach a sermon. I couldn’t even communicate in their language. I didn’t have a great lesson to teach them. I didn’t have wonderful things to offer.  All I did was take an old man to the bathroom..."

All he did was love someone as Jesus had loved him.  It’s not about WHAT you can do.  It’s not about HOW MUCH you know........It’s not about how generous and self-sacrificing you can be.........It’s about whether or not you’ve learned to love others as Jesus has loved you.  The world doesn't care how much you have or what you know. They want to know how much you care.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8a

We find ourselves this morning back in 1 Corinthians 13......and the last time we addressed the first three verses of what is commonly known as the LOVE CHAPTER......and I mentioned that it is probably one of the most mis-applied passages of Scripture.  We see it on greeting cards.......we use it in weddings......it’s probably even on a few tattoos given its popularity.  The somewhat poetic language seems to take us down the path of rainbows and cotton candy.......but the context of these verses is actually Paul taking the Corinthian church to task over their lack of love......and everything he says here is correction to that body of believers.  

These people were fighting over how important their spiritual gifts were compared to other people’s.......and the majority of teaching on the first three verses of this chapter dealt with the difference between spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit......and the conclusion was that the exercise of spiritual gifts without the spiritual fruit of LOVE is always wrong.  The fruit of the Spirit always starts with LOVE.  And in the passage today......Paul makes explanation of what the fruit of LOVE looks like.......or maybe what it doesn’t look like.  Here’s the passage......

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a....... 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8 Love never fails;......... 

So I was trying to get a feel for just how important this verb of LOVE really is to God.......and we can get a pretty good feel for its importance just by looking the word up in Scripture.  Depending on which translation you look it up in......it varies by a few numbers......but if you look up the word LOVE in the NASB you find it appears in all 27 books of the New Testament and 29 of the 39 books of the Old Testament.......for a total of 484 times.  Use the NIV and it’s a little more......almost 700 times........the KJV is a little less with 442 times......but all in all it seems like LOVE may be one of the most repeated words in the Bible.  It seems pretty important to God.  @The Apostle John even describes God as LOVE.  1 John 4:8........The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  So.......ya......we need to get this right.

There is such a strong emphasis on Christians practicing LOVE that you can’t get through a single book of the New Testament without coming across it.  The letter 1 John is nearly all about LOVE......1 John 2:9-11......... 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

And Peter’s focus on LOVE can’t be denied.......especially 1 Peter 4:8....... Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

And LOVE isn’t reserved just for Scripture.  @Amazon.com is a site on the internet that sells thousands of books.....per minute!!!! (more than you can find in any bookstore). One of the advantages of this site is that you can look up books by “topic”. So, someone did just that. They searched for certain topics and were intrigued by what they found. For example.......they wanted to know how many books were on Amazon that dealt with....... @

• Heaven, and they found 2,652 book titles

• @ Money had 10,304 listings

• @There were 16,765 for “Sex,”

• @18,818 for “God,”

• @BUT there were 30,066 for “Love.”

Add to that the number of songs.......poems......movies and plays that deal with LOVE and you’re seriously talking about BILLIONS!!!  But with all this information.......I don’t think we know very much about LOVE.  One cartoon I saw that gives you the idea of how little we know about LOVE is from the Peanuts comic strip. @ Linus apparently announces to his cranky sister, Lucy, that he’s going to be a doctor. 

And I think this cartoon is too close to reality to be too funny.......I think we’re all tempted to love that way.........in the abstract........ @”I love mankind.....it’s people I can’t stand.”  Loving mankind takes much less commitment........is much less costly than loving people.  You see.......love isn’t an abstract concept.........it’s a living reality. When we were all kids.....somehow love was easier.  Tish and I take Sam and Charlie to McDonald’s for lunch sometimes on Thursdays.......and it doesn’t matter what kid’s are there at the playground.  Sam and Charlie love ‘em.  They play.....they laugh.....they have instant best friends.  

And then we get a little older.....maybe Jr. High or High School.  How many of you have done this in your life? ###(PULL OUT FLOWER).......You’re suddenly infatuated with someone........ did you ever take a flower and pluck the petals out one by one as you said......“She loves me… she loves me not”........“She loves me… she loves me not”....... “She loves me… she loves me not”........all the time hoping that the last petal would tell us “she loves me”.   Some of the petals were “love me” petals.........And the rest were “love me nots”.

Look again at our passage for today........(DON’T READ) 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a....... 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8 Love never fails;......... 

I was trying to think of an illustration that would show what it is that Paul is trying to tell us here....... @and I thought of visible light being passed through a prism and broken down into its various colors........and it’s almost like God takes love and passes it through Paul’s inspired intellect and it comes out broken down into its elements.  What Paul describes is all LOVE.... broken down into its visible spectrum.  Each element that comes through the prism relates to real life.......to real people.  They’re concerned primarily with the here and now of everyday life.  Each one of these elements are tangible.......visible......reproducible over and over again.

