Monday, April 19, 2010
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
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ReplyDeleteI would like to post on Yesterdays Sermon April 18, 2010 -"Whose Approval Matters Most".
ReplyDeleteYesterdays sermon was very challenging to me specifically when Bob spoke about the "exclusive" thinking of reformed believers. Admittingly around a year ago yesterday's sermon would've been even more challenging for me because I myself was very exclusive. I think a lot of reformed brothers and sisters deal with this issue early on in initial stages of the reformed world. I can speak for myself in that when I was new to the reformed world I pushed myself away from a lot of other believers because I thought they really didn't have anything to say to me that would leave an imprint on my life. After going through 1 Corinthians, I see the folly in that way of thinking and I see how that arrogant view point can tear down the church instead of building it up. I see the balance the Apostle Paul was speaking of concerning ministers of the word. Personally I now look for preachers to uphold core essential doctrines and most importantly I look for a minister to have a proper view of the Gospel and for that minister to be sure that the glorious Gospel is proclaimed to all people. Bob again I would like to say thank you for your commitment to the word of God and for your balanced approach; I think this sermon was much needed.
Pastor Bob touched on a number of subjects. I began to think back to the days when I was a young christian and did not want to be seen with a bible in my hands on Sunday morning or any other day because I was afraid of ridicule. ..Thank God for His mercy and patience. The preaching of the cross is indeed foolishness to the world.I'd rather be a fool to man than be a fool in the eyes of God.Though that wasn't always the case. We as true Christians are not of this world.As I grew as a Christian my theology changed and arrogance slowly crept in. Pride , the silent killer though sometimes not so silent. Looking down at "NON reformed Christians. As though they were inferior to us Reformed folk aka..Calvinists. Ignorance on my part and again thank the Lord for His patience with this sinner.As if I(we) have anything to boast about except Christ..Thank God Calvin did not die for me or else I'd be lost. He died but Christ lives..We are all as true believers children of God and should treat each other as such. Like Bob said we shouldn't boast in our leaders but only in Christ. It is God who deserves all the praise and Glory.Though keeping in mind that our faithful leaders are a gift from God.
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