December 17, 2023

Adult SS Class

Introduction

Example from school. Some places have very clear requirements that they may not even follow. Other places may have very vague requirements that do not help. God’s requirements in this passage are very clear…

What does God require

Verses 1–5

1. We are servants that belong to God because he paid a price for us
2. We are stewards that have been entrusted with something until he returns: the gospel of Christ
3. We are servants that steward the gospel… Faithfully.

It is amazing to read all of the “list” passages in the New Testament and realize how few deal with what you can “see.” Most of them deal with things that you cannot see that work themselves out (matters of the heart).

No matter how big or little or busy or not busy you may feel in your Christian service, God requires faithfulness. He does not require you to look like, act like, sing like, minister like, pray like, etc etc etc everyone else. All he requires of you is to do what he has called and gifted you to do with faithfulness.

God gives what he requires

Verses 6–7

(Give the alarm clock illustration. The alarm says wake up and the saying produces the doing. Jesus said to follow him and his disciples followed him. His call to some falls on deaf ears but with the Holy Spirit working the call goes to the heart and works itself out in the life.)

1. He makes people different.
2. He gives people all that they have.
3. We have no room to brag.

God’s ways are not our ways

Verses 8–13

Read the passage and notice that the Corinthians really think that “they are something.” They have too high a view of themselves (Paul is speaking sarcastically). Then note what Paul says of himself; his life looks like a suffering wreck. But they day will come when… what is surface will be done away and what was below the surface, reality, will be made plain (Compare with the letter to Laodicea in Revelation 3). Until then, remember:

The first will be made last

The last will be made first

The unseen are watching (θέατρον in verse 9): while the Corinthians were looking at the big names and thought they were specks in the audience… in reality God’s people are on an unseen stage and the angels are watching (and desiring to look into) what we have—salvation in Jesus Christ.

God’s gifts include people

Verses 14–19

Remember who gave the gospel for you, it was Paul and not the thousands.

Remember who has served you, it was Paul with the gospel, and he suffered in financial, physical, etc areas.

Remember how Jesus Christ shows himself to this world. Paul said to follow him, and then he sent them Timothy to show them what he (Paul) looked like.

1. who in your life shows you the nature of Jesus Christ?
2. Are you showing Jesus Christ to anyone?
3. There are no perfect image bearers in this life
4. But that does not give us the excuse to say “don’t look at me, I’m just…”

Conclusion:

Verses 20–21

Walk > Talk

And what does that walk look like? A humble, meek, loving spirit.