So… what IS love?  @Well, Paul tells us........"Love is patient and love is kind" (vs. 4)  "It rejoices with the truth."........there in verse 6.  Verse 7 tells us that LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

That’s what LOVE is...... @PATIENT.......KIND.......REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH..... BEARS ALL THINGS.......BELIEVES ALL THINGS.......HOPES ALL THINGS.......ENDURES ALL THINGS.........  That’s what love IS....... ........those are the “SHE LOVES ME PETALS.”

But that’s not the whole passage is it?  It tells us something about what love IS......but it tells us a whole lot of other things.  It tells us a lot about what LOVE isn’t.  There are phrases that describe actions and attitudes that we can readily see........and they say to us.....“This is not love........That’s not what love looks like!”  These are the “SHE LOVES ME NOT PETALS.”   There are about 8 of them listed.......about the same number as what LOVE is....... NOT JEALOUS.......NOT BOASTFUL......NOT ARROGANT......NOT RUDE.....NOT SELF-SEEKING.......NOT ANGRY.......NOT A RECORDER OF WRONG SUFFERED......DOES NOT DELIGHT IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS........DOES NOT FAIL.  Where these are present.......love cannot be. They are enemies of love.

And it’s a pretty even breakdown of what LOVE is and isn’t.  So this week we’re going to take a look at what love IS......and the next time we’re in First Corinthians we’ll look at the same four and a half verses and take on what LOVE ISN’T.

It’s like two sides of the same coin........THIS IS HEADS.......THIS IS NOT HEADS.

So that we are all diving for pearls at the same depth this morning........I want to remind you of the word that’s used here in the Greek for LOVE.  The word used here is agape.......not eros which denotes physical love......not phileos which denotes a friendship type of love......but agape......it’s a love that originates with and comes from God Himself.  Agape love is Christian love.......it’s love that originates with God.

We hear a great deal about God’s love for man and even man’s love for God but Jesus Christ also spoke about man’s love for man.  And here’s the deal......there’s no way to get around it.  Christianity is not a separate or an added component to our lives.  It IS our lives.  We’ve been born again.......a new creation.  LOVE is supposed to define us.......it should be the inspiration of every single day.  If you want a picture of it.......think of it as the breathing of the eternal God into this temporal world. Love is not simply a component of life.......but it’s an intent.....it’s a purpose that causes our very thoughts.......words and actions of everyday life.  It’s who we should be.  So......with that in mind let’s look at the first verse of our passage....... @

Two things that love IS...... Love is patient and love is kind.......and I couldn’t help but wonder if Paul actually thought about his wording of any particular sentence.  How did the Holy Spirit inspire the writings of Scripture?  In this case did the Holy Spirit say, “We need to word this right......put PATIENT first.......because in a couple thousand years Tom’s gonna come along and try to make some big deal out of it.” 

Paul could have said Love is KIND…..and….....PATIENT.......but that’s not the way the Spirit led him to write it down.  Love is FIRST patient…......then it’s kind.......Patience comes first........because if we’re not patient.....then seldom do we have the genuine opportunity to be kind.  Being able to tolerate those that are an irritation to us opens up the door to showing kindness to them.  The KJV doesn’t use the word "patient" here. Instead it uses the phrase......"suffers long”.  The Greek word in this passage is actually a compound word made up of two different terms that literally translated says: “long” and “wrath”.......or “anger”.  Now don’t get confused with words here.......because you could translate this that a person who loved the way they should would be a person who got angry for a long period of time.   But that’s obviously not it.

The word literally means long tempered........or that the temper is a long time in rising. The word denotes a long waiting time where the person refuses to give into anger. It’s the quality of self-restraint in the face of aggravation..........It’s the quality of having a long fuse.  It could be looked at as love passive. Love waiting for opportunity to begin. Love not in a hurry.......love waits.........calm and ready to do its work when opportunity arises.

There’s a story that’s told about @Robert Ingersoll.......the well-known atheist of the eighteen hundreds........who would often stop in the middle of his lectures against God and say.........“I’ll give God five minutes to strike me dead for the things I’ve said.”He then used the fact that he was not struck dead as proof that God did not exist. Theodore Parker......Ingersoll’s contemporary said of Ingersoll’s claim..... @.....“and did the gentleman think he could exhaust the patience of the Eternal God in five minutes?”

Christians should be able to think about the love and patience that God has shown us and be able to extend that to others.  We who have appropriated His love aren’t going to quickly take offense.......much less seek revenge.  We’ll bear patiently with the wrongdoer........not rendering evil for evil........but striving to overcome evil with good.

