God's Way is Not a Matter of Mere Talk

HOOK

Apostle Paul said

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NIV)

20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

The Message translation said it this way— GOD’s WAY IS NOT A MATTER OF MERE TALK; IT’s AN EMPOWERED LIFE

Paul also said to the church in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)

5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

How does the Holy Spirit Empowers your life as a Christian?

The Holy Spirit Regenerates you

Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit— in a similar way, we too are born into the kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit

John 3:5 (NIV)

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

When you were born again, that was the beginning of your regeneration— this means that the work of God for you at the cross by Jesus is applied to you by the Holy Spirit

You are being regenerated! Your regeneration [παλιγγενεσία— palinge-ne-sia in Greek] started when you were first born again— it was symbolized by your water baptism—

The Greek word palinge-ne-sia only appeared only twice in the New Testament and the english words used for it was “Rebirth” in Titus 3:5 and “Renewal” in Matthew 19:28

Some other time I will take you to a thorough understanding about “Regeneration” in the context of Soteriology, otherwise known as the Doctrine of Salvation

The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Live Like Jesus

At the time when you were born again, the Holy Spirit begun to dwell in you

And as He regenerates you, the Holy Spirit empowers you also that you may yield His fruits— joy, love , peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

This means that you can live like Jesus— doing what he did, with just two exceptions:

Jesus is sinless and never had to do repentance

We will not be able to live perfectly like Jesus because of our ongoing sinful desires

The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Endure Suffering

Living a Spirit-empowered life includes enduring hardship, pain and loss as Jesus did

If we suffer while Spirit-empowered, we will grow through these hardships

Romans 8:26 (NIV)

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

The Holy Spirit Empowers You to Deny Yourself and Follow Jesus

Being Spirit-empowered like Jesus leads us to deny ourselves— to pick up our cross and to follow Jesus wherever the Spirit leads— this may include suffering and dying like Jesus

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Living the Christian life is not just about talking about God’s Word— it’s about being empowered by the Holy Spirit— the word of God cannot change you unless you are empowered by the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)

14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

That’s why previously in the first letter of Paul to the church in Corinth we learned to let...

The Holy Spirit Form the Church

The Holy Spirit Dwell in the Church

The Holy Spirit Enable the Church

Now, let’s see why Paul said that God’s way is not a matter of mere talk

I’d like to you grab your Bible and open it to 1 Corinthians 4— to those who do not have their printed Bible, be our guest and please reach out to the Bible underneath the chair you’re sitting on

Now, what I’d like you to do is to encircle some of the phrases where I will guide you to— ready? And also, if you need a pen, we have souvenir pens that you can use and bring home with you as reminder to bring yours next time!

The first phrase that I’d like you to encircle is found on verse 2 of our text today— I’d like you to encircle the phrase— “PROVE FAITHFUL”

The second phrase that I’d like you to encircle is just two verses down, in verse 5 go ahead and encircle the phrase, “JUDGE NOTHING” and “BRING TO LIGHT”

The next one will be down in verse 9— encircle the phrases, “APOSTLES ON DISPLAY" and “END OF PROCESSION”

Now go down to verse 16 and encircle the phrase, “IMITATE ME”

And finally, proceed all to the way to the end of the chapter, in verse 20, underline the phrase, “IS NOT A MATTER OF TALK BUT OF POWER”

Let’s find out how Paul end up with that conclusion in this section of his first letter to Corinth

Looking at the Bible on your hand, using your eyes only, read with me...

BOOK 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-21

1 Corinthians 4 (NIV)

1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 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? 8 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! 9 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. 10 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! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. 14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Now I’d like for you to pay attention to the cross references that I will show you in a moment as I break this down for everybody

It’s notable that Paul’s letter was actually inspired by the words of our Lord Jesus— in his parlance he literally echoed what Jesus would have said to the church in Corinth given their problematic circumstances at that time

Remember that up to this point of his letter, Paul was still addressing the matter of leadership crisis and church division

LOOK

NOW IT IS REQUIRED THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN A TRUST MUST PROVE FAITHFUL

After the Lord told his disciples about the parable of wedding banquet which teaches about being ready for the Lord’s return, Peter asked if the Lord meant that parable for them or for everyone

Jesus continued with his parable and clarified that indeed it was for everyone!— those who knows the Lord’s will and do not do them will be meted with severe consequences compared to those who do not know his will at all— the Lord said it clearly in this manner..

Luke 12:48 (NIV)

48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

As servants we follow what the Master tell us to do— Not to set our own agenda.

We must also be trustworthy, reliable and have a good knowledge of the biblical foundation— we have the responsibility to know the correct doctrine, in order for us to grow and mature

A servant does what his master wants him to do— we must do what God tells us to do and in and through the Holy Spirit. 

