Chronos - 1 Corinthians 4 Series

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because The Center’s leadership believes we are on the cuspid of a great awakening in America. An awakening that will challenge the status quo of the current Christian industrial complex. An institution more concerned with Attendance, Buildings and Cash than the Gospel, Grace and Growth of the kingdom.

This week we also continue in the book of the first Corinthians. It’s another book written by Paul around 25 years after Jesus' earthly ministry. Corinth is the original sin city. It was a transitional city and as such there was a lot of anonymity. As a Coastal town people were always coming and going. Some for vacation, most for business. The community was know for their worship of the goddess of sex. They had one of the largest temples devoted to her and the idea of fertility. You can see why when you called somebody a corinthian back then, you were saying they were living without morality. After his 1 ½ years planting the church, Paul left behind Apollos who was an amazing preacher/teacher and yet, we can see from this book the people still had questions. The immorality of the culture was so rampant that Paul had to address everything from why church potlucks should not turn into drunken frat parties and worship to the one true God like kids first birthday party at chuck e cheese restaurant.

Last Sunday, we dove head first into the book. Last week Paul encouraged us to remember God’s wants to be known and he is SENDING us to share our temples with others so they will come to know Him in a new way. Paul continues this letter by re-emphasizing this idea in Chapter four…

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 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.

It seems so appropriate that Paul speaks to the idea of what happens when we decide to really take our faith into the world and display it for our friends, family and co-workers. We will be judged by them. They may call you a “Holy roller” or a “Jesus Freak.” They will be quick to tell you they don’t agree with you. They will say things like, “I’m spiritual, not religious” or “I just don’t think a book put together by men could speak for God.” They will point out your failings to you and others in the unconscious hope you will stop so they don’t have to analyze their actions. They will criticize your priorities and even your intelligence. All of which keeps some people from living like Christ in the places they spend the most of their time. The way to overcome this is to remember Paul’s encouragement - “It is the Lord who judges me.” As a Christian, our only concern is how our words and deeds align with our Lord’s. PERIOD. His opinion of us is the only judgment we should be concerned with.

Paul continues…

6 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.

Paul wants to be clear to this new church plant and its leaders. The arrogance of their actions fail the litmus test of imitating Christ. Pride has no place in the kingdom of God. It is so disgusting to Paul that he goes off one of the great sanctified sarcasm rants in all scripture. Paul is showing his frustration with the elders of this new church and putting an exclamation point on the teaching.

Take a listen…

7 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?