Preaching portion: 1 Cor. 1:26-31

Subject: Nobodies

Theme/Proposition: God's nobodies

Introduction:

Three percent come to church because of the preaching.

1A God's simple people vv. 26-28

• Moody (crude) influenced Meyer (soph.) who influenced Sunday (crude) who influenced Graham (soph.)

2A God's special power vv. 30

3A God's sovereign purpose vv. 29&31

God's 5-Ranked Army of Fools

1 Cor. 1:27-28

Preaching portion: 1 Cor. 1:27&28

Subject: Boasting

Theme/Proposition: How does God keep man from boasting in His presence?

Introduction:

Somebody here this morning may have the impression they got saved because God saw something good in them. Somebody may never reflect back on the day of their salvation and remember just exactly what kind of life he or she had been living. That somebody well needs to consider just what motivated God to bend over and save them from slipping into an eternal hell.

The Corinthian Church had many problems. One stemmed from the fact that the members were glorying in man and his achievements, exalting their own apostles and ministers. Paul had to call them down and remind them where they had come from before God called them.

1A By choosing the foolish to confound the wise v. 27

• "Let no cultured person draw near, none wise and none sensible, for all that kind of thing we count evil; but if any man is ignorant, if any man is wanting in sense and culture, if anybody is a fool, let him come boldly [to become a Christian] . . . We see them in their own houses, wool dresses, cobblers, the worst, the vulgarest, the most uneducated persons . . . They are like a swarm of bats or ants creeping out of their nest of frogs holding a symposium around a swamp, or worms convening in mud"--Celsus, philosopher, A.D. 178, on Christians

1B In God's own interest: ". . . hath chosen . . ." v. 27

1C Not man-centered

2C God-centered: without respect of persons (Rom. 2:11)

2B By God's own method (Luke 10:21)

1C Hid from the wise

2C Revealed unto babes

2A By choosing the weak to confound the mighty v. 27

1B David slew Goliath (1 Sam. 17:32-51)

1C Odds were with the giant

2C God was with the shepherd

• Confound--to shame or disgrace

3C Victory went to the "weak" (more feeble)

2B Man's weakness is God's strength v. 27

1C Paul's testimony (2 Cor. 12:10)

• Paul may have been repulsive in appearance (Gal. 4:15 & 2 Cor. 12:7) and short in stature.

2C James' prescription (Ja. 4:10)

3A By choosing the lowest to bring to nothing the things which are the highest v. 28

1B John the Baptist--the greatest man who ever lived, save Jesus Christ (Mt. 11:11)

1C Had no formal education

2C Had no training in a trade or profession

3C Had no money

4C Had no military rank

5C Had no political position

6C Had no social standing

7C Had no impressive appearance or oratorical qualities

2B The Despised v. 28

1C Present tense

2C What was once despised will continue to be despised

Conclusion:

God keeps man from boasting in His presence by choosing the foolish to confound the wise. He also keeps man from boasting in His presence by choosing the weak to confound the mighty. But He doesn't stop there. God keeps man from boasting in His presence by choosing the lowest to bring to nothing the things which are the highest.

Look around you. How many intellectuals do you see that God has called? How many strong, valiant men do you see? How many wealthy, noble, aristocratic people are there that God had chosen? Man equates worldly success with Godly favor. God does not. Start looking at your calling from God's point of view.

He's Everything to Me

1 Cor. 1:30

Intro: Didn't cook enough at Foothill Mother/Daughter banquet. Christ's plate is ALWAYS full.

