God's Church: Fools for Christ

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the fifth sermon in our series on God’s Church (1 Corinthians). This sermon is ‘Fools for Christ’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 4DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How is your life building on the foundation of Jesus? WARM-UP What does our Australian culture do with people who are ‘full of themselves’ or show pride?What happens to the church and church culture when people (especially leaders) don’t demonstrate humility?Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-5What does it mean to be a ‘steward’ of something given to you? Who is the owner? Who sets the terms and conditions of the ‘stewardship’ period?What are Christian leaders called to be a servant of? How should this inform the way we view Christian leaders?Why doesn’t Paul care about the judgement of the Corinthians or even judge himself? Who is the judge? How is this freeing for us?What does it mean for us to be faithful stewards? How could you demonstrate this on your Frontline?Read 1 Corinthians 4:6-21How does a correct view of grace inform the way that we view ourselves? Where did the Corinthians go wrong in this? What was the result of this?In what ways are the Apostles different to the Corinthians as in described in verses 8-13? What is Paul’s tone in this section?What is it like for you to be a Christian in this cultural moment? How could we ensure that we don’t make the same mistake as the Corinthians?What drives Paul to write so passionately and emphatically to the Corinthians?Why does Paul urge the church to imitate him? Is he being prideful? Why/Why not?What are the differences between something that is a nice idea and something that is powerful? Which one is the Kingdom of God? How should this inform the way we prioritise our lives?APPLY:  How could you show humility and demonstrate grace on your Frontline this week? PRAYER Father, thank you for your love and grace shown to us in Jesus. Please keep us from pride, keep us from boasting, and help us to steward, live out, and be diligent in the gospel. Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: How can you practically care for someone on your frontline this week?Listen, Watch, and Read: You are So Wise by Gerard O’BrienQuestion about Ministry by Dick Lucas:Trustworthy Stewards by Daniel Gifford:Now and Not Yet by Ray Galea:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Overview Published by St Bart’sWebsite: “First Corinthians” by the Bible ProjectCourse: “1 Corinthians” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course) WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: