I Corinthians 12:12-27

Preached Sunday Morning September 12, 2010

 

Introduction:

 

          Have you ever struggled with the feeling of not fitting in?  Sometimes we just feel like we do not really belong with the crowd at school, at work or in the neighborhood.  This feeling is compounded for born again Christians who are not citizens of this world.  The believer has little in common with those folks who are living for selfish and temporal goals.  

 

          The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian believers, has been addressing their common calling.  Last week we saw that all believers are given different spiritual gifts in order to be used for a common purpose through a common body.  This morning we are going to see that if you are a born again believer, you DO belong.  You are called to be a functioning body part in the Body of Christ.

 

          This morning we are going to be introduced to the definition and concept of the Body of Christ which is the Church. We will see that the church is not a denomination, building, or even an invisible group.  We will see exactly what Jesus started, when He said that He will build His Church.  We will see how we plug into that body.  We will see that active membership in a Bible believing local church is the only way to maintain functional Christianity in your life.  We will see that the local church is the Body of Christ.

  

I.                   The Body of Christ is the Church.

 

A.     Jesus started the Church

 

Matthew 16:18

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  

 

B.     The church is a called out assembly- it must be local, and cannot be invisible.

 

“WE BELIEVE that a Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (a) associated by a covenant of faith and fellowship of the Gospel…”

–        From EBC Statement of faith.

 

Acts 8:1

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

 

Acts 11:22,

 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Acts 13:1

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 

Romans 16:1

 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Colossians 4:15

15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

1 Corinthians 1:2

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 16:19

19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

C.  The Local Church is the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:27-29

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 

 

 

II.                All the members have the same salvation, drawing them together in the local body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

A.     We were all condemned

Romans 3:21-23,29-30

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

B.     We were drawn and convicted by the same spirit

John 6:44

44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

C.     We were all indwelt by the same spirit

Romans 8:15-16

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 

D.    We are all guided by the same spirit

 

1 Corinthians 12:13

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 

 Acts 2:41-42

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

 

A weary traveler arrived at the French village of Doubs on Sunday evening at twilight, and found people hurrying through the streets to church, each carrying a bronze lamp. A villager explained: “We have no other way of lighting the church. In 1550 when the church was built, the mayor of the village decided that each member should bring his own lamp. Everyone goes there to make it brighter, for he knows that if he stays away, the church will be darker and the service sadder.”

 

When he entered the church, the traveler saw that on every pew was a place to hang the lighted lamp; and as the church gradually filled, the cumulative effect of the multitude of lighted lamps was startling. The whole building was illuminated with a soft radiance, indescribably beautiful and impressive.

—Al Bryant

 

III.             All the members have different gifts within the body.

 

1 Corinthians 12:14-20

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

 

A.     God has placed many different members into one body

 

1.     Each member has a different function

2.     We cannot cove another’s function and calling

3.     Different functions are needed for the body to be complete

 

A flight from Washington D.C. was uneventful until landing in Indianapolis. The plane was taxiing to the terminal but stopped in the middle of the runway. Many of the passengers were beginning to fidget in their seats as the engines idled. Then the pilot made an announcement that defused the tension: “I flew this multimillion-dollar aircraft from Washington D.C. at night and found the airport on my first try. However, I have to wait until a guy with a couple of 99-cent flashlights shows me how to park it.”

 

B.     Each member needs the other

 

1 Corinthians 12:21-24

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:

 

A little girl once cried out in the night and awakened her mother. At the child’s request she was permitted to crawl in bed with her mother.

“What’s the matter?” the mother inquired.

“It was dark over there,” said the child.

“Yes,” replied the mother, “but it’s just as dark over here.”

“I know, Mother,” the little girl said, “but you’re here.”

