Outline…
The
Report re Disunity! (1:11)
The
Rumour re Defilement! (5:1)
The
Writing re Dilemmas! (7:1)
The
Four-fold Emphasis!
PAUL
PETER
CHRIST
THE HUB OF THE WHEEL
PAUL’S PROBLEM
CHURCH …1:1-12
Introduction:
Did you say a problem CHURCH?? Yes, indeed!
Despite the fact that they were a well-established
church and that “in everything ye are enriched by Him” (v. 3), this is a
Problem church … with a capital “P”.
And despite the fact that they had “tongues” and
“prophecies” and all the other Spiritual Gifts, they were Paul’s No. 1 problem
church.
Did he quit?
Not Paul! He
was made of sterner stuff than some preachers we have heard about…
Background:
Corinth was a notoriously wicked Greek city. Its geographical location made it a
strategic place to plant the Gospel.
And Paul did that during his second missionary journey (about AD.50).
Outline:
The REPORT PAUL WAS
TOLD 1:11 Chapters 1-4
The RUMOURS PAUL HEARD 5:1 Chapters 5-6
The WRITING PAUL RECEIVED 7:1 Chapters 7-16
=========================
The RUMOURS have to do with
DEFILEMENT in the Church
The WRITING has to do with
DOCTRINE in the Church
1. Note
the INFANCY of these Believers
Paul describes them as spiritual “babies” (3:1-2).
The church had been established about 5-7 years
previous … and here they were still immature and irresponsible.
Notice Paul’s description of them, 3:3 … “envying …
strife … divisions”.
Some claimed to be of Peter’s ‘denomination’,
others looked to Apollos as their leader, others to Paul … and
the really super-spiritual said “We only follow Christ…” (See 1:12).
Baby Christians are a bad advertisement for the
Gospel.
2. Their
AUDACITY
A church torn asunder by schism. And immorality going on unrebuked (5:1)!!
And they write Paul a letter asking about some minor
points of doctrine. They
don’t even mention the real problems in their fellowship.
3. The
REMEDY
Six times in the first ten verses Paul emphasises
the fact that Jesus is LORD! Count ’em.
Vance Havner says, “What our Lord said about
cross-bearing and obedience is not in fine type. It is in bold print on the face of the contract!”
If these folk at Corinth give Jesus His rightful
place in their lives and obey Him as Lord … all their problems (and Paul’s)
will be solved!
“In ALL things He is to have
the pre-eminence” (Colossians 1:18).
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THE PREACHING
OF THE CROSS …1:17-25
Introduction:
Paul has just attacked, and will continue to do so
until the end of chapter 4, the problem of DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH (1:11-12,
3:4, 4:6…).
And, he added, he was glad he had not baptised any
except a handful of his many converts in that city (1:14-16).
Not that he was belittling Baptism … every believer
should be baptised! … but it would have aggravated an already growing problem
(1:15).
Paul’s main task was to preach the Gospel to uphold
the Cross of Christ … that men and women might be saved (v. 17).
1. THE
DECLARATION OF THE CROSS … 1:18
(a) The
Cross was Paul’s great theme, see 1:23a, 2:2, 15:1-4.
At
Antioch … he preached the Cross (13:28)
At
Thessalonica … the Cross! (17:2-3)
At
Caesarea … the Cross (26:23)
Our text (1:18) does not refer to “foolish
preaching” … but to the fact that the message itself is nonsense to the
unsaved!
Our preaching should be the very best it can be.
Down through history the “preaching of the Cross”
has been the theme of every great evangelist.
(b) But
there is a Divine Side to our text … at the Cross of Jesus God
declares His holy hatred of sin. And He
declares His love for lost mankind.
He declares that His Righteousness is available for the one who comes in repentance and faith back to Him … via the Cross! (Romans 3:23-26).
2. THE
DISTORTION OF THE CROSS
(a) Liberal
Theology
has robbed the Cross of its power.
It is displayed from some pulpits as the example of man’s wickedness … and man should be shamed into living a better life. The thought of the Lord Jesus “bearing our sins in His Own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24) is tragically evaded. Jesus is held up as a Martyr dying for an ideal, rather than as a Saviour Who “died for us” (Romans 5:8).
(b) But
the Message of the Cross can also be distorted by an unspiritual Christianity
… the kind of thing we have here at Corinth.
The way we behave can make the message of the
Cross “of none effect” (1:17).
3. THE
DIVISION OF THE CROSS
The Cross divides the world into two categories
…Saved and Lost. A person is going to
Heaven … or Hell. And it all depends on
their reaction to the “message of the Cross”.
Just as Paul divided the Saved into two groups …
Spiritual and Carnal (3:1), so he divides the Unsaved into Jews and Greeks.
(a) The
Jews
wanted a Messiah who was a miracle-worker.
Not someone who got Himself crucified!!
They required a “sign” (1:22).
(b) On the other hand, the
Greeks wanted to understand the philosophical “reasoning” behind it
all. To think that a Jew who was
executed as a common criminal could be the Saviour of the world … “Foolishness”
they cried (1:23).
The Jew wanted to “see” something with his eyes that
would convince him of Jesus’ credentials … and the Greeks wanted to “see” with
their minds the reasonableness of this Christian Gospel.
(i) The great “sign” to the
Jew was that Jesus rose from the dead.
Read Matthew 12:38-40.
(ii) And the “reasonableness”
of the way of Salvation was that none might boast in the presence of God
(1:29). No one in Heaven will be
boasting of superior intellectual knowledge that enabled them to ‘make it’.
God provided salvation for Jew and Greek and you and
me … and everyone must come the same way … to the foot of the Cross.
And because of that the intellectuals and academics
tend to miss what the common person grasps (1:26-28).
4. THE
DYNAMITE OF THE CROSS
That word “POWER” is the Greek word “Dunamis” … from
which we get our word “Dynamite”.
The message of the Cross … is the Power, the
Dynamite … of God.
It blasts the hardened rocky heart, and makes it
receptive to the Saviour.
It is a message that transforms a sinner into a
saint (1 Corinthians 6:9-11a).
* * * * * * * * * *
There’s a way back to God
from the dark paths of sin,
There’s a door that is open
and you may go in;
At Calvary’s Cross is where
you begin
When you come as a sinner to
Jesus.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Verse to Remember:
“God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).
============================================================
WORKMEN FOR
THE LORD … 4:14-15, 3:1-4
Introduction:
Paul continues to deal with the schism at Corinth.
These “carnal” Christians are setting one human
leader against another … 1:12, 3:4.
So Paul uses six illustrations to show how he, and
Apollos, and Peter stand in relationship to each other, and to the Lord.
1. THE
FATHER … 4:14-15
And this illustration is only of Paul himself. He was the one who brought the church at
Corinth to spiritual birth. Now he
wants to see his children grow up!
You can always tell a baby by its diet … it lives on
milk!
And you can always tell a ‘baby’ (carnal) Christian
… they enjoy Bible stories … but not Bible doctrine. They go to church to have a good time and to be entertained
rather than to dig into the Word of God and worship Him.
The thought comes to me that they love to sing
‘choruses’ … instead of the great old hymns of Christendom. Mmmm?
Paul is anxious to see his converts … his spiritual
children … grow!
2. THE
FARMER … 3:6-9a
The church is likened to a farm (or garden? v. 9).
And Paul, Apollos and Peter are those who labour
together to get it to flourish as it should.
They are not in competition with each
other. They are co-labourers. They are each working for the common
good. One did the ploughing… another
the sowing… another the reaping… but it was all part of a united effort.
Besides, it was God Who gave the increase (just as
He sends the sunshine and rain to make the crops grow). So why pit one Christian leader against
another?
3. THE
BUILDER … 3:9b-15
The illustration changes again. This time the church is likened to a Temple
… not a place of debauchery like the Temple of Aphrodite in Corinth … but a
holy Temple to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit … and kept clean! (3:16-17).
And whereas Paul’s pioneer ministry laid the
foundation (Jesus! v. 11), now the church folk must be careful how they
build. The ‘envying and strife and
jealousy’ of 3:3 is only building “wood, hay, stubble” (v. 12).
OR… is the reference to the preacher who uses
“enticing words of human reasoning” (2:1) … which also results in a
weak-structured church?
There is a grim warning in verse 15 that some
believers will make it to the Heavenly Home … but they will have no rewards
awaiting them. Saved, by the skin of
the teeth … because they were on the Foundation. That’s the way these carnal Corinthians are
heading …
4. THE
MINISTER - in the Greek, “The Under-rower” … 4:1a
The illustration comes from the Roman Galley.
Note the “us” … he is speaking of himself, Apollos
and the other leaders who have planted the church in Corinth.
Christ is the Captain … don’t praise us! … we just
did (and do) what He tells us to do!
