Justified Fools For Christ-6 Series

JUSTIFIED FOOLS For CHRIST-VI—1Corinthians 4:1-21

Attention:

‘Fools for Christ’ are such because they know from experience with certainty, that there really is nothing worthwhile outside of Christ!

Paul admonished the Corinthian Church regarding his apostolic ministry.

The church must regard apostolic authority rightly...as those who are fools for Christ!

How/When are Fools for Christ Justified?

11 justifiers regarding Fools for Christ.

We discovered last time that

Fools for Christ are justified thru their...

1. STEWARDSHIP(:1)

2. FAITHFULNESS(:2)

3. DISCERNMENT(:3-5)

4. GROUNDING(:6)

5. RECEPTION(:7-8) “Without us”

6. FOOLISHNESS(:9-13)

7—Fools for Christ are justified thru their...

WARNING(:14)

Explanation:(:14)

:14—“I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.”

Paul’s reasoning & rationale behind that which he is writing to the Corinthian Christians is not malicious. He is not purposely “shaming” them for in their disregard for God’s desire(1:10-4:13) they are shaming themselves(7:35).

Paul approaches them in the same manner as a loving nurturing burdened father approaches his own “beloved children.” He is concerned for their betterment, their welfare, for their success in Christ. Thereby, Paul approaches them in a manner that will “warn” them. He wants to instill in them(their ‘new-man’ minds(see nouyetew below)) the distinguishing characteristics of true Christians that are immune to influence by the world.

1Cor. 7:35—“And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, & that you may serve the Lord without distraction.”

‘They are their own worst enemy’

‘We have met the enemy & they are us!’

2Cor. 10:3-6—“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments & every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, & being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Mat. 19:12—“For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, & there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, & there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”

“Write”(See :6)—grafw—

“Shame”—entrepw—Present Active Participle—[Literally—Shaming you]—1) To shame one; 2) To be ashamed; 3) To reverence a person; 4) To turn about. Strong—To invert, i.e. figuratively & reflexively(in a good sense)--To respect; or (in a bad sense)--To confound. Used 9X.

“Beloved”(See :17)—agaphtov—Adj.—1) Beloved, esteemed, dear, favorite, worthy of love.

“Children”(See :17—“Son”)—teknon—1) Offspring, children. Paiv, teknon denote a child alike as respects to descent & age, reference to the latter being more prominent in the former word, to descent in paidion; but the period paiv cover is not sharply defined; &, in classic usage as in modern, youthful designations cleave to the female sex longer than to the male. Teknon gives prominence to physical & outward aspects of parentage. Teknon & uiov both point to parentage. teknon, however, emphasizes the idea of descent, giving prominence to the physical & outward aspects; while uiov emphasizes the idea of relationship, & considers especially the inward, ethical, & legal aspects. Strong—from the base of timwria[Vindication, i.e. by implication--A penalty]; A child(as produced).

“Warn”—nouyetew—1) To admonish, warn, exhort. Strong—To put in mind, i.e. by implication--To caution or reprove gently. Used 8X.

From—nouv—The intellect, i.e. Mind(divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will)—&—tiyhmi—To place (in the widest application, literally & figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture).

Argumentation:

2Cor. 7:3-4—“I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together & to live together. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.”

**2Cor. 6:12—“You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.”

**Acts 20:26-32—[Paul to the Ephesian church elders]“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves & to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, & remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night & day with tears. So now, brethren, I commend you to God & to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up & give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”