1. Wisdom

Cf. world's wisdom

Paul had been in Athens: Sophists (eloquence and persuasive words) and Gnostics

Paul's preaching was a demonstration of the Spirit's power, not a product of human ingenuity or rhetoric

vv. 19-21, 25-27; 1 Tim. 6:20; Col. 2:8

Wise insight and spiritual perception which come from above (Ja. 1:5; 3:17)

That we should not glory--look around you (saved by the letter "M")

Knowledge without wisdom, speed without direction (velocity; Rom. 10:2)

2. Righteousness

Some establish their own righteousness (Rom. 10:3); unless you obtain the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20)

Filthy rags (Is. 64:6)

Religion is us seeking God; do and done

3. Sanctification

Pruning: to conform us to be like His Son; no disc. feels good at first (Heb. 12:11)

Saints: separated, holy ones; come out from among them and be separate (2 Cor. 6:14)

He which has done a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Ph'p. 1:6)

4. Redemption

Deliverance from bondage by means of a price paid

Saints have been liberated from the slavery of self, sin, and Satan, having been bought out of the slave market

Through His blood (Eph. 1:7); His blood is the ransom price paid

Rev. 5:9

Concl: Wisdom outside of Christ is foolishness; Righteousness outside of Christ is guilt and condemnation; Sanctification outside of Christ is filth and sin; Redemption outside of Christ is bondage and slavery. We didn't make enough for the Mother/Daughter banquet. But Christ is all-sufficient for us. He's everything to us.

God's Word

1 Cor. 2

vv. 9-12: Revelation

v. 13: Inspiration

vv. 14-16: Illumination

1 Cor. 2 & 3

Soul (self-conscious)--unsaved

Flesh (world-conscious)--babe in Christ

Spirit (God-conscious)--crucified with Christ

Text: 1 Cor. 3:11-15

Subject: Works

Theme: The Believer's Works

Introduction:

Houses were coming down in California. The foundation and building materials did not meet the test.

Christ made himself the foundation upon which we are to build. We have various substances to use in building, including works likened unto gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. The type of building materials we use will be examined by Christ on the Judgment day for believers. All Christians will participate and our materials will be tried by fire.

1A The Structure of the Believer's Works (vv. 11 & 12)

1B The Foundation (v. 11)

1C Always first and most important--8x8x16 coming down at Cowherd

2C It is Christ--everything done should be based on the Lord Jesus Christ

3C It is already poured

2B The Building Materials (v. 12)

1C Gold, silver, precious stones--rare

1D Doing good works (Eph. 6:8)

2D Denying ourselves (Mt. 16:24-27)

3D Treating other kindly (Lk. 6:35)

4D Enduring difficult circumstances (Heb. 10:34-36; Job 2:3)

5D Living godly (2 Pet. 3:11-14)

2C Wood, hay, straw--abundant

1D Done in human power

2D Done for selfish motives

2A The Testing of the Believer's Works (v. 13)

1B All participate

2B On "The Day"--chronology

3B Tried by fire

1C Not a fire of cleansing, but of judgment

2C It tries, it tests

3C It reveals (apokaluptetai)

3A The Duration of the Believer's Works (vv. 14 & 15)

1B Those that Abide merit a reward

1C Differences in reward (Mt. 16:27; Mt. 5:22; Jn. 19:11)

2C Some will be ashamed (1 Jn. 2:28); "How would you live differently if you knew Jesus was coming next week?"

2B Those that are burned

1C Shall suffer loss--Hay and Diamond illustration (Mt. 6:19-20)

2C Are still saved

1D Eternal life is no reward for human works (Rom. 6:23)

2D Salvation--God's work for man; Rewards--Man's work for God (Eph. 2:8-10)

Conclusion.

Christ gave us a foundation upon which to build. He gives us the liberty to choose which building materials we would use. Christ will test our structure at His coming.

Are you building upon Christ? What is your true composition? If your works, as a Christian, were tried by fire, how would they stand? Build a lasting structure.

1 Cor. 3

Three Types of Work

14. Profitable

15. Useless

16/17. Destructive

1 Cor. 4:2

Defenders of the Faith

Intro

Defenders of the Faith (British Coins). Peter, Paul, Tyndale, Hus. The world is looking for heroes: someone to pin medals on, someone to look up to. But God is not looking for a big splash. He is just looking for someone to be faithful. Where are you on the scale of the faithful?

