Called by Grace
The Foolishness of the Cross • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction:
· Family reunions remind us that we are complicated (even messy)
THESE OPENING PARAGRAPHS SET THE THEME FOR THE BOOK. LET’S SEE HOW CHURCH IS CALLED BY GRACE; CALLED TO BE HOLY; CALLED TO FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST.
I) The Church is Called by Grace (vs. 1)
I) The Church is Called by Grace (vs. 1)
A. The Church is a “Called” people
A. The Church is a “Called” people
i. Calling is a Work of God (vv. 1, 2a, 9)
1. From “zealously righteous” Paul to the immoral Corinthians
2. Salvation is a calling: a work of God, not a cooperation or partnership
ii. Calling is the means to salvation (vs. 2b)
1. To “call on the Lord” is to cry to Jesus for help rather than ourselves
2. The church: “called” people who “call” on Jesus because they are helpless
B. The Church is a “Called by Grace” people
B. The Church is a “Called by Grace” people
i. Is the church a paragon of virtue? No! (see vv. 4-6, vs. 10)
1. The Myth of the NT super-church (vv. 4-6)
2. The Reality of the messed up people…! (but: vs. 10!)
ii. The Calling on the Church is rooted in Grace (vs.
1. Why should God call a murderer? A messed up church (Corinth/Salem)?
2. EXAMPLE: Membership class – “We’er not a perfect church.”
3. The church: Called & beloved by God in spite of our mess: GRACE!
NOW, TO SOME, THIS CAN SOUND LIKE AN EXCUSE TO GLOSS OVER THE UGLINESS OF SIN WITHIN A CHURCH COMMUNITY. AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE NEXT IDEA.
II) The Church Called to Be a Holy People in a Fallen World (vv. 2-8)
II) The Church Called to Be a Holy People in a Fallen World (vv. 2-8)
A. The Church in Time & Space
A. The Church in Time & Space
i. How does the Church Fit in the Culture today?
1. Some: The culture is filled with violence, immorality à Castle on a hill!
2. Others: The church has to be relevant, attractive àshopping mall!
ii. From Corinth to Salem: The Church is Rooted in a time and space (vs. 2)
1. Corinth – with its hopes, longings, desires, the church is rooted right there!
2. 58 years ago our sovereign God placed Sunnyslope in Salem by accident?
B. The Church – a messy people in a messy world
B. The Church – a messy people in a messy world
i. Yet the Church is called to be Holy (vs. 2)
1. The church in Corinth – the City on the canal, straddling two worlds…
2. …Called to be a holy people: Celebrating; Desires; pursuits.
ii. And one day, the hope of holiness will be realized in the church! (vv. 7-8)
1. The hope of our salvation: Happiness? Convenience? Comfort? These are shipwrecks of faith when trial or failure comes.
2. No! Holiness! THIS sustains us when trials come: God’s purpose
WE ARE A CALLED PEOPLE – CALLED BY GRACE, TO BE HOLY. ALL OF THIS, HOWEVER, HINGES ON VS. 9.
III) The Church Called to Fellowship by A Faithful God
III) The Church Called to Fellowship by A Faithful God
A. God Calls us into Fellowship With Christ (vs. 9a)
A. God Calls us into Fellowship With Christ (vs. 9a)
i. Fellowship with Christ means relationship with Christ
1. God calls us “in Christ” so that we are spiritually united with Christ
2. His righteousness becomes ours; his power to sanctify us is ours
ii. Fellowship with Christ means participation with Christ
1. The word here also means participating with – so, dying, rising
2. We learn to hate sin enough to kill it, and bury it never to be seen; to come alive in new ways.
B. God is Faithful To His Word (vs. 9b)
B. God is Faithful To His Word (vs. 9b)
i. God accomplishes his salvation because he is faithful
1. How can God keep putting up with such messed up people (incl. us!)?
2. Not because we are worthy, or bring something to the table…but GOD!
ii. God preserves us until the end because he is faithful
1. The assurance that God finishes what he starts
2. EXAMPLE: Amid our doubts, our uncertainties – it’s not the strength of our faith, but the object of our faith
Transition:
Conclusion
Rest assured that the God who graciously calls you is faithful