1 Corinthians 1,4-9

1 Corinthians 1:4-9

October 14, 2001

Intro: Our health insurance dilemma (Useless benefits).

A-  The old company no longer exists

1-   The new company is unstable (no assurance).

a-   Useless and insecure (no peace)

B-  As we say last week Paul’s epistle to the Corinthians is addressed to the church of God (at Corinth).

1-   Specifically to the saints; it’s a letter to God’s people unique to Corinth but applicable to all that call Jesus Chris Lord.

What Paul is doing in verses 4-9 is bringing to light 6 benefits of being a saint.

2-   Six things that apply to all saints through the ages and to us today.

#1- The first benefit of being set apart for the Lord is

1 Corinthians 1:4,  I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

A-  The grace of God.

1-   From God’s standpoint He thinks so much of Grace He made it part of His name.

Exodus 34:5-6,  Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord.6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,

2-   From our standpoint it is God’s unmerited favor.

a-   Receiving favor from God although we do not deserve it.

b-   Paul tells us that it was given to us.

Ephesians 2:8-10, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

c-   We are out there trying to earn:

-         leisure, peace, a living

·        The most important thing is it’s free of charge.

l-     What is the effect of this benefit of sainthood?  “The release of guilt”

A-  There are only 2 ways to be released of guilt and it’s effects.

1-   The first Judgement (punishment)

a-   If you spank your child you only do it once

-         the price has been paid (common sense)

b-   You can only be fired from a job once.

c-   Once you have served your time in jail…

-         When the punishment has been completed there is a release of guilt and the price has been paid.

d-   Jesus on the cross cried “My God My God why have you forsake me.”

-The punishment for sin is separation from

  God leading to death.

Romans 6:23,  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

e-   So to be released from guilt you can pay the price, suffer the punishment and have it done with.

-         The problem is the cost is greater than you can ever pay.

·        It’s why hell is forever.

2-   The other way to release guilt is to say your sorry to the offended party and rely upon their love for you.

a-   Hope that they will freely forgive.

-         Give you grace.

Psalm 32:1, Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

#2- The 2nd benefit of being a saint

1 Corinthians 1:5,  that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,

A-  As saints we HAVE received a spiritually rich life.

2 Peter 1:5-8,  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1-   We have become spiritually wealthy.  HOW???

Turn to 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

B-  Paul speaks of the 2 keys areas in V:5 that we have been made spiritually rich.  Those that are essential to achieve His purposes. (ALL SPEECH AND KNOWLEDGE)

1-   In context here “all” = all necessary to achieve God’s will and calling according to our individual call.

l- In speech because we are God’s mouth peace.

A-  So what is rich speech.

Turn to 1 Timothy 1:3-4&11 (Rich speech is the truth)

Acts 4:29 & Acts 4:31,  29 “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (rich speech is to be spoken Boldly)

2 Timothy 2:15,  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (Rich speech is accurate)

1 Peter 3:15,  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (Rich speech is patient, diligent, and gentle)

ll- We will be enriched in knowledge (Godly)

A-  We will not know of everything spiritual, but everything spiritual that is necessary for our situation.

Deuteronomy 29:29,  “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

1 Corinthians 2:9,  But as it is written:  “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1-   God will provide knowledge as we need it for His glory

1 Corinthians 8:1, Knowledge puffs up

Matthew 10:19-20,  “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;20 “for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

John 14:26,  “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

B-  Has given us a wealth of necessary speech it’s up to us to use it.

1-   He has given us such rich knowledge we must take possession of it, set it aside for the proper time, and make proper use of it.

#3- The 3rd benefit of sainthood is

1 Corinthians 1:6,  even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,

A-  The confirmation of our saint hood.

1-   So that there be no doubt

a-   Doubt = is the paralysis of the church today.

-         How can I make disciples if I am not sure that I am one.

2-   In 1 John we’ve seen how to erase doubt.

a-   Keep His commandments, Love the brethren, experience the Holy Spirit.

-         Assurance of salvation is what 1 John is about.

B-  This conformation comes from the testimony (witness) of Jesus Christ.

1-   How exactly is sainthood confirmed?

Mark 16:20,  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Wondrous acts <VS lying>))

Colossians 2:7,  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

(Through teaching, the word)

Hebrews 13:9,  Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace

(By grace).

#4- The 4th benefit of sainthood

1 Corinthians 1:7,  so that you come short in no gift..

A-  Is the blessing of Spiritual gifting

1-   God’s visible enablement to fulfill your ministry.

a-   Something given to EVERY BELIEVER.

1 Corinthians 12:7,  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

b-   For the glorification of God.

1 Peter 4:10-11,  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2-   The Spiritual gifts being as follows

Salvation, prophecy, helps, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, mercy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues, apostleship, administrations, evangelism, and pastorship.

1 Corinthians 12:29-31,  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

#5- The 5th benefit of being a saint

1 Corinthians 1:7-8, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A-  It’s that great hope that lives with-in us, the assurance that we have a future and hope.

Jeremiah 29:11,  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

1-   Want a sure investment

a-   Guaranteed dividends

b-   Given to you at no cost to you, but will be of infinite value later.

-         There is only one request (your life)

2-   This is what being a saint is all about

a-   It’s not, not going to hell BUT to heaven.

-         Are you eagerly waiting???

Turn to Romans 8:18.25

Titus 2:13, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

#6- Lastly

1 Corinthians 1:9,  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

A-  The 6th benefit of sainthood it’s God who will accomplish this in you, IF YOU ALLOW HIM.

1-   Why wouldn’t you????

Read Psalms 37:25-40