1. Required--Imperative

You may go to church at 0830 or 1100

You may eat meat or decide not to

But seek to be faithful at all costs

2. Stewards--Instruments

A servant who cares for the persons or property of another

Oikonomia

Ill. 232

3. Found Faithful--Intent

Found--Lk. 12:42-43/18:8

Not Busy--Martha/Mary (Luke 10)

Martha- oldest of the family and ran the household; we find her mostly in the kitchen or serving.

Mary- Lord’s feet (read Lk. 10:41): signifies readiness to receive his word; submission to the guidance of Christ. Listening: imperfect tense, continual; not taken away (Matt. 6:19-21, where’s your treasure today?)

I wonder if Jabez ever thought his prayer would be a best-seller

WW2 was the war of the small man; Infantry taking out tanks

Assy. line salvation; Lk. 15:7

Semper Fi--God can accomplish marvelous things through the person who cares not who gets the credit; Mt. 6:2, they have their reward; Jn. 12:43, they loved the praise of men; 1 Sam. 16:7

It all began when Edward Kimble felt the tugging of the Spirit to share his faith with a young shoe salesman he knew. At first Kimble vacillated, unsure if he should talk to the man. But he finally mustered his courage and went into the shoe store. There Kimble found the salesman in the back room stocking shoes, and he began to share his faith with him. As a result, the young shoe salesman prayed and received Jesus Christ that day. That shoe salesman's name was Dwight L. Moody, and he became the greatest evangelist of his generation.

But the story doesn't end there. Several years later a pastor and well-known author by the name of Frederick B. Meyer heard Moody preach. Meyer was so deeply stirred by Moody's preaching that he himself embarked on a far-reaching evangelistic ministry. Once when Meyer was preaching, a college student named Wilbur Chapman accepted Christ as a result of his presentation of the gospel. Chapman later employed a baseball player to help him prepare to conduct an evangelistic crusade. That ballplayer, who later became a powerful evangelist himself, was Billy Sunday. Years later, a group of businessmen invited Billy Sunday to hold an evangelistic campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, which resulted in many people coming to Christ. The businessmen were so touched by Sunday's preaching that they brought in another evangelist, Mordecai Ham, to hold another crusade. Ham's crusade went well, even though it did not have many converts. On one of the last nights of the meetings, however, one tall, lanky young man walked up the aisle to receive Christ. That man's name was Billy Graham. Talk about a chain of events! And it all started with an ordinary Christian named Edward Kimble, who reached D.L. Moody, who reached Wilbur Chapman, who reached Billy Sunday, who reached Mordecai Ham, who reached Billy Graham. Look at what God has done over these many years because of the faithfulness of one person.

Conclusion:

Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence. The man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages. A stone may sparkle, but that does not make it a diamond; people may have money, but that does not make them a success.

It is what the unimportant people do that really counts and determines the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung--James R. Sizoo

Love

1 Cor. 13

Intro.

1. The Motivation

-No redeeming value

-Remove Mountains (Mt. 17:20)

-v. 3: serving God out of fear; but God is good; Lk. 18:19

-For the love of Christ constrains us

2. The Manifestation

-Suffers long; Lk. 23:34; Gal. 5:22

-Not puffed up; Is. 52:13

-Not easily provoked; Mt. 5:41

-Thinks no evil; our nature; Prov.

3. The Maturation

-Prophesies, tongues, knowledge ceases; chapter 12

-Know in part; Dt. 29:29

-Put away childish things; Rom. 7:17-23

Concl.

Love vs. Romance (passive and temporary)

Love Pizza, self-gratifying

Not a feeling; C.S. Lewis wrote: “Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling. Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all....In fact, the state of being in love usually does not last.”