 

IV.              The members are to unite to make one living body, the local church.

 

1 Corinthians 12:25-27

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

 

A.     God did not design his body to have a split!

B.     Members should have the same care for each other

 

1.     Suffer together

2.     Rejoice together

 

è    This requires selflessness

 

Philippians 2:1-4

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

 

C.     To be a member of Evangelical Baptist Church is to be a member in the body of Christ, by His design.

1 Corinthians 12:27

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

D.  Since Jesus built this church as part of His perfect design for our lives, we must be active in it.

1 Corinthians 12:28-29

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.  29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 

Hebrews 10:24-25

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

Romans 8:14-27

Preached Father’s Day June 20, 2010

 

Introduction:

 

          If he’s wealthy and prominent, and you stand in awe of him, call him “Father.” If he sits in his shirt sleeves and suspenders at a ball game and picnic, call him “Pop.” If he wheels the baby carriage and carries bundles meekly, call him “Papa” (with the accent on the first syllable). If he belongs to a literary circle and writes cultured papers, call him “Papa” (with the accent on the last syllable).

          If, however, he makes a pal of you when you’re good and is too wise to let you pull the wool over his loving eyes when you’re not; if, moreover, you’re quite sure no other fellow you know has quite so fine a father, you may call him “Dad.”

William Buel Franklin (1823–1903)

 

          As you all know, I am a pastor.  I come with several titles, some could call me Reverend, some Pastor Carpenter, some even mistakenly call me Father, but only four people in this world can call me dad.  There is a special relationship that I have with Bethany, Katie, Zachary and Sarah that no other person in this universe shares.  I love my friends, my church, and my relatives, but there is a very special bond between a father and his own children.

 

          Our passage this morning tells us about a relationship we can have with God.  We have the opportunity to call Him Abba, Father, or “Daddy”.  Think of it.  No matter what your earthly father was or is like, you have the chance to call the loving Creator of the universe “Daddy”!  This is a special and exclusive relationship with God.  Not everyone shares that relationship.  Not everyone can truly call Jehovah God, “Daddy”.  As we meditate upon these truths surrounding Father’s Day, ask yourself this spiritual question:  Who’s your Daddy?

 

I.                   God is not everyone’s Father.

 

A.        All of us start with an abusive father.

 

 John 8:44

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.  

 

B.        God paid the price for our adoption

 

Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

 

1.     We bore the shame of our natural father, Satan.

2.     We bore the condemnation of our natural father.

 

Romans 3:10,23

10 As it is written,  There is none righteous, no, not one:

 

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

3.     Jesus paid the price for sin in order to buy us out of that dysfunctional family.

 

Isaiah 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

 

C.        We are adopted at the moment we accept our new Father.

 

John 1:12

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

 

The Armenian Orthodox Liturgy has a beautiful introductory statement to The Lord’s Prayer:  

 

And grant us to open our mouths with cry of bold voice, to call upon Thee O Heavenly Father, to sing and say Our Father…

 

 

II.                Daddy calms our fears – He really loves His own children!

 

A.        Adopted not enslaved.

 

Romans 8:15

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 

B.        Fear is replaced with power, love, and a sound mind.

 

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

C.        There is no fear in Daddy’s perfect love – even when He is angry at our sin.

 

1 John 4:18

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

 

 

III.             Daddy keeps us safe

 

John 10:27-30

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

 

A.        We are in the Creator’s hands

 

B.        We are in healing hands

 

C.        We are in calming and loving hands

 

D.       We are in nail scarred hands

 

E.        Anyone that would try to hurt one of Daddy’s kids is in for a heavy hand!

 

 Matthew 18:6

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

 

On a dangerous cliff stood a little company of rescuers planning how they might let someone down over the precipice to search for one who was lost and carry to him the rope with which he might be rescued. They wanted to use a little shepherd lad, but he drew back unwilling to go until he saw his father coming, when he said: “Yes, I will go if father holds the rope.”

