Maturity in Christ

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OPENING:
If you have your Bibles, please open up to 1 Corinthians chapter 2.
As you’re opening up, I want you to think through a couple questions:
What does spiritual maturity look like in a believer’s life?
I think spiritual maturity is to grow in Christ-likeness
Am I growing in Christ-likeness?
Are you seeing spiritual growth in your walk with Christ?
What does growing in Christ-likeness look like?
Maybe we need to take a step back and ask the question behind the question…
Do you desire to grow in holiness and sanctification?
Is there s desire to grow to be like-Christ?
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When Jesus told His apostles to make disciples of all the nations, what He was telling them to do is make followers of Him.
Yes, discipleship starts with sharing the Gospel, but discipleship is also coming alongside and helping a brother or a sister grow in Christ-likeness…
to grow in the knowledge of Him so that we can walk as faithful ambassadors of the King!
When asked what the state of the church in America is regrading one’s personal growth in holiness and spiritual maturity, the results were saddening.
According to a recent Barna Poll:
81% of Christians equate spiritual maturity with trying hard to follow rules in the Bible
56% of Christians feel their spiritual life is entirely private
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In our mens group on Wednesdays, Steve made the statement that our spiritual growth is a community project.
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I want to talk today about what was on the mind of Paul who was writing to a church that is dealing with a lot of the same struggles you may see in the American church today.
You see the map on the screen…
Last week, Pastor Ron went over end of Acts 18 and into the beginning of Acts 19. Today I am taking us to 1 Corinthians chapter 2, which is part of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey and correlates to where we are in the book of Acts.
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I always think it’s important to provide historical context for the passage we are in.
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DATE: Uncertain. Probably A.D. 54-56 ON PAUL’S THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY.
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Paul's travels took him briefly to Ephesus (Ac. 18:19-21), then to Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch (Ac. 18:22), before embarking on his third missionary journey through Galatia (Ac. 18:23).
Paul composed the letter while in Ephesus, where he ministered for three years (Ac. 20:31).
AUDIENCE: “To the church of God at Corinth, to those set apart in Christ Jesus” (1:2).
Paul’s wording of being set apart is important the better you understand the culture of Corinth.
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The City of Corinth was the capital of Achaia, located at the southern tip of Greece. Corinth was a commercial paradise. All commercial traffic traveling by land from North and South also chose to pass through the city.
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Some things to know about Corinth:
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The city had a diverse population: Greeks, Latins, Jews, Egyptians, Syrians, and Asiatics. Large population and economic success - Corinth became known for its sports and Olympics.
Corinth was morally corrupt. Material prosperity and traveling tradesmen made for a spirit of partying, drunkenness, and all sorts of immoral living. The name, “Corinth” became synonymous with immoral behavior and corruption. The local residents predominantly worshipped the great goddess of love, Aphrodite. You may see an image of her on a coin on the screen. The temple housed 1,000 sacred prostitutes.
Corinth was not only an intellectual and cultural hub but also a place where pleasure was highly valued, There was minimal regard for the law, except for satisfying one's own desires.
So what is the purpose that Paul wrote to the Corinthians?
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PURPOSE: Paul wrote for three reasons.
To call the Corinth church back to unity as one body in Christ. The church had experienced significant division, with disputes, arguments, and the formation of cliques.
Secondly, Paul addressed spiritual laziness within the church.
Lastly, Paul was asked by the church to address specific questions regarding marriage, Christian freedom, rights, public worship, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of the dead.
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Much, if not all of 1 Corinthians is a letter of rebuke, exhortation, and teaching towards spiritually immature Christians. Everything in our text today focuses on Paul’s main purpose in fellow Christians lives.
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And there’s much we can learn from it.
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CHAPTER 2
1. Paul’s mission is to offer sound preaching which does not rely on eloquence or human philosophy. (2:1)
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2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.