5. THE
STEWARD … 4:1b-2
Paul and Apollos are like stewards in God’s
house. But a steward does not make
decisions. He does what he is
told. It is his task to be faithful in
the duties given to him (v. 2).
6. THE
SPECTACLE … 4:9
The imagery is that of prisoners doomed to die … led through the streets on the way to the arena. There is a dash of “sanctified sarcasm” in verses 9-11, as Paul seeks to prick the bubble of Corinthian pride (4:18). It is not an easy road we are travelling to Heaven … even though the Corinthians might think so with their happy-go-lucky services and party spirit.
* * * * * * * * * *
What’s the point of all this? To show that Paul and Apollos are brothers
in Christ, working under God, as He directs.
And they, the Corinthians, should not set out against the other (4:6).
============================================================
SCANDAL IN
THE CHURCH … Chapters 5-6
Introduction:
Now Paul turns his attention to the case of
immorality that is widely reported through the churches … yet these “wise”
Corinthians have done nothing about it.
1. Concerning
LASCIVIOUSNESS in the Church … 5:1-13
(a) The
Problem
The immorality between a man and his step-mother
(presumably) needs dealing with. And
Paul is just the boy to do it.
(b) The
Ruling
Verse 5 of chapter 5 simply means … Excommunicate
him! Cross his name off the church
roll! Sack him from any position he
might hold in the church.
Such drastic measures may bring him to a state of
repentance … and eventually he may be saved.
(c) The
Illustration
In verses 6-8 the Old Testament story of the
Passover affords a lesson in evil (typified by leaven) being put away. (See Exodus 12:14-15.)
(d) The
Previous Letter
As stated in verses 9-13, this letter had warned
about keeping company with ‘loose livers’ (NEB), a rather odd translation,
especially if one happens to be a butcher…
(e) The
Result
In 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 we see that the man has been
restored to fellowship and the believers are admonished to comfort him…
2. Concerning
LEGAL BATTLES in the Courts … 6:1-8
Fancy believers going to pagan law-courts to settle
their differences! It is ‘hanging dirty
washing in public’.
·
Paul’s
Ruling is that it is better to let one’s self lose the case (suffer yourself to
be defrauded, v. 7) and lose some earthly monetary gain, rather, one should not
bring disgrace upon the Name of Christ before the heathen who are looking on…
and you will gain a heavenly reward!
The only one who wins when Christians fight … is the
Devil.
3. Concerning
the matter of LIBERTY in Christ … 6:9-20
So
I’m free from the Law. Dead to the Law,
for that matter!
Does
that mean I can do anything??
(a) Yes
… but I need to take account of how a certain action will affect my body. Greek thought put a low priority on the body … not
so Christianity. It belongs to the
Lord, not just my spirit, but my body.
One Day He is coming back to raise it up!!! (6:13-14).
(b) And
I need to consider how any action of mine will affect my fellow believer. I
may be able to do something … and give it up.
He may follow my example and become in bondage to it (v. 12b).
(c) And
we need to consider whether this action will bring Glory to God. Again, the unsaved are looking on. Do they see Him living His life through me? Am I putting a stumbling block in the way of
the non-believer?
============================================================
LET’S GET
MARRIED?? … Chapter 7
Introduction:
Now Paul gets around to answering the letter he had
received from Corinth.
And the first thing they had asked him was whether
celibacy was better than the married state.
Some have wondered what qualifications Paul had to
deal with such matters. But there is
good reason to believe that he was a widower.
Members of the Sanhedrin, as he had been (Acts 26:10) were always
married.
In any case, he is inspired by the Holy Spirit when
he is penning Scripture.
·
Verses 1-11 deal with Christians who are married to each other
·
Verses 12-24 deal with a mixed marriage … a Christian and an unbeliever.
·
Verses 25-40 deal with unmarried Christians, both single folk and widows …
1. In verses 1 and 2 Paul
points out that neither celibacy (v. 1) nor marriage (v.
2) is wrong. He will
point out his preference for the single life …
Verses 26-28 … NOTE the phrase … “The
Present Distress”
The advice Paul gives here needs to be interpreted in the light of the fact that persecution is about to break upon the church. So … better to stay single!!
Verses 32-33 speak of the single
person’s ability to devote more time to the Lord’s work.
However, he emphasises, it is not a sin to marry (v.
28).
2. But,
what about the mixed marriage?? Well, says
Paul, the Christian is not to walk out on the unsaved partner. That one is under Christian influence which
may lead to their salvation. And the
same goes for the children (vs. 14, 16).
However, it the unsaved partner leaves … let ’em go (v. 15).
3. And,
what about the unmarried … and the widows??
Better for them to stay as they are (unless they are
burning up with frustration! v. 9).
Is this passage of Scripture inspired or not??
What does Paul mean that it is “not the Lord” … but
his own ruling?? (v. 12)
Simply, verse 10 is a reference to something the
Lord Jesus spelled out in the days of His earthly ministry.
But some of the matters dealt with here are not
mentioned by the Lord. So Paul makes an
inspired ruling on them.
** The
phrase “not under bondage” (v. 15) is variously interpreted by expositors. Does it mean the deserted believer is free
to remarry?? Mmmm?
* * * * * * * * * *
Here is something to bless the soul in this chapter…
Verse 32 does not mean that we are to be
careless. It means that we are to be
free of care. And how can that be?
Realise that God careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).
And that this world is not our Home … (“The time
is short…down here” vs. 29, 31).
I’ll fly away…
To a land where joys shall
never end
I’ll fly away …
Amen!!
============================================================
DOUBTFUL THINGS … Chapter 8-9:15
Introduction:
There are some things the Bible condemns as
sin.
And there are some things the Bible commends as
Christian activities.
But, just to complicate matters, there are some
issues where good Christians differ … and the Word of God does not spell out a
clear answer.
Paul has been asked about one such issue … Should
a Christian eat food that has first been offered to an idol?
Whilst this particular problem is no longer with us
in our civilization, there are some problem areas of Christian behaviour where
Paul’s reply is still relevant today …
For example, Is Smoking a Sin … or a “Doubtful
Thing…” What about Sunday trading? What about Rock music in God’s House? What about the length of a man’s hair?
Some believers make these issues a test of one’s
commitment to Christ. Are they??
1. AN
ANSWER TO PLEASE … 8:4-8
Paul says that an idol is nothing! It cannot affect the food in any way.
Our spiritual life is not conditioned by the food we
eat (v. 8).
It is interesting that a previous ruling from the
Jerusalem Council took a stronger line.
Doubtful things are often regulated by culture and time. What was not acceptable then may be
acceptable now…
Remember, we are not talking about SIN … which is
always wrong, but about these ‘grey areas” where Christians differ.
2. AN
ASPECT TO PONDER … 8:7-13
I may see no harm in a certain action … but a
“weaker brother” may be led into sin by my example! The law of FREEDOM must be balanced by the law of RESPONSIBILITY
(v. 9).
But, does that mean my whole life is to be
governed by what others think??? No!! For example, some believer may be ‘offended’
by the fact that I wear buttons (e.g. the Amish Christians consider buttons a
sign of vanity … and causing the needless killing of animals…) So do I stop wearing buttons??
True, I have no wish to offend my “weaker brother” …
but a higher law again comes into play … the law of PLEASING GOD.
Here is the final test in judging the rights or
wrongs of “doubtful things” … Am I pleasing God? By my doing a certain thing am I offending my weaker brother’s
weak conscience, or am I helping him see that he has room for spiritual growth
in this area??
Will my doing this thing (whatever it is) help
him or hinder him in his walk with God … and will God be glorified
by what I do?? (1 Corinthians 10:31).
3. AN
EXAMPLE TO PURSUE … 9:1-15
Paul gives a word of testimony – how he was free to
accept financial support from the Corinthians, but he didn’t! (Acts 18:3).
He has not changed the subject. It is the same principle … He had a right to
be supported by them but chose not to work that way in Corinth. None could then accuse him of “being in it
for the money…” (v. 15).
He dare not put a stumbling block in the way of
those he was trying to evangelise (v. 12).
And the same principle applies to those areas not called SIN in the
Bible, but that cause searching of heart.
Will it cause a weaker brother to stumble, even though I might be able
to do it without adverse effect upon me?
And will it bring Glory to God??!!
============================================================
RUNNING TO
WIN … Chapters 9 and 10
Introduction:
The matter of “Doubtful Things” continues … let’s
review.
Should a Christian eat food that had been offered to
idols? To which Paul replied that
whilst the idol does not affect the food in any way, we have a responsibility
to our weaker brother (8:7, 9).
And Paul went on to pursue this subject in chapter 9
– the fact that a believer does not always stand on his rights if it will have
an adverse effect on others.
Paul did not accept any remuneration from the church
at Corinth, although he was entitled to do so (9:15).