 

IV.              Daddy gives good gifts

 

A.        Daddy knows what His children need – if it is a good gift, it is from Daddy.

 

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

B.        If we want a good gift, all we need to do is ask Daddy.

 

Matthew 7:7-11

7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 

V.                 Daddy loves us enough to discipline us

 

Hebrews 12:5-8

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

 

A.        Chastisement shows our unique relationship as children

 

B.        Chastisement shows God’s love.

 

C.        Chastisement shows that deeply cares about how we turn out – that’s what Daddies do!

 

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

Mark Twain (1835–1910

 

VI.              Daddy has an inheritance for us.

 

A.        The Divine Nature

 

2 Peter 1:3-4

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

B.        A home with Him forever.

 

Romans 8:17

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

 

Conclusion:

 

          Either God is your judge and Satan is your father or Satan is your enemy, and God is your Father.  If you have received Jesus by faith as your Savoir, you have been adopted.  Daddy calms your fears.  Daddy keeps you safe.  Daddy gives you good gifts.  Daddy disciplines you.  Daddy has a great inheritance for you.  There is a question you must answer before you leave.  The answer should cause you to either receive Christ, or walk out of here with your head held high, knowing that you are loved in a very special and unique relationship with God. 

 “Who’s your Daddy?”

 

I Corinthians 3:1-9

Preached Sunday Morning February 21, 2010

 

Introduction:

 

          Thanksgiving and Christmas were times of mixed emotions when our children were small.  We loved to spend time together, sharing gifts, visiting relatives and eating a big holiday meal.  The problem was that little Zachary would get very sick for every holiday.  He would seem fine during the day, but after all of the festivities, family, and food, he would violently throw up all the food he ate during the day.  At first we just thought that the little guy had a very nervous stomach.  One day we had turkey like we did during the holidays and he reacted in the same way.  It turned out that Zachary was allergic to the solution that was injected into the frozen poultry.  Something caused him to be unable to digest the food he should have readily processed.

 

          Sometimes born again Christians go through the same thing in the spiritual realm.  The Word of God is our food and we eat it when we read it or when we hear preaching.  Sometimes there are certain passages or subjects that really bother us.  Either we do not understand it, or we become confused and violently agitated about what we hear.  When we hear preaching that is basic salvation and forgiveness, the symptoms go away.  We can only handle spiritual milk, but have a spiritual meat intolerance.  We have a case of Spiritual Indigestion.

 

          In our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul is continuing his letter to the church at Corinth.  This is the church eh helped to start.  Paul has written this letter to help correct some problems in the church.  The Corinthian believers were hearing the preaching and teaching from Paul, but could not handle what he was teaching.  Paul had to change the menu he was serving to the church at Corinth.  They were suffering from Spiritual Indigestion.

 

          This morning, as we read this ancient letter to an ailing church, we are going to discover the symptoms, the cause, and the cure for Spiritual Indigestion.

 

I.                   The Symptoms of Spiritual Indigestion

A.     Maturity is lacking

 

1 Corinthians 3:1

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

 

1.     Cannot be treated as spiritual people

 

a.      Spiritual = maturity attained through prolonged relationship with the Holy Spirit.

 

b.     This term did not exist in scriptures until after the Gospels, once the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit had begun.

 

2.     Had to be treated as carnal people

 

a.      Carnal = having the nature of the flesh

 

b.     This childlike behavior is expected in baby Christians.

 

c.      Christians are expected to grow past the dictates of the selfish and passionate whims of the flesh.

 

“The young Christian is still carnal,” says Andrew Murray. “Regeneration is a birth: the center and root of the personality, the spirit, has been renewed and taken possession of by the Spirit of God. But time is needed for its power from that center to extend through all the circumference of his being. The kingdom of God is like unto a seed; the life in Christ is a growth, and it would be against the laws of nature and grace alike if we expected from the babe in Christ the strength that can only be found in the young men, or the rich experience of the fathers.”

 

 

B.      Spiritual diet had to be changed.

 

1 Corinthians 3:2

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

 

1.     Could only handle milk

 

 

Hebrews 5:12-13

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 

 

a.      Unskilful in the Word

 

b.     Have not developed a bond with Holy Spirit teaching.

 

2.     Could not handle meat

 

Hebrews 5:14

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  

 

a.      Of full age – mature

 

b. Have honed their spiritual senses of discernment.

 

3.     Could not bear = sustain the weight or burden of

 

4.     Still cannot bear it – they had not matured.

 

          Luther was told of a nobleman who, above all things, occupied himself with amassing money and was so buried in darkness that he gave no heed to the word of God, and even said to someone who witnessed to him, “But the gospel pays no interest.”