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Paul focuses his message of truth not in elegant words, not about being superior than someone else or having more wisdom than another person - nor with philosophy that would have been common and attractive for the Corinthians to latch on to.
No, Paul expresses that the way of God, which he was called to the office as an apostle to them, is not with eloquent or flashy speech or with worldly wisdom
Paul is saying, i’m not here to puff up your pride - he knew they were already struggling with a complex of who had the better spiritual gifts, who had more knowledge, who was part of the better clique, who followed the better teacher within the church
Paul is saying the Christian life is not about being better than others
What’s interesting…
If anyone could be puffed up it was Paul - his human teaching from Gamalia was from one of the greatest teachers of his time and then Paul received direct revelation from Christ.
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A small point to make is that human wisdom can easily puff one up- - but if it is spirit lead - it leads to humility.
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2. Paul’s mission is to give sound preaching that focuses on what is most important (2:2)
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The New King James Version (Chapter 2)
2:2 For I determined not to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
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Paul makes a similar statement in 1:17:
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), 1 Co 1:17.
Paul did not come to them with human wisdom or philosophy, he came to know only one thing: is Jesus living in you?
Has the Gospel turned that heart of stone into a heart of flesh?
Do you desire to walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
Do you desire to grow in Christ-likeness?
The expression, “I am determined” (ekrina) means to have decided. Paul made it his mission to preach of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.
Notice that Paul’s message is Jesus Christ AND Him crucified. Paul wanted people to know who Jesus is. The Son of the true and living God, the One who was and is to come. Paul was determined to know nothing about the believers in Corinth expect Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
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Why the extra emphasis on Jesus being crucified?
When you see how Paul writes 1 Corinthians you see expressions over and over again of how this church was given over to so many worldly thinking and carnal ways:
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21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

Then Paul moves to a rebuke in chapter 3:

3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.

2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

This focus of who is better, which teacher speaks with more eloquent words and philosophy?
Paul was concerned about preaching Christ and Him crucified.

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,

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As Christians we are called to die to ourselves. We are called to crucify the flesh with its passions and lusts. And we are called to confess our sins one to another.
We are called to this community project of discipleship SO THAT we know Christ and Him crucified in us and we know each other so well that we can say, brother or sister - I know Christ is in you.
I see Him in you. And I see you growing in the likeness of Christ more and more.
And if I see you stumble - I am here to pick you up. And if I stumble, I know you’re there to pick me up - and point me back to the truth.
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3. Paul’s mission was to give sound preaching that is proclaimed with a great sense of insufficiency (2:3)
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The New King James Version (Chapter 2)
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
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One of my favorite commentaries says this about verse 3:
“When Paul came into Corinth he was sensing weakness in the ministry, a great personal inadequacy. In the four cities where he had ministered prior to Corinth, he had faced great trouble in the ministry. In Philippi he had seen a promising beginning smashed by the Judaizers or religionists. Similar happenings occurred at Thessalonica and at Berea. And in the city from which he had just come, Athens, Paul experienced what some say was a failure. Athens was a great intellectual center, full of philosophers bristling about with the latest philosophies and world news. Paul had attempted to meet them on their own philosophic grounds. He had reduced Christianity to philosophic terms. He had tried to speak to them in the wisdom of the world, using their own terms and quoting their own authorities (Ac. 17:22-31). His philosophical approach apparently failed to reach many for Christ (Ac. 17:32-34). Thus, it seems that somewhere along the road, traveling between Athens and Corinth, Paul determined that forever after he would preach Christ and Christ alone, and he would preach in the simplest of words. He would never again wrap up the story of Jesus in the words of human wisdom and flowery speech.”
Philosophy puffs up. Piety is worthless if it’s not based on truth.
And now you see the heart behind Paul’s intent in 1 Corinthians 13, known as the chapter of love:
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2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

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In our weakness, He (Christ) is strong

27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

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Paul:
a. Paul’s expresses that he is weak in body (2 Co. 10:10; 11:6), and that he suffered from some kind of physical infirmity (Ga. 4:14; 6:11).
What is sound preaching? What makes preaching sound?
Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
This is so simple, yet it is incredibly profound.
We strive to find greater things and move beyond the Gospel - we have graduated from the Gospel.
We never graduate from the Gospel - if any of us has graduated from the Gospel - at that very moment is when we need the Gospel the most.
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Sound preaching is not enough for many.
People are drawn to charismatic leaders, ones who are gifted orators. They want flashy lights and concert-like experiences. God’s people should not care so much about these things…but we do
And so did the church at Corinth.
We need to come before God with all our insufficiencies - that’s when He can use us the most!
When we come in meekness, lowliness, and humility
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A.W. Tozer said the following:
The Apostle Paul talked about the carnal Christians of Corinth, and he labored and prayed and wept over the carnality of those Christians. This describes most evangelicals today: carnal, immature, without miracles, without wonders, lacking a wonderful sense of the presence of the Lord, held together by social activities and nothing else.
1 Corinthians 3:1–3; 2 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 12:20–21
Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church, 89.
A. W. Tozer
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4. Paul’s mission was to give sound preaching that is not with persuasive words, but a demonstration of the Spirit’s power (2:4)
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4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