Gal. 5:22, 1^st Rank (Mt. 7:20, “You shall know them by their fruit”)

Mt. 22:36-40, Love God, Love your neighbor

1 Jn. 4:7, Is OF God

1 Jn. 2:5, True love for God is expressed not in sentimental language or mystical experience, but in moral obedience. The proof of love is loyalty

God’s love operates within the confines of His holiness?

1 Cor. 12:31, “A more excellent way”

Suffers long: Ja. 5:7; a long holding out of the mind before it gives room to action or passion

Kind: useful to others

Does not envy: Ph’p 4:11

Vaunteth not itself: Pr. 27:2

Does not behave unseemly: love is tactful and does nothing that would raise a blush

Seeks not its own: puts other first

Not easily provoked: Acts 17:16; to be irritated or touchy

Thinks no evil: Does not keep track of offences. Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

Rejoices in the truth

Bears (to bear up, as to support a roof)/believes (give soldier benefit of doubt)/hopes (positive)/endures all things (military: to sustain the assaults of an enemy, 2 Tim. 2:10, Heb. 10:32 and 12:2)

Never Fails

Two weeks after the stolen steak deal, I took Helen (eight years old) and Brandon (five years old) to the Cloverleaf Mall in Hattiesburg to do a little shopping. As we drove up, we spotted a Peterbilt eighteen-wheeler parked with a big sign on it that said, “Petting Zoo.” The kids jumped up in a rush and asked, “Daddy, Daddy. Can we go? Please. Please. Can we go?”

“Sure,” I said, flipping them both a quarter before walking into Sears. They bolted away, and I felt free to take my time looking for a scroll saw. A petting zoo consists of a portable fence erected in the mall with about six inches of sawdust and a hundred little furry baby animals of all kinds. Kids pay their money and stay in the enclosure enraptured with the squirmy little critters while their moms and dads shop.

A few minutes later, I turned around and saw Helen walking along behind me. I was shocked to see she preferred the hardware department to the petting zoo. Recognizing my error, I bent down and asked her what was wrong.

She looked up at me with those giant limpid brown eyes and said sadly, “Well, Daddy, it cost fifty cents. So, I gave Brandon my quarter.” Then she said the most beautiful thing I ever heard. She repeated the family motto. The family motto is in “Love is Action!”

She had given Brandon her quarter, and no one loves cuddly furry creatures more than Helen. She had watched Sandy take my steak and say, “Love is Action!” She had watched both of us do and say “Love is Action!” for years around the house and Kings Arrow Ranch. She had heard and seen “Love is Action,” and now she had incorporated it into her little lifestyle. It had become part of her.

What do you think I did? Well, not what you might think. As soon as I finished my errands, I took Helen to the petting zoo. We stood by the fence and watched Brandon go crazy petting and feeding the animals. Helen stood with her hands and chin resting on the fence and just watched Brandon. I had fifty cents burning a hole in my pocket; I never offered it to Helen, and she never asked for it.

Because she knew the whole family motto. It’s not “Love is Action.” It’s “Love is SACRIFICIAL Action!” Love always pays a price. Love always costs something. Love is expensive. When you love, benefits accrue to another’s account. Love is for you, not for me. Love gives; it doesn’t grab. Helen gave her quarter to Brandon and wanted to follow through with her lesson. She knew she had to taste the sacrifice. She wanted to experience that total family motto. Love is sacrificial action.

(Dad, The Family Coach by Dave Simmons, Victor Books, 1991, pp. 123-124.)

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin or your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable...The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers...of love is Hell.

1 Cor. 15:19

Hope in Christ

Dacchau/Auschwitz, "Work makes Free"

Some hope for that which cannot be. Paul anchors our hope to a resurrection. How can our hope be sure?

1. We can know our limitations (target chart), Rom. 3:23

2. We can know our remedy, Nu. 21/Jn. 3

3. We can know our future, 1 Jn. 5:13

Some hope for that which cannot be. Our hope is sure.