There was an EXAMPLE
from the SECULAR WORLD … 9:7
And the TEACHING
of SCRIPTURE … 9:9 (Deuteronomy 25:4)
And the ILLUSTRATION from the SACRED …
even priests share in the offerings … 9:13
Not forgetting The
COMMAND of the SAVIOUR … 9:14 (Luke 10:7)
Despite
which The TESTIMONY of the SERVANT
… 9:14-23 … is that he did not accept any financial gain from them
There follows An
ANALOGY of the SPORTSMAN … 9:24-27
And The TYPOLOGY of the
SCRIPTURE … as to how the Israelites of old came out of Egypt but failed to
enter the Promised Land. Why? Because they did what these Corinthians are
doing now!!
Take heed … he
warns them (10:1-13)
And finally we have The LESSON from the SUPPER (or
SACRAMENT), 10:15-22
Now get this!
… ALL these items are related to the one central issue : a
Christian’s rights are regulated by his responsibility to others.
1. THE
METHODS PAUL ADOPTED … 9:20-22
To reach the Jews Paul was willing to eat their food
and observe their customs (v. 20). And
to reach the Gentiles he was happy to sit with them and even eat food that had
been offered to idols (unless someone made an issue out of it (10:27-28) … he adapted
himself to others’ customs (as long as they were not contrary to the teaching
of Christ (v. 21) … to reach folk with the Gospel.
Today we have Radio, TV, Christian literature,
Cassettes, Videos … all kinds of ways of sharing the Gospel. Methods change … but the MESSAGE remains the
same.
2. THE
MASTERY PAUL ACHIEVED (or Desired??) … 9:24-27
As an athlete trains to get his body and mind in A1
condition for the event he has chosen, so believers need to exercise their
spiritual muscles for the work of the ministry to which God has called them.
And we are ALL in this ministry. It is not a race that is only won by one
person.
The race commences at conversion … and ends when we
sweep through the Golden Gate.
The tragedy is that these Corinthians were
spiritually flabby!
As Billy Sunday said to his congregation in the
Roarin’ Twenties, “... if you were as weak physically as you are spiritually …
you wouldn’t be able to walk!!”
Wow!!
3. THE
DANGER PAUL DREADED … 9:27
… To be a castaway from the Lord’s service! To be disqualified before reaching the
finishing line!
We are told in chapter 10:1-12 that the events … and
disaster that befell the Israelites in the wilderness … were an “ensample” (v.
11; margin “type”).
It is a Divinely ordained illustration of a
spiritual truth. Just because you leave
Egypt … does not mean you get to the Promised Land! (v. 9)
Why mention this here? Because the Corinthians were doing the same things these
Israelites had done 1500 years earlier.
NOTE the PUNCH-LINE: verse 12 … “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take
heed lest he fall.”
And even Paul includes himself in that … that it why
he keeps his body in subjection. He
refuses to be a slave to its desires (9:27).
4. THE
MOTIVES PAUL EXPERIENCED
What was it drove him on in the face of persecution,
stoning, flogging, ostracism, and a thousand other dangers???
(a) Others. NOT that I might be agreeable to all … but that I might save some
(v. 22).
(b) His
own joy
… in leading a soul to Christ. (See v.
23 in the Living Bible.)
(c) To
Hear the Master’s “Well Done!” … the crown at the end of the Race (v. 25).
(d) Just
to please his Master, here and now. To bring
joy to the heart of the One Who did so much for me…
“The
love of Christ constraineth us …”
(2 Corinthians 5:14)
… and therein lies the highest motive for Christian
service.
============================================================
A PEEP INTO THE
PAST … 10:1-13
Introduction:
In a solemn passage Paul reminds his readers to
“Take heed lest they fall!”
The Enemy of souls has not given up on his job of
destroying the souls of men. And a
number of illustrations are given from the days of Israel’s wilderness
wanderings to reinforce the argument here presented.
1. GOD’S
PEOPLE DID ALL THEN!
Despite all the Lord’s mercies bestowed upon them…
they fell into grievous sin (vs. 1-5).
(a) They
were God’s People … redeemed by the blood of the Passover Lamb and set free from the
Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12).
(b) They
were a Protected People … as the Glory Cloud stood between them and the enemy (Exodus
14:19-20).
(c) They
were a Separated People … through the waters of the Red Sea, which is here likened to Baptism
(v. 2). They were dead to the past life
and alive to tread their way to the Promised Land.
(d) They
were a Sustained People … God provided for them with bread from Heaven (Exodus 16), and water
from the smitten Rock (Exodus 17). And
Paul stresses that all this is a spiritual counterpart of God’s People today. We are redeemed by the ‘blood of the
Lam’; we are a protected and separated
and provided for people.
But despite all that … the Israel of old fell into sin (v. 5).
And they failed to reach the Promised Land!!
2. GOD’S
PEOPLE MAY FALL TODAY!
Twice … verses 6 and 11 … Paul emphasises that what
happened to Israel in the wilderness is a lesson for us.
In some instances the Devil used the ‘world’ to
bring them down … “they lusted after evil things” (v. 7), and sometimes the
Devil used the “flesh … the sinful nature of man” (v. 8).
The whole adult population died in the wilderness.
3. GOD’S
PEOPLE NEED NOT FALL!
(a) We
have a Warning to Heed … v. 12. Falling is possible!
(b) We
have a Promise to Believe … v. 13a.
He will not allow the Devil to temp us more than we can resist!
(c) We
have Power to Overcome … (v. 13b). There is no need
to ‘fall’. There is no need to fail to
enter in to the Promised Land.
He is still able to protect and sustain His
people. Amen!
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Studies in 1 Corinthians - No. 9
WOMEN !! …11:1-16
Introduction:
Should a woman preach?
Must a woman have her head covered during public
worship?
Is she equal to … or subject to … her
husband?
Paul now tackles these questions … and others!
Christians differ here. We will need to walk circumspectly through these verses and not
part company with those who may interpret them in a different way to us.
1. HER
SPRITUAL ACTIVITY
Just what does the Word of God (our final court of
appeal) permit her to do?
Here, in 11:4-5, we are clearly told that a woman
may “pray or prophesy” in the church meeting … as long as certain
pre-requisites are observed. A woman
may exercise the same ministry as a man (v. 4) … although their adornment is to
be different when doing so. More of
that anon…
But in 14:34-35 he is saying (or is he?) that women
must keep silent.
* Some
commentators say this only refers to Tongue-speaking (which is the theme of
chapter 14;
* Others,
that it has to do with women yelling out across the church building to ask
their husband a question in the middle of the sermon;
* Others,
that in verses 34-35 Paul is quoting the letter from Corinth to REFUTE it. Note his reaction to their letter in verse
36!! ALL may exercise the gifts (v.
31), both men and women (11:5), but apparently the Corinthians disallowed
women’s participation (vs. 34-35).
Paul reminds them that his teaching is “the
commandments of the Lord” (v. 37).
If the Holy Spirit gives a
gift (e.g. prophecy, tongues, etc., 1 Corinthians 12:11), to a woman, then she
has more right to speak forth in the church than a man who was not spiritually
gifted by the same Holy Spirit. It
is not a matter of whether one is a man or woman (we are all one in Christ
Jesus” Galatians 3:28), but whether one has been called and equipped by the
Spirit of God for a particular task.
2. HER
SUBMISSION ATTITUDE
Throughout the Scripture … beginning at Genesis 3:16
… it is taught that a man (i.e. a husband) is to take the lead in domestic
matters.
* See
Sarah’s attitude to Abraham … 1 Peter 3:5-6.
* Note the
instruction to wives in Titus 2:4-5.
* Here in 1
Corinthians 11:3 the same truth is taught.
Just as the Lord Jesus subjected Himself to the Will of His Father, so a
wife is to be subject to her husband.
JESUS WAS NOT INFERIOR TO GOD, THE FATHER. BUT VOLUNTARILY HE BECAME SUBJECT TO HIM
(Hebrews 10:7; John 14:28).
Nor is a wife INFERIOR to her husband … but their
roles are different.
In DOMESTIC matters it is God’s plan for the husband
to take the position of leadership (v. 3).
In CHURCH matters the Holy Spirit directs who is to
do what … and sometimes He chooses a woman.
There is equality “in the Lord” (v. 11).
Paul bases his argument for the husband’s headship
on the order of Creation (Man was created first (v. 9) … and in Ephesians he
points out that the marriage relationship is a picture of the Lord Jesus and
His Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:23).
3. HER
SUITABLE ATTIRE
Paul says that in public worship a woman is to wear
a head covering (v. 4).
But is this just a law for the church in Corinth
based on local culture?
Paul bases his argument on propriety (vs. 5-6) … the
street-women had uncovered heads in public!
And on the fact the Angels will be shocked to see
their insubordination toward their head (husband, v. 10). The hat or veil is a sign of their
submission (v. 5).