 

          “Have you no grains?” interposed Luther. And then he told this fable. “A lion was making a great feast, and invited all the beasts, among them some swine. When all types of dainty foods were set before the guests, the swine asked, ‘Have you no grains?’ It is the same way with carnal men today,” Luther continued. “We preachers set before them the most dainty and costly dishes, such as everlasting salvation, the remission of sins, and God’s grace. But they, like swine, turn up their snouts, and ask for money. Offer a cow a nutmeg, and she will reject it for old hay.”

 

è      We follow the appetites of whatever nature is stronger, the Spirit or our flesh.

 

 

 

II.                The Cause of Spiritual Indigestion

 

A.     Carnality prevents deeper spiritual growth and understanding

 

B.      Evidence of Carnality

 

1 Corinthians 3:3-4

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?   4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

 

1.     Envying = To feel uneasiness, mortification, or discontent at the sight of superior excellence, reputation, or happiness.

 

What we have not poisons what we have…. Our urge to acquire things is due less to the passion to possess them than to the vanity of feeling superior to those who envy our possession of them…. Envy transmutes other people’s base metals into gold…. Our envy is the yeast that swells the fortune of others…. No form of hatred is as keen as envy. It magnifies the importance of our enemy—and belittles our own. 

 

Paul Eldridge

 

 

2.     Strife = contention in anger

 

3.     Divisions – standing apart.

 

4.     The heart is betrayed by their speech. “I belong to…”

 

Matthew 12:34

…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

 

5.     Carnality comes as we split, following men or movements, not Christ and His Word.

 

III.             The Treatment of Spiritual Indigestion

 

è      A proper understanding of how God uses people will help us not to divide over them.

 

 

A.     Realize that Christian leaders belong to God.

 

1 Corinthians 3:5

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

 

1.     These men are both ministers = servants

 

2.     These men were both responsible for bringing people to belief.

 

3.     God offers Salvation to all people, but they must hear the Word before they can believe.

 

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

B.      Realize that Christian leaders are doing the work of God.

 

1 Corinthians 3:6

6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

 

1.     Planting = sowing the seed – EVANGELISM

 

2.     Watering = seeing the seed germinate, watching the plant grow, seeing fruit develop, watching that plant reproduce. – DISCIPLESHIP

 

3.     We fight today over which one is more important, evangelism or discipleship.

 

4.     God’s design is to see a seed planted, germinate, grow, and produce fruit.

 

Matthew 13:23

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

 

C.     Christian leaders depend upon the Power of God.

 

1.     God is the One to get the credit, not the men.

 

 

1 Corinthians 3:7

7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

 

2.     The one who waters and the one who plants are laboring for the same goal, fruit in the lives of the believers.

 

1 Corinthians 3:8

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

 

3.     Each laborer will be rewarded according to his own effort, not whether he was planting or watering.

 

1 Corinthians 3:8-9

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 

 

Conclusion

 

          Have you struggled with the scriptures lately?  Do you find that the only messages that resonate in your soul are ones on basic salvation stories, even though you have been saved a while?

 

          Perhaps you are suffering from Spiritual Indigestion.  Identify the envy and division in your heart.  Realize that we all serve the same God and will answer to Him.  God really wants to use all of us.  He is waiting, leaning over the banisters of Heaven, hoping that you will turn from the strife that divides and embrace His love that unites!  He loves you more than you will ever know and wants to heal us all of our Spiritual Indigestion.

I Corinthians 13:4-7

Preached Sunday Morning, February 14, 2010

 

Introduction:

 

          This morning we were reminded of the fact that love is needed in all of our Christian activities.  We saw that a soul winner without love is just noisy.  We saw that even if a person proclaims God’s revelation by unveiling mysteries, expounding knowledge and demonstrating faith; without love he is nothing.  We saw that sacrifice must be accompanied by true agape love, or there will be no reward.

 

          With all of this in mind, it is imperative that we learn how to recognize true love.  This kind of agape love is not an emotion.  It is characterized by a series of choices made.  Ask God to examine your heart and expose your true motives as we study ten ways to recognize true agape love.

 

I.                   Agape love is long suffering

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 – Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

A.     It puts up with slights and neglects

 

2 Timothy 2:25-26 – 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.  

B.     Will not get easily offended

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. 

II.                Agape love is kind – searches for opportunities to do good to the object of love

Luke 6:34-36 – 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

III.             Agape love envies not

A.     Envy is an indicator of the presence of evil

James 3:14-16 – 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

1 Peter 2:1 – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

B.     Is others focused

Philippians 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

IV.              Agape love subdues pride and vainglory

A.     Does not brag

B.     Is not proud

Proverbs 13:10 – Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

V.                 Agape love does not misbehave

1 Corinthians 13:5 – Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

A.     Is courteous

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

B.     Will never tempt to sin with the phrase: “If you love me…”

VI.              Agape love does not seek her own – is others-centered

1 Corinthians 12:25 – That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Philippians 2:4 – Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

VII.           Agape love is not easily provoked, or hot-tempered

Proverbs 14:17 – He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.

James 1:19-20 – 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

VIII.        Agape love thinks no evil

A.     Is not suspicious or mistrusting in nature

Genesis 31:32 – With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

B.     Often suspicion betrays the one of whom people should be suspicious!

2 Samuel 10:1-5 – And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?  4 Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.

IX.              Agape love has pleasure…

1 Corinthians 13:6 – Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

A.     Not in evil things

Romans 1:32 – Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

B.     Only in truth

3 John 4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

X.                 Agape love will last

1 Corinthians 13:7 – Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

A.     Bears all things – putting a veil over sin

Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

1 Peter 4:8 – And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

B.     Believes all things – believing good about the object of love

Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

C.     Never gives up hope for repentance and reform

2 Timothy 2:25-26 – 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.  

D.    Weathers all storms

Genesis 29:20 – And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.

 

I Corinthians 2:1-16

Preached Sunday February 7, 2010

 

Introduction:

         

          When an emergency medical technician arrives at the scene of an accident, he knows he may have only a few minutes to save a victim’s life. He will waste none of those minutes in combing the patient’s hair, brushing his clothes, or checking for marks of identification. He will move as swiftly as he can to the most critical wound and treat it with all of his skill. Something similar is demanded of the minister in the pulpit. He has 20 to 30 minutes to bring life to someone within his hearing, or in which to let him remain spiritually dead.

 

          As we continue through our series on I Corinthians, “The Problem Church”, we find the apostle Paul continuing to teach the church at Corinth why there should not be divisions along lines of personality.  It is so ridiculous to side with a man based on perceived abilities when God obviously does not use the same standard of measurement as we do.

 

          We are impressed with degrees and pedigrees.  We marvel when someone speaks and it is over our heads.  Too often, we fundamentalist are surrendering our Bible-based convictions and trading God’s wisdom for that of professional students.

 

          Today let us see the difference between man’s intellectual theories and God’s power demonstrated!

 

I.                   Don’t build on an intellectual prowess alone

 

A.                 The church is not built on human skill

 

1 Corinthians 2:1

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

 

1.  Oration

 

2.  Philosophical argument

 

B.                 The church is built on God’s testimony                                                           – definition = evidence given/experience based on fact

 

C.                 We must be careful not to get in the way

 

1 Corinthians 2:2-4

2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 

 

1.     Paul felt inadequate

 

a.      Weak

 

b.     Fear

 

c.      Trembling

 

2.     Paul did not wait to feel able!

 

3.     Paul avoided enticing words = well constructed arguments

 

4.     Cults use those… you have something greater!

 

5.     Paul had God’s power demonstrated

         

D.                Everyone must know that the foundation is the power of God

 

1 Corinthians 2:5

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 

 

1.  In His revealed Word

 

2.  In changed lives

 

3.     In answered prayer

 

4.  This will help to curb your pride.

         

John Hall says: “Settle in your mind that no sermon is worth much in which the Lord is not the principal speaker. There may be poetry, refinement, historic truth, moral truth, pathos, and all the charms of rhetoric; but all will be lost, for the purposes of preaching, if the Word of the Lord is not the staple of the discourse.”