Job 14:14-15

1 Cor. 15:12-19

John 20:24-29

Ps. 16:5-11

Because He Lives

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

1 Cor. 15:20-34

First Man Through

The following account comes to us from E. Stanley Jones. He told of a missionary who lost his way in an African jungle. He could find no landmarks and the trail vanished. Eventually, stumbling on a small hut, he asked the native living there if he could lead him out. The native nodded. Rising to his feet, he walked directly into the bush. The missionary followed on his heels. For more than an hour they hacked their way through a dense wall of vines and grasses. The missionary became worried: “Are you sure this is the way? I don’t see any path.” The African chuckled and said over his shoulder, “Bwana, in this place there is no path. I am the path.” (Today in the Word, May, 1996, p. 24)

Lewis and Clark, Amerigo Vespucci, Running Back. Jesus was “First Man Through” for us.

1. The Man

v. 20, firstfruits—guarantee, anticipates a harvest (glorified body)

v. 22, in man we fell (Heb. 7:9-10), in Man we live (even physically)

2. The Victory

v. 24, put down all rule/authority/powers (Eph. 6:12; Rev. 20:7-19, then GWT judgment)

v. 26, the last enemy destroyed: death

v. 28, the Son shall be subject unto Him (He accomplishes the work of redemption and restoration)

3. The Goal

v. 29, baptized for the dead (Peter’s life changed because of the resurrection)

v. 30, self-preservation kicks in

v. 31, I die daily (daily bread)

v. 34, some have not the knowledge of God—shame on you (carnal church, see ch. 5); sin not, stop sinning (PAImperitive) (1 Jn. 3:9)

When you don’t see the path, you need “The First Man Through.”

2 Cor. 9:7-8

How does God want us to give?

Intro.: In 1928 a group of the world’s most successful financiers met at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. The following were present: The president of the largest utility company, The greatest wheat speculator, The president of the New York Stock Exchange, A member of the President’s Cabinet, The greatest “bear” in Wall Street, The president of the Bank of International Settlements, and the head of the world’s greatest monopoly. Collectively, these tycoons controlled more wealth than there was in the U.S. Treasury, and for years newspapers and magazines had been printing their success stories and urging the youth of the nation to follow their examples.

Twenty-five years later, this is what had happened to these men. The president of the largest independent steel company, Charles Schwab, lived on borrowed money the last five years of his life and died broke. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur Cutten, died abroad, insolvent. The president of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, served a term in Sing Sing Prison. The member of the President’s Cabinet, Albert Fall, was pardoned from prison so he could die at home. The greatest “bear” in Wall Street, Jesse Livermore, committed suicide. The president of the Bank of International Settlements, Leon Fraser, committed suicide. The head of the world’s greatest monopoly, Ivar Drueger, committed suicide. All of these men had learned how to make money, but not one of them had learned how to live.

2 Cor. 9:7-8. Paul was dealing with the church at Corinth. Jesus speaks more on money (almost half of His parables). One out of 10 verses in the Gospels is about money. The Bible devotes 500 verses to prayer, 500 to faith, and over 2000 to money and possessions. Not because God needs it. He knows if He has that part of our life, He has every part of our life.

1. Every (all-inclusive)

2. Purpose (deliberate choosing; regular and proportional). 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:12; 2 Cor. 9:6

3. Not

Grudgingly. Col. 3:2, 2 Cor. 4:17, 1 K. 3:9-12

Of Necessity

Lev. 27:30--10% tax for Levites (Mal. 3:8)

Dt. 12:10 ff--10% tax for festivals

Dt. 14:28--10% welfare tax every third year

Matt. 22:15-22

The Sabbath and Sacrificial System were both instituted before the law. We do not adhere to them today. Why the tithe?

4. Cheerful (Ex. 36:4-6; 1 Chr. 29:9)

Luke 21:2-4 (Sher’s coins): God doesn’t need you money; it’s not how much we give, it’s how much we keep.

