Sermon Tone Analysis

1Co. 1:26a                                          Consider Your Calling, Brethren                            2~/9~/97

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.   Introduction                                                                                                                       558

     A.

Every true local church is the church of God (v. 2) - “. to the church of God..at Corinth”

·        Christ ensures the provisions for every true church (gifts & other provisions) - v. 4-7

     B.

Every true local church is a part of the church Universal (v. 2) - “with all..every place”

     C.

The church is not a building, but a group of believers in Christ (v.

2b) “to those who”

II.

True Believers Must Be Called

     A.

The emphasis on calling (v. 1, 2c, 9, 24a, 26a)

·        Being called is essential to becoming a Christian; being among the called is the only blessed life on earth (*Rom.8:28*)

·        Everyone who has responded to this calling is in the family of God (1Co.

1:2d)-“with all..

     B.

*Who* does this calling?

·        God calls by His word & Spirit (1Co.

1:9, 30a; 1Th.

2:12; *Jn.

10:27*; 2Th.

2:13-14)

·        This calling is the supernatural & irresistible power of God exerted on the soul of a sinner - revealing the sinners sinfulness & hopelessness and then revealing Christ as the glorious Savior…(revelation & power = *Eph.

1:17-19a; Rom.

1:16*; 1Co.

1:22-24)

Paul then exhorts the church at Corinth (and vicariously you & I) to consider our origin before Christ; where you came from; what you were doing; what you & the world thought about yourself!

It is good & needful to exercise our memories now that our minds have been renewed.

WHO WERE YOU WHEN CHRIST CALLED YOU?

 

Consider Your Calling, Brethren, pg.

2

 

     C.

Who is called?

- only those who have been appointed~/chosen by God Himself (Rom.

8:29-30; Ac. 13:48)

·        The calling from God is not based on a person’s accomplishments~/influence (1Co.

1:26)

·        The calling from God is solely based on His good pleasure & mercy (1Co.

1:27-29)

·        The calling from God is with purpose = to remove boasting -“to shame”, “nullify”.

So that Christ may become the meaning of life to the believer & church (v.

30; Phi.

1:21)

     C.

To what are we called?

·        Called out of darkness into the Lord’s marvelous light (1Pe.

2:9)

·        Called to eternal life (1Tim.

6:12)

·        Called as saints (1Co.

1: 2c) - “holy ones” or “set apart ones” for God’s purposes

·        Called into fellowship with Christ (1Co.

1:9)

·        Called into fellowship with other believers (Col.

3:15; 1Co.

12:18) - “in one body”

·        Called to a lifestyle that honors our Lord (Eph.

4:1-3)

·        Called to suffer for Christ (1Pe.

2:21; 3:8-9)

·        Called to a glorious inheritance from Christ (Eph.

1:18c; Rom.

8:17a-b)

[REPEAT & SUMMARIZE THE ABOVE]

So then my brother~/sister, consider your calling today; consider how tragic it was to be lost in the lies of the world - lover of pleasure, sin, promoting yourself, scheming, guilty & deceived.

And now consider how wonderful it is to be in the light of Christ, to have eternal life, to be in fellowship with Christ & other believers, to love righteousness, to have a life of grace & peace on earth and to have heaven as your home!

But to the one who has not answered the call……………