Nature itself teaches that men have short hair… and
the glory, the long hair of a woman (v. 15), ought to be covered in God’s
presence. We must not detract from His
glory…
It seems to me Paul’s arguments are based on more
than local custom (v. 16).
Mmmmm??
============================================================
1. THEIR
SCRIPTURAL ACTIVITY
(a) A
Basic Text … 11:3-5
11:3… “But I would have you know, that the head
of every man is Christ; and the head of
the woman is the man; and the head of
Christ is God.”
(i.e.
differing roles; not differing
nature!)
11:4… “Every man praying or prophesying, having
his head covered, dishonoreth his head.”
11:5… “But every woman that prayeth or
prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head:
(but what is the gift of ‘prophecy’?)
14:3… “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men
to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”
(b) A
Supportive Text … Acts 2:16-18 (Joel 2:28) Acts 21:9
2:16 … “But this is that which was spoken by the
prophet Joel;
2:17 … “And it shall come to pass in the last
days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and
your old men shall dream dreams:
2:18 … “And on my servants and on my
handmaidens I will pour out in those
days of my Spirit; and they shall
prophesy.”
(c) A
Key Text … 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (Concerning Spiritual gifts)
12:8 … “For to one is given by the Spirit the
word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9 … “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the same
Spirit;
12:10 … “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
12:11 … “But all these worketh that one and the
selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
(d) A
Problem Text … 1 Corinthians 14:34-35
·
The
‘Chattering’ Explanation Campbell
Morgan
·
The
‘Questioning’ Explanation Jimmy
Swaggart
·
The
‘Tongues’ Explanation Vernon
McGee
·
The
‘Quotation’ Explanation Sidlow
Baxter
14:31 … “For ye may all prophesy one by one, that
all may learn, and all may be comforted.
14:3 … “For God is not the author of confusion,
but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
14:34 … “Let your women keep silence in the
churches: for it is not permitted unto
them to speak; but they are commanded
to be under obedience as also saith the law.
14:35 … “And if they will learn any thing, let
them ask their husbands at home: for it
is a shame for women to speak in the church.
14:36 … “What?
Came the word of God out from you?
Or came it unto you only?
14:37 … “If any man think himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto
you are the commandments of the Lord.
14:38 … “But if any man be ignorant, let him be
ignorant.”
* * * * * * * * * *
7:1
… “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
7:2
… “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and
let every woman have her own husband.”
The Law?
Romans 6:14!
The Reaction! … vs. 36-38
2. THEIR SUBMISSIVE ATTITUDE
“As He wills” “submit”
(a) The Comparison … with the Godhead … 1
Corinthians 11:3
“But I would have you know, that the head of every
man is Christ; and the head of the
woman is the man; and the head of
Christ is God.”
(b) The
Consequences … of the Fall … Genesis 3:16
“Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy
sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow
thou shalt bring forth children; and
thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”
(c) The
Constant Emphasis … of Scripture … 1 Peter 3:5
“For after this manner in the old time the holy
women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto
their own husbands: 3:6 … “Even as Sara
obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord: whose
daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any
amazement.”
Titus 2:3-5
2:3 … “The aged women …...
2:4 … “That they may teach the young women ……
2:5 … “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home,
good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not
blasphemed.”
Ephesians 5:22-24
5:22 … “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own
husbands, as unto the Lord.
5:23 … “For the husband is the head of the wife,
even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the saviour of the body.
5:24 … “Therefore as the church is subject unto
Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
(d) The
Questionable Verses … 1 Timothy 2:9-15
2:9 … “In like manner also, that women adorn
themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided air, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array;
2:10 … “But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works.
2:11 … “Let the woman learn in silence with
all subjection.
2:12 … “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor
to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
2:13 … “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
2:14 … “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman
being deceived was in the transgression.
2:15 … “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in
childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with
sobriety.”
3. THEIR
SUITABLE ATTIRE … 1 Corinthians 11:4-16
11:4 … “Every man praying or prophesying, having
his head covered, dishonoreth his head.
11:5 … “But every woman that prayeth or
prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were
shaven.
11:6 … “For if the woman be not covered, let her
also be shorn: but if it be a shame for
a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
11:7 … “For a man indeed ought not to cover his
head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
11:8 … “For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
11:9 … “Neither was the man created for the
woman; but the woman for the man.
11:10 … “For this cause ought the woman to have
power on her head because of the angels.
11:11 … “Nevertheless neither is the man without
the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
11:12 … “For as the woman is of the man, even so
is the man also by the woman; but all
things of God.
11:13 … “Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God
uncovered?
11:14 … “Doth not even nature itself teach you,
that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
11:15 … “But if a woman have long hair, it is a
glory to her: for her hair is given her
for a covering.
11:16 … “But if any man seem to be contentious,
we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.”
(a) An
argument from Reverence … vs. 4-5
(b) An
argument from Propriety … vs. 5-6
(c) An
argument from Creation … vs. 7-9
(d) An
argument from Angelic Reaction!! … v. 10
(e) An
argument from Nature … v. 14
(f) An
argument from Church History! … v. 16
============================================================
THE TABLE
OF THE LORD …11:17-34
Introduction:
It is a remarkable thing that this simple memorial
ordinance has become a place of strife and disharmony within the Christian
Church.
Instead of symbolizing our unity, it has become a
source of division.
Not only do Protestants take issue with the Roman Catholic
teaching on this matter, but they do not see eye to eye among themselves.
Let’s see what the Bible has to say … and strip away
some of the false teachings and traditions that have accumulated around the
Lord’s Table during the last 1900 years.
1. THE
LORD’S TABLE IS A PLACE OF SIMPLE WORSHIP
A French infidel called the Roman Catholic Mass “the
grand opera of the poor”. All the
pageantry, the genuflections, the bells, the incense … all made the simplicity
of the Lord’s Supper a remarkable display of worldly splendour.
This is far removed from the simple ordinance
described in the Scripture.
It is true to say that in Corinth the Lord’s Supper
was part of the “Love Feast” … something like a Family Tea at the local
church. And not every member was behaving
himself at that time of fellowship (vs. 21-22). Whilst the Corinthian Church had the simplicity … they had lost
the element of worship!
2. THE
LORD’S TABLE IS A PLACE OF SPIRITUAL UNITY …
but … Catholics exclude Protestants…
Some Baptists exclude the unbaptised from the Table.
In some assemblies of believers only those with a
card or letter from another like-minded group are permitted to partake of the
elements.
Some churches invite “all who love the Lord” to
partake; no questions asked!
In early times the church used a common cup and one
loaf of bread … a symbol of their unity (10:16-17). Today the laws of hygiene suggest separate cups might be the
wisest course to follow!!
Brethren who are no in fellowship with each other
should put the matter right before partaking of the elements (Matthew 5:23-24).
We should approach this Table conscious of the fact
that we are “all one in Christ Jesus” … and behaving like it!
3. THE
LORD’S TABLE IS A PLACE OF SACRED MEMORY
It is a memorial of what Jesus did for us (v. 25).
It is not another sacrifice.
We come to a Table of Remembrance; not an altar of sacrifice.
Christ is not personally, literally present in the bread and wine. But He is present in a spiritual sense, in the hearts of those who come to this Table with a heart filled with love and gratitude…
4. THE
LORD’S TABLE IS PLACE OF SUBLIME GRATITUDE
“Eucharist” is a word some churches use for this
ordinance. It is the Greek word for
“Thanksgiving” (v. 14).
And we should be thankful at this Table. He died to deal with the sin question … once
for all!
5. THE
LORD’S TABLE IS A PLACE OF SELF-EXAMINATION
It is a time for searching of heart (v. 28).
If we are aware of sin, we should deal with it … or
else God will! (vs. 30-32).
It is a time for re-dedication to our Lord.
6. THE
LORD’S TABLE IS A PLACE FOR STEDFAST WITNESS
Before others we “shew” (or “proclaim”, v. 26)our
belief in, and trust in the Lord Jesus … Who died for us … and is coming back
for us at the end of the Age.
Hallelujah!!
* * * * * * * * * *
Verse to Remember:
ye do shew the Lord’s death
’till He come.”
(1
Corinthians 11:26).
============================================================
SPIRITUAL GIFTS … and all that!! …Chapters 12-13
Introduction:
The debate over spiritual gifts has raged so long and so
loud from pulpit and periodical that we have come to the place where we all
need the gift of patience!
Some say Tongues is Satanic … others that it is a
mark of spirituality.
Some say the gifts were for the days of the Apostles
only … others maintain they are for Now … with a capital “N”!
1. THE
DESCRIPTION OF THE GIFTS … 12:8-10
Other lists of gifts are found in Romans 12, Ephesians
4 and 1 Peter 4.
Twenty-one spiritual gifts are mentioned by the
sacred writers.
These are supernatural gifts … not to be confused
with our natural abilities.
