Suffering Before Glory

A Divided Nation. A Divided People.

Play ‘Australia Lamb Ad 2021’

“What did I miss?”. Ah Scomo.

I just love that ad.

In case you weren’t aware, this ad is the latest in a long line of Australian Lamb promo ads targeted at Australia Day.

And I feel like marketing team just nailed it this year.

And you know what my favourite part of that ad is?

Did you notice it?

Further delays to NBN Rollout - In 2031.

Too soon for some of you?

Even better though… “Sydney votes itself best city”… Again!

Sydneysiders, have any comments on that one?

Surely it must be better than the Tasmanians.

“This is all of us” he says.

But I think what makes this ad so on-point is that they really tap into how we were feeling at the start of the year.

Earlier in the year it it felt like Australians were a *little* divided, didn’t it?

The state governments were frantically trying to contain COVID outbreaks and hotspots.

As soon as we had things handled in one city, things escalated in another.

And State premiers handled the situation very differently.

Snap lockdowns. No snap lockdowns. Border closures. On and on it goes.

All of this led to state politics.

And it left the rest of Australia quite divided.

“Why couldn’t the other states just handle the situation like our premier?”

"Because if they did, things would be back to normal by now...”

It left us wondering what it would look like to move on from here.

And tonight, we are going to continue looking at the Corinthian Church.

A church that has deeps divides and is full of boasting and arrogance.

Introduce Myself

Now in case this is your first time here with us, I wanted to give you a big welcome.

And apologise if you are from either Sydney or Tasmania.

My name is Sam, and I’m one of the staff here at Hunter Bible Church.

And tonight, I’ll be leading us through the passage.

But before we do, I would love to pray and ask God for guidance as I preach tonight and ask him to help us to understand the passage we have just read.

So, will you pray with me?

Let’s pray.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I pray that tonight you will help us to understand your passage.

I pray that you will give us ears to hear your word, and hearts that receive it joyfully.

I pray that you will help us to concentrate and to focus on your Word tonight.

I pray that you will help me to teach your word faithfully, and that tonight we all grow in our love of your son Jesus.

Amen.

Where We’ve Come From

So, I thought what we might to do kick things off is to take a look at where we have been over the last few weeks so that we can be reminded of some of the things Paul has been writing to the Corinthians about.

Now if you’ll remember back to our first night in this series, when we were digging into chapter 1, you’ll remember that the Corinthian Church has been blessed with all sorts of gifts in Christ like speech and knowledge

However, many of the Corinthians are still immature in their faith.

Their knowledge has made them arrogance. They are boastful. They are filled with pride.

And their immaturity has led them to quarrelling and division, which has been the focus of much of what we’ve been digging into recently.

And what were they fighting over?

They were quarrelling over their leaders.

And last week, we heard that Paul was encouraging them to “not go beyond what was written” - Meaning, do not go beyond the scriptures.

He was saying “Don’t confuse worldly wisdom with the wisdom of God.”

And in the last verse from last week, Paul asks the Corinthians three rhetorical questions that reminds them that they have no reason to boast whatsoever.

1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

But here is the thing.

The Corinthians seem to have a confused idea of what true Christian life and ministry look like.

And in tonight’s passage we will see Paul reminding the Corinthians of the realities of what true Christian discipleship looks like.

And as he does so, he reminds all of us of what we should expect in this world as Christians, which is why this passage is so helpful for us today.

So, let’s dig in.

The Corinthian Kings

They’ve Already Begun to Reign!

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 4:8 again and see what Paul thinks of their boasting...

1 Corinthians 4:8 NIV

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!

Now what are we to make of this? I mean, there’s so much packed in here.

They have all they want. They have riches. They are reigning. Reigning without Paul?

What is going on?

I think what Paul is doing here is highlighting that the Corinthians view of the Christian life is completely up-side-down, and he is using a strong sense of irony to show them.

They were seeking their own glory in the present.

They have measured themselves by what the world finds impressive, and they have come out feeling like kings.

And as a result, they are behaving like they have all they want, like they are rich and powerful.

The phrase there “All you want” comes from the idea of being full in appetite - They have become satisfied. They think they’ve have all they want.

And you see that idea again in the next phrase - You have “Become rich”.

Paul is laying it on thick here.

He is highlighting that from a worldly perspective, they’ve got everything they need to be rich and powerful.

