"The Promised Child"

Introduction

Introduction: Paul finishes his call for unity among the believers by appealing to his right authority created by the Gospel to call them to such a task. In order to fulfil the mandate to be in alignment with the very Gospel that transforms it, the church is called to three actions.

background

In case they weren’t understanding what Paul has written up to this point, he is making it clear for them

At the heart of it, Paul is calling the Corinthian church into alignment with the Kingdom of God in how they think and behave

especially in their view of differing opinions & teachers

To do this he is calling them to

correction and discipline is an important part of the Christian life

1. Honest Evaluation (v14)

“not writing to shame you, but to warn” (some translations - admonish)

A. Measured response to error

Paul has been addressing this since the first chapter because this wasn’t how they started and not how Paul left them and Paul is now warning or admonishing them to see their error

Paul is not shaming but admonishing

in wisdom he is bringing the appropriate correction to match the error

‘admonish’ is used often of what Paul did when he taught

The goal is not to make them recoil in abject humiliation, but to have sober judgement about what their behavior actually is

There is purpose in shaming - namely to arrest someone in how far gone they are

he DOES look to shame them in 6:5 (bringing lawsuits) and 15:34 (not beliving in God at all)

In this language, Paul is not suggesting that they are beyond hope in their factions, but that they need to be urgently warned (admonished - ESV) so that they will ‘course-correct’

John Calvin - compassion and moderation - ‘the first foundation of discipline is to provide a place for private admonition’

2. Refocused Vision (Vv15-17)

imitate Paul in how you’re acting

A. Clear Example

Paul cares and has more at stake then just other Christian leaders

guardians - typically slaves that were charged with the responsibility that a child would grow in studies and manners as they worked with teachers

they don’t really have that many guardians

‘in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel’

he is not claiming some superior personal knowledge, he’s claiming superior relationship based on the work of the Gospel

a relationship that has as it’s goal presenting the believers in Corinth as blameless 1:8 - ‘he will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus christ’

The Corinthians are ‘urged’ to imitate Paul

Not self-centered -> Later (1 Cor 11:1), he fleshes this out more by saying he follows Christ

They know Paul as he labored among them for over a year and half

not only is Paul giving a compelling reason why they should listen and emulate him, but he’s also giving reason why that’s beneficial - it’s consistent with Kingdom principles

B. Synchronized life

-> teaching and action

Paul defends his authority (why they should listen) - he is their father

he cares about them, not just that they are in his camp

Timothy is coming on his behalf (and if the Lord wills, he will be coming as well)

his consistency

he acts according to what he teaches, not just in a one location to one group, but the same thing to everyone - it can be tested, and it squares with Scripture.

he calls them to follow his example of living a life that reflects the reality of having died with Christ - this is how true apostles live (not true with those causing divisions and quarreling)

3. Meaningful Repentance (Vv18-21)

God will accomplish sanctification in his people do you really want God to use discipline?

A. Humbling of Self

They were failing to see the so-called wisdom of the world as what it truly is - foolishness to God

it’s actually weak even though they thought they were powerful in their speech

Getting with the program and following after Paul is only beneficial if it’s right

There is reckoning

Not Paul’s standard, but Gods

B. Kingdom Value

The mark of the kingdom is power (not talk)

not a power this world holds, but the power of the Gospel

power that changes hearts and minds

part of it at least is walking in unity fixed on Christ (fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:26 - not conceited, provoking and envying each other.)

Talk will only be amount to argument

Application

Be Connected

Subject to Christ, submissive to Christ-ordained authority, and bonded to one another as believers - especially those that say the things we need (not necessarily want) to hear

Speak Truth

in love (Eph 4:15) so that we can spur on one another in maturity

doesn’t mean we can’t say hard things, but if that is what’s needed, we better feel the prick the much more than the one we speaking to.

Our first response should be ‘does this comport with Scripture?’ it is not ‘does scripture match up with my desire’ or ‘does scripture match up with my political perspectives’

Seek Maturity

Say with Job 13:15 - though he slay me yet I will hope in him / three young Jews - “the God we serve is able to save us from it… but even if he does not” / ‘not my will but yours be done’

maybe not that dramatic - maybe ‘though my day seems to unravel, I will trust in the Lord’s goodness instead of lashing out verbally’ or ‘this person is ridiculing the faith I hold so dear, but my security is in Christ so I can ’

Brothers an sisters, we are called to change - you must turn from your own understanding and firmly plant our feet on the rock. This is work we will be endeavoring alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ as long as we draw breath in this present world. Beloved, let us press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus

--

RC Sproul - put a mark next to everything you don’t like in the Bible / do research / if still have trouble with it, place 3 marks by it - either the author is wrong or you are