2. THE
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GIFTS … 12:11
It is the Holy Spirit Who decides who is to be the recipient
of which gift. Not everybody gets the
same gift … or all the gifts!
(a) Paul’s
outlandish illustration … 12:12-29
Just the same as a body has many members … it is not
one big nose, or ear … so as members of Christ’s Body we all have our differing
parts to play. And the Holy Spirit
decides which part that will be (vs. 12-20).
We are all parts of His Body… and we need each
other! (vs. 27, 21).
(b) Paul’s
rhetorical questions … 12:29-30
The answer, which is so obvious that it does not
need to be included by Paul, is a resounding “NO!” Not every believer is an apostle or has the gift of
miracle-working … or tongues!
3. THE
DANGERS OF THE GIFTS … 12:24-25
(a) There is the very real
danger that those with the more spectacular gifts will look down on those with
less spectacular gifts. There will be
spiritual pride in some folk which will lead to schism from their fellow
believers (v. 25).
(b) 1
Corinthians 14:26-28 deals with another danger associated with spiritual gifts,
especially the more vocal showy ones … the danger of religious fanaticism. At Corinth everyone was exercising this gift
of tongues at the same time. Paul says,
“One at the time” (v. 31).
Whipping one’s self (and one another) up into a
state of religious ecstasy is not scriptural (14:40).
(c) And a third danger is
mentioned here: Not all messages in
tongues or prophecy can be trusted as coming from the Holy Spirit. They need to be tested!!
1 Corinthians 12:3 indicates that demons may
counterfeit this particular gift.
1 John 4:1 commands us to “Try the spirits…”
(d) And another danger! … that of repelling unbelievers.
The unsaved who sees a church-full of folk all
speaking (or singing?) in tongues will say, “They are mad!” (14:24).
This is not to say the gifts are useless … but the unwise
use of them is fraught with dangers.
4. THE
DURATION OF THE GIFTS … 13:8-13
Now we come to the 64 dollar question … when will …
or did … the spiritual gifts cease?
Pentecostal/Charismatic groups say the gifts
continue until Jesus returns … “when that which is perfect is come” (v. 10).
Others claim that phrase refers to the maturity of
the Christian Church. At the time this
was written the church was in her infancy and needed the gifts of the Spirit to
become established. By the next century
the church had “put away childish things” (v. 11).
Faith, Hope and Love continue through the Church Age
in contrast to those temporary gifts (vs. 13, 8).
5. THE
DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE GIFTS … 13:2
The Corinthian Church certainly had the gifts of the
Spirit … yet it was the worst church with which Paul had to deal!!
Spiritual gifts are no indication of one’s
spirituality.
Unless governed by a Divine Love (agapē) that
makes the believer considerate and kind and helpful and Christlike … the gifts
are worse than useless. They give one a
sense of “having arrived” when the opposite is true.
When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians (AD 56) the gift of
Tongues and Prophecy were needful to compensate for there being no New
Testament. But do we need these gifts
today??
============================================================
THE GREATEST
THING IN THE
WORLD! …Chapter 13
Introduction:
We come to 1 Corinthians 13… Paul’s great chapter on
Love.
The precise Greek language makes it clear that we
are not speaking of mere human affection … or romantic love … but that Divine
Love (agapē) which is an attribute of God Himself and is reproduced in the
believer by the Holy Spirit.
1. Notice
THE PRE-REQUISITE OF LOVE … vs. 1-3
(a) Love
is to motivate our Speech … be it human eloquence or spiritual gift (v. 1).
(b) Love
is to motivate our Scholarship … so what if one understands all mysteries
and is devoid of Love? (v 2b).
(c) Love
is to motivate our Service … even if it involves the working of the
miraculous! (v. 2c).
(d) Love
is to motivate our Stewardship … giving to others counts for naught if not
done with a heart from Love to God and our fellowman. It can be philanthropy (phileo love), without being Divine (agapē)
Love (v. 3).
(e) Love
must even be the motivating force behind any Sacrifice … “even one’s own
death”. People may lay down their lives
in wartime for patriotic reasons … or a scientist may die in the course of …
and because of … his scientific experiments.
But unless it stems from Agapē Love … it is of no account in the
eyes of God!
2. THE
PROPERTIES OF LOVE … vs. 4-7
Note the ‘spectrum’ of Love…
It is patient … kind … pure (envieth not) …
There is a genuine humility about it … and it is
never rude. It is considerate of others
… placid … and does not rejoice of the downfall of others.
Read the Scripture portion below, inserting YOUR
NAME where the word is missing!!
Verse 4: …… suffers long and is kind; …… envies not; …… makes no parade, …… is not puffed up;
Verse 5: …… is not rude; nor selfish; nor easily
provoked; ……bears no malice;
Verse 6: never rejoices over wrong-doing, but
rejoices when the truth rejoices.
Verse 7: …… knows how to be silent, …… is
trustful, hopeful, patient, enduring.
Love endures.
In contrast to this Fruit of the Spirit, Paul points
out that the Gifts of the Spirit will pass away.
The Corinthian readers were strong on the “gifts” …
and sadly lacking in the “fruit” department.
Yet it is the “fruit” that is the most important.
Without Love … the gifts are useless (v. 1-3).
And whereas Love is permanent, the gifts are
temporary.
Some commentators consider the passing of the gifts
not to take place until the Lord’s Return (“When that which is perfect
‘complete’ comes”) … and others suggest it refers to the spiritual maturity of
the Christian Church. History suggests
that these gifts had disappeared by about the Third Century.
4. THE
PRE-EMINENCE OF LOVE … v. 13
It is even greater than Faith and Hope. Why??
Because the Day is coming when …
Faith shall vanish into
sight,
Hope be emptied in delight,
Love, in Heaven, will shine
more bright …
Therefore, give us Love!
============================================================
THE PRE-REQUISITE OF LOVE …13:1-3
Introduction:
D.L. Moody, the famous American evangelist,
commences his sermon on 1 Corinthians 13 thus …
You will find the text in the first verse of
the chapter I read this evening – 1st
Corinthians, 13th chapter: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” You, I have no doubt, wondered how it is
that they have not met with more success.
I think if I have asked myself this question once, I have a thousand
times: “Why is it that I have not had
greater success?” But I never read this
chapter without finding it out. It is a
chapter that every Christian ought to read at least once a week.
So let us prayerfully make our way through this
greatest of chapters to be found in all of Scripture.
1. THE
MATTER OF TRANSLATION
In the KJV the word “charity” is used instead of
“love”.
But in AD.1611 “charity” did not have the narrow
meaning given to it today (i.e. giving to those in need. In 1611 it carried the thought of
whole-hearted, unbounded love. With a
capital ‘L’).
Actually the Greeks had four words for ‘love’ …
(a) storge … the word used for love
within a family circle
(b) philia … used in the sense “I love
mankind” or “I love wisdom”
(c) eros
… from
which we get the English word ‘erotic’ … passionate love (it is never used in
the New Testament).
(d) agapē … the kind of love God has
for us … and the kind that we as Christians should have for others. That is the word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians
13.
An illustration of these different usages is found in John 21:15-17…
… On the first and second occasion the Lord asks
Peter, “Do you love (agapē) Me?”
But Peter replies that he loves (philia) Him.
The third time the Lord Jesus uses ‘philip’ and
Peter agrees that is the kind of love he has.
Later … after Pentecost, when the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
has blossomed in his life, Peter will love the Lord with agapē love!
2. THE
MATTER OF MOTIVATION! … vs. 1-3
Alas! Some
children of God do the right things … but their motivation is all wrong! (2
Chronicles 25:1-2).
It is possible to say the right things and teach the
right things and do the right things … not to bring glory to God, but to one’s
self.
And in the first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13
Paul outlines for us this sad possibility.
REMEMBER THAT HE IS SPEAKING TO CHRISTIANS. THEY HAVE TRUSTED THE LORD JESUS AS THEIR
SAVIOUR. BUT THEIR CHRISTIAN LIFE IS
NOT UP TO THE STANDARD THAT GOD REQUIRES.
Paul has called them ‘baby’ Christians (3:1). They are saved … but they are in danger of losing their rewards!
(3:11-15). They are on the foundation,
which is Christ (3:11) … but they are not building faithfully!
(a) Concerning
our Speech!
Note that Paul includes himself … “If I
were to speak” … yet be devoid of agapē love … it is useless in the sight
of God.
The preacher may be eloquent and doctrinally correct
… and yet be harsh and unloving.
* Not only
preachers are in view here … but all believers must be loving in their speech
(Ephesians 4:15).
* And even
if one has (or had) the gift of tongues … the ‘speech of angels’ … it profits
nothing unless motivated and controlled by love.
(b) Concerning
our Scholarship
… ‘all human knowledge!” is but nothing in God’s eyes … unless accompanied by agapē
love. Some scholars may despise the
ignorant and be proud of their own degrees.
