What’s In It For Me?

Joseph Penner

1 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted 5 months ago • Presented 5 months ago

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INTRODUCTION

Do you ever have the feeling that you have to prove yourself?

Maybe you feel that you have to

prove that you can do the job… or

prove that you’re a good enough parent… or

prove that you’re smart, beautiful or strong…

The truth is,

We all feel a need to prove ourselves…

To others…

our parents…

our coworkers…

our friends…

We also feel a need to prove ourselves…

To ourselves…

Madonna is a well-known singer,

and even after making it big in the 80’s,

she felt the need to prove herself as well,

She never felt she was good enough…

In an interview in the early 90’s, she said…

“My drive in life comes from a fear of being mediocre. That is always pushing me. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being but then I feel I am still mediocre and uninteresting unless I do something else.

Because even though I have become somebody, I still have to prove that I am somebody. My struggle has never ended and I guess it never will.”

It may be easy to criticize Madonna,

but she has an awareness about herself that few of us have.

The truth is, we ALL feel like we have to prove ourselves.

Which is why we are often motivated by the question…

“What’s in it for me?”

We may not always say it, or even think it,

but we are often motivated by this question.

The truth is… if we’re honest,

we usually only want to do something if we have something to gain.

I will do it…

if I get some money out of it…

I will do it…

if I gain power…

I will do it…

if I gain recognition…

We are motivated by a need to be validated by others,

or a need to validate ourselves.

Transition to Paul

But listen to the way Paul handles this dilemma in his own life…

1 Corinthians 4:1–5 ESV

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

You see,

Paul didn’t care what others thought of him…

because they don’t know his heart.

he didn’t even care what he thought of himself…

because even if he thought he was in the right,

he may be wrong.

Paul rightly understood that God is the ultimate Judge,

so his only aim in life was to be found faithful to Him!

Paul had what Timothy Keller calls…

Gospel-Humility

Paul knew that he had been saved by God’s grace,

and that all that He had was from God.

He once found his identity in the law,

trying to prove himself to himself and others through his legalism.

But now he found his identity in Christ!

He no longer needed to listen to what others said about him,

and he didn’t need to validate himself…

he simply cared about what God said about him.

This produced a “Gospel-Humility” in him,

that allowed him to freely, and joyfully give his life to God,

so that he might be faithful to God for His salvation!

Transition to Sermon

This morning we are going to learn from Paul how to stop asking the question…

What’s In It For Me?

and start…

Subtitle: Cultivating a Heart of Gospel-Humility

Prayer for Illumination

Lord…

Scripture Announcement

Turn with me in your Bibles to…

1 Corinthians 4:6—21.

Scripture Introduction

We have been going through the letter of 1 Corinthians,

which was a letter written by Paul to the church in city of Corinth.

If you have missed any of our sermons,

you can listen back to them on our website, lemchurch.ca.

They’re also on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts.

In the first part of this letter,

Paul has been contrasting the wisdom of God and the world.

One of the things our world does is elevate leaders over one another.

But Paul says that is not acceptable in the church.

Using himself and other leaders as an example,

he shows that leaders are servants of God,

that He uses to grow His church.

Now he is going to apply that same truth to the Corinthians.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 4:6–21 ESV

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Billboard

What we are going to see this morning is:

The Attitude of Gospel-Humility

The Result of Gospel-Humility; and

The Example of Gospel-Humility

SERMON BODY

First…

1. The Attitude of Gospel-Humility

If we want to become a gospel-humble person,

we need to understand what kind of attitude they have.

What is the posture of their heart?

How do they view themselves?

Paul describes the sort of attitude a person who has been humbled by the gospel has…

EXPLAIN

An attitude of gospel-humility recognizes…

a. All that you ARE is from God

1 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

Paul has been using himself and Apollos as examples,

in order to instruct the Church in Corinth.

They are the apostles and preachers,

and yet they seem themselves as servants of Christ.

Paul and Apollos didn’t use their knowledge, status, or position to puff themselves up…

They rightly understood that all that they were was from God.

Paul remembered and shared his conversion,

and he knew if God hadn’t intervened in his life,

he would have continued fighting against God…

persecuting His church

Were it not for God’s grace in Paul’s life,

He would still be lost in sin.

