New Years Charge 2017-2018...

13 "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 "Do everything in love. 15 "Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16 "also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17 "I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18 "For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.” ()

Prayer...

Back in the day when homes were heated by coal, there was a poor woman,

who had a supply of coal laid at her door by a charitable & kind neighbor.

A very little girl came out with a small fire-shovel, and

began to take up a shovelful at a time, and

carry it to a bin in the cellar.

A man said to the child, ‘Do you expect to get all that coal in with that little shovel?’

She was quite confused at my question,

but her answer was very striking, ‘Yes, sir, if I work long enough.’ ”

This is what we find in our text this morning, a group of humble persevering workers for the Lord of glory!

Dear humble worker of the Lord, at FBR. You make up for your lack of ability by

the abundant continuance in well-doing, and

your life-work will not be trivial.

The repetition of small efforts will effect more

than the occasional use of great talents.

So Paul is closing out his letter to the Corinthian church.

Spurgeon, C. H. (1870). Feathers for arrows (pp. 163–164). London: Passmore & Alabaster.

So Paul is closing out his letter to the Corinthian church.

Having prepared the Corinthians for his own coming as well as that of Timothy and

informing them that Apollos would not be coming at this time, and

before going on to commend those Corinthians who

had served their church by coming to Paul and ministering to him,

Paul provides a series of crisp exhortations.

Paul’s closing words abound, not just with interesting information,

but the words throb with love for Christ and

His church.

It is these exhortations that I want you (humble & persevering workers of the Lord) and for those joining our church body today

I’m praying that God may use these exhortations to

encourage you humble workers of the Lord,

remind, and to

create a vision

as to what humble workers for the Lord can be focused upon in 2018.

So this first exhortation given in v13 is, “Be alert”.

Now, it’s important to figure out why Paul strings these five imperatives together. 13 "Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 "Do everything in love.” ()

“Be alert”. Look back to chap. 15. 33 "Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 "Come to your senses and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame.” ()

Some of them are being duped into thinking that they can run with a corrupt crowd and not be corrupted themselves.

So they need to remain vigilant in their fight against sin.

Let’s keep in mind as we look at these five exhortations, commands,

that they’re all in the present tense, that is,

this is the way believers are to live.

These things are to be continually done.

It is to be awake, alert, and constantly on guard; never to be sleepy-eyed or sluggish; never to let one’s guard down.

We are reminded of the words of our Lord Jesus 41 "Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”” ()

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (p. 206). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

Or Paul to the Thessalonians: 5 "For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6 "So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled.” ()

What are we to watch for dear saints, in the coming year? Peter says to watch out for the roaring lion,

Satan (), who seeks to attack the weakest among us.

We are to also watch out for the Promised Lion of the tribe of Judah, who is coming back for us.

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 1095). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Our perspective is balanced to the degree that,

as we watch what’s going on around us in our fight against our sin,

we also watch for Jesus’ return for us.

Then Paul says, “stand firm in the faith”. They were not retaining the things Paul taught them. 17 "This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church.” ()

The “faith” which is the teaching of the gospel. The teachings of the gospel are to remain the foundation of the church, the community of God’s people.

“stand firm in the faith”

They had to be reminded of the ways of Christ Jesus.

We too will need reminding in the 2018 won’t we? Yes we sure will.

Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 855). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

We’re not merely to hold strongly to doctrinal convictions but also,

we’re to persist in acting in a way that is consistent with faith in Christ.

(, ; , , ; ; ; ; ; ; Pss. 26:14; 30:25).

When you hear the phrase, “stand firm in the faith” zero in on “stand firm” and look at

Paul’s own experience showed why it would be necessary for faithful followers of Christ to be courageous.

To be courageous is to faithfully carry out one’s responsibilities even in the face of extreme danger and frightening circumstances.

To be courageous is not to give in to fear or hopelessness or to let them interfere with one’s duty.

(; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).

Look up to 16:9. There we read, 9 "because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.” ()

Paul is experiencing much opposition where he’s writing from in Ephesus.

Look to 30 "Why are we in danger every hour? 31 "I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus as a mere man, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” ()

10 "We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 "Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 "we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 "when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage. 14 "I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.” ()

Following Christ isn’t for cowards is it?

So whether you’re facing extreme persecution like Paul

or you’re faced with extreme business in doing other things, like American Christians, what is God asking of any group?

[front of Bulletin] To Worship Him, To love one another in doing Life together, and to be on Mission with God.

When you hear the phrase, “stand firm in the faith” zero in on “stand firm” and look at

10 "And don’t complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. 11 "These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 "So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.” ()

Many a folk (many a professing Christian) will die in the wilderness.

v10 connects complaining with death!

In God’s historical dealings with people He roots out that spirit from among His people.

To lift them up before the complainers in every gathering of the Lord’s people as an example and warning.

Those who think that they stand, like the Israelites who were covered by the cloud and

provided for by the goodness and graciousness of the Father,

as the Israelites were poised to enter the Land of Promise were killed.

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 1055). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

They thought they were standing, but they fell!

So that’s what not to do, so what do we do? 58 "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” () 27 "Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,” () 17 "Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.” () 11 "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.” ()

27 "Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel,” () 17 "Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position.” () 11 "I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.” ()

So the exhortation is to “stand firm in the faith”. Think of the massive oak trees and you think to yourself,

they were not always this massive.