Remember what Paul tells us in Romans 12:17-21....... 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

That’s long-suffering.......that’s patient.......that’s LOVE.  You know where it seems to be the hardest to exhibit patience?  With those you’re closest to......your spouse......your siblings...... your parents.  And yet it’s the most important place to show patience.  I’ll never forget David’s purposing of heart when he says in Psalm 101:2.......“I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.”  If the people you live with and love and are closest to aren’t aware of your patience......then you don’t have a chance out there in the world.  

Which brings us to our next “SHE LOVES ME PETAL” in verse 4. @  Love is kind.   There’s an old saying that says that love is blind........but not in God’s economy.  It isn’t blind........but it is kind. It sees people’s imperfections and still cares. We need to understand that both LOVE and KIND are action words.  The root word in the Greek comes from a word meaning “TO USE”.  Just as we said that “patience” is LOVE passive......look at KINDNESS as LOVE ACTIVE.  It means more than considerate in behavior........more than nice.  It indicates a person who makes oneself useful.......it denotes the disposition to put oneself at the service of others. Passive love is patient........it’s slow to be offended by others. Active love.......or kindness.........is predisposed to do good.

All we have to do is take a look at how much of Christ’s life was spent doing kind things.......simply helping people. A perfect verse that describes Jesus is found in Romans 2:4....... 4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?  It’s kindness.......not harshness that’s going to encourage good in another person.  Love without appropriate actions is not love. Love acts in a way that is kind.......gracious.......useful and beneficial. Love is demonstrated in specific acts.

The kindness of love doesn’t focus on faults or shortcomings.......and this doesn’t mean that it’s blind to people’s weaknesses and sins. But kindness sees beyond them........accepting people as they are.......focusing on their best qualities........and wanting and doing what’s best for them.  Love sees faults through a telescope.......not a microscope. There’s a lot more people that have been attracted to Christianity by a believer’s kindness than by their zeal......knowledge and eloquence combined.  This is something we can purpose in our lives.

@What’s the next SHE LOVES ME PETAL?  Love rejoices in the truth there in verse six.  This is something of an interesting study to decipher this meaning........because it could easily go either of two ways.......and that really isn’t too worrisome.....because either way would be a decent interpretation.  The word used here for TRUTH is ALETHES (al-ee-thees).....and it’s the same word Jesus uses in John 17:17.......when He’s praying to the Father and He says...... “Sanctify them in the truth, Thy Word is truth.”

So the first......and possibly the most obvious translation.....is that LOVE rejoices in God’s Word......and depending on how you translate Word it could be His written Scriptures..... or it could be Jesus Himself......since He’s referred to as THE WORD.  The Gospel is the truth of God......it is absolute wisdom.......so rejoicing in the truth in this case is easy to do.  Either way I think we can see that you’re not gonna go wrong whichever tack you take.

But the second interpretation that could rightly be used here is that of a more general application of the word truth.  Love rejoices with whoever possesses truth.....wherever truth is found.......as opposed to iniquity and sin. Love rejoices with truth as opposed to rejoicing with thoughts, words, or actions that are not right or unrighteous according to God. Unrighteousness justifies sinful actions, words, and attitudes. 

Love refuses to entertain or pass along any type of gossip.  There is an entire culture in this country that seeks out others’ calamities.......it seeks out others failures or faults or weaknesses.  There’s an entire industry built on exposing the sin and failure of other people...... especially prominent people.  It’s called the supermarket tabloids.......or visually it’s called tabloid television.   Rejoicing in anyone’s sin is wrong.  That’s not love........because love covers a multitude of sin......it doesn’t expose it or celebrate it or share it with others.  We’re to rejoice only with the truth.  Think about the difference that would occur in our culture if just this one element of love were maintained.......rejoicing in truth.......and nothing else.  

@Which brings us to verse 7......a whole bunch of SHE LOVES ME PETALS here in this one......and it starts with.......LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS.  Interesting......and for a time I struggled with this one because the verse ends with “ENDURES ALL THINGS”..... and I’m thinking......those seem to be the same thing.  BEARS.......ENDURES......But they aren’t.  This is another one of those times where the English language falls very short of interpreting Scripture accurately.  

For the English word BEAR......the Greeks have 14 different words.......FOURTEEN!!!  At first reading I thought this verse would strike harmony with Galatians chapter 6:2&5....... 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. ............. 5 For each one will bear his own load.

Seems like “Love bears all things” ought to relate?  But it doesn’t at all......in fact a more accurate interpretation of “BEARS” is COVERS.  LOVE "covers all things".  The Greek word here is STEGO......and the dictionary definition is “TO PROTECT OR PRESERVE BY COVERING”......which is more in line with 1 Peter 4:8......where love covers a multitude of sins.  There’s something so meaningful about the Holy Spirit putting this as one of the aspects of love.  When we are wronged by someone.......do we go tell everybody within earshot about what a jerk and idiot Tom is?  Or do we protect Tom?  Do we deal with Tom privately so as not to bring judgment from others against him?  Do we just meet privately with Tom and reprove him and bring him to a sense of acknowledgement and repentance?  That’s what’s being dealt with here.  Love always covers things.....it protects others.......it keeps unity in the Body by protecting those that it comes in contact with.

