Maturity
Notes
Transcript
I will never forget my senior year in high school was an election year. The race was between George H. W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton. (I don’t tell you this because of their politics. I was not fond of either as a president). But each of these men had made their case as to why they should become president.
I will never forget in our Language Arts class the teacher began to discuss politics. If I recall correctly, she was analyzing the speech of one of the gentlemen.
So someone asked her, “Who are you going to vote for?” I will never forget her reply: “I am voting for Clinton.” She said with a smile. A second question: “Why?” Her reply, “Because he is a good looking guy.”
Many students were in awe at her reasoning, so they asked in a different way: “why are you voting for him again?” Her reply, “He is a good looking guy and I think he will make a good leader.”
More times than not, people assume ability based on common appearance or even first impressions. If someone is popular, it is assumed they will do a job well. If they are a celebrity, even more so.
Paul was dealing with this sort of struggle at Corinth. He was dealing with the cult of personality and the lack of spiritual discernment.
1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?
Grow Up
Grow Up
1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Grow Together
Grow Together
3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Grow In Christ
Grow In Christ
4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?
He says you are being human.
This is not an out.
It is Paul saying STOP IT!
Grow in Christ that you may be discerning.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Walking Away, But In...
Walking Away, But In...
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