Review of Chapters 1-10 Status Update: Becoming Who God Says We Are in Christ

Proposition: God in Christ redefines who we are and our greatest joy will come as we believe, embrace & live  out who God says we are.

Many believe 1:10 is the proposition of the whole letter...issue=UNITY...

*1:1-10 Proposition: Since God has made us one people under one King, then we should use His gifts to confirm our unity in His one message (gospel) of one kingdom (not our kingdoms/agendas). Paul opened with questions to drive us back to Jesus, our central issue/focus: (1:13).

“Now I beseech you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Cor 1:10)

*1:17-25 Proposition: The cross of the crucified God must become our new & only lens for viewing the world or else we treat the gospel as just another philosophy...rendering it useless & powerless. (vs 25) The cross is how God outsmarted & overpowered human reasoning...it reveals God's power.

*Ch 2 Proposition: Because human wisdom is such a part of us, we must take extra care to ensure we're rooting people's hope in Jesus. Gospel = The good news of what Christ has done + nothing...life, death, burial, resurrection, return.

*Ch 3 Proposition: God gave church leaders to ensure the church is built upon Christ. 

3:5-9 = A field where everything in it belongs to God (leaders are necessary but are not saviors)

3:9-15 = A building where leaders are architects who must use the right foundation & materials.  Paul called church leaders “wise master builders” (skilled architect/superintendent/overseer).  One duty of Pastors/Elders is oversight/superintending (a grace gift given by God).

(vs 11) Pastors help ensure Jesus, the foundation, is not taken for granted

(vs 12) God cares about the materials used to build (2 groups-enduring & non).  We're trying to produce a church which bears the image of Jesus. We don't want a powerless (4:19), saviorless church with potentially unsaved “converts”.

3:16-23 = A united, Spirit-filled temple where God's Spirit dwells & all parts belong to each other. Some plant, some water & if we use the right materials GOD gives the increase.  God will do the internal, Spiritual work of bringing people to faith in Christ. 

Ch 4 Proposition: We are to be stewards of God's Gospel who realize we have nothing to boast in because all of our work is done with the life, breath, abilities & materials God gives us.

(vs 4:7) Any understanding of the gospel/Bible & any gifts we have come from God.

Ch 5 Proposition: Believers are not to celebrate or ignore sin but rather mourn it and help each other deal with recurring sin struggle.  What we do is rooted in who we are:

“9 Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:9-11)

Ch 6 Proposition: Since Jesus has completely purchased us inside and out, we are to use spirit and body to receive, enjoy and proclaim His glorious kingdom & fight for each other (not with each other).

First, your body does matter (6:13, 20) = it is supposed to reflect the glory of Christ (new identity).

Second, Our new identity changes who & what we serve (6:12)

Ch 7 Proposition: Living in Christ is not about creating or waiting for better circumstances but embracing your new identity & gifting to remain faithfully obedient in all situations

(vs 7:8, 20, 24, 40) Bloom where God plants you...don't seek changed circumstances.

Ch 8:1-8 Proposition: While Bible knowledge is important, it matters very little what you know if it does not cause you to love God & neighbor & proclaim the gospel to others. A Christian's first consideration in ethical behavior is not knowledge or rights but how a decision impacts others for the sake of the gospel.

“22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. 25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1Co 9:22-27)

Ch 9 Proposition: The way a church cares for ministers shows the world our value of the Gospel.

(vs 4-5) Gospel ministers have the right to support a family with gospel income (Wife; Peter)

(vs 6-7) Gospel ministers have the right to not labor in other ways (forbear working)

(vs 8-9) Gospel ministers should be treated as well as animals

(vs 12) Bottom line: Gospel ministers have the right to receive compensation from the flock they serve. Yet they might refuse it depending on circumstances or if they have other means of income.

9:15-23 Proposition: Though we have God-given rights & freedoms, we should be willing to adapt them for the Gospel's sake if it helps bring others to Gospel understanding.

(20) Don't fight over things that have no moral value

(21) Don't become immoral (Gal 5:13-misuse liberty)

(22) Be graceful to those who are “too bound up over rules”

Ch 9:24-27 Proposition: If the gospel is really at the center of our lives, then we will run the race of life with self-control, intent and discipline while not taking God's grace for granted.  Watch your life so you support & proclaim the Gospel (9:27)

Ch 10:1-5 Proposition: Because Christ has set us free from sin's bondage, believers must learn from biblical history & help each other flee from what does not promote the Gospel.

10:6-14 Proposition: God's people should not presume upon God's grace by giving into evil desires but rather should trust God's faithfulness to help us through anything.

10:15-22 Proposition: Because believers are prone to forgetting who we are & giving worship to creation rather than Creator, Jesus gave us a meal to be our visible reminder of who we are.