Not only does love BEAR all things.......but love BELIEVES all things.  And just a little side note here......in case the question should every come up when you’re playing JEOPARDY......this word BELIEVE........which means the same in the Greek and the English..... this verb is used 10 times in Matthew’s Gospel......10 times in Mark’s Gospel.......9 times in Luke’s Gospel.......and 99 times in John’s Gospel.  Kinda shows John’s emphases on Jesus as God Himself.......BELIEVE!!!!!

Anyway........love believes all things.......with something of a caveat......it believes all things THAT ARE TO BE BELIEVED.  Obviously.......not everything in a Christian’s life is to be believed.  I believe all that God says in His Word........all His truths.......and all His promises.  Sometimes I believe even when things seem hopeless.  I believe in God’s power and His faithfulness and His perfection.  

@Has anybody ever watched this show?  What was Dr. House’s favorite line?  @EVERYBODY LIES.  And that’s the truth!  And every one of us has been doing it for a lot of years.  We all started being a bunch of LYIN’ LIARS at about age 4 or 5........as soon as you found out you could get in trouble for doing something wrong.......you started lying about it!  

If the data from scientific research is to be believed......from several in depth studies.....we have a real problem as a society with lying.......being untruthful.  Research studies show that on average.......in an ordinary conversation.......people lie two to three times every 10 minutes.  Now this is not biblical truth......it’s purely data collected from research studies.  But if it’s anywhere close to correct.......how do we harmonize what Paul tells us here in verse 7......LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS.......with the fact that almost everyone we encounter is a liar?

That’s where the caveat comes in.......we are to believe all things THAT ARE TO BE BELIEVED.  Do I believe every spirit?  Do I believe every teacher?  Do I believe every word of man?  No......No......and No.  There is in implied wisdom attached to this verse.  Immediately it means that if you are truly loving......you will have the type of love that trusts others by default. You're not cynical by nature. This kind of love takes the best and kindest views of all men.......and all circumstances.........as long as it’s possible to do so. It is almost completely opposite to our nature.  I think most people.......when walking in the flesh......paints everything in the darkest colors........they think the worst in every situation or encounter.  The kind of love that God is talking about here is entirely foreign to the cynic or pessimist.  A truly loving Christian is willing to believe all the good things reported of men.......that person is unwilling to believe negative talk about anyone unless those faults are open and glaring and well supported by fact. 

@ OK.......so we bear all things........believe all things.......and we also HOPE all things.  The Greek word translated “hope” means “to wait with joy and full confidence.” ......and it’s used 32 times in the New Testament.  We’re accustom to using the word in sentences like, “OOO......I hope I get a pony for Christmas.” ......Maybe not all of you.......but Greg says that a lot!!!  But the verb expresses more than a wish or desire.  It speaks of a confident belief in the unseen. Hebrews 11:1 says.........Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Faith, hope, and love are often intimately connected in Scripture. Just a little bit farther in this chapter Paul gives some explanation of what he’s saying now......1 Corinthians 13:13.......“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Hope is a fairly complex idea.......it personally looks forward to the future......when God’s promises will all become reality.......but it involves other people to.  When we love as God loves we extend hope to others.......whether we think they deserve it or not.  Part of hoping is seeing the potential of others.  What if we treat everybody as God sees them.......not as they really are......but as they ought to be?  Would that kind of HOPE in others help them become what they are capable of becoming?  

You might think........”I’ve had it with that person.......I’ve given them a hundred chances and they never fail to disappoint me.”  Think about how many times in the Old Testament Israel failed God.  But their failure was never final.......it still isn’t.  Love doesn’t give up in this area of hope.   Love still believes you are capable of being something better than what you are now.  Love always points to a brighter day ahead.  As long as there is love.....there will be hope.

@ And finally........LOVE ENDURES ALL THINGS.  This includes.....but is not limited to our own personal endurance of afflictions, tribulations, temptations, and persecutions.  There’s a persistence to love........even in the tough times.  The Greek word carries the idea of “remaining” or “enduring.” Love doesn’t quit or give up. Love lasts. The love spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13 is not a fleeting romance or a fading feeling. Instead, godly love always perseveres. During good times and bad, the love of God’s people endures the challenges of life and remains steadfast.

