Sermon 020297

1Co. 4:7                What Do You Have That You Did Not Receive?                                2/2/97

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.   Introduction                                                                                                                       557

There’s a natural tendency for us to find something about ourselves that distinguishes & elevates us above others (accomplishments, abilities, possessions).  We all struggle with thinking more highly of ourselves than we should; but the grace of God enables us to gain victory over this sinful way of thinking.  This arrogant thinking & immaturity was one of the problems at Corinth (3:1, 3; 4:5a, 6).

II.  Three Soul-Searching Questions for Every Christian = Humility & Unity

     A. Who regards you as superior? - WHO (not WHAT) regards you

·        Since the Lord is the ultimate Judge, has He regarded you as superior?

·        No Christian can defend an attitude of superiority before God! (1Co. 4:4; 2Co. 5:10)

     B. What do you have that you did not receive?

·        Natural life (1st birth) - 1Tim. 6:13; Gen. 29:31

·        Supernatural/Eternal life (2nd birth) -1Jn. 5:11-12

·        Provisions to sustain natural life - Mt. 6:32-33

·        Natural abilities - Ex. 4:11

·        Spiritual gifts - 1Co. 12:4-7, 11

·        Physical attributes - Ps. 139:13-16a

·        Life span on earth - Ps. 139:16b; Job 14:5

·        Circumstances of life - Pr. 16:7; 21:1

Þ     James (1:17), John the Baptist (Jn. 3:27), Job (1:21), Mary (Lk. 1:46ff), Hannah, Sarah, David, etc.

Þ     Every believer must acknowledge receiving everything from the Lord!

What do you Have That you did not Receive, pg. 2

     C. If you receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

·        No believer can justify an attitude superiority before your God & King

·        We receive our income, education, possessions, families, knowledge of scripture, spiritual gifts, talents, physical appearance, health… as a gracious gift from the Lord Himself.  These gracious gifts are not to make us arrogantly distinctive, but to make us distinctively thankful.  Everything is of grace - no one is receiving exactly what you deserve or have earned (Rom. 6:23).

The Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.  The Lord gives grace & glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11).  He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Mt. 5:45).  And we have all received from the Lord’s good and gracious hand.  Therefore, there is no place, basis, justification for arrogance & superiority among us - humility & thanksgiving should fill our hearts for our God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness.  He has even given us to each other for the glory of Jesus Christ and for our own good.  How do you answer these three questions today?  Do these questions not search your soul & bring you to the cross of Christ humble & thankful?  We would know nothing of truth, life, joy & peace were it not for Christ.