Mt. 6:20. Godfrey Davis, who wrote a biography about the Duke of Willington, said, “I found an old account ledger that showed how the Duke spent his money. It was a far better clue to what he thought was really important than the reading of his letters or speeches.” How we handle money reveals much about the depth of our commitment to Christ. That’s why Jesus often talked about money. Jesus wasn’t a fundraiser. He dealt with money matters because money matters. For some of us, though, it matters too much. Our Daily Bread, August 26, 1993

5. God is able

Grace abound. Mal. 3:10; 2 Chr. 26:5. The wife had been poring over the family's financial figures and finally concluded to her husband: "Well, I've worked out a budget -- now you'll have to work out a raise!" (Polish pottery, Karlovary crystal)

Toward you (Dt. 8:16-17)

Sufficiency. One who supports himself without aid from others. The world view is diametrically opposed, like he who wants to be great, be servant of all. This is foolishness to the world (1 Cor. 1).

Conclusion: All those men learned how to make money, but they didn’t learn how to live.

1-2 Corinthians

All Things are Lawful

Probably written from Eph, c. 54. Acts 18. The Corinthian Canal was started in 600 BC, then participated Cesaer, Caligula, and Nero. It was actually finished in 1893, and before that ships were rolled across. In 1928 an earthquake leveled the city. On the Acrocorinth (the great hill rising above the city) stood the temple of Aphrodite (1 Cor. 13), where sailors frequented. Now there are just the walls. In 146 BC Rome conquered Corinth, killed all the men, put the women and children to slavery, looted the city then burned it. Julius Cesaer rebuilt it in 46 BC. By AD 200 it was again the wealthiest city in Greece. In AD 49 all Jews had to leave Rome and Italy. Thus, Aquila and Priscilla met Paul in Corinth. Rom. 16:23, Paul said he knew Erastus (2 Tim. 4:20), the city treasurer. A pavement block near the theatre bears an inscription relative to this scripture. In Latin it says “Erastus laid the pavement at his own expense.” The Bema, on which the Roman proconsel would hold court and administer justice, is located in the middle of the southern side of the Agora. “For we shall all appear before the judgment seat...” (1 Cor. 5:20) Great place for the Gospel to spread.

Paul wrote because he had heard some things (1 Cor. 1:11, 5:1), and they had asked him some questions (1 Cor. 7:1, 16:17).

Intro: 3-day pass to Greece. I also had a responsibility, and it cost me $40. Christ gives us liberty--and expects responsibility.

1. The believer's freedom, 1 Cor. 10:23-11:1

Everything is permissible (obviously excluding those which God forbids, referring to those things of which the Scriptures are silent)

but--alla

beneficial--sumferei, to help, be advantageous, profitable, useful

constructive--oikodomei, build up, edify, cause to advance spiritually

I will not be brought under the power (to be brought under the power or authority of someone, Gal. 5:22, self control) of anything, 1 Cor. 6:12

Meat offered at the Temple of Apollo

Do all to the glory of God

Rom. 14:14, 21, 23; 1 Cor. 8:9-10, emboldened;

Martin Luther, "A Christian is subject to none, and subject to all"

2. The believer's separation, 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1

Yoked, ginesqe, stop an action in progress or prohibit a continual action (to use animals that need different kinds of yokes (Dt. 22:10/Lev. 19:19)

righteousness/wickedness

light/darkness

Christ/Belial (heb. word meaning "useless," and referring to Satan)

believer/unbeliever

temple of God/temple of idols

Come out

Purify ourselves, kaqarizw

3. The believer's choice, 2 Cor. 9:6-8

Sowing, Prov. 11:24, Luke 6:38, Gal. 6:7

As he purposes, Prov. 22:9; serving God out of fear, or love?

God is able, Mt. 6:33

Ill. 85

Concl. TFAS liberty. Exhibit responsibility when making choices.