I’ve been privileged to participate in two weddings this past month......and the vows a husband and wife promise one another is........for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.......you know how it goes.........it’s a pledge.......a promise.......a vow before God that love perseveres..........and it’s not endurance for the sake of endurance........it’s endurance motivated by love for God and others.  A person with God’s type of love will consistently seek what’s best for those he loves. It’s a commitment to always seek the highest good.......no matter how difficult.

In short........love never gives up.

Love ALWAYS does these things.

Love never quits........love never stops.

It tells the one it loves.........no one gets to you without coming through me first.

If I love you the way God desires me to......then my tendency is to believe in you no matter what..........because that’s how God loves me.......and He never stops.

If you remember Jim’s message last week.......a really spot on message......He made a statement that really stuck out.  He said...... “When Jesus left this earth, He left behind a labor force of love.”  That’s what you and I have to be!!!!!

I Corinthians 13:4-8a (2)

We’re going to start right off this morning with our passage for today.......and it looks very similar to our passage for the last time we were in 1 Corinthians......because it is exactly the same verses.............

4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails;

As I said.......this is the second straight offering of these same verses......and if you recall.......the last time we went over this passage we split the list of what LOVE IS.......apart from what the list of what LOVE ISN’T.......because in Paul’s admonishment to the Corinthian believers regarding LOVE.......he describes love in 16 different phrases.......7 of them tell us what LOVE IS and 9 of them tell us what LOVE ISN’T.   

And we saw that in these 4 and a half verses that LOVE IS...... @PATIENT....... KIND.......REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH..... BEARS ALL THINGS.......BELIEVES ALL THINGS.......HOPES ALL THINGS.......ENDURES ALL THINGS.........  That’s what love IS.......  and we likened them to playing “SHE LOVES ME.....SHE LOVES ME NOT” with flower petals.......those are the “SHE LOVES ME PETALS.”

But in this same passage there are phrases that describe actions and attitudes that we can readily see........and they say to us.....“This is not love........That’s not what love looks like!”  These are the “SHE LOVES ME NOT PETALS.”   And they say that love is @NOT JEALOUS.......NOT BOASTFUL......NOT ARROGANT......NOT RUDE.....NOT SELF-SEEKING.......NOT ANGRY.......NOT A RECORDER OF WRONG SUFFERED......DOES NOT DELIGHT IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS........DOES NOT FAIL.  Where these are present.......love cannot be. They are enemies of love.

I heard that someone had compared true love to a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object). Everyone is always talking about it........but very few people have actually seen it!  Real love.......agape love......God’s love.....in our society today seems to be as rare as hens’ teeth.  And yet it is what God and all of Scripture is really about.  “Love God......Love people”.......that’s the whole of Scripture.

But before we get into the passage I wanted to make a comparison between the most popular translations of these most recognizable verses to see why there is sometimes a pretty vast discrepancy in translations.......and I thought this might make it a bit easier to understand........

First WHAT LOVE IS........

@WHAT LOVE IS.........

NASB

KJV

NIV

4 Love is patient

4 Charity suffereth long

4 Love is patient 

love is kind and 

and is kind

love is kind

but rejoices with the truth

but rejoiceth in the truth

but rejoices with the truth

7 [a]bears all things or better “covers” all things

7 Beareth all things

7 It always protects 

believes all things

believeth all things

always trusts

hopes all things

hopeth all things

always hopes

endures all things

endureth all things

always perseveres

Now the WHAT LOVE IS part is fairly plain language......not a lot of difference in the various translations......or in the applications.  And the last time we were in these verses I think we got a pretty good idea of what Paul was trying to encourage us to do.  The language is pretty straight forward as far as application. The only real discrepancy comes from “love bears all things” which is probably better translated “covers all things”.......it doesn’t expose people’s wrongs or sins.  It protects people.  It doesn’t gossip or spread ill about others.

@WHAT LOVE IS NOT............

NASB

KJV

NIV

is not jealous

charity envieth not

It does not envy

love does not brag

charity vaunteth not itself

it does not boast

is not arrogant

is not puffed up

it is not proud

5 does not act unbecomingly

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly

5 It does not dishonor others

it does not seek its own

seeketh not her own

it is not self-seeking

is not provoked

is not easily provoked

it is not easily angered

does not take into account a wrong suffered

thinketh no evil

it keeps no record of wrongs

6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity

6 Love does not delight in evil 

8 Love never fails

8 Charity never faileth

8 Love never fails

But when you get to the part of WHAT LOVE IS NOT.......there’s quite a bit to look at regarding application.......and translation.  When we see that love isn’t jealous......or doesn’t envy...........hat am I supposed to do with that?  Or if it doesn’t brag or boast or vaunt itself......how am I supposed to respond to that in my everyday walk with the Lord?  What about “love doesn’t seek its own”?  And those are the things we’re going to look at this morning.  

