Rsbc

Date: 2/20/05

Series: Christ is The Sum and Substance of The Bible

Sermon # 32

 

Subject: “ What Christ Was To The Corinthians, He is To Us”

Text: I Cor 1:1-8

 

Intro: In preaching this series we are traveling through the Bible gleaning from certain portions of a chapter in a particular book. The Corinthian church was perplexed about many things.

 

They were divisions contentions as who to follow: vers 12 There were problems over the Lord’s supper, there were problems of incest in the church, there were problems over gifts in the church. So you can see they had their problems.

 

The clear fact is that they all as well as us have one major thing in common and they were not and could not be divided over these stated facts by Paul in this first chapter. These truths are spiritual diamonds that glow in the dark and under the light. They will enhance any christian who desires to see them.

 

I... “CHRIST IS THEIR SANCTIFICATION”..VS 1

 

Sanctification means to be set aside for the purpose of being used. True sanctification is knowing and having Christ. It is a separation to be used by the LORD. Paul wanted them to be aware of this.

 

In verse 30 “Christ is made our sanctification”

In regeneration the Holy Spirit of God sanctifies us:

 

2 Thessalonians 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

 

What a profound blessing to be singled out by the LORD in eternity and then when time is a reality in our life he sends the Holy Spirit to set us apart and then save us. I can not for the life of me understand how anyone could not believe in the great biblical and Baptist doctrine of God sovereign election of some to eternal life.

 

II.. “CHRIST IS THEIR LORD”..VS 2 “ Our Lord

 

There are so many things about the Lordship of Jesus Christ that is such a blessing to all who know them...

(1.) He was born to be Lord: Luke 2-11 “ For unto you this day is born in the city of David a savior which is Christ the LORD.

 

(2.) He was died that he might claim this great title over all

 

Romans 14:9  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

 

Men may not confess him as Lord now but they will one day: Philippians 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

(3.) He repeatedly recognized as Lord:

 

82 times in the NT he is called the LORD JESUS CHRIST, let me site just a few of them to us..

 

A. Lordship salvation: Acts 15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

 

B. Men have put their life on the line for his Lordship: Acts 15:26  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

C. That his lordship is sovereign over all: 1 Corinthians 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

 

III... CHRIST IS THEIR PEACE”..VS 3

 

One of the great blessings of being saved this morning is knowing the peace of GOD that passes understanding. To be at peace in Christ is to be:

 

(1.) To be at peace within:

 

This is so, because you see his peace rules our hearts. You remember before you were saved and the LORD was dealing with you, that struggle that was going on that resistence and when he saved you peace flooded your soul...

 

Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 

(2.) To be at peace with the Father also:

 

Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

 

(3.) To be at peace with Christ is to be at peace about your salvation:

 

A lot of people struggle about wether or not they are saved. The easy test I suppose is do you know? I know because the word of GOD says If I believe in Jesus Christ as the only hope, the only source, the only way, the only truth, the only acceptance, the only righteousness, then I am saved. Not feeling, but fact, not site but faith in what Christ did gives great peace. 

 

 

IV.. CHRIST IS THEIR GRACE: VS 4

 

If you look at the language of the verse it tells all: “For the grace of God given you by Jesus Christ: There is absolutely no way God showers his grace upon sinners except by The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 

Some of you who may be listening or watching you may think it is by your decision, by your baptism, by your works, but Paul said it is by JESUS CHRIST. What a blessing to know that we can rest on that...

 

The great Apostle Paul sounded this wonderful truth and expounded it further listen to what he said:

 

1 Corinthians 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

 

The recognition of what real grace is, will humble you, bless you, and establish you and I to the point we fall before the LORD and thank him for all that he is doing in our lives. Such blessing flow because of the grace of GOD.

 

When all is lost, think about the grace of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Noah found grace in the LORD in the midst of wickedness and the LORD moved on him and his household and established his purpose for the earth.

 

If these Corinthian understood this their problems would vanish away.  We must never lt this die in us, we must strive on understanding this great truth.

 

V... “CHRIST WAS THEIR ENRICHMENT”..VS 5

 

This word “enrichment” means to be richly furnished... Note with the wealth from this world.

Paul said concerning riches of the world this:

 

1 Timothy 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

 

a. Rich in faith: James 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

 

b. Rich in good works: 1 Timothy 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

 

VI.. “ CHRIST IS THEIR CONFORMATION” ..VS. 6

 

The conformation of Christ in them was attested by the many miracles that had been wrought by Paul and others. The miracles and gifts that they had both seen and been the recipient of confirmed in their heart the preaching about Christ.

 

It is said of Silas and his worker these words:

 

Acts 15:32  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

 

Our confirmation that Christ is in us is by the preaching of the word of the LORD to you each week. If you have doubt Christ is in you then read his words, live by the, and this will confirm in your heart that Christ is real.

 

VII... CHRIST IS THEIR ANTICIPATION”..VS 7-8

 

Let me ask you a question, have you ever doubted that Christ is coming again? If you have let me assure this morning he is coming again. When I don’t know. But I do know he is coming again...

 

(1.) He is coming because he said he would come and I believe his word:

 

John 14-1-6 “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you so, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come gain, and receive you unto myself; that were I am, there ye may be also. And wether I go ye know and the way ye know.

 

 

(2.) He is coming again and I believe it because it is that blessed hope of the child of the Lord..

 

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

(3.) He is coming again and I believe it because it is confirmed by others:

 

1 Thessalonians 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

 

When he comes he is coming

 

a. In the clouds of glory:

 

Matthew 26:64  Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

 

b. He is coming from the east:

 

Matthew 24:27  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 

c. His coming will not be a secret:

 

Matthew 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

Revelation 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

 I like what John Gill says about this verse: That is, everyone that has eyes shall see him, or all men shall see him; the righteous shall see him, and be glad; they shall see him in his glory, as he is, and for themselves, and be satisfied; they shall rejoice at the sight of him; they will be filled with joy unspeakable, and full of glory: but the wicked will see him and tremble; they will be filled with the utmost consternation and astonishment; they will not be able to bear the sight of him; they will flee from him, and call to the rocks and mountains to fall on them, and hide them from his face.