Copy Cats Series

Chico Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“Copy Cats” I Corinthians 11:1

Introduction

All of the principles discussed in Paul’s letter to the believers at Corinth could be summarized really in one pointed admonition. Following this one admonition would have solved every problem raised so far.

It would have eliminated the disunity and conflict.

It would have eliminated the incidences of sexual immorality.

It would have eliminated the selfishness so clearly exhibited among them.

It would have eliminated there childlike fleshly behavior.

This admonition sums up the whole argument so far. In fact, if we all simply followed this single admonition that we read in chapter 11 verse one, it would eliminate any problem in any church today.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

I like to try to keep things to the irreducible minimum to keep things simple. Jesus summarized the nearly five thousand or so commands found in the Old Testament scriptures under just two key commands.

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:36-40

The irreducible minimum! What is God’s ultimate purpose for us? What goal rises above all others? What goal dictates every other aspect of our life? What objective determines every choice God makes concerning our life? What determines what God permits and what God prevents in our life? Many of the athletes who achieve the most in life are single-minded at an early age. Because they have a clear focus, they are able to make clear decisions based on that focus. They avoid the things that interfere with the main objective. They focus on the things that move them closer to the goal. They endure pain and suffering in order to reach the goal before them. Excellence does not come out of mediocrity. A fantastic finish rarely, if ever, develops out of a fuzzy focus. We must live with the end in mind. Only as we have a clear vision of the goal can we make intelligent choices in the present.

What is God’s absolute ultimate goal for us? Romans 8:28-30

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For those whom He foreknew,

He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,

so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

and these whom He predestined, He also called;

and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

God orchestrates everything in life to the one purpose of bring our lives into comformity with the life of His Son. God called us to be like Jesus. He takes this mission seriously.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philip. 1:6

so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Cor. 1:7-9

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thes. 5:23-24

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philip 2:12-13

God destined us and called us to become like Jesus

Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly. 1 Cor. 15:49

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake. Psalm 17:15

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Eph 1:3-6