I also want to make it clear that we are not going through this list in order to be better translators of Scripture.......we’re not going through this passage in order to see how cruddy the believers in Corinth were.  We’re going through this passage in order to identify.......in our own lives.......where we’re falling short......where we each need to work on what God desires our lives to reflect.  This is a Bible study for application......not for our own personal edification.  If we leave here and cuss someone out driving home.......or think “You know.......those people at CBC are just lucky I come there and grace them with my presence.”........we’re doing it wrong.  

And by way of reminder........two things.  We want to keep our interpretation and application in context with what Paul is addressing here.  The Corinthian church was awash with people who were flaunting their particular spiritual gifts as being more important than other people’s.  And second.......we’re dealing with AGAPE love here.......not EROS.  And I think that’s especially important as we look at this very first “SHE LOVES ME NOT” idea.......LOVE DOES NOT ENVY.......OR IT IS NOT JEALOUS.  

In chapter 12........Paul points out that the different gifts are meant to serve one another and build up the church. No one person has all the gifts.......but each believer has at least one.......and further.......love demands that each gift be used to serve others rather than self.  In contrast to what God had in mind........the Corinthian believers were ranking some spiritual gifts as more important than others and envying those who had the “the really good” gifts.......and that was wrong......and that’s the immediate application of this passage.  

But there’s a far-reaching secondary application that we cannot just brush aside.  When we crave what someone else has rather than being grateful for what God has given.......That’s jealousy. When we envy the accomplishments or qualities of others. We want what they have or who they are. We’re not satisfied with ourselves and our lot. Jealousy usually is accompanied with resentment concerning the blessings of others.  It can lead us to overlook the blessings in our own lives. The more we’re gripped by a desire for the things of others......the less we’re able to be thankful for our own lives. The fact is that jealousy is connected to one of the oldest human sins........remember in Genesis chapter 4........Cain's murder of his brother Abel was due to jealousy.  

Instead of envying others.......we’re called to love them.  Proverbs 14:30...........A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.  True love........God’s love........rejoices when others are blessed. There’s no room for envy. Love is content with what it has........because its focus is on meeting the needs of the loved one.

I want to take a short sidetrack here in order to shed some light on a very common argument that people use as to why they reject God.......Christianity and the Bible.  The argument goes something like this........1 John 4:8 indicates that “God is love;”..........1 Corinthians 13:4 says that “love is not jealous”...........and Exodus 20:5........along with several other passages..........tells us that God is “a jealous God.” 

Simply put........if love is not jealous........and God is love.......then God logically cannot be called jealous. Or conversely........if love is not jealous........and God is jealous.......then God cannot be considered loving.  Right? How can these verses be anything but contradictory?

The term “jealousy” usually carries a negative connotation in twenty-first-century America. The truth is.........sometimes jealously can be spoken of in a good sense. The word “jealous” is translated in the Old Testament from the Hebrew word qin’ah, and in the New Testament from the Greek word zelos. The root idea behind both words is that of “warmth” or “heat”..........and carries with it the idea of “redness of the face that accompanies strong emotion”.  Three times in 1 Corinthians........Paul used this word in a good sense to encourage his brethren to “earnestly desire” spiritual gifts (12:31; 14:1,39). He obviously was not commanding the Corinthians to sin, but to do something that was good and worthwhile. 

In a similar way........Jehovah expressed His love for Israel in the Old Testament by proclaiming to be “a jealous God”.........Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24. He was not envious of the Israelites’ accomplishments or possessions.......but was communicating His strong love for them with language that conveys itself in the strongest way. The Scriptures depict a spiritual marriage between Jehovah and His people. Sadly, during the period of the divided kingdom, both Israel and Judah were guilty of “playing the harlot” (Jeremiah 3:6-10). In this sense.......being a jealous husband or wife is a goodthing. 

Another side note on this concept of jealousy.  Remember the word used here is AGAPE......not EROS.  If your wife is spending a great deal of time with another man and it bothers you.......and she tells you........“Love is not supposed to be jealous!”  Wrong answer.  This verse is NOT saying that when we’re in a committed relationship......we shouldn’t be jealous if there’s valid reason to be.  It doesn’t stretch that far.  What it was saying is love does not envy good things coming to others. It does not begrudge even one’s enemies receiving good things. It is generous just as God makes rain fall on the righteous and the unrighteous. It is content with its lot or place.

@What’s the next one........LOVE DOES NOT BRAG.......it vaunteth not itself.  Do we do that in the church?  What Paul’s talking about here is a person's attitudes towards their successes..........their abilities.  We’re not supposed to exalt ourselves.......we shouldn’t be in the business of parading our own accomplishments.  We’re supposed to have a “right” view of ourselves.