The Corinthians have gone searching for status and they have found it.

They thought of themselves as kings! Look at that next sentence in verse 8.

“You have begun to reign—and that without us!".

Again, I think what Paul is doing here is he is using irony to exaggerate his point.

They are building themselves up in worldly sense - They are acting like kings!

They see themselves as wise and honourable.

And you see it again in verse 1 Corinthians 4:10.

1 Corinthians 4:10 NIV

We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!

As Paul knew all too well, the Apostles were made out to be fools as they faithfully preached the Gospel

But in comparison, the spiritually immature Corinthians saw themselves as people who were wise and honourable in the eyes of the world.

They were arrogant and boastful, and it was causing division.

But here is the question, why are they acting like this?

Do you remember what they have been fighting over in the first place?

They have been quarrelling over their leaders.

They thought what it meant to be successful by human standards was achieved by aligning themselves with the “in crowd” - The Pauls, Apollos’ or Peters.

They thought that if they got close to “influential” leaders, they too would be something special.

They identified themselves with the right preacher as it it made them look good - Look powerful.

They were acting like they were a higher class of Christian.

*Pause*

I wonder if this is a little like the way our society views Universities - Some being more prestigious than others.

And if you go to one over the other you might be seen as more successful or more “influential”

To help explain, this I’ve put together a highly technical chart that will get my point across well, I think.

So, at the bottom of the ladder would be the University of New England right?

Then we would be next - The University of Newcastle

Up the ladder one more run and you hit the University of Sydney

Then, going up even higher, you get Cornell University in the US, for all you Office fans

But if Cornell is at the top, what’s the very bottom of the barrel?

Oh yeah, it must be the school of hard knocks in Dubbo.

DJ, you're from Dubbo, aren’t you? They only give out PE Degrees, right?

Really Reigning?

But what Paul knows all-to-well is that he wasn’t reigning with them! Verse 8 says:

1 Corinthians 4:8d (NIV)

You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!

For if this was true, surely, he would be “reigning” with them!

For after all, Paul was still highly regarded by many Corinthians as Greg reminded us of last week!

If measured from a worldly point of view, Paul would be right up there with them.

True Christian Discipleship

Like Those Condemned to Die

But Paul knows the Corinthians are not kings, and neither is he, because God has placed the Apostles in positions of public shame and disgrace

He continues using the image of ruling and reigning - But in a way that completely upside down to the way the Corinthians saw themselves.

Verse 9 says:

1 Corinthians 4:9 NIV

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.

What Paul is alluding to here is something called the “The Roman Triumphal Procession”

What would happen is the triumphant Emperor or military generals would march back into the city after defeating their enemies

And they would march at the head of the procession in all their glory, receiving praise and honour.

Next in line their army would follow, sharing in that glory

And right at the very end of the procession would be the captured slaves who were destined to be killed in combat for the entertainment of the city

What they would do is they would bring the slaves to the arena to kill one another as sport

And if a slave happened to be victorious in the arena, they were kept for yet another combat

And at the very last they would be killed - They were destined to die.

And so rather than seeing himself as one of the victorious generals marching back from battle...

Paul is comparing the apostles to the slaves captures by kings at the end of the procession- those who are condemned to die

They have been made a spectacle for the whole universe - Both the seen and unseen world - “To angels as well as human beings”

But isn’t this completely backwards?

Why are the Apostles the ones to be held in the lowest position?

They should have been held in high esteem in a worldly sense

They had the most privileged position out of all Christians!

They were responsible for laying the Christian foundation, with Christ as the cornerstone! Eph 2:19-20

Ephesians 2:19–20 NIV

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

If anyone was deserving of honour - Surely it was the apostles, right?

But no, Paul does not see himself as a king, but as the slave captured by a king, at the other opposite end of the procession.

Prisoners of War

Paul continues driving home his analogy of kingship and reign in verse 11:

1 Corinthians 4:11 NIV

To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Paul wasn’t being treated like a Corinthian king for his message!

He was being treated like a prisoner of war - One who is starved, without clothes, treated terribly and who has been uprooted from their home.

And what he describes is exactly how he was treated!

Later in chapter 15 he talks about his experience. He says:

1 Corinthians 15:30–31 NIV

And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you notice what else he mentions there? Paul boasts alright, but not in the way the Corinthians are - He boasts in Jesus alone - And it nearly gets him killed.