Each day God presents us with needs and opportunities that challenge us to do what we know is right.

Are we listening to God and doing what is right???

THEREFORE JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE APPOINTED TIME

Its tempting to judge fellow Christians as to whether they are following Christ or not— but only God knows the heart and He is the only one with the right to judge others. 

Paul's warning to the Corinthians should be a warning to us as well— we are to confront those who are sinning, but we must not judge who is a better servant for Christ.

When you judge other you invariably consider yourself better than others— and that can lead to arrogance!— Arrogance leads to pride— Pride to division.

How easy is it for us to be attached to a spiritual leader.— when someone has helped us it is natural to feel loyalty to that person. 

Paul warns us against having such pride in our favorite leaders that we cause divisions in the church—   Any true spiritual leader is a representative of Christ and has nothing to offer that God has not already given to him/her.

Christians must not be distracted by comparing personalities and gifts— do not be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another— No preacher of God has more status than another.

Don't let your loyalty cause strife, slander or broken relationships.  Make sure your deepest loyalty is to Christ and not to any human agents.

He uses sarcasm to describes their attitude of pride instead of humility and dependence on God— Only the Lord can judge us.

Jesus said it this way…

Matthew 7:1 NIV

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

HE WILL BRING TO LIGHT WHAT IS HIDDEN IN DARKNESS

He will uncover everything including the motives of the heart

Luke 8:17 (NIV)

17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

APOSTLES ON DISPLAY AT THE END OF THE PROCESSION

Paul was not just referring to the twelve— but also to others who were sent out to proclaim the gospel message such as himself and Barnabas, Andronicus and Junia and James

He illustrated the nature of true apostleship— that whoever wants to be great among us must be a servant

Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians— we are weak but you are strong— you are honored we are dishonored

Much of the time we don’t have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes— we get doors slammed in our faces— and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living.

When they call us names, we say, “God bless you”— When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them.

We’re treated like garbage, the leftovers that nobody wants. And it’s not getting any better.

This is very reflective of what our Jesus Christ said…

Matthew 20:27 (NIV)

27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—

THEREFORE I URGE YOU TO IMITATE ME

Paul's tough words were motivated by love - like the love a father has for his children

Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him.— He was able to make this statement because he walked close to God, spent time in God's Word and in prayer, and was aware of God's presence in his life at all times.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to practice his life model since he is imitating Jesus whom he met personally on his way to Damascus

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

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

Philippians 3:17 NIV

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF TALK

Kingdom of God here refers to the reign of God expressed in the lives of His people— Paul urges the Corinthian believers to live according to the value system of God’s kingdom

Some people talk a lot about faith but that's all it is— talk!— They may know all the right words to say, but their lives don't reflect God's power— Paul says that the kingdom of God is to be lived not just discussed.

There is a big difference between knowing the right words and living them out.

Don't be content to have the right answers about Christ— let your life show that God's power is really working in you

Because God’s way is not a matter of mere talk… it’s an empowered life

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NIV)

5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

Today we celebrate with this country for its 245 years of freedom— the most meaningful freedom is our freedom from ourselves— deny yourself! And freedom from our pains and sufferings! [SHOW 4TH OF JULY BANNER]

Look at the fight for freedom in Afghanistan— liberty is far fetched and evasive! That not even the mightiest military power in the planet failed to free Afghanistan after fighting for it in the last 2 decades— why? because no amount of political solution can address a spiritual conflict— unless a person is freed from himself, from his own desires, anger, conflicts and hate will continue…

But for us Christians, our freedom begins from the moment our regeneration started— the Holy Spirit regenerates and empowers us to freedom from ourselves— freedom from our sufferings— freedom from our temptations— freedom from our own desires

Freedom from our own unfaithfulness

Freedom from judging others

Freedom to serve God

BECAUSE THE WAYS OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF MERE TALK… SO,

TOOK

I WILL PROVE MYSELF FAITHFUL NOT BY WHAT I SAY, BUT BY WHAT I DO

QUESTION: Do you like talking about your Christian faith? Is your faithfulness to God reflected by what you know about Him, or by what you do for Him?

I WILL NOT JUDGE ON ANYTHING BECAUSE IT IS GOD WHO WILL REVEAL EVERYTHING

QUESTION: Judging others is very tempting. We could not know for sure what’s going on in the lives of other people. How do you restrain yourself from judging others?

I WILL LET THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT REFLECT IN THE WAYS I SERVE GOD

QUESTION: Which gifts of the Holy Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 1 Corinthians 14 and Ephesians 4:11-12 are manifested in your service to God? How is it working to built up His church?