And again.......I’m reminded of the context.  It would appear that the Corinthians were notorious for bragging........they obviously wanted the showy gifts......miracles.......tongues....... prophecies..........but it was so they could show off.........everybody was vying for attention and approval..........they were braggarts.......and Paul says that's a very unloving thing to do.  So......in our definition of LOVE......why is bragging an unloving thing to do?  Well.......when we’re bragging.......who are we thinking about?  OURSELVES!  The focus is on us.  Where is the focus supposed to be?  ON OTHERS.  

In Greek literature it is used of a talkative.......self asserting or self exaggerating person who puts on a show or an outward display. One who sounds his own praises........which is just the opposite of love.

When the Florida Marlins baseball team won their first trip to the WORLD SERIES........the press began to shower praise on manager Jim Leyland. When congratulated on winning his first National League Pennant.......Leyland responded, “I didn’t win anything. I didn’t throw a pitch, or make a play, or score a run. The players won this–not me.”  Pretty good attitude to have.  Few things are more noticeable to a watching world than those who are gracious not only in defeat but also in victory.

In other words.........Love is humble. A humble person does his deeds of love in the name of Jesus for His heavenly Father and not for the eyes of ears of men.

Our example is always Jesus Christ.......and Philippians chapter 2 shows us exactly what Christ thought of bragging........ 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

I can’t even imagine if it was me who had come down from heaven.......I think this verse would have read completely differently......... “And Tom.......having the attitude that since he was god.......you ought to serve him.  He should always be treated with first-class accommodations.......and always address him as “YOUR MOST HOLY, HIGH AND EXALTED EXCELLENCY”!  

Our Lord was the epitome of humility......He was the picture of LOVE.  His focus was always on others......and never on Himself.

@The next thing that love is not.......very closely related to the last one........LOVE IS NOT ARROGANT.......NOT PUFFED UP.......NOT PROUD.

The word literally means to be puffed out..........like air puffs out a pair of bellows.  To be full of oneself. The word we just dealt with.......BRAG actually refers to the outward display that a person might show.  This word.........arrogant......is dealing with the inward disposition......it tells of one’s genuine conceit and presumption.  The arrogant man actually sees others as inferior.  Jesus is obviously our example for everything.........but in this area......John the Baptist isn’t a bad example either.  Remember John 3:30.......... He must increase, but I must decrease.

Puffed-up people.......those who have an exaggerated opinion of their own importance.........just assume that their happiness.......well-being......opinions.....and feelings are the only things that really count. That’s probably why the “Hollywood Elite” feel it so necessary to comment on every aspect of life......politics and the world.......feeling like the whole world is just waiting to hear what they have to say.  Puffed-up people find it easy to dismiss the needs and feelings of others.  Arrogant people find it impossible to admit wrong.  That’s not love in any sense of the word.  There’s no place for arrogance in the church or in relationships.  Rule of thumb to keep a long and happy marriage........admit it when you’re wrong and keep quiet about it when you’re right. It’s a good way to keep the relationship strong. 

@What’s the next one?  Love does not act unbecomingly.......Doth not behave itself unseemly.........It does not dishonor others..........or “does not act inappropriately.” To put it plainly........love is not rude.   And I can’t help but feel that Paul is calling to mind the rebuke he had given to the Corinthians back in chapter eleven when he talked about the abuses they showed to one another at the Lord’s Table.  They ate without regard to whether others were there......they didn’t share with those who had nothing..... they were notoriously rude people.  Paul’s saying, “Love’s not about that......ever.”  Love has good manners.

Rudeness is finding more and more acceptance in today’s culture. Public behavior and words that were unthinkable a generation ago are now commonplace. We live in what an article in the Wall Street Journal calls a “renaissance of rudeness.” The fact is that rudeness is rooted in selfishness. Manners are meant to reduce the friction of human interaction.........being rude reveals a lack of consideration for others. The ill-mannered person is communicating that “it’s all about me.” 

A few years ago Tish and I were at the drive-up at the bank with little Sam and Charlie in the back........when a young man......probably 18 or 19 pulled into the slot next to us.  His windows were down and his radio was about 100 decibels too high and playing the most vulgar rap narrative that you could imagine.  I leaned out the window and said, “Could you please turn that down a little......we’ve got our grandkids in the car.” At which time he glared at me with a “drop dead” look........reached over to his radio and cranked the volume up even louder.  I thought the loving thing to do was to give the young man a free personal course on manners by pulling him through the vent window and having a “come to Jesus meeting” with him.  Tish......on the other hand didn’t feel that was the proper response........so I shut our car windows.......which still had all of our ear drums vibrating uncontrollably to every bass note on his radio.  But I think it’s a clear example of the times we live in.  And the rudeness of today’s culture has devolved into road rage incidents that have resulted in 218 murders and 12,610 injuries over the past seven year period. 