Persecution vs. Response

But do you notice how Paul responds to all of this in verse 12 and 13? Let’s read it again

1 Corinthians 4:12–13 (NIV)

When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.

Paul recognises that the Christian life involves persecution.

He was “Cursed”. He was “Persecuted”. He was “Slandered”.

And look at how he responds.

Cursing is met with blessing.

Persecution is met with endurance.

And slander is met with kindness.

Why? Why does Paul do this?

Because he responds graciously, just as our Lord Jesus taught.

The Scum of the World

And this leads us to our next point on the outline.

If the Corinthians saw themselves as kings, what about how the world saw Paul and his gospel message?

Well verse 13 gives us a fairly good idea

1 Corinthians 4:13b (NIV)

We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

That phrase there, “Scum of the earth” actually refers to the dirty filthy water that comes off when washing

And similarly, the next phrase, “Garbage of the world” = refers to the dirt, skin and grime that is scrapped off as a filthy person washes.

The Romans used these terms to describe the dregs of society

Now unfortunately I learnt a similar lesson about filthy, scummy water a couple years back when I was living in an all-boys share-house.

A few summers ago, when there was a massive downpour of rain, the little nature strip opposite our house filled with water and formed a bit of a lake.

So, the boys and I thought that it might be a really fun idea to get our surfboards on the lake and toe each other around.

Now, we had an absolute ball.

But the problem was, that when you fell off, you had to hold you breath because the water stank. It was truly awful.

But we just put it down to the fact that it was probably just the mud that was being stirred up as we ran over it.

I distinctly reminder trying to avoid getting my ears submerged because I was afraid of infections.

Anyway, we hopped out and our neighbours came over and had a good laugh with us because they saw what we were doing.

Then the laughing stopped and they said - “You know you really shouldn’t be doing that. It’s not good for you” they said.

“Oh, why is that?” we asked.

“Because when it floods, the sewerage runs off and pools here. That’s why it smells so bad”.

Dregs of society - Huh.

And this is how the world viewed Paul - The lowest, scummiest part of society - Like my share-house.

True Christianity is a willingness to be a lowly servant of the Gospel - And that is exactly how Paul describes himself here.

Paul is willing to be a slave for the sake of Christ

Follow Paul. Follow Jesus.

But why does Paul say all this?

Well if we look a few verses ahead, in chapter 4 verse 14, Paul says:

1 Corinthians 4:14 NIV

I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.

He knows what true Christianity looks like, and he knows the ways of the immature Corinthians who have got a little bit too big for their boots

And so he encourages them to live as he does in chapter 4 verse 16:

1 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

But that still leaves a big question doesn’t it - Why? Why follow the example of Paul?

Well it is because he is following the example of Christ.

Later in 1 Corinthians, chapter 11 verse 1 says:

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Suffering Before Glory

You see, Christ knew the true meaning of suffering before glory

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds Christians to have the exact same mindset as Jesus! Philippians 2:5-11 says:

Philippians 2:5–11 NIV

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Even Jesus himself, being in very nature God, humbled himself to death on the cross to redeem the lost

Christ knew that his suffering had to come before his glory

And Paul is encouraging us to have the same mindset as Jesus

He in encouraging us to humble ourselves in service of others.

He is encouraging us to see ourselves humbly, not as the Corinthians did.

The Corinthians were proud, arrogant and boastful. They elevated themselves high above their station.

But Paul is calling Christian believers to see themselves as he did - As servants, not as kings.

Corinthians and Us

And so that moves us on to the final part of tonight’s talk, what does this look like for us?

How do we have a mindset like Paul? How should we view ourselves?

Well, I think here at Unichurch it helps us think through three areas of our Christian live.

Firstly, it changes the way we view ourselves in Church

Secondly, it changes the way we serve.

Finally, it changes the way we understand both our earthly and heavenly future.

How We View Ourselves

I think this passage is really helpful in the way we think about ourselves here at Unichurch

And more specifically, I think this passage is really helpful in asking the question of what do we wear as badges of honour around here at Unichurch

In the same way the Corinthians elevated themselves by what teacher they followed, or group they belonged to, I wonder whether there are subtle ways that we might do this here at Unichurch

In what ways do we feel just slightly more “important” or “special”, or that we belong to the “in-crowd”?

Is it being invited to dinner from a staff member occasionally?