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Paul makes a distinction between his speech and his preaching. Why? Well, they are two different ways of communication.
Preaching is when Paul would stand up and give a message, but his speech is when he would be spending more dedicated time with people.
So not only was his preaching Christ focused, but also when he came down from the “pulpit” -
And this is where the rubber meets the road.
Does our daily walk with God reflect to others that Christ is our hope, joy, life, and love?
Do the people in your home see the same person as you are on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights?
Have you repented and asked for forgiveness for being hypocritical to those who know you best?
Paul mentions demonstration of the Spirit & power!
I think in chapter 4 he shares what this power of the Spirit looks like:

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.

17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

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The power of the Spirit is in love and gentleness.
Only the Holy Spirit can convict, convince, and convert a person to live for God. Only the Holy Spirit can impart life to a person. Therefore, the minister of God must surrender his life to the Spirit of God. He must be filled with the presence, fullness, and power of the Holy Spirit.
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Lastly,
5. Paul’s mission was to give sound preaching which leads to faith (2:5)
a. Not in man’s ability
b. In God’s power
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5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

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There is no power in the wisdom of men or the ways of the world.
There’s no power in philosophy or anything that boasts of greatness which is apart from God.
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There is power in the name of Jesus.
There is power by the Spirit.
There is power in the One true & living God
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Following these first 5 verses Paul goes on to explain that the wisdom of this age or wisdom of rulers will come to nothing.
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Paul says:

11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

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If we are to grow in Christ-likeness we need to put off the ways of this world, the worldly thinking, human philosophy, and desires of the flesh - otherwise like this passage continues to describes, we are living carnally and not by the Spirit
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Your faith should not be in the wisdom of men/the world - but in the power of God
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We as Christians rely and rest in Him - in Christ Jesus our Lord by the power of the Spirit - the same Spirit that gave you spiritual life when by FAITH you put your trust in Christ
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And this is the message we preach = Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
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It’s important to preach the whole counsel of God.
Obviously, we do preach not only Jesus Christ and Him crucified, but also His resurrection. Paul does not leave this point out in his letter to the Corinthians:
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15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,

2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

So we preach Christ and Him crucified b/c our God over all creation has loved the world so much that He sent His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins and take the penalty of death and sin away.
If you believe by faith this message I am preaching today - that Jesus is the only way to be saved from your sins and you place your trust in Jesus - you will be saved.
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For those that know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, what can we do to grow in spiritual maturity?
How do we apply what we’ve learned today?
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Abide in Christ - spend time in His Word and in prayer - do this privately and collectively - His Word is alive and active…
We disciple and be discipled - our spiritual growth is a community project - and I encourage you to get involved in the areas where discipleship is happening
Men’s Study, woman’s study, youth study on Wednesday nights
I lead a small group 1st and 3rd Sunday every month where we gather for 1 .5 hours to dive deeper into the Sunday message and talk about how we can apply what we’ve learned
Steve and Amy disciple 2nd and 4th Friday of the month
Brian and Christie Johnson host a small group led by Pastor Ron 2x a month on Tuesdays
This can also happen on a one-on-one basis
We share our burdens with one another - this means we are open, transparent, confessing our sins to one another, true spiritual growth cannot happen if we bottle up and hide our struggles - dropping our pride, examining our hearts, asking for help - this is where the devil does not have a foot hold in your life - this is where the devil cannot win - this is where there freedom in Christ is found - when we humbly go before Him and His throne of grace and confess to Him and often to one another where we struggle.
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Let’s be that kind of church. Let’s imitate Paul as he imitated Christ. Let’s get our hearts ready- - we are not promised another day - let us worship Him and walk in His ways in all we do and let’s do life for Him TOGETHER and see us growing in spiritual maturity.
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