Gospel Unity
Notes
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1 A person should think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of the mysteries of God. 2 In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful. 3 It is of little importance to me that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I don’t even judge myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be arrogant, favoring one person over another. 7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? 8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you! 9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 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. 15 For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 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. 18 Now 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, but the power of those who are arrogant. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
Faithfulness v1-5
Faithfulness v1-5
Be faithful and God will praise you.
Servants - not general word describing ppl in servitude, but an assistant to someone in official position.
Managers of the gospel, mysteries revealed in Christ.
Apostles, leaders are servant leaders that answer to God. They were given a role and responsibility and will have to answer to God about how they handled that responsibility.
We/Christians all have a role in the church/kingdom of God. What will we do with what we have been given? When He returns will he say well done good and faithful servant or will He rebuke us for wasting our position/talents/time.
Parable of the talents.
14 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I’ve earned five more talents.’ 21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’ 22 “The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’ 23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’
What does faithfulness look like?
A radical response to the gospel is the correct response, it’s the definition of true saving faith that the Bible articulates.
1. What would it look like for you to be faithful to God in your context?
2. Are you living up to your full potential in Christ, are you using your talents, or burying them?
It’s not loosing that bothers me, but not reaching my full potential. The greatest shame is not becoming the best version of ourselves, realizing we could have done more with what was given to us.
Don’t let the grace of God terminate on you, radiate that grace to those around you. Also don’t play the comparison game, but be the best version of you. You’re capable of so much more than you realize. God created and called you specifically and promises the empowerment of the Spirit, keep in step!
Humility v6-13
Humility v6-13
not in it for the circumstances, no promises of worldly prosperity.
First will be last, last will be first.
? Christ example of headship
“Nothing beyond what is written.”
Cost of discipleship -rich man, you will loose relationships, homes, etc. Gain 100 fold more with persecution.
25 Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 “Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple. 34 “Now, salt is good, but if salt should lose its taste, how will it be made salty? 35 It isn’t fit for the soil or for the manure pile; they throw it out. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
35 Women received their dead, raised to life again. Other people were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, and mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised, 40 since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.
:35-40
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
3. What do you expect from your relationship with God in this life? What expectations do your actions reveal? (Do you pray, what do you pray for, would anyone other than yourself benefit from the answers to your prayers?)
Power v14-21
Power v14-21
Goal not to condemn or shame but to create unity. Inclusio
Imitate me - apprentice imagery
"Engross yourself in the process rather than waiting around for the product." -- Greg Everett
Arrogance
“The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
Not just words, ideas, beliefs, professions but action that results from a life transformed by the Spirit of God.
Paul preached “that they would repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.”
4. How has your personal relationship with Jesus changed your life?
5. What are the observable differences between your actions and those of a non believer?
Questions:
1. What would it look like for you to be faithful to God in your context?
2. Are you living up to your full potential in Christ, are you using your talents, or burying them?
3. What do you expect from your relationship with God in this life? What expectations do your actions reveal? (Do you pray, what do you pray for, would anyone other than yourself benefit from the answers to your prayers?)
4. How has your personal relationship with Jesus changed your life?
5. What are the observable differences between your actions and those of a non believer?