An oak tree is nothing more than just a little nut that refused to give ground.

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (pp. 1095–1096). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

So, too, by God’s grace, we don’t have to give ground.

May you be consistent in your attendance to worship God together every Sunday.

May you be committed to the study of the Scripture.

May you be committed to the study of the Scripture.

May you be faithful in prayer.

May you be faithful in prayer.

This is no secret. People who are successful in any endeavor have one thing in common:

They’re part of the one percent who finish what they begin.

Whether regarding career, children—most people have great ideas and start well.

But they don’t finish.

They give up.

They give ground.

4 "I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do.” ()

Finishing the work God gave Him to do wasn’t just an idea in His journal or

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 1096). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

a thought stirring in His mind.

It was something Jesus did.

“be courageous”. This word means either to be courageous as real men or it means to quit living like immature men.

Live like courageous men of God.

Paul’s exhortation, be courageous; be strong, reflects an Old Testament concept of a call to “be strong and courageous” under extremely challenging circumstances.

(, ; , , ; ; ; ; ; ; Pss. 26:14; 30:25).

Paul’s own experience showed why it would be necessary for faithful followers of Christ to be courageous.

To be courageous is to faithfully carry out one’s responsibilities even in the face of extreme danger and frightening circumstances.

To be courageous is not to give in to fear or hopelessness or to let them interfere with one’s duty.

(; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).

Look up to 16:9. There we read, 9 "because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.” ()

Paul is experiencing much opposition where he’s writing from in Ephesus.

Look to 30 "Why are we in danger every hour? 31 "I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus as a mere man, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” ()

10 "We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 "Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 "we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 "when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone’s garbage. 14 "I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.” ()

Following Christ isn’t for cowards is it?

So whether you’re facing extreme persecution like Paul

or you’re faced with extreme business in doing other things, like American Christians, what is God asking of any group?

[front of Bulletin] To Worship Him, To love one another in doing Life together, and to be on Mission with God.

Following Christ isn’t for cowards is it?

Then a final exhortation in "Do everything in love.” ()

Love undergirds all of the moral teaching in this letter.

The believer is to live “in” love and to do all “in” love. Remember the love chapter, .

The greatest answer to the division and other problems within the church was love.

Love must prevail in the hearts and behavior of believers and their church.

1 "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” ()

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The First & Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (p. 207). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

Knowledge alone fills men with pride, and so the scriptures maintain that there must also be love, which builds up.

So this is also why we want to move away from just having bible studies at church.

It’s not good to just fill your head with bible knowledge. That produces a damnable pride in the heart of people.

But the Care Groups provide a context, to where we take that which we are learning and we’re able to apply it to one another in love, thus building up the church.

This is the calling of all of us in the room, who are followers of Christ.

16 "From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.” ()

Flip to chapter 13. 1 "If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 "If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 "And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.” ()

If you can speak unlearned human languages or with an angelic tongue, which is an agitating noise that communicates no meaning if it’s done w/out love.

Today, if you have a faith that can move mountains, you contribute nothing in terms of edifying the church if you don’t have love.

You can give your body over to be burned today, right? Have willingness to die for the sake of the gospel.

Love that builds up the church is more important than the sacrifice of all possessions and even one’s body.

Love is a matter of not only actions but also motivation.

Love must be a part of

all that we say (v. 1),

all that we know (v. 2), and

all that we do (v. 3).

Without love, everything is vain.

Follow this flow of what we’re being told.

In chapter 10:31 we read that everything is to be done unto the glory of God.

Furthermore, all things should be done

for the sake of the building up of others (14:26), and they

Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (pp. 856–857). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

should be done “in a fitting and orderly way” (14:40).

Ultimately all things will be subjected to Christ and God the Father “so that God may be all in all” (15:28).

God is glorified when people act in love,

when they put the welfare of others first and

worship God in a way that is consistent with his own character.

Self-sacrificing love is the model given to us by Christ and the key to

the health and

growth of His church and

to the maturing of both individuals and the communities to which they belong.

Christ-like love is a principal demonstrations that we are part of God’s renewed humanity, the

sign that God’s at work in us—

the work which will ultimately result in the resurrection of the dead and

our complete renewal—has already begun to manifest itself in our love for one another.

Ciampa, R. E., & Rosner, B. S. (2010). The First Letter to the Corinthians (p. 857). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

It is not surprising that when Paul writes his own final greeting in his own hand,

the final thought he will leave

with the Corinthians is of his own love for them (v. 24).

“Be alert. Stand firm. Grow up. Be strong”—but lest we go out of here

chewing nails and glass because that’s how tough we are,

Paul comes right back with the most important exhortation of all when he says, “Do everything in love.”

Courson, J. (2003). Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (p. 1096). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

How can we watch out and stand fast and grow up and be strong this coming year—and

at the same time be loving?

We can’t.

This can only happen as the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, lives His life through us day by day, next year.

May this be our anthem in going forth into 2018.

May we be more alert in the coming year and

stand firm in the faith as a church,

may we be courageous and strong. And

may we do everything in love.

(Let’s sing, He Will Hold Me Fast).