All Grown Up 7.2.23

 1 Corinthians Series The Church in Corinth July 2, 2023 All Grown Up Todos adultos (1 Corinthians 3:1-7) Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren't ready for anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren't you living like people of the world? When one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another says, "I follow Apollos," aren't you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. Introduction: I wonder if God gets as exasperated with us as parents do in dealing with their strong-willed children? I'm prone to want my way I'm prone to argue with God I'm given to immature responses to spiritual moments It's a good thing that our Father is patient, loving and kind! We've already established that there is great deal of spiritual immaturity in the Corinthian church that finds its root in divisions, factions and petty jealousy. If not corrected, their immaturity will prevent them from the opportunity for deeper things in God. (v.1) ...when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life. (v.1) ...cuando estaba con vosotros no podía hablaros como lo haría con personas espirituales. Tenía que hablar como si pertenecierais a este mundo o como si fuerais infantes en la vida cristiana. Let's look closely at what Paul says to them... I Couldn't Talk To You As I Would To Spiritual People... No pude hablar contigo como lo haría con personas espirituales... * "I could not speak to you as people who are dominated by the Holy Spirit"-Eerdmans Publishing What do these "spiritual people" look like? (According to Paul) * A lifestyle dependent on the Holy Spirit for a long time. * Knows the Bible and practices it over a long period of time in order to distinguish the difference between good and evil on a regular, consistent basis. * Embraces the doctrine of Scripture and is open to truth that is revealed by the Holy Spirit. * Familiar enough with the Bible to teach others (publicly or individually). * Has spiritual insight and checks all things by the Word of God. * Mature enough to deal with sin and failure in others (Galatians 6:1) * Views life from a divine viewpoint, not hyperreactive but sees everything as part of God's sovereign plan. (Hebrews 5:12-14) You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. (Hebreos 5:12-14) Han sido creyentes por tanto tiempo que deberían estar enseñando a otros. En cambio, necesitas a alguien que te enseñe nuevamente las cosas básicas sobre la palabra de Dios. Ustedes son como bebés que necesitan leche y no pueden comer alimentos sólidos. Porque alguien que vive de la leche es todavía un infante y no sabe hacer lo correcto. El alimento sólido es para aquellos que son maduros, quienes a través del entrenamiento tienen la habilidad de reconocer la diferencia entre el bien y el mal. I Had To Talk As Though You Belonged To This World Or As Though You Were Infants In Christ... Tuve que hablar como si fuerais de este mundo o como si fuerais infantes en Cristo... The marks of "infants in Christ" * Chokes on strong doctrine * Easily distracted by things * Needs to be amused * Loves to talk about the fascinating or spectacular * Follows men rather than Christ * Has difficult time talking to others about Christ * Easily offended * Talks more than listens * Quickly quits rather than persevere through difficulty * Compromises when pressure comes * Tantrums when he does not get his way This phrase "as though you belonged to this world" "como si fuerais de este mundo" is important because it points out that these believers in Corinth were acting just like people in the world were acting. (1 Peter 2:9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; (1 Pedro 2:9) Mas vosotros sois linaje escogido, real sacerdocio, nación santa, pueblo adquirido por Dios; para que anunciéis las virtudes de aquel que os llamó de las tinieblas a su luz admirable; ...For You Are Still Controlled By Your Sinful Nature... ...Porque todavía estás controlado por tu naturaleza pecaminosa... Paul says that given their behavior, he is required to speak to them as if they were unbelievers" It is their behavior that leads Paul to this conclusion-you are acting as if you did not ever know Jesus Christ and you never accepted his forgiveness for your sins. It does matter how we live It does matter how we treat others It does matter what we do in life (Romans 6:6) We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. Conclusion: There is a genuine humility about people who are dominated by the Spirit and we can see it in two statements Paul makes at the conclusion of this passage... 1. We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. 2. It was God who made it grow. Hay una humildad genuina en las personas que están dominadas por el Espíritu y podemos verlo en dos declaraciones que hace Pablo al final de este pasaje... 1. Solo somos siervos de Dios a través de los cuales creíste en la Buena Noticia. Cada uno de nosotros hizo el trabajo que el Señor nos dio. 2. Fue Dios quien lo hizo crecer. Whatever has been accomplished -- To God be the glory for all the things He has done in my life God I am a sinner I'm sorry for my sins I believe Jesus died for my sins I believe Jesus will forgive my sins I choose Jesus 2