Sermon Tone Analysis

Sermon Illustration

DECEPTION OF SELF

DECEPTION OF SELF

Jessica Hawn, former church secretary who committed immoral acts with Jim Bakker (former host of the PTL Club), and later brought down the PTL empire, said today (9-28-87) that God gave her "real peace" about granting an interview to Playboy magazine and posing for topless pictures.

On 9-29-87 the news reports that she still considers herself a Christian, but goes to God "one-on-one," not through any church or organization.

Also: she doesn't consider herself a "bimbo."

But her mother does.

Scripture Passage

Paul continues to develop the characterization of the Corinthian Christians as immature as in chapter 2.

B. The personality-focused factions that are mentioned in chapter 1 are mentioned again specifically in chapter 3.

This shows that chapters 1-3 are a sustained argument about human wisdom and Christian leadership.

C. Note the three groups.

1. natural man,

2. spiritual man,

3. babes in Christ,

the context implies that Paul is accusing them of not understanding the gospel, of being unspiritual, jealous, and factious.

It seems best not to relate this text to all Christians, but also, neither to restrict it to leaders.

This text specifically relates to those who promote factions and divisions within the church.

All believers will give an account to God of their service to or damage to His body, the church

Foundations for Church Unity

Paul warns the Corinthians against judging their leaders according to human wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.

He also reminds them that it is God who feeds and grows the church, not human leaders (vv.

4–9).

Paul reminds the church that there is no room for rivalries.

All leaders build on a single foundation—Jesus Christ—to help build up God’s temple—His people (vv.

16–17).

Paul chastises the Corinthian Christians because of their divisiveness that evidences the fact that they have not understood the wisdom that comes from God.

They are following worldly or “fleshly” ambitions and not spiritual ones, and as a result, Paul must speak to them as he would a child, that is, those who are not spiritually mature.

The foundation that Paul has laid through the proclamation of Christ was built upon by others, but he urges the Christians to be cautious about how they build upon it.

The foundation of which he speaks is Christ himself and no inappropriate materials such as divisiveness will be able to be placed upon it.

He concludes with a warning that anyone who destroys the building of God, the holy temple which is the church, God will destroy.

Paul warns the Corinthians against judging their leaders according to human wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.

He also reminds them that it is God who feeds and grows the church, not human leaders (vv.

4–9).

Paul reminds the church that there is no room for rivalries.

All leaders build on a single foundation—Jesus Christ—to help build up God’s temple—His people (vv.

16–17).

Problem: Spiritually Immature

1 Corinthians

Paul returns to the “spiritual” and “carnal” or “fleshly” categories in his discussion of the failures of the Corinthian Christians to urge them to set aside their differences.

In the process, he accuses them of immaturity, that is, of being “babes” in Christ.

brothers The Greek word used here, adelphoi, collectively refers to both male and female believers.

as to spiritual people Paul’s inability to address the Corinthian believers as spiritual people does not mean they do not have the Spirit; rather, they are conducting themselves like people who do not have the Spirit.

Paul must address them accordingly so that they will understand and repent.

to fleshly people The Corinthian believers are immature in their faith; Paul must address them as though they are still led by their own nature (choices) rather than the Spirit.

Compare 2:14 and note.

to infants Implies immaturity.

The Corinthian believers demonstrated their immaturity through divisiveness and failure to grasp the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Paul asserts that such behavior is inappropriate for those in Christ

Utley declares:

Every believer starts as a baby Christian.

There is no shame in this.

This is the origin of the familial metaphor derived from the concept of being "born again,” but we must not stay infants!

1 Corinthians 3:

milk Probably refers to the original gospel message that the Corinthian believers accepted (2:6–16)—God’s salvation revealed through the crucified messiah, Jesus.

solid food Involves the same basic content as “milk” (i.e., the gospel message), but with a more full and descriptive treatment (1 Cor 2:6–13).

This is a continuing metaphor of the new Christian as being a brand new creature characterized as a child (cf.

; ).

Tertullian and Hippolytus tell us that the early church gave a glass of milk to the new converts at their first communion as a symbol of this very truth.

This is a continuing metaphor of the new Christian as being a brand new creature characterized as a child (cf.

; ).

Tertullian and Hippolytus tell us that the early church gave a glass of milk to the new converts at their first communion as a symbol of this very truth.

▣ "for you were not yet able to receive it" By the time Paul wrote this letter, many months had passed.

Although it is appropriate to be a baby Christian at the beginning of the Christian life, it is a tragedy to still be a baby Christian after many years.

Reality Check

fleshly Emphasizes the Corinthian believers’ immoral behavior, first mentioned in 1:11.

The Greek word used here, sarkikos, refers to what is physical or earthly in contrast to what is spiritual; here, it refers specifically to the Corinthians’ behavior.

Paul does not fault them for being human, but he does fault them for their unethical conduct.

As people who assume they are wise, they should have known to behave better.

there is jealousy and strife Two actions that harm the unity of the Church (compare 2 Cor 12:20; Gal 5:20); both are characteristic of sophists.

;

"are you not walking like mere men" The grammatical form of this question expects a "yes" answer.

This is the essence of carnality.

Maturity is seen by its fruits, both in attitude and actions

Reality Check

This further reflects the divisions within the Corinthian Church

This reflects the divisions

Reality: Unity in Ministry (watering, working, warning)

:5

I planted Paul uses an agricultural metaphor to explain that different leaders have different roles in the growth of the church.

Paul was responsible for founding the Corinthian church (2 Cor 10:14).

Since these ministries are interdependent, each one is important.

watered Refers to the instruction of the church community (Acts 18:27–28).

God was causing it to grow Identifies God as the source of maturity in the faith.

Paul directs the Corinthian believers to God, the source of life and unity.

In doing so, he casts himself and Apollos as servants of God.

Paul’s aim was to preach the gospel in places where the message of Christ had not been heard