Or is it having the opportunity to spend lots of time with an MTSer?

(Although, let’s be real, we are nothing special at all!)

Is it being at a conference and you get to say you’re from HBC? I’m from "that” stock.

Is it because someone on staff appointed you to a significant ministry role?

Because this is something that I had to wrestle with when putting in my MTS application.

I was aware than when doing MTS, there would be plenty of “up-the-front” ministries - Like MCing, or evening preaching like today.

And I find passages like what we read tonight so helpful in reminding myself of what true Christian life and ministry looks like

That I am but a mere servant seeking to love others in service of my King

How We Serve

And I think that leads to the second way this passage helps us tonight - How it changes the way we think about serving.

Paul clearly saw himself as nothing but a servant.

From a worldly point of view, Paul could have been regarded with such esteem.

But instead, he saw himself as a servant. He humbled himself in service of others.

And I wonder whether that changes the way we serve on ministry teams at Church.

I wonder whether that changes what ministry team we serve on.

As we all know, there are plenty of “up-the-front” ministries at Unichurch - And we know that because we can see them.

But what about the ministries we can’t see.

What about the Venue Team who gets here at 6 PM every Sunday to set up this theatre so that we can meet here.

What about our Tech Team who humbly sits up the back of this Theatre every Sunday making sure you can all hear me right now.

Maybe you were wishing they weren’t so good at their jobs so you didn’t have to hear me carry on.

What about our Kids Team who serves our other congregations so faithfully so that the parents can sit under the Word every week and listen without distraction.

Why not consider joining on one of these teams?

Friends, there are so many wonderful ways we can humbly serve our Church family in ways that are not always seen or not always recognised as often as we should.

So if that is you our there tonight, we thank God for the way you serve our family.

*Big Pause*

But I wonder if I could be so bold as to push this one just a little further.

Not only did Paul see himself as a servant, but he did the things that were degrading and costly for the sake of the Gospel he preached.

And I wonder what it would look like for us to have the same mentality in our evangelism here on Campus?

What would it look like to take that next step, by say coming along to Campus Convos?

If you haven’t had a crack at Campus Convos this year, why not give it a shot next term?

I think it’s the sort of thing that is so valuable it’s worth moving around your timetable for.

When choosing your labs or tutorials next semester, why not leave just one lunchtime slot available, and commit to coming along to Campus Convos each week?

So that’s my challenge tonight.

How We Understand Both Our Earthly and Heavenly Future

And this leads me to my final point of the evening.

Paul has been very clear tonight that being a follower of Christ will involve some level of suffering and persecution.

And here in Australia we have been blessed with the freedom of expressing our faith

But as you are all aware, the religious landscape is quickly shifting and I expect that more and more we will be persecuted for our belief in the future.

Perhaps not in the same way as other countries have or will experience, but we will experience it non-the-less.

But friends, can I encourage you to respond like Paul when the time comes.

Let cursing be met with blessing.

Let persecution be met with endurance.

And let slander be met with kindness.

For one day those who have put their faith in Christ will join him in eternal glory

One day we will rule and reign with Jesus in glory.

Let that lift our eyes towards heaven as we live out our Christian lives now

Let us pray.

Pause

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your word to us today.

Thank you that you have given it to us so freely.

Thank you that we can meet here today and better understand Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

Father, I pray that we would be a people who see ourselves humbly, not like the Corinthians.

I pray that you would protect us from division, from boasting and arrogance.

Lord, you have blessed us so abundantly, and we thank you for your kindness and grace.

I pray we would understand that everything we have comes from you, and that we give you our greatest thanks for these gifts.

I pray that you would protect us from ever thinking too highly of ourselves.

I pray that we would heed Paul’s words and view ourselves as servants, rather than kings.

I pray that you would see opportunities to joyfully serve each other.

I pray that you would bless us with opportunities to tell our friends and family about the wonderful hope we have in Christ our Lord.

Father, I pray that when the time comes and we are persecuted for our belief, you would help us to patiently endure.

I pray that you would lift our eyes towards you in heaven, finding strength in Jesus our saviour, the one who suffered for our sake, to freely offer us the gift of grace.

Lord, we long for the day that we can return home to you in heaven.

Please speed the day when Christ returns and we join him in glory.

And while we wait, I pray Lord that you would grow us to be more and more like your son Jesus.

And it’s in Jesus’ name that I pray.

Amen.