Paul goes on to say in the beginning of verse 7…

1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

7 For who sees anything different in you?

What he’s saying is, “What makes you so special? Do you think you’re different than us?”

Paul is saying to the Corinthians,

you should’t be proud either, because you too have been saved by God’s grace.

You are His child because HE has saved you…

which should make you humble… because…

All that you are is from God.

An attitude of gospel-humility also recognizes…

b. All that you HAVE is from God

1 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

7 What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

The Corinthians were proud and boasting in:

their gifts…

their achievements…

their possessions…

their leaders…

their wisdom…

Paul asks the question, “what do you have that you did not receive?”

He’s making the point that everything a person has is a gift from God.

He goes on to ask, “If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

They would not have anything were it not for God,

and yet they had an attitude of pride,

as if they deserved credit for what they had.

John MacArthur says…

“Pride is deception, since everything a person possesses is from God’s providential hand.” — John MacArthur

Summary

The Corinthians were deceived into thinking they were better than others.

They were proud and boasting.

Paul corrects them, and tells them they should have an attitude of gospel-humility that recognizes:

all that you are is from God…

all that you have is from God.

ILLUSTRATE

Mary, the mother of our Lord,

was a beautiful example of gospel-humility.

After the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah…

she responded…

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

38 “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

And listen to her humble heart when she sings her song of praise to the Lord…

Luke 1:46–55 (ESV)

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; 52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;

53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Summary

Mary had been given the privilege of being the mother of our Lord,

but she knew this privilege was from God.

How silly would it have sounded for her to begin boasting?

“Hey Elizabeth… that’s pretty cool that you are pregnant with John…

but I’m pregnant with the Messiah!”

No… she knew this privilege and honour was from the gracious hand of the Father,

and she had a humble, servant heart,

that was grateful…

and desired to be found faithful!

APPLY

Brothers and sisters,

it would be equally ridiculous for us,

as Christians, to boast about what God has given us!

God did not save you because you were a good person and worthy of being saved!

He did not see your education, talent or skill,

and decide to save you because you would be a real asset to His team!

You were a sinner, who deserved God’s judgement…

You were lost in your sin, and cared nothing for God or pleasing Him…

You were blinded by Satan, and seeking only to please yourself…

But God in His grace,

transformed your heart…

gave you new life through faith in Christ…

and gave you gifts to serve His church.

Since we did nothing to deserve God’s grace and His blessings…

how crazy would it be for us to boast about what God has given us?

God’s grace should make us humble

because we recognize we didn’t deserve any of it,

and yet God has redeemed us for His glory.

Summary

And that gospel-humility leads us to willingly give our lives to God,

to please Him, and be found faithful.

Transition

That is…

The Attitude of Gospel-Humility.

Next we see…

2. The Result of Gospel-Humility

A person who lives with true gospel-humility:

gives thanks and praise to God for His blessing…

seeks to live for the glory and honour of Christ… and

serves the church with their spiritual gifts to help nurture it and help it grow.

So, what is the result of someone who lives with an attitude of gospel-humility?

EXPLAIN

Paul tells us that one of the results of is…

a. You will be looked down on

1 Corinthians 4:8–10 ESV

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

In this section, Paul is using sarcasm to rebuke the Corinthians.

Paul says, “You have all you want… you have become rich… and have become kings!”

Apparently the Corinthians thought that godliness was a means of gain…

a way to get wealth and power.

Meanwhile, Paul says that he, as an apostle,

and he is being treated like a criminal…

a man sentenced to death!

He goes on to contrast the difference in how they were being treated…

In essence he says… if we’re both promoting the crucified Christ…

How is that we are considered fools, while you are considered wise?

How is that we are considered weak, while you are considered strong?

How is that you are held in honour, while we are dishonoured?

Paul is really challenging if they are being faithful to the message of the cross,

We remember that Paul said back in…

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing

A person who lives with an attitude of gospel-humility

seeks to be faithful to God by holding true to the message of the cross,

and if you do that you will be looked down on.

Another result of gospel-humility is…

b. You will be blessed

Now look closely with me at verse 11—13.

You’re not going to want to miss the incredible blessings God has for those with an attitude of gospel-humility…

1 Corinthians 4:11–13 ESV

11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

Maybe you’re thinking,

“Joe, I’m not sure what’s wrong with you…

those sure don’t sounds like blessings!”

Paul is sharing some of the hardships they endured as they spread the gospel…

they were hungry, thirsty, homeless, and poorly clothed…

they had to work to provide for their own needs…

and to top it all off…

they were treated like scum… like garbage…

This is the result of living with gospel-humility!

All through the letter to this point,

Paul has been comparing God’s wisdom to the wisdom of this world.

When you follow the world’s wisdom,

you get the best pay, the best perks, and the honour.

But God’s wisdom doesn’t earn you favour and blessing according to this world…

it earns you favour and blessing with God!

ILLUSTRATE

In our church Bible reading plan for this year,

we have been challenged to memorize the sermon on the mount.

Three weeks ago we came to the end of Matthew 5.

How many of you have Matthew 5 memorized?

How many of you have memorized some of Matthew 5?

Even if you haven’t memorized it,

I would encourage you to work on memorizing the beatitudes,

which is Matthew 5:1—12.

In this passage, Jesus tells us how to be blessed…

We tend to think of blessing as payment/wages.

“If I please God, then He will bless me…

He will give me things.”

But the word “blessed” is not referring to payment…

it’s referring to a state of mind.

The word Jesus uses here for blessed literally means “happy”.

But not happy in a superficial sense…

Happy as in…

“a deep inner sense of well-being and satisfaction that is there irrespective of what our external circumstances may be like.” — Charles Price

As I read these verses, keep this definition of happy in mind.

3 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you’re poor in spirit, because you know you have the promise of heaven.

4 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you mourn, because you know you will be comforted.

5 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you are meek, because you will inherit the earth.

6 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you desire righteousness, for you will be satisified.

7 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you are merciful, for you will receive mercy.

8 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you have a pure heart, for you will see God.

9 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

you seek peace, for you will be called sons of God.

10 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for you have the promise of heaven.

11 You will have a deep inner sense of happiness when…

others insult and persecute you because you follow me…

12 because you know your reward is great in heaven.

The sort of people Jesus is describing have far more than a superficial, surface level happiness that comes from the pleasures, possessions, and pride of this world…

Those who seek God’s kingdom first,

have a deep sense of joy from God because they are following Him,

and have the promise of a great reward in heaven!

Paul no longer desired the fleeting pleasures of this world,

because he understood that knowing Christ is worth more than all of it!

Summary

You see…

blessing is not about getting stuff…

it’s about a state of mind!

APPLY

Our problem is that we are like the Corinthians!

We think that godliness is a means of gain.

We desire to follow God,

but our hope is that it will lead to:

wealth,

power, and

favour in the world’s eyes.

But the truth is,

that a person who lives with gospel-humility,

and truly seeks to honour Christ by proclaiming His good news,

will be looked down on!

The world hears our message,

and hates it, and us.

They think it’s stupid.

They hate us, just as the world hated Jesus.

You feel this tension every day don’t you?

When you’re about to pray for your meal,

When you sense an opportunity to pray for someone, or

talk about Jesus, God, the Bible,

you feel that pit in your stomach,

knowing that people will look down on you,

or think you’re silly,

or even make fun of you.

The truth is, we are not going to gain popularity, or wealth through the gospel

we will be looked down on.

But the promise that we do have is that we will be blessed!

Not with the fleeting pleasures of this world,

but a deep sense of blessing/joy/satisfaction in obeying God,

because we know we have an eternal inheritance waiting for us through Christ!

Transition

We have seen…

The Attitude of Gospel-Humility; and

The Result of Gospel-Humility…

Now we see…

3. The Example of Gospel-Humility

Paul was the first one to go to Corinth with the message of the gospel,

and then others came after him to build on the foundation of Christ that he laid.

We’ve talked about how Paul warned the Corinthians not to compare leaders,

or elevate them over one another,

but that doesn’t mean we just blindly follow our leaders.

There were some leaders who were arrogant, selfishly motivated,

and misleading the Corinthians.

So Paul gave his own life as an example of gospel-humility,

so that they knew what sort of leaders to follow.

EXPLAIN

We should…

a. Follow those who follow Christ

1 Corinthians 4:14–17 ESV

14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.

You can sense Paul’s love and burden for the Corinthians.

Like a father taking his child aside,

kneeling down, holding his child’s face in his hands,

and gently instructing her.

And that’s exactly how he sees himself,

as a father to them,

since he was there from the beginning of their faith.

He saw them when they were born again in Christ…

He saw as they took their first steps as believers…

He saw them growing in their faith and obedience…

Through all this, Paul was there as an example to them,

patiently walking with them, holding their hand.

Now writing to them, Paul instructs them to continue to imitate his example.

And he sent Timothy to remind them of his ways in Christ,

as he teaches them everywhere.

Paul was consistent!

No matter where he went…

No matter who he was with…

No matter what his circumstances…

Paul was a faithful example of following Christ,

and stayed true to the message of the gospel,

which is why his life was worthy of imitation.

Paul was a worthy example of gospel-humility.

We should also…

b. Follow those who produce fruit

1 Corinthians 4:18–21 ESV

18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

There were arrogant leaders among the Corinthians who were not following Christ.

They were smooth talkers, trying to win people to themselves.

They could convince people with their arguments,

but their was no power… no fruit!

Back in 1 Cor 2:1-5, Paul said…

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 (ESV)

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Truly gospel-humble people do not draw attention to themselves,

but they seek to be faithful to Christ and the message of the cross.

It is then that God who is at work,

producing fruit through the power of the Holy Spirit.

If we want to know who to follow,

we can look at what fruit is being produced as a result of their teaching.

Summary

We must follow the right leaders…

the ones who are being faithful examples of gospel-humility as they:

follow Christ, and produce fruit.

ILLUSTRATE

Yesterday we had the privilege of being a part of Jason & Milayah Redekop’s wedding day.

Weddings are always a special day as you see two people giving their lives to one another,

since marriage is a picture of how Christ loves the church,

and how the church loves Christ.

One of the most emotional parts of the wedding reception is the father-daughter dance.

Yesterday, Milayah and her father, Jake, danced to the song,

“I loved her first” by Heartland.

The song is from the perspective of a father who is giving away his daughter to her husband,

but wants him to remember that…

But I loved her first, I held her first And a place in my heart will always be hers From the first breath she breathed When she first smiled at me I knew the love of a father runs deep And I prayed that she'd find you someday But it's still hard to give her away I loved her first

A father sacrifices so much for his children…

and is committed to their well-being, growth, and maturity.

He wants what is best for them!

Summary

It is the love of a father that Paul uses to show his love for the Corinthians.

He was faithful to follow Christ,

and the fruit of his life was a commitment to their growth and well-being.

and because of this he calls them to imitate him.

APPLY

Brothers and sisters,

we must be careful who we follow!

We can be easily convinced through clever, passionate talkers…

so we need to look beyond their words,

to their example.

Who do you look to in your life for advice? Who do you trust?

Are they practicing what they preach?

Are they living out what they’re promoting?

Are they invested in you like a father,

committed to your growth,

and sacrificing themselves for you?

We live in a day and age where it is so hard to know if someone is really genuine.

Are they really trying to help me,

or are they just interested in benefiting themself?

We need to look to those who are following Christ!

They are not perfect, make mistakes, and have room to grow, but:

They have an attitude of gospel-humility…

they don’t boast in themselves, but give God the glory.

They faithfully proclaim Christ crucified…

even though it will result in them being looked down on by the world.

They are seeking to live for Jesus, and build His kingdom

and the fruit that comes is hearts and lives that are committed to help others grow in faith and trust in Jesus!

Summary

These are the sorts of people that we should follow,

because they are beautiful examples of gospel-humility.

CONCLUSION

Closing Illustration

In Acts 20,

We read that Paul met with the Ephesian elders before heading to Jerusalem.

As Paul talks with them he talks about how…

He lived among the Ephesians…

He served them with humility, tears, and trials…

He faithfully taught them the message of the gospel.

Then Paul talks about where God is calling him next…

Acts 20:22–24 (ESV)

22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.