Love, by contrast.......cannot be rude........for the simple reason that love is concerned for the other person’s well-being. Therefore.........love is mannerly.......it’s not rude.  When behavior is disgraceful or dishonorable know that agape love is not there. And if love is not there.......God isn’t abiding there.......for God is love.  Love controlled behavior does nothing that a person ought to be ashamed of.

And while we’re on the subject of rude behavior.....or politeness.......two other points.  First.......love will never ask others to prove their love by doing something that’s wrong. Real love will never prompt an unmarried person to say “if you love me you’ll prove it by giving yourself to me.” Those who love will never ask others to prove their love by doing something that’s wrong. Those who love will never ask others to prove their loyalty by lying....... cheating.........or stealing for them.  Love doesn’t disrespect others in any manner.

Second thing that can be categorized under this aspect of what love isn’t.......comes when we witness to nonbelievers......when we witness to the world.  When Christians give testimony to what they believe and defend their faith.......they’re to do so “with gentleness and respect”......according to 1 Peter 3:15. In other words.......we’re supposed to witness in a loving......courteous way.  I think we’ve all seen abortion center protests with those who call themselves by Jesus’ name hurl insults and threats to young women who are patronizing the place.........Or calling someone out publicly for their beliefs regarding homosexuality.......or any other sin.  That kind of activity is not only rude.......it’s wrong.......it’s unbiblical........it’s sin.

This is not to say that Christians should never speak negatively regarding the actions of others. The Gospel message condemns sin and calls sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus.   But there’s a right way and wrong way to do anything........and speaking against someone’s actions or beliefs doesn’t need to be abrasive. Christians are called to speak the truth in love........and, as we know......love is not rude.

I had fully intended to deal with the SHE LOVES ME NOT PETALS in one presentation........but that turned out to be too difficult a task to deal with each one sufficiently.......so the last one we’ll talk about this morning is the one that says that love does not seeks its own.......it is not self-seeking.  What does that mean?  This could well be the “catch-all” of everything that love is not.  At its very core.......sin is selfishness.  We don’t conform to God’s ways because we want our own way........and it’s a symptom that is just about universal for all of mankind.......but especially for 21st century America.

We live in a culture of entitlements.......we care nothing about how it might affect other people as long as we get what we want.  Everybody’s a victim in our society.  We no longer tolerate opinions that are different than our own.  If all I’m focused on is what I want........then there’s no room for others.......no room for ministry.......no room for anyone but me.  

So that’s our society.......that’s the culture we find ourselves in......but certainly not the church......it hasn’t invaded the church has it?   Well.......we’re not immune......we see it all the time in churches.  One of the most common phrases I hear when I talk to people who leave the church.......people who quit coming for reasons unknown......is this......I’M JUST NOT GETTING ANYTHING OUT OF IT.  Because God knows......it’s all about me.

When we truly understand the church concept that Jesus left behind......then that statement is so unbiblical we should be embarrassed.  Christ left the church to function here on earth as a living organism......with hands and feet and voice and abilities......and Him as the head.......Jesus as the one who runs the whole thing.  And the purpose of that church is to proclaim the Word of God to the world by functioning as a complete unit.  And we see plainly in Scripture that each and every one of us is gifted for the purpose of building up the Body....... equipping the Body to fulfill its function.  God doesn’t have another plan.......there is no PLAN B in case this one fails.  It is our duty as believers to fulfill our mission.

So when I hear things like...... “I’m not getting anything out of it.”........or....... “I do my church up in the mountains......surrounded by God’s creation.”  Or even...... “People just annoy me.......I do a lot better without them.”  They might as well just say...... “God’s plan stinks......I’ll do it my way.”  

When we come to church with nothing but our own interests in mind we don’t have a clue what the purpose of church is.  Paul makes it very plain.......not only in this letter we’re currently studying......but look at Ephesians 4:11-16....... 11 And He gave some asapostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  

I’m not sure it could be any plainer than that.  We’re here to serve one another.......we’re here to build one another up.......we’re here to function as a part of a whole Body in order that we all grow to maturity as spiritual beings.  The problem is that most people are more interested in protecting their own......in getting their own way.......in thinking about themselves first......that there’s no room in their lives for fulfilling God’s plan.   We fail to conform to God’s design for us and miss out on His blessings because we are too busy with our own interests.  If my part of a conversation or a relationship is focused on what I get out of it.......or on protecting my rights......it’s not a relationship that can in any manner be called love.

Have you ever known anyone who always turned a conversation around to be all about themselves?  Have you ever tried to talk with someone who was more interested in what they were going to say next than in listening to what you had to say?  Now think of the contrast to that.  Have you ever know anyone who always seemed to carefully listen to you.......being genuinely interested in what was important to you?  Which one was more encouraging......which person was more attractive?

We’ll end with what we see in Philippians 2:3-4....... 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

When others are more important than we are God gets the glory.  Selfishness.......a self-centered personality is not love.