Paul's Paternal Love

In yesterdays sermon we learned a great deal about the danger of pride and how it can really distort our view on reality. The Corinthians were proud and egotistical people leading them to boast against one another and to be self sufficient. While we may look on them with derision, we are no exception to falling prey to this sort of pride.

Living in the United States of America has allowed us to experience some of the greatest prosperity and liberty this world has ever known. We have some of the greatest theological seminaries in the world. However in our prosperity we have become proud and self sufficient. Subsequently we do not see real spiritual revival happening in our communities, nations or churches. In contrast poor nations in the third world are experiencing great revivals and outpourings of grace. This should be alarming to us.

Amos 6:4-8 give a good picture of how Israel had fell into the same trap of pride and self sufficiency. Look what God had to say to them...

“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp

and like David invent for themselves instruments of music, who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.”

The Lord God has sworn by himself, declares the Lord, the God of hosts:“I abhor the pride of Jacob

and hate his strongholds, and I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”

Methinks that this text is a good description of many churches in America today. If God dealt so harshly with his chosen people, Israel, how much worse will it be for the nation that is not chosen by God?  We desperately need revival today. But as long as Christians are proud and self sufficient we cannot expect revival in our lives, our families, our churches, our communities our our nation. The revival must begin within. It must begin with true heartfelt repentance and a passion for Christ and to live for him. When Solomon built the Temple to God on Jerusalem he feared that one day the people of God may turn form him in national apostasy, and God responded to Solomon with one of the greatest promises of the bible,  "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14

May we learn to humble ourselves and seek the face of God, and hopefully avert the rod of God's discipline on our nation. 

Whose Approval Matters Most?

In yesterday's sermon we examined Paul's summary statement of chaps. 1-3 regarding the Corinthians fascination with the worldly wisdom of their day. At the core of the Corinthian's problem was wanting the approval of their culture and society and wanting the approval of their peers. Such an approach to their walk with God led to an empty, shallow existence that focused more on style of substance. They boasted in their favorite leaders, condemned those they didn't like and thought of themselves as superior. While they were acting "of the flesh" and "like babies" we should ask, "How many professing Christians still act the same?" I hope the message was a challenge to your own hearts as it was mine and that God will use it to further your development as Christians.

Here are some further questions for application:

1) Do you consider yourself a wise person? If so what are you basing it on. The bible tells us in Ps. 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding."

The fear of God will frame how we look at life. It will determine whose approval we seek. If we fear God- we will seek his approval not man's. Those who do fear God and do things his way will truly prosper.

Those who fear man, may appear wise because they are wise in the eyes of the world but are fools in the eyes of God. Prov. 29:25 "The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."

Who do you fear? God or man? Can you give examples of anyone in the bible who feared God and how God blessed them with wisdom?

2) One of the roots of the problems of division in Corinth was claiming allegiance to each persons preferred leader. They were "boasting in men" by claiming "I belonged to Paul, and I belonged to Appollos." In a recent article I read, I learned that the greatest cause of division in churches today is music. Just like Corinth, party lines have been drawn but the slogans are different. "I belong to the traditional hymns...And I belong to the contemporary music.." are the slogans today. It sounds funny but it is true. The mistake the Corinthians were making was excluding the the blessing of God from other Christian leaders by claiming an exclusive identity to their preferred leaders. When we draw party lines over music- it is even more foolish. By doing so we cut ourselves off from the blessings of other styles of music by placing more emphasis on style over substance. To divide on such issues is outright carnal. As believers we must be more mature in how we approach music in the church and not allow that that to take the place of preaching nor to determine our view of a successful ministry or not. When we make a style of music the litmus test for a good worship atmosphere- we like the Corinthians- are cutting ourselves off from the blessings of God. All things are yours- hymns, choruses, gospel music, and yes- even Christian rap!

3) All ministers must give an account to God on Judgment Day for how faithful they were with the gospel message. In the same way all believers have been entrusted with the gospel and all believers have the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel to the lost. Have you been faithful? Does your heart pound for the lost? Do you believe the gospel is the greatest message for all mankind?

Jesus said in Matt 9:37-38, "“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

The means of harvesting souls is through the proclaiming of the gospel. The Corinthians were ashamed of the message of the cross but had forgotten that is was the gospel that saved them. Rom. 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes"

Are we ashamed of the gospel? Are we ashamed to share our faith with others? Are we ashamed of the life giving power of the message of Christ crucified? The Corinthians were and they needed to repent. They were more concerned about men's approval rather than God.

Listen to this warning from Christ about being ashamed of him, "For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:38

May we not be ashamed on that day but stand before God in confidence knowing that we have been faithful in little and hope to be made faithful in much. Let's live our lives in preparation for eternity knowing its God's approval that matters most, not this worlds, and that for those who by faith are faithful to Christ, will by no means be put to shame.

God bless,Bob

Servants of the Most High

In today's sermon we were faced with a biblical explanation for the role of ministers in the local church. So often people tend to make pastors and teachers out to be more than who they are. It is a mistake we can easily fall into when captivated by those who have been gifted by God in the area of preaching and teaching. But nevertheless, they are men who have been redeemed and set apart to be servants of God and of the members of the body. While most of this text was related to those who are ordained ministers(servants), the passage had application to all Christians as well. Here are some questions to help stimulate feedback and conversation.

1) When Paul said, "I sowed, and Appollos watered", he was referring to the work of sowing the seeds of the gospel and watering it with more elaboration on the gospel. How can we better sow the seeds of the gospel in our lives?

2) Read Matt. 20:1-16. How does it correspond with 1 Cor. 3:3-8? What is the main point of Matt. 20:1-16?

3) While ministers can build with cheap materiel upon the foundation of the cross, so can we. What is our attitude about ministry? It can be any ministry; children, family, music, etc. Are we doing it for ourselves to be noticed by others? Or are we doing it for the glory of God? The Day of the Lord will reveal the quality of each persons labor. How can we cultivate and promote a more humble approach to ministry?

4) Promoting Divisions in the church is equivalent to "Destroying God's Temple" Not only are there consequences in causing sometimes irreparable damage, but also inviting God's judgment. John MacArthur says this about division, "What the Lord laments and opposes, Satan applauds and fosters.  Few things demoralize, discourage, and weaken a church as much as bickering, backbiting and fighting among its members. ...Because of quarreling, the Father is dishonored, the Son is disgraced, His people are demoralized and discredited, and the world is turned off and confirmed in unbelief.  Fractured fellowship robs Christians of joy and effectiveness, robs God of glory, and robs the world of the true testimony of the gospel.  A high price for an ego trip!"

What are some practical ways we can avoid division? How can we promote unity? Is there ever a time when we should divide? 


May God bless you this week, and may you keep hanging on his words.

Easter Sunday Kickoff

Last Sunday we celebrated Easter Sunday at Grace and Truth and discussed the topic of "The Power of the Resurrection". Essentially we learned that Christ purchased for us a quality of life which is ours through faith. This life is eternal life, and life abundant. It is the resurrection life because it is life given to us by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that is honoring to God and to grow in sanctification. I am interested to hear from you all on how last weeks message inspired you and what points were challenging. Please fell free to post your comments and be engaged on a weekly basis.