Sermon Tone Analysis

*The Gospel: Our Partnership*

*1Corinthians 16            July 27, 2003*

* *

*Scripture Reading:*

 

Luke 16:1-9, “The Parable of the Shrewd Manager” (an earthly example on how to get onboard the idea of partnership)

 

*Introduction:*

 

/Connect the parable of the shrewd manager with the preceding parable of the lost son and with what follows in Luke 16:10-15 regarding the concept of partnership with God./

 

/Chicago Tribune, Tuesday, July 22, 2003: “Analysis: Key House votes coincide with biggest donations.”/

/Hidden Acres Christian Camp $1M matching grant (50%)./

Paul just ended chapter 15 of 1Corinthians with the command that since we have the gospel and its unalterable hope of glorified resurrection, we can proceed unhindered in our work for the kingdom of Christ – we have become partners with him by faith in his gospel.

Our lives spent for Christ will certainly not be in vain since we will get our lives back in his victory of imperishable immortality.

If we spend our lives fully for the gospel, we will be more than fully repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.

Not only that, but our lives will certainly not be spent in vain since our work in proclaiming the gospel will also bring others under its eternal protection.

Our partnership in the gospel will bear fruit and it will bear reward.

So our hope of resurrection in Christ should make us fearless and generous in serving him.

This leads us to the concluding chapter as the text for this morning’s message – 1Corinthians 16 – as Paul elaborates further on how the gospel makes its appeal to us for our continuing partnership.

*Big Question:*

 

/In what ways does the gospel appeal for our continuing partnership in its work?/

The gospel appeals for our partnership in sharing resources with believers in need.

Every believer is expected to share in the practical work of the gospel.

Planned and regular giving for the gospel is expected as a part of worship.

Graduated giving for the gospel is expected according to ability.

Accountability is expected in administering collections for the gospel.

The gospel appeals for our partnership in supporting full-time Christian workers.

This support is for God since God directs the affairs of his laborers.

This support is for ourselves since Christian workers serve us.

This support is for the provision and encouragement of Christian workers        since there is great opportunity as well as great opposition.

The gospel appeals for our partnership in honoring the saints.

We honor the saints when we stand firm for the gospel.

We honor the saints when we submit to those before us.

We honor the saints when we submit to those alongside us.

We honor the saints when we discern who the real saints are.

*/~* The gospel appeals for our partnership in sharing resources with believers in need./*

*I.

Cycle One*

 

*          A.

Narrative* (vv.

1-2)

 

*          B.