sf123 - The Benefits Of Being A Saint (1 Corinthians 1 4-9)
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Introduction
The main thrust of 1 Corinthians is to call Christians to pure, godly living.
Paul bases his argument on the fact that we are all saints.
Our positional holiness serves as the basis for our practical holiness.
In verses 4-9, Paul summarizes the benefits of being a saint.
He gives us the past, present and future benefits of grace.
1A. The Past Benefits of Grace (1:4-6)
1B. The first benefit of grace is salvation
That grace which was given… was confirmed; aorist tense, action completed at a particular point in time.
At the moment a person is born- again he receives grace and the testimony of Christ is confirmed in him.
2B. Grace cannot coexist with guilt
Grace gives freedom from guilt
Ø If grace is conditional, it is not grace.
Grace involves unmerited, undeserved, and permanent forgiveness.
Ø Grace is a sovereign act of God.
Ø Grace is God’s gift that completely and permanently overrules guilt.
Sin produces real guilt in our lives.
Ø The pain that guilt brings is not an indication of God’s rejection.
Ø It is a reminder of the seriousness of our sin.
Ø God does not temporarily forgive us; He forgives us completely and eternally.
3B. Grace cannot coexist with human obligation
Grace cannot and need not be repaid.
Ø The cost is too great
Ø God’s grace is too great
God’s grace can only be given; it can never be earned.
Ø We owe God our highest love, our deepest devotion, and our greatest service as expressions of gratitude for His grace but not as a payment.
4B. Grace cannot coexist with human merit
Because of His grace, we do not need to earn salvation
We are blessed because of God’s grace.
5B. Two reasons for God’s grace
Ephesians 1:3-6 - He saves us to bring glory to Himself
Ø Bringing glory to God is life’s greatest blessing (1:3)
Ø Key phrase is in Christ
Ephesians 2:4-10 - He saves us to serve Him
Titus 2:14 (NASB) 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
2A. The Present Benefits of Grace (1:5, 7a)
In Christ by grace, we have everything we need.
1B. God gives every believer the ability to speak for Him.
Acts 1:8 (NASB) 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Witnessing is not an option it is a mandate.
Ø Key you shall
To witness we must have God’s empowering coupled with our obedience.
Ephesians 6:18-19 (NASB) 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
When we are prepared to speak, we can speak with confidence.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB) 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
1 Peter 3:15 (NASB) 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
2B. God provides all the knowledge we need to fulfill His will.
Colossians 1:9-10 (NASB) 9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
In the Bible God has given us enough revelation and He will give us enough understanding to speak His truth to the world.
3B. God provides every gift we need to live a full and faithful life.
Paul is speaking of God’s provision not our use of His provisions.
Ø God has given us all we need to serve Him.
Ø We must use what God has given us.
God’s gifts come at spiritual birth and need to be developed.
Ø If we are not living up to God’s expectations, it is because we are not using our God-given gifts.
Ø We do not need more gifts we need more obedience.
3A. The Future Benefits of Grace (1:7b-9)
We are eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ because…
1B. Christ will be exalted
Revelation 17:14 (NASB) 14 …and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings…
2B. Satan will be defeated
Revelation 20:10 (NASB) 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone…
3B. Those who have suffered for Christ will see justice served. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
4B. The lost will be judged for eternity. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
5B. The saved will enter heaven fro eternity! (Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-5)
No judgment for the saints, our sins were judged on the cross.
Application
We are sure of this grace because God is faithful (1:9).
God is faithful to His sovereign will.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
We are saved because God wanted us be saved.
We stay saved because God does not change His mind about that desire.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
1A. The ___________________ Benefits of Grace (1:6)
1B. The first benefit of grace is ___________________
2B. Grace cannot coexist with ___________________
Grace gives freedom from guilt
Grace involves unmerited, undeserved, and permanent forgiveness.
Sin produces real guilt in our lives.
3B. Grace cannot coexist with human _____________
Grace cannot be and need not be repaid.
God’s grace can only be given; it can never be earned.
4B. Grace cannot coexist with human _____________
Because of His grace, we do not need to earn salvation
We are blessed because of God’s grace.
5B. _______________ reasons for God’s grace
Ephesians 1:3-6 - He saves us to bring glory to Himself
Ephesians 2:4-10 - He saves us to serve Him
2A. The Present Benefits of Grace (1:5, 7a)
In Christ through grace, we have everything we need.
1B. God gives every believer the ability to speak for Him.
Acts 1:8 - Witnessing is not an option it is a mandate.
Ephesians 6:18-19 - To witness we must have God’s empowering coupled with our obedience.
2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15 - When we are prepared to speak, we can speak with confidence.
2B. God provides ___________ the knowledge we need to fulfill His will.
Colossians 1:9-10 - In the Bible God has given us enough revelation and He will give us enough understanding to speak His truth to the world.
3B. God provides ________________ gift we need to live a full and faithful life.
Paul is speaking of God’s provision not our use of His provisions.
God’s gifts come at spiritual birth and need to be developed.
3A. The ________________ Benefits of Grace (1:7b-9)
We are eagerly awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ because…
1B. Christ will be ______________ (Revelation 17:14)
2B. Satan will be _______________(Revelation 20:10)
3B. Those who have suffered for Christ will see justice served. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
4B. The lost will be _______________________ for eternity. (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
5B. The saved will enter heaven fro eternity! (Revelation 21:1-9; 22:1-5)