(c) Concerning
our Service
… even to the extent of working miracles like
‘moving mountains’. But what good is it
without the proper motive? The Lord
Jesus warned of those who cast our demons … but He knew them not! (Matthew
7:22-23).
(d) Concerning
Stewardship
… of time or money.
It is possible to give a fortune to the poor … that men might applaud
your good works (“Let not your left hand ….” Matthew 6:3).
(e) Concerning
our Sacrifice
There are those who are willing to lay down their
life for their country or some ideal … but even that means nothing to
God unless motivated by agapē love!
That’s what Paul says. And
that’s what he means.
* * * * * * * * * *
Conclusion
What we say … what we know … what we do … what we
give … merits no reward (and, remember, we are talking about rewards, not
salvation) in the sight of God, unless motivated by agapē love. Apart from that I’m but a noisy gong!
============================================================
THE PROPERTIES
OF LOVE …13:4
Introduction:
In the first three verses Paul emphasised the Pre-requisite
of Love. Unless love is the
motivating force … our speech, scholarship, service, stewardship and sacrifice
… count for naught in the sight of God.
Now, in verses 4-7 we will notice the Properties
of Love … those ingredients which, when mixed together, teach us what
Love really is.
1. LOVE
IS LONG-SUFFERING … v. 4
Our Heavenly Father is described more than once in
the same way … and we should bear the Family likeness!
No harsh, angry word … no explosive outburst … no
“wooden swearing”. as Dr DeHaan describes slamming doors to vent one’s rage!
Mind you, as L. Smedes says, “Suffering long does
not mean suffering endlessly”, and even God will ultimately pour out His wrath
upon the stubbornly impenitent.
But, Oh! … how He puts up with them … us! … in the
meantime! Psalm 78:36-40.
2. LOVE
IS KIND … v. 4
If ‘Long-suffering’ is the attitude, Kindness
is the act.
“Love your enemies” said the Lord Jesus, “Do good
to them that hate you” (Matthew 5:44-45).
That’s what our Heavenly Father did …
3. LOVE
IS UNENVYING (Generous in spirit) … v. 4
It does not become jealous because another is asked
to sing a solo or be a part of the church board … It is glad when others
prosper.
There is a rejoicing for that person, and a
contentment to serve in the place God has placed us.
4. LOVE
IS HUMBLE … v. 4
… “it vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”
Again, the ‘puffed up’ may be the attitude …
and the vaunting may refer to the act.
Peter reminds us … and possibly himself as his mind goes back to the
Lord washing his feet at the Last Supper … that we are to “put on the apron of
humility” (Moffat’s Translation of 1 Peter 5:5).
Put your name in …
…… is long-suffering; …… is kind; …… is
unenvying; …… is humble!
How did you score?
============================================================
THE PRE-EMINENCE OF LOVE …13:5-13
Introduction:
Come on now … don’t skip reading the text! What God says is far more important than all
man’s comments upon it!!
In our previous studies on this chapter we noted the
Pre-requisites of Love, all our speech, scholarship, service,
stewardship and sacrifice are vain unless motivated by that Divine Love implanted in us by the Holy Spirit at the
time of our conversion (vs. 1-3).
And we noted some of the Properties of Love,
those ingredients that comprise together this ‘greatest thing in the world’.
Love is long-suffering and kind and unenvying and
humble (v. 4).
More properties present themselves to us in verses
5-8…
1. LOVE
‘DOES NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY … v. 5
A person filled with God’s love is not rude to
others. Nor discourteous…
2. LOVE
‘SEEKETH NOT HER OWN … v. 5
… but thinks of another’s welfare. Like the Lord Jesus, the love-filled person
puts others before himself (Philippians 2:3-8).
3. LOVE
‘IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED’ … v. 5
It does not throw a tantrum or do it’s block! There may be a time when righteous anger is
justifiable … but not over petty annoyances to one’s self.
4. LOVE
‘THINKETH NO EVIL’ … v. 5
… or, as J.B. Phillips translates it, “Does not keep
an account of evil”.
It does not keep a list of wrong-doings and brood
over them with an “I’ll get even one day’ kind of attitude.
5. LOVE
‘REJOICETH … NOT IN EVIL … BUT IN GOODNESS … v. 6
It does not feed itself on the impure things of this
life but on that which is pure and wholesome.
Nor dies it rejoice when others go wrong and are found out … even though
they may be a different denomination! …
but it rejoices when Christ is preached and souls are won … even if it is
another denomination!! Paul did
(Philippians 1:13-18).
6. LOVE
‘ENDURES’
Both now and on into Eternity love remains.
One day: “Faith
will vanish into sight;
Hope be swallowed by delight;
But Love in heaven will shine more bright –
Therefore give us Love!!”
It has been compared to an evergreen tree that
withstands the icy blasts and the fiercest storms … yet the leaves of Love
remain.
* * * * * * * * * *
Conclusion
“God is Love”, writes the Apostle … and we should
bear the Family Likeness…
============================================================
SHOULD WE
SEEK SPIRITUAL GIFTS
TODAY??
Introduction:
Over the last 20 years there has been avalanche of
books and articles and sermons and seminars on the subject of Spiritual Gifts.
We are all starting to need the gift of patience…
Churches have split … friends have joined this
Pentecostal/Charismatic movement… and many a young believer has felt
sub-spiritual because he could not “speak in tongues”.
Should we seek these gifts today?
1. A TEXT
TO EXPLAIN
1 Corinthians 12:31 says that we are to “covet earnestly the best gifts”.
(a) The
GIVER OF THE GIFTS is the Holy Spirit… and He gives them “as He will.” How can I covet any gift if He decides which
person gets which gift?
The solution is that verse 31 (all the Book for that matter) is addressed, not to an individual, but to the church as a whole. They are to pray that God will raise up someone (as He wills) in their midst to exercise the greater gifts.
(b) Moreover,
notice the GRADATION OF THE GIFTS. Some are more valuable than
others. (“Greater is he that
prophesieth…” (14:5). Note the
“Firstly… secondly…” etc. (12:28).
Despite the fact that tongues is placed LAST in the
list (v. 28), and despite the fact Paul specifically says not everyone speaks
in tongues (v. 30), that is the gift these days that everybody seems to
get!
2. A TIME
FACTOR TO EXAMINE
Paul says that the gifts of the Spirit will pass
away when “that which is perfect is come” (1 Corinthians 13:8-10).
Charismatics and Pentecostals explain this phrase to
mean ‘at the end of this present age’.
At the Second Coming…
Others … including myself … see it as a reference to
the completion of the New Testament writings and the maturity of the church …
about the 3rd-4th century.
Notice that Paul’s instructions concerning marriage
likewise were not binding for the entire Church Age … they were to be observed
in the light of the “present distress” (7:26) … normally “it is not good for
man to be alone” … but in the days in which Paul lived special instructions
were given.
The instruction to seek spiritual gifts was relevant
in apostolic times. When the gifts
ceased, such passages are no longer relevant.
These spiritual gifts confirmed the ministry of the apostles (2
Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3-4). Inspired utterance was needful in an age
when there was no New Testament. But
today we have the Scriptures in a way the Early Church did not have.
* * * * * * * * * *
Notice some arguments against the “Second Coming”
view…
1. THE
ILLUSTRATION PAUL USED … v. 11
A child needs its walking trainer whilst a
toddler. He does not continue to rely
upon it when he is a teenager. So these
gifts were ‘helps’ to enable the infant church to get on its feet. Now it should walk by faith … not relying on
spiritual crutches.
2. THE
AFFIRMATION PAUL MADE … v. 8
If tongues were to continue (and all the gifts)
until the Second Coming, then Paul was a false prophet!
Church history reveals that these gifts disappeared
after the first few centuries … only to get a new lease of life (if
genuine!!) in this
last century.
But Paul was not mistaken … he said they would cease
when the church ‘grew up’ … and they did!
3. THE
CONTRAST PAUL DREW
Three things are temporary … prophecy, tongues and
(supernatural) knowledge. But three
things are abiding … Faith, Hope and Love (v. 13).
When are they abiding?
“NOW abideth …” and right on up to the Second Coming
(Love will even continue on then).
But in contrast to those virtues that abide NOW …
are those gifts which will pass away … now.
Not at the Second Coming, but before the Second Coming.
“But,” says someone, “if that is true, how do you
explain the gifts that are in evidence today?”
Let’s look at four …
(a) Healing. Of course, God can heal.
He is a prayer-answering God.
But that has nothing to do with souped-up Charismatic healers who whip
up emotions and tell people they are healed (“Praise God”!!). Sometimes the healing is psyco-somatic,
sometimes it is Satanic, mostly it is non-existent!
(b) Tongues. Again a
state of religious ecstasy can produce this phenomena. It is not the Holy Spirit, although the
recipient may get a spiritual ‘high’ thinking that it is!
