NO MERE MEN-I—1Corinthians 3:1-9
Attention:
Superman—1950’s TV show/Always opened with these statements about Superman...‘Faster than a speeding bullet’—‘More powerful than a locomotive’—‘Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound’—‘Look...up in the sky, its a bird, its a plane, its superman! Yes, its superman, strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers & abilities far beyond those of mortal men.” Superman...who can change the course of mighty rivers...Bend steel in his bare hands”..... “fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice & the American way!”
Obviously Superman is No Mere man!
There has always been an abundance of superhero-based movies & TV. All mankind realizes that their world is in need of a savior. Realizing that No Mere Men can accomplish the world’s greatest need…dealing with sin.
Need:
Paul reveals the traits of unspiritual men.
Unspiritual men are unable to exist in harmony.
Why are the unspiritual unable to live in harmony?
Because...
1—No mere men can Overcome...
IMMATURITY(:1)
Explanation:(:1) Carnality
:1—“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”
Note that though Paul chides the church for being “carnal” they are still considered & identified as “brethren” as well as being “in Christ.” So these are saved yet sinning. This is no condition in which the Christian should find satisfaction/relief.
Though these are “brothers” & “in Christ,” yet Paul(& Sosthenes/Silas) cannot relate to them as to other more mature believers.
*What does ‘maturity’ entail? Minimally it encompasses a willingness to forego self & grow in Christ rather than to be satisfied with our own preferences. It is a desire to see others served to the exclusion of having our own wants & needs met(Php. 2:3-4).
His ability to relate the things of God to/concerning them is hindered. He found it impossible to “speak” in the same manner that he would normally “speak” to those who are “spiritually” aware/conscious.
Paul rather had to relate to these who should have been “spiritual,” in a manner that was “as to carnal.” He had to reveal the truths of God in the same manner as he did to fleshly(“carnal”) people in the initial stage of their walk with the Lord!...Or possibly even as if they were lost! They were like mere “babes” in their relationship with Christ.
A man of flesh & a “babe” in Christ are very nearly synonymous in regard to behaviors, which stem from our heart attachments. Both signify a spiritually ill-equipped person.
Evidently this “carnal” relationship “in Christ” resulted from their own willful choice—a lack of attention to &/or neglect of the relationship— as his audience obviously consisted of adults.
Such an immature relation to Christ was appalling to Paul & should be to any Christian.
Js. 5:19-20—“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, & someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death & cover a multitude of sins.”
“Spiritual”—pneumatikoiv—Plural Adj.—1) Relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God & serves as his instrument or organ—1a) That which possesses the nature of the rational soul; 2) Belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God; 3) Belonging to the Divine Spirit—3a) Of God the Holy Spirit, 3b) One who is filled with & governed by the Spirit of God; 4) Pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing. Strong—Non-carnal, i.e. humanly--Ethereal(as opposed to gross), or daemoniacally--A spirit(concretely), or divinely--Supernatural, regenerate, religious.
“Carnal/of Flesh/Worldly”(See :3, 4)—sarkikov—Adj.—1) Fleshly, carnal—1a) Having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites—1a1) Governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God, 1a2) Having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature, 1a3) Human: with the included idea of depravity, 1b) Pertaining to the flesh—1b1) To the body: related to birth, linage, etc. Sarkikov means fleshly, that which is controlled by the wrong desires which rule in the flesh, flesh often being understood in its broad sense, see sarx. It describes a man who gives the flesh the dominion in his life, a place which does not belong to it by right. It means distinctly opposed to the Spirit of God, anti-spiritual. Strong—Pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension)--Bodily, temporal, or (by implication)--Animal, unregenerate. Used 11X.
“As to”—wv—Adverb—1) As, like, even as, etc.. Strong—probably adverb of comparative from ov; Which how, i.e. In that manner(very variously used...).
“Babes/Infants/Babies”—nhpiov—Adj.—1) An infant, little child; 2) A minor, not of age; 3) metaph.--Childish, untaught, unskilled. Strong—from an obsolete particle nh-(implying negation) & epov[a word]; Not speaking, i.e. An infant(minor); figuratively--A simple-minded person, an immature Christian.
Argumentation:
Rom. 7:22-25—“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, & bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
**1Cor. 14:20—“Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.”
**1Cor. 13:11-13—“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Mat. 26:41—““Watch & pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
**Eph. 4:11-16—“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, & some pastors & teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith & of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to & fro & carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined & knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
**Heb. 5:9-6:3—“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” of whom we have much to say, & hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; & you have come to need milk & not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good & evil. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works & of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, & of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”
Eccl. 11:9-10—“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood & youth are vanity.”
**2Tim. 2:22—“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
If the Holy Spirit has no control over your human spirit then He has no control over your flesh & you do what you want to do without God’s leading.
The flesh retains total control!
Wretchedness is the condition of mere men!
Illustration:
Financial investments/Begin small with a few good potentially growing stocks/Hang onto them for years/Sell them & become a millionaire/The investor must be willing to wait until they mature/IMMATURITY
Bonsai-ed trees/Artificially kept pot-bound/Original growth pattern & purpose(of the tree) is thwarted due to the whim of the owner/IMMATURITY
Application:
?You a Mere Man?
?You Overcome IMMATURITY or has it overcome you?
No mere men Overcome Flesh!
2—No mere men can Overcome...
DIET(:2-3a)
Explanation:(:2-3a)
:2—“I fed you with milk & not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, & even now you are still not able;”
:3—“for you are still carnal.....”
As a result of the hindrance of immaturity, Paul did not walk away but still gave himself to provide for their well-being. Rather than “feeding” them with “solid food” as would be expected, he was forced to minister to them with “milk” as one would a mere infant.
Paul reiterates & enforces the point to the Corinthian church that they are unable to “receive” any “solid food,” even at this writing! Paul is frustrated with their willful immaturity. They thereby reach ‘in’ rather than ‘out’!
Paul had given them milk(for that is what babes eat). Milk is drunk, i.e., it contains all vital ingredients & is in a form requiring no teeth.
Teeth are associated with children & adults.
It was not possible for Paul to give them solid food. They were not yet able to eat with teeth.
“Yet” signifies Paul’s expectancy for the Corinthian’s spiritual growth & the potential for growth available to the Corinthians.
The Corinthians were not able to have solid food due to the fact that they were still fleshly.
Fleshly people are unable to partake of solid food.
Paul expected them to grow beyond fleshly desires/drives/initiatives.
“Carnal/Fleshly”—Driven by fleshly desires.
Would I still do what I do if my body didn’t continually call?
The flesh craves certain things being entirely selfish. These lusts are only quenched in Christ!
“Fed/Gave”(See :6—“Watered”)—potizw—Aorist Active Indicative—1) To give to drink, to furnish drink; 2) To water, irrigate (plants, fields etc.); 3) metaph.--To imbue, saturate one's mind. Strong—from a derivative of the alternate of pinw[to imbibe (literally or figuratively)]. To furnish drink, irrigate.
“Milk”—gala—1) Milk; 2) A metaph. for the less difficult Christian truths. Strong—of uncertain affinity; Milk (figuratively). Used 5X.
“Solid food/Meat”—brwma—1) That which is eaten, food. Strong—from the base of bibrwskw[To eat];Food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially)--Articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.
“Able/Ready”2X—dunamai—1) To be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability & resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; 2) To be able to do something; 3) To be capable, strong & powerful.
“Still/Neither yet now/Even now”(See :3)— eti— Adverb—1) Yet, still—1a) Of time, 1b) of degree & increase. Strong—“Yet,” still(of time or degree).
“Carnal/Fleshly/Worldly”(See :1, 4)—sarkikov—Adj.——sarkikov—Adj.—1) Fleshly, carnal—1a) Having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites—1a1) Governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God, 1a2) Having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature, 1a3) Human: with the included idea of depravity, 1b) Pertaining to the flesh—1b1) To the body: related to birth, linage, etc. Sarkikov means fleshly, that which is controlled by the wrong desires which rule in the flesh, flesh often being understood in its broad sense, see sarx. It describes a man who gives the flesh the dominion in his life, a place which does not belong to it by right. It means distinctly opposed to the Spirit of God, anti-spiritual. Strong—Pertaining to flesh, i.e. by extension--Bodily, temporal, or by implication--Animal, unregenerate. Used 11X.
Argumentation:
**Lk. 11:33-36—[Jesus on your choices regarding guidance]““No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.””
**Eph. 1:15-21—“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus & your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom & revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, & what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead & seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality & power & might & dominion, & every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
*2Pet. 3:14-18—“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot & blameless; & consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught & unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now & forever. Amen.”
**Jn. 4:30-34—“Then they[His disciples] went out of the city & came to Him. In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, & to finish His work.”
If the Holy Spirit has no control over your human spirit then He has no control over your flesh & you do what you want to do without God’s leading.
The flesh retains total control!
Wretchedness is the condition resulting from the DIET of mere men!
Illustration:
*A diet devoid of proper nutrients/Too rich in vitamin A(which is good for the eyes) can actually make you go blind!/DIET
An Addict of any kind/Will not give up the substance to which they have attached themselves(to which it has become attached itself)/Requires a steady intake of substance or treatment/DIET
A child who will not eat vegetables/Unless they are forced they will not try it!/It matters not whether they ‘need’ other foods(nourishment)...For them it is about taste only!/
Church-goers who want things ‘the way it used to be’/Enter these & you are transported back to the 40s or 50s/But what if they had retained the decor & demeanor from the early 1900s or the 1850s or the 1700s, etc./Its not about ‘the way things used to be’ but that they are not living for the Lord like they used to live—He is no longer their first love!/Being bored with their current life in Christ, they have allowed themselves a diet rich in nostalgia but deficient in reality/DIET
Application:
?You a Mere Man?
?You Overcome DIET or has it overcome you?
No mere men Overcome Flesh!
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Superman—Obviously No Mere man!
Action:
No mere men can Overcome...
1. IMMATURITY(:1)
2. DIET(:2-3a) Sustenance
Presented