sf164 - How To Eliminate Division (1 Corinthians 3 18-23)
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
Introduction
Paul shares God’s solution/prevention of divisions. We must…
Have the proper view of ourselves, of others, our possessions, of Christ.
1A. The Proper View of Ourselves (3:18-20)
1B. Beware of self-deception (3:18a)
When we think we are wise, we are deceiving ourselves.
Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!
Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Ø Our wisdom and education fail us in spiritual matters. (1 Corinthians 2:11-12)
Ø We do not have a right to our own opinions about the things God has revealed.
When we recognize the limitations of our wisdom, we are beginning to discover true wisdom. (3:18b)
Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
We gain wisdom as we study God’s Word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Ø When the Word of God is not the sole authority, division is inevitable.
2B. Beware of pride (3:19-20)
Pride is always at the heart of human wisdom (3:19a)
Ø Intellectual pride cannot be content to listen and admire; it must always speak up and criticize.
“He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is simple. Teach him.” (Arab proverb)
When personal wisdom is elevated, the view of scripture is lowered. (3:19a)
John 8:37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.
God will judge those who oppose His Word. (3:19b)
The story of Haman (Esther 7:7-10)
Human philosophy cannot bring men to God. (3:20)
Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
2A. The Proper View of Others (3:21-22a)
1B. The message is more important than the messenger. (3:21)
The teacher is not significant.
Ø It is what they teach.
Ø It is the Word of God that changes lives.
1 Corinthians 4:6 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.
2B. We have everything in Christ and His Word. (3:21b-22a)
Romans 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Teachers are to be blessings to us not little gods for us.
3A. The Proper View of Our Possessions in Christ (3:22b)
1B. We will inherit and control the earth! (Revelation 21)
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
2B. We have eternal life!
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
3B. We have power over death!
2 Peter 1:3-4 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
4B. We have abundant life!
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
5B. We have heaven!
John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
6B. We have everything we need in Christ!
Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
4A. The Proper View of Christ (3:23)
1B. Christ is the only source of spiritual unity.
We are to unite with Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
Then we are to be united with one another. (Philippians 2:1-4)
2B. Our relationship with Christ motivates us to maintain unity.
John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
1A. The Proper View of __________________ (3:18-20)
1B. Beware of __________________-deception (3:18a)
When we think we are wise, we are deceiving ourselves. (Isaiah 5:21; Galatians 6:3; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12)
When we recognize the limitations of our wisdom, we are beginning to discover true wisdom. (3:18b; Proverbs 3:7)
We gain wisdom as we study God’s Word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26)
2B. Beware of _________________________ (3:19-20)
Pride is always at the heart of human wisdom (3:19a)
When personal wisdom is elevated, the view of scripture is lowered. (3:19a; John 8:37)
God will judge those who oppose His Word. (3:19b; Esther 7:7-10)
Human philosophy cannot bring men to God. (3:20; Zechariah 4:6)
2A. The Proper View of _________________ (3:21-22a)
1B. The ________________ is more important than the messenger. (3:21)
The teacher is not significant. (1 Corinthians 4:6)
2B. We have everything in Christ and His Word. (3:21b-22a; Romans 8:32)
3A. The Proper View of Our Possessions in Christ (3:22b)
1B. We will inherit and control the _______________! (Revelation 21; Matthew 5:5)
2B. We have eternal life! (John 14:23) busy
3B. We have power over ________________! (2 Peter 1:3-4)
4B. We have abundant life! no(John 10:10)
5B. We have _____________________! (John 14:1-3)
6B. We have everything we need in Christ! (Romans 8:17)
4A. The Proper View of _____________________ (3:23)
1B. Christ is the __________ source of spiritual unity.
We are to unite with Christ. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
Then we are to be united with one another. (Philippians 2:1-4)
2B. Our relationship with Christ motivates us to maintain unity. (John 17:23)