3 Keys To Being Who You Are Called To Be

Secular -

A wife was reading a Bible to her husband at the breakfast table one day.

She said “you aren’t going to believe this. It says God created everything in 6 days.” He replied, “I don’t believe it.”

A little while later she said, “You aren’t going to believe this. God created man from the dirt and breathed life into it and it became a man.” He said, “ You’re right, I don’t believe it.”

Then a few moments later she said, “It says that God made Woman out of that man’s rib.” He said, “I don’t believe it.”

She asked him, “Do you know what this means?” He answered, “That man is better because he was made first.”

“NO!” she said. “It means that I am prime rib and you are dirt.”

We need to know whose we are and who we are called to be.

Historical/Cultural Context -

Paul preached the gospel in Corinth in the early 50s AD during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18). When opposition grew fierce there, the Lord Jesus spoke to him in a vision assuring him that he had ‘many people’ in the city (Acts 18:10). With this encouragement, Paul stayed on for eighteen months, ‘teaching them the word of God’ (Acts 18:11). God used Paul’s ministry to bring about the birth and establishment of the church in Corinth.

Biblical Text -

1 Corinthians 4:1–8 NKJV

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - You’re Not God; You’re A Slave Of Christ & You Have An Important Calling.

Life Point- You Have An Important Life Calling

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 4:1–5 NKJV

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Homiletical -

First of all we are reminded that as Christians we have a very high calling indeed.

We are to handle and take care of the mysteries of God.

What mysteries?

Those things that bring life to mankind.

you have no idea how privileged you are to be able to hold and understand this mystery of the Gospel.

The substitutionary atonement that God has brought about to those who are being saved.

In no other religion or time has anyone ever seen God’s graciousness that grants freedom, yet slavery

Matthew 11:25–30 NKJV

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

God’s gift that is free, yet costs you everything.

Not only that but the cost to God Himself was so high

Hebrews 9:16–22 NLT

Now when someone leaves a will, it is necessary to prove that the person who made it is dead. The will goes into effect only after the person’s death. While the person who made it is still alive, the will cannot be put into effect. That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Without God coming as a man and dyeing for your sin and my sin on a Roman torture and execution device to become the perfect sacrifice to lift us out of our sins, our wrong doing, then we would be on our way to Hell today.

No, we live in a time of grace, salvation and sanctification. Not by anything we have done, but by the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross!

Romans 3:23 NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Ephesians 2:8–9 NKJV

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 6:23 NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:13 NKJV

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

This is the mystery! He takes those that are completely and totally depraved in their sins and makes them new. Not just cleansing us, but making us new

Romans 8:1 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

This means that a person who comes down front, says a prayer asks Jesus to be there all-in-all. But only has the ascent of the mind and no Spiritual change in their life is not a true born-again believer.

But he who has given his all to Christ, in that moment Has been transformed from death to life. He has been given a new nature because he will no longer walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

You don’t have to tell an Apple tree to make Apples. It does that because it is it’s nature

You don’t have to tell a sinner to sin. They do that because it is their nature.

But a new Christians now has the old sin nature and the new nature inside of Him. He has the choice to choose life. He has the ability to choose life and a true born-again believer will choose life 9 times out of 10. Yes a believer can sin, but that is not where he resides anymore.

Why?

Because he is a new creation. Living in newness of life!

We are exhorted by Paul in :

Galatians 5:16–18 NKJV

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Life Point - You Are A Slave Of Christ

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 4:1–2 NKJV

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Homiletical -

The words “servants” and “stewards,” are important

Servant here is not just like some guy who shows up for a job, does it and goes home. It is more like a slave. We serve Christ because we have become slaves of Christ. We serve at His good pleasure, not at our own. Sometimes you may not want to serve Christ in a particular way, or endure a particular hardship. You know Paul didn’t want a particular thorn in the flesh, but the Master refused to take it away from His slave.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NKJV

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We are Christ’s slaves and we have been made stewards of the mysteries of God.

It is required that we as stewards be found faithful. What does that mean? It mean submitting yourself to the Master and do His will even when you don’t want to do it.

It means, telling people about the Gospel.

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

What happens if we aren’t faithful to this command?

You are not an employee, the boss doesn’t just fire you and you get to move on.

No, you are Christ’s slave, son and heir. He who said I will never leave you nor forsake you also said.

Hebrews 12:5–8 NKJV

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Life Point - You Are Not God

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 4:3–5 NKJV

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Homiletical -

Today we have an epidemic of Christians judging each others Christianity wrongly.

During this time Paul had people coming behind Him who would say that what he taught and the way he lived is wrong. Why? Because he didn’t practice all of the man-made laws from Judaism at the time. These people were called Judaizers. Their biggest heresy was that they said to be a Christian you must practice Circumcision. If that were true, then salvation would be by works and not by grace.

Galatians 3:1–3 NKJV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

So with Paul having enemies outside the church and inside the church where heresy had started to creep into the church. Paul basically says, “You don’t get to evaluate my Christianity, because it is plain to see that I am walking in the Spirit. I believe I am doing things right so my conscience doesn’t even bother me. Only God gets judge my motives and my secrets. Not you”

When someone adds works to salvation they immediately begin to judge others.

We used to have a very popular movement in the United States, and it still exists in parts of the country, called the Holiness movement. It started out well. Saying don’t use grace as an excuse to walk in sin.

Romans 6:15–19 NKJV

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

So what happened?

They became legalistic and forgot about grace. Women couldn’t wear makeup. You couldn’t wear jewelry. Women must wear skirts or dresses at all times.

This is a very short list. They took the freedom of Christ and added man-made rules to the scriptures and turned the Gospel into something that no one could bare.

This brings me to one more point I want to bring out. Jesus is coming back. He will judge our motives and our secrets and bring them into the light for all to see. So examine yourselves to make sure you are really in the faith, that your motives are right and pure.

Illustration -

There was a little boy who wanted to get a gift for his mother on her birthday.

He told His dad he wanted to get her a cookie jar. So they went down to the store. In this story there was a huge cookie jar isle.

He carefully went to each jar and lifted each lid with a serious look on his face. When he was done he had a very sad expression on his face.

His father asked him what was wrong and with a pitiful soft answer he said, “Dad don’t they make cookie jars that don’t make noise when you take the lid off?”

Motives are important. Why we do things are important.

Life Principle– You’re Not God; You’re A Slave Of Christ & You Have An Important Calling.

Call to Action – altar call….