Living a God-Empowered Life

Living a God-Empowered Life • In the NT, There are 6 Things We Are Told to be on the Alert For: 1 Corinthians 15:58 & 16:13-14 April 7, 2019 o o o o o o Review of the past year of teaching from 1 Corinthians: THE BIG IDEA: As Paul wraps up his lengthy letter to the Christians in Corinth, his heart is on their walk with the Lord. In light of all he has taught them about Christ’s sufficiency for their lives, he now calls on them to find their satisfaction and courage for obedience in Jesus, while making sure love drives their every action. 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (ESV) 15 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. “Stand firm in the faith” -- this can only done if it is based on objective truth in the Gospel that has resulted in internal conviction of what is right. • “Act like men” – this is a call to spiritual, physical, emotional, and cultural courage. • “Be strong” – it is an imperative (command), but it’s passive voice (means the strengthening will be done to you). The command, then, is to submit our lives to the strengthening the Lord is going to do in our lives! Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV). “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” “be” à this is the imperative verb – the command … “steadfast” – image is you’ve been seated – in your beliefs, you settled the important matters & have firmly planted yourself in the truth “immovable” - firm, persistent, not to be moved from its position Psalm 112:6-8 “always abounding [overflowing; exceeding the requirements] in the work [an act, deed, effort; the product or accomplishment of hands or mind] of the Lord” à “knowing your labor is not for nothing!” 16 13 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.” Satan Temptation Apathy False Teachers Opportunities for Prayer The Coming of the Lord • “my beloved brothers” – this is no casual set of relationships we’ve been called to! “There’s only one life and it soon will be past. Only what’s done for Jesus will last.” “Be watchful” – be alive; be alert; opposite of spiritual listlessness, sleepiness, or apathy Ephesians 6:10 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV) “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” • “Let all that you do be done in love” One of the Great Prayers of the Bible: “Our Lord come.” maranatha 1 Corinthians 16:22