Exploring Corinthians #8
Exploring Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted
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The Definition Of Success
The Definition Of Success
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!
9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both 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 distinguished, but we are dishonored!
11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
1 Corinthians 4:6-
Paul spoke openly about an issue between he and other ministers so he could set the church up for confrontation.
6 Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.
The churches real problem wasn’t about Paul or Apollos it was about PRIDE.
Pride comes before a fall.
People thought they were better then others because of what teacher they had set under, much like people today with ivory league schools. verses technical college.
We should never degrade another ministry just because it doesn’t look as fancy or accomplish greatness according to our standards of success.
We don’t have the right to Judge God’s servants.
7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
Paul reminds us that we ALL have been given that which we have so we shouldn’t act like we earned it.
The small church down the street has been appointed by the same God that we have…as long as they are truly serving God.
Paul gets a little sarcastic
8 You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.
1 Corinthians 4:
The church thought they had it all together.
Things were going well for the church at Corinth. They had money, popularity, power. But they were losing their faith.
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
This is what success really feels like
:8
9 Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.
This would be embarrassing for the church at Corinth because they were so prideful.
How dedicated are you?
10 Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.
If you look like a fool then your might be on the right track
Paul pointed out his suffering due to his faith
11 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home.
How many of us would have signed up for this faith if Paul would have told us this kind of stuff first?
Faith isn’t for the weak or lazy
12 We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.
Do you bless those who curse you?
Are you patient?
Paul shows us how to deal with slander and gossip
13 We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.
I Like how Paul paints the portrait of a saint in the NKJV
13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.
16 So I urge you to imitate me.
17 That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.
19 But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power.
20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.
21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthians 4:14-21