(c) Discernment. Think
of all the hundreds of Pentecostal ministers who co-operated in a Jimmy
Swaggart crusade (and sat on the platform!), yet not one word of Wisdom or
Prophecy or Discernment warned them of his immorality.
(d) Prophecy… Some
Pentecostals/Charismatics are pre-millennial, some are post-millennial; some hold the British Israel theory, some
don’t; why not one message in tongues
(if it really is the Holy Spirit speaking through them!!) to put them all right
once for all??
I see no evidence that the spiritual gifts are with
us today.
3. A
TALENT TO EXERCISE
Of course, God gave you various gifts at the time
you were born. Develop them. If you are musical, use it for His
glory. Can you write? then write for His glory. Can you cook? then show hospitality to some folk, and do a bit of ‘friendship
evangelism’. Can you speak in
public? then have some preaching
lessons. God has already given you
plenty of ways to use your talent for Him.
And as for preaching … or singing … let the church help you assess
whether you really have that gift…
Remember, not all are evangelists … some are better
at less spectacular tasks. Just be
faithful in the job God has given you and that He has equipped you for.
============================================================
UP! UP!
AND AWAY ! … Chapter 15
Introduction:
We now come to the great Resurrection chapter of the
New Testament … written to answer those Corinthians who doubted that such would
take place (15:12).
1. THE
RESURRECTION OF THE SAVIOUR
This is basic to the Christian Faith. One cannot deny our Lord’s bodily
resurrection and still claim to be a Christian (Romans 10:8-9).
(a) Forthtold
by the Apostles … vs. 1, 3
Paul preached it.
The resurrection of Christ is an integral part of the Gospel message. A quick survey of Acts shows that it was
ever a part of the apostolic message
(Acts 3:15; 4:33; 5:30;
10:39-40).
(b) Forseen
by the Prophets … vs. 3-4
The resurrection of Christ was foretold in the Old
Testament Scriptures.
(c) Foreshadowed
by the Feast Day … v. 20
The Feast of the Firstfruits was a prophetic picture
of our Saviour being our ‘firstfruit from the dead”.
(d) Forerunner
of Believers … vs. 22-23
Christ is the pledge of our resurrection
from the dead. Because He lives, we
shall live also.
(e) Forgiveness
for ‘Whosoever’ … v. 17
If He did not rise then there is no salvation for
anyone. His rising from the dead was
the great proof that God the Father was willing to accept the sacrifice He had
offered. No resurrection and Calvary
was useless!!
But He arose, and salvation is offered to “Whosoever
will may come”.
It is an incredible thing that many of today’s
leading theologians and ‘famous’ Christians (?) deny the bodily resurrection of
our Lord.
2. THE
RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS
(a) The
“HOW” Factor … v. 35
“How will the dead rise?” someone asks. Paul replies, “With a new body!”
The old one that we have now will perish, so we get
a new one. It’s as easy as that!
There are three illustrations Paul uses to enforce
his argument…
(i) The seed
that is sown comes up with a new body.
So will we. Note, there is a
continuity of essence between the seed and that which springs from it.
(ii) Just as there are different
types of flesh now (e.g. human, animal, bird), so there will be a ‘resurrection’
flesh … no longer subject to death or sickness or pain (vs. 36-39).
(iii) And there is an illustration
from the heavenly bodies … the stars (v. 40).
We will have a body like Jesus had after His resurrection (vs. 47-49, 1
John 3:2).
(b) The
“WHEN” Factor …
At the Last Trump (vs. 51-52).
When Jesus returns (v. 23).
On that Day we will rise to meet Him in the air (1
Thessalonians 4:16-18).
Resurrection Day for the departed saints and Rapture
for those still living at the time of His advent.
What if it were TODAY?
“Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20
For seventeen long years,
Mel Fisher searched for the sunken Spanish galleon “Atocha” with its fabled
wealth ($400 million). Each day he
encouraged his crew with “Today’s the day!”
One summer’s day in 1985 two of his divers broke the surface with the
shout: “We found it!” Fellow Christian, our Lord is coming; let’s start each day with this hope in our
heart, “Today’s the day!”
(c) The
“THEREFORE” Factor …
Therefore … because Christ is coming and we do not
know when … how should we react?
(i) An
Attitude to Adopt … unmoveable as the critics seek to shake our faith!
(ii) A Work
to Abound …
not ‘unmoveable’ in this respect, but busy for the Lord! (v. 58).
============================================================
HE AROSE …15:12-14
Introduction:
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus … bodily… is
basic to the Christian Faith!
No resurrection … no salvation!
Nor does any other world religion make such an
incredible claim. Christianity, alone,
stands … or falls … on the fact that its Founder rose from the dead.
The Apostolic Emphasis … as recorded in the
sermons found in the Book of Acts and in the writings found in the Epistles …
all testify to the fact that this doctrine is non-negotiable.
So let’s look at six ‘proofs’ of the Resurrection of
Christ …
1. OBJECTIONS
ANSWERED
Various attacks have cropped up throughout history
aimed at this truth. Although in
comparatively recent days it has come from within the church as well as from
without.
(a) “The
Body was Stolen” they say. Despite an extra
Roman guard in case such was attempted (Matthew 27:62-66). And despite the heavy stone that required
many men to roll it from the tomb’s entrance.
And despite the fact the grave clothes were left behind! (John 20:6-7).
(b) “Jesus
was not really dead”. The ‘Swoon’ theory they call
it. And, they say, He just walked out
of the tomb after the cool air revived Him!
Despite the fact that Pilate especially checked to see if Jesus were
dead (Mark 15:44-45), and despite the stone that needed to be rolled away … and
the guards … and the physical weakness that would have resulted from such an
ordeal as the flogging and the crucifixion.
(c) “The
Women went to the Wrong Tomb”. This
ingenious ‘solution’ means that we must suppose Peter and John also went to the
wrong tomb (John 20:4), and all the appearances of the Risen Lord were
hallucinations! (1 Corinthians 15:4-7.)
(d) “He
only rose Spiritually” says the Liberal theologian.
But the invitation of the Risen Lord to “Feel My hands and side” (John
20:27), are not the words of a disembodied spirit. They saw Him … they ate with Him … they preached Him as having
bodily risen from the dead.
Look at Peter’s sermon, for example, in Acts
10:38-40!! Does that sound like ‘the
resurrection means that His memory lives on in our heart…’? No!
it means that Jesus is alive … literally ALIVE!!
2. THE
UNUSUAL AMBASSADORS
Anyone in Palestine in the 1st century
seeking to foister a hoax … that a man had risen from the dead when he had not
… would never say that women were the first to testify to the fact. Such testimony would not be acceptable. But Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all agree
that the women were first to discover the empty tomb … meet the Risen Christ,
and tell others of this fact.
And the only reason the Gospel writers would say
such a thing is because it was true!
3. THE
FESTIVE ANALOGY
Leviticus 23 speaks of the Feast Days of the Jews …
seven days that seem to have a very real prophetic significance.
The Passover coincided with the exact time our
Passover Lamb, Jesus, died for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Likewise, the “day after the Sabbath” (Leviticus
23:11) was the Feast of Firstfruits.
And the Lord Jesus is spoken of as the “Firstfruits of those who have
died as believers”. He is ‘first up’
out of the grave … It took place ‘the
day after the Sabbath’ … and is a pledge that the resurrection of all believers
will one day take place (15:20).
4. THE
INCREDIBLE ALTERATION!
Here is a band of Jews … devout … God-fearing … who
suddenly stop observing the 7th day Sabbath and begin keeping the
first day of the week! Why? Because Jesus, their new Lord, had risen on
that day.
The Scriptures, and the writings of the early Church
Fathers, agree the change took place in apostolic times.
5. THE
CHANGED ATTITUDE
One day we find the disciples hiding behind locked
doors “for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19) … a few days later they are facing
death daily as they proclaim the fact that Jesus was alive! And that was the reason for their
zeal. They had seen Him. Alive!!
6. THE
PROMISED ARRIVAL
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of
Pentecost (again in agreement with the prophetic significance of Leviticus 23)
was an indication that the Lord Jesus had taken His place at the Father’s right
hand.
Peter argues that the phenomena being witnessed by
the Jews on that first Pentecost Day was taking place because Jesus was risen …
and enthroned!! (Acts 2:29-33).
* * * * * * * * * *
Conclusion
… Our Response.
O.K…. so Jesus rose from the dead. So what?
(a) It means that one day
Christians will also rise to Life Everlasting (15:17-19).
(b) And it means we need to take
His claims seriously … Today! He is
the Son of God (Romans 1:4). He is
coming again as Judge. Make sure He is
your Lord and Saviour … today!!
============================================================
HE’S ALIVE …Chapter 15
Introduction:
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus … bodily from the
tomb on the third day … is basic to our Christian faith.
But some in the church at Corinth had troubles with
this doctrine (15:12).
It seems that they accepted the doctrine of Christ’s
resurrection … but not that of believers at the end of the age. Mmmm?
So Paul emphasises the reality of Christ’s
resurrection … and then that of all believers.
(The destiny of the unsaved is not his subject in this particular
chapter.)
1. FORTHTOLD
BY THE APOSTLES!
Paul declared the resurrection of his Lord … so did
Peter (Acts 3:15; 4:33; 5:30, etc.)
So did John (Revelation 1:18).
And the writer of Hebrews (13:20).
2. FORETOLD
BY THE PROPHETS
His rising from the tomb was ‘according to the
Scripture’ (15:4).
3. FORESHADOWED
BY THE FEAST DAY
Our Lord Jesus died at the exact time the Passover
lamb was slain … and rose on the day when the Feast of Firstfruits was being
observed … “on the first day of the week!” (Leviticus 23:11).
Just as the first sheaf of barley was waved before
the Lord as an act of gratitude that all the harvest was about to ripen, so our
Lord is the ‘firstfruits of those who sleep’ … a pledge that they too shall
rise, as did He!
4. FORERUNNER
OF BELIEVERS
He is first to rise and enter Heaven! So shall we who trust in Him.
We were all ‘in Adam’ once and subject to spiritual
(and physical) death! But those “in
Christ” have spiritual life already (John 5:25), and at His return will be
raised to life in their resurrection bodies!
5. FORGIVENESS
OF ‘WHOSOEVER’!!
“If Christ did not rise,” says Paul, “then there is
no hope for mankind. We will all
perish” (v. 17).
There would be no forgiveness of sin available … for
a Christ still dead would mean that God had not accepted His sacrifice for
sin. The resurrection is the seal upon
His sacrificial death … proof that He was Who He claimed to be (Romans 1:3-4),
and did what He had promised to do … provide salvation for all who would put
their trust in Him!
Thank God for the empty
tomb!!
============================================================
SIX FORES … Chapter 15
Introduction
The Doctrine of the Resurrection of Christ is basic
to the Christian Faith. In this chapter
Paul deals with this subject … and of the resurrection of believers at the End
of the Age.
1. It was
FORTH-TOLD by the APOSTLES
(a) Peter preached it (Acts
2:32; 3:25; 4:10, 33; 5:30; 10:39-40)
(b) Paul preached it (Acts
13:29-30; 17:16-18; 23:6;
24:21; 26:8)
(c) So did the Writer to the
Hebrews (13:20) …
and the
Apostle John (Revelation 1:18)
(d) All
the Gospel writers affirm it
(e) The early church changed
their day of worship to commemorate it!
(f) The earliest Baptismal
Confession as one joined the church emphasised it!
(Romans
10:9).
2. It was
FORETOLD by the PROPHETS
(a) David predicted it (Psalm
16:9-11; Acts 2:22-31)
(b) Every reference to our
Lord’s Priesthood pre-supposed it
(c) Every reference to His
Second Coming presaged it.
3. It was
FORESHADOWED by the FEAST DAY
The Feast of the Firstfruits (on the day after the
Passover Sabbath) becomes a ‘type’ of our Lord’s resurrection (Leviticus
23; 1 Corinthians 15:20).
4. It
means that He is the FORE-RUNNER of all BELIEVERS
(a) Because He arose, we too
shall rise (1 Corinthians 15:22-23)
(b) The
unsaved will also be resurrected … but that is not the subject of this chapter
(John 5:28-29).
5. This
Doctrine (incredibly!) is FORSAKEN by the CRITICS
(2 Peter 2:1).
William Barclay ……
M. Muggeridge …… etc., etc., etc.
6. The
Resurrection of Christ means He is the FORGIVER of SIN
And the only One!
(15:17-19; Romans 1:1-4).
============================================================
CAUGHT UP …Chapter 15
Introduction:
In our previous study we looked at the basic truth
that Christ Jesus rose from the dead.
And because of that, it is a pledge that we too shall rise.
He was the ‘firstfruits’ of a mighty harvest
(15:20).
Now Paul takes a further look at the resurrection of
the believer … a subject with which some of the Christians at Corinth were
having doubts (15:12).
1. The
AFFIRMATION of the Resurrection
… This doctrine (of the resurrection of the dead at
the end of the Age) is affirmed throughout the New Testament.
(a) The
Lord Jesus taught it … John 5:28-29
Notice that He first spoke about ‘passing from death
unto life’ NOW … in this life! (vs. 24-25).
And then … at the end of the Age … “all that are in
the graves” will come forth.
(b) The
Pharisees
believed in a future bodily resurrection … and it was not their doctrine that
was astray here!
The Sadducees did not believe in it; they had some
problems understanding how a six-times married woman would get on when she met
her husbands! (Matthew 22:27-28.)
(c) Paul emphasises the ‘dead shall rise’
in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. They will be
resurrected and the living believers will be raptured (v. 17).
(d) The
Apostles’ Creed … and other early creeds of Christendom … the Confessions of Faith of
the major denominations (Protestant and Roman Catholic and the Orthodox
Churches) all believe (or did until recently) in the resurrection from the
dead. It is a fundamental Christian
truth.
2. The
ILLUSTRATIONS of the Resurrection
… Paul points to the SEED … planted in your
garden. Whilst the form of what is
planted and what grows from it may differ … yet it is the same ‘essence’.
Likewise the SAVIOUR … when He arose He was
recognisable … He ate with His disciples … they touched Him … it was the same
Jesus risen from the dead! And yet …
there was something different about that body.
He suddenly appeared in a room with doors locked! (John 20:19.)
The resurrection body will really be YOU … but it
will not be subject to aging … or sickness … or housemaid’s knee!
3. The
CONSUMMATION of the Resurrection
… that is to say … it will usher in the End of this
Age.
When are to be raised? At the “last Trump!” (v. 51).
What happens then?
“The end” (v. 24).
Some folk think this old world will go on another
1000 years after our resurrection … and then (so they say) cometh the end.
We need to interpret the symbolic statements of the
Book of Revelation in the light of the plain statements in the Epistles.
Not vice-versa.
4. The
IMPLICATIONS of the Resurrection
… “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (v. 58).
(a) There
is an Attitude to Adopt …Steadfastness!
Despite persecution or problems … stand firm in the faith once delivered
unto the saints.
(b) A
Work to Abound … Some believers get it back to front, and become ‘unmoveable in their
service and moveable in their faith!’
Some people take a stand for Christ
And
never move again.
(c) A
Blessing to Anticipate … or is it two blessings?
“Your labour is not in vain” (v. 58) … does that
refer to the RESULTS that will come as we labour on?
OR to the REWARD that will follow … after the
resurrection… if our labour is faithful?
Maybe both!!
============================================================
BAPTISED FOR
THE DEAD!! …Chapter 15
Introduction:
Read 15: 28-34.
Verse 29 is one of the most difficult in all of
Scripture. One writer tells us that
commentators have come up with 30 different explanations!
1. THE
MORMON VIEW
… is that we can still be literally baptised on
behalf of those who have died. Indeed,
they say, they will not get to the Mormon Heaven unless a devout Mormon is
baptised in their name!
Note that Paul does not identify himself with this
practice (if that is what the Corinthians or someone was doing) Paul
says “they” … not “we” (v. 29).
If it was possible to baptise the dead by proxy one would expect Paul to
say more about it than one obscure text.
And why would he rejoice that he had not baptised many … if it
was so important? (1 Corinthians 1:14.)
Besides, the Scriptures make it clear that “Now is the Day of Salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). After death is “the judgement” (Hebrews
9:27).
There is no record that the early church ever
practised ‘Baptism for the Dead’ … though a couple of early cults did.
2. SOME
INTERESTING VIEWS
(a) There
is no resurrection for anyone until the last soul is saved and baptised.
(b) It should read ‘over’
instead of ‘for’ and that candidates were standing on the graves of the
departed to be sprinkled.
(c) “The Dead” is a Title of the
Lord Jesus if He did not rise.
But, because He did, He is “The Life” … and so it goes …
3. THE
‘INFLUENCE’ VIEW
Those seeing a martyr die for their faith would be
influenced to become a Christian.
4. THE
‘FILL UP THE RANKS’ VIEW
Some saints die, others are baptised into the church
to take their place. What a foolhardy
act … all that suffering and persecution … IF there is no
resurrection!! See verse 32.
5. THE
‘OTHER BAPTISM’ VIEW
Paul is not speaking of water baptism at all. But of the baptism of suffering (and maybe
death!) spoken of twice by the Lord Jesus (Luke 12:50; Matthews 20:21-23).
Jesus speaks here of the billows of death awaiting
Him… and awaiting James and John! (v. 22).
But why suffer for Him if this life is
all there is … and no future resurrection?? (v. 30).
====================================================