Personal Appeal to Change

Opening Scripture Verse: Matthew 22:29 “But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.”

Opening Prayer (Include Big Woods)

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1–16

Sermon Text: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Prayer

Change?

Why is change often necessary?

Because we are not perfect.

Because we are wrong.

Change for their own good!

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to change for their own good.

Paul wants what’s best for them.

There are two points in this text that prove that Paul wants what’s best for them.

Paul loves them like his own children (vv. 14-17).

He tells them why he’s writing as he has (v. 14).

He was somewhat sarcastic and harsh in the previous text.

But it was to instruct them/encourage them towards beneficial change.

He reminds them of his unique relationship with them (v. 15).

They had many guardians (servant responsible for caring for young children).

But they only had one father (spiritually speaking). Paul founded the church (Acts 18).

He knows there are good reasons to suffering as a servant (v. 16).

He’s learned by experience the goodness of serving God.

And he wants that for them as well.

1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:6 “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”

This is the reason for his efforts for the Corinthians (v. 17).

In sending Timothy.

In promoting the same principles that are good for all.

So, Paul has been actively giving of himself to them.

Secondly...

Paul wants them to know God’s power (vv. 18-21).

Not just words, but real power (vv. 18-19).

Those influential people may be great talkers (even to convince the Corinthians that Paul was done with them).

But, Paul will return (if God wills it), and it will be clear to Paul if their words have power.

What power is he thinking of (v. 20)?

The power (strength or ability) OF GOD that accompanies talk/words…words that God uses in powerful ways, which Paul has already pointed out in this letter...

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:24 “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 “and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

1 Thessalonians 1:4–5 “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

And it is this power that brings people into God’s kingdom.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

1 Corinthians 1:30 “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,”

Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,”

THIS IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SAVE AND CHANGE PEOPLE.

Do the “arrogant” have this power because they are promoting this gospel? I think Paul already knows the answer to this.

He wanted the Corinthians to see it before he got there (v. 21).

Will they repent and change before he arrives? Will they abandon their arrogant, self-centered ways?

Or will he still have to deal with them harshly, because the necessary change is worth it.

Power to Change

Paul loves the Corinthians and he wants the Corinthians to continue in the power of God that saves and changes people (and they had a lot of changes they needed to make).

The Apostolic ministry through Paul in Corinth represented the power of God for change. There was hope for change and growth in that church because of the apostles’ doctrine (Paul’s teaching).

Do you want to see God’s saving and changing power? We can seek God’s saving and changing power for our selves, and for our families, and for our church. We should want that, we can pray for that, we can know that His sanctifying Words are given to us. He loves us, He has spoken to us, He has promised to change us.

Benediction:

2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”