Fool's for Christ's Sake

Midweek 10.11.23

1 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

All that He’s been warning the Corinthians about in himself is what he is trying to communicate to the church

Not a human judgement but the judgment of God that we should be worried (concerned with

Do you feel a sense of urgency

I’m feeling a sense of urgency like never before

End timeS??!? Even if it’s not act as IF

It’s going to get worse before it get’s better

WE should learn by Paul’s examples:

Often included himself in his rebukes as if he was talking to himself

True preaching doesn’t talk down to others

If we really wish to help and save people our attitude must not be one of condemnation but one of pleading

Not criticism but compassion

I think this is really where I see people get off course

Either not having enough compassion or too little confrontation

1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV

7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

God’s word always condemns Pride:

God hates pride

What do you have that you did not receive?

The whole doctrine of Grace is here

No matter what we think we achieved or even earned it wouldn’t be possible without HIS GRACE

No one could have ever known God unless he had revealed himself

We are saved

Gratefulness keeps us from Pride

The basic fault of the Corinthians was that they had forgotten who they owed their souls to

1 Corinthians 4:8–9 NKJV

8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

He talks about the deep contrast between the Corinthians lives and the lives of the apostles:

Their pride, their feelings of superiority and their self satisfaction with His life

Paul chooses a vivid picture here:

When a Roman general won a great victory, he was allowed to parade his victorious army through the streets of the city with all the trophies that he won: the procession was called a triumph

At the end of the triumph, there came a little group of captives who were doomed to death; they were being taken to the arena to fight with wild beast and die.

To the Corinthians their life meant flaunting their privileges and racking up achievements

To Paul it meant humble service and readiness to die for Christ

You know when you meet someone and you think their going to be super arrogant or not nice

And your pleasantly surprised by their humility?

That’s nice

Alex Rodriguez

1 Corinthians 4:10 NKJV

10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!

Fool:

as in lunatic

a person who lacks good sense or judgment

lunatic

idiot

simpleton

nitwit

doofus

moon calf

goose

Proverbs 18:2 NKJV

2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

Proverbs 12:15 NKJV

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Fool for Christ:

We’re ignorant of the things of the World

Romans 16:19 NKJV

19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.

Doesn’t mean don’t know what going on

I don’t think we have to be on the pulse of culture

In fact the opposite

A person who lacks good sense

2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

A lunatic:

Be ok with being offensive

I was listening to someone talk about religion well we don’t want to make people uncomfortable

Even Christians:

1 Peter 2:8 NKJV

8 and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

It shouldn’t feel good

Can we get a sense of urgency for the lost?

Can we start pleading with people?

Mark 10:17–22 NKJV

17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Notice that Jesus didn’t run after him and say so sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feeling lets talk about this

Luke 9:60 NKJV

60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

We have a Job to do!

1 Corinthians 4:14–16 NKJV

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

What do Father’s do?

They love

They guide

They correct

They set an example to follow

Are you worthy of being imitated?

Do you want your kids to talk like you?

Watch the same things you do?

React like you?

Handle opposition like you?

Do people see the truth in you?