 

 

 

II.                God’s wisdom is flawless

 

A.                 Worldly princes could not grasp it

 

1 Corinthians 2:6-8

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 

1.  A hidden mystery

 

2.     They would not have crucified Jesus

 

3.     Do not be tempted to change the message in order for the princes to be able to understand.  This is a spiritual matter.

 

B.                 Man on his own cannot plumb the depth of the wonders of God’s grace

 

1 Corinthians 2:9 – But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1.  By eye

2.     By ear

3.     By thought    yet…

III.             God’s wisdom can be spiritually understood

A.                 Inner secrets

1 Corinthians 2:10-11

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1.     Man keeps secret in his inner being = his spirit.

2.     God keeps His secrets in His Spirit

3.     The only way to know the intimacies of God is to know the Spirit of God.

4.     Born Again Christians have God’s Spirit!

1 Corinthians 2:12

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

B.                 Words spoken, then, are not crafted by man, but moved by the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:13

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1.  The Spirit teaches

2.  The Spirit compares spiritual (experience) with spiritual (God’s Word)

C.                 Unsaved man cannot comprehend God’s truth

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.   16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 

 

1.  God’s truth must be spiritually discerned

2.  The spiritual has discernment to judge

3.   Born Again Christians have the mind of Christ inside them!

Matthew 25:14-30

Preached Sunday Morning September 6, 2009

 

Introduction:

 

• Context is the coming kingdom
• Someday we will all face Jesus and account for what He has given us
• We saw that only the truly saved will enter into the wedding celebration
• Today we will study a Parable of stewardship

 

I.                   The Master gives His assets to His servants

 

 

Matthew 25:14-15

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.  

 

A.     Not everyone is given the same thing

 

B.     Talents are dispersed based upon ability

 

C.     There is a level of trust given to the servants

 

1.     The master knows His servants

2.     The servant’s faithfulness reflects his relationship with the Master

 

D.    We hare accountable for all the things that God has entrusted us with – The more that is given, the more that is expected in return.

 

 

 

Luke 12:48

For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

 

1.     Freedom

2.     Modern communication

3.     Complete Bible in our Language

4.     The specific teaching, preaching and personal exhortation that God has brought into your life.

5.     Natural abilities and talents that God has brought into your life.

 

E.     These were always the Master’s talents; they never belonged to the servant.

 

II.                The servants took temporary custody of the Master’s talents

 

Matthew 25:16-18

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

 

A.     The true servants

 

1.     Knew that the talents were meant to be invested.

2.     Knew that their job was to bring gain to the master.

3.     Knew that their job was not only to protect the master’s money, but also to invest it.

4.     Were not paralyzed by fear but motivated by love.

 

1 John 4:18-19

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

 

B.      If you are a true servant of the Master you will:

 

1.     Realize that everything you have been given is not yours

2.     See your responsibility to invest what you have been given to get gain for the Master’s Kingdom

 

–         Time

–         Privilege

–         Talent

–         Opportunity

–         Money

–         Possessions

–         Career

 

C.     The unsaved person is an unprofitable servant.

 

1.     Does not really know the master

2.     Is driven by fear, not love

 

Romans 8:15

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 

3.     Hid the one talent that he had been given.

 

III.             The Master returns to see what the servants had done with His money.

 

 

A.     The wise servants

 

Matthew 25:19-23

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

1.     Each one returned the principle with interest

2.     Each one received commendation

3.     Each one received promotion

4.     The promotion was greater responsibility and accountability – Ruling in the Kingdom.

 

Luke 12:43-44

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

 

5.     With that increased responsibility, they entered into the Joy of the Lord.

 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

B.     The unprofitable servant

 

Matthew 25:24-30

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

1.     Acted in fear

2.     Lost what he was given because he did not use it.

3.     Was cast into outer darkness – His actions show that he never had a relationship with the Master in the first place.

 

Matthew 7:21-23

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them,  I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

4.     Even the unsaved person has been given assets to invest for the Lord

 

–         Access to the Word

–         Hearing this message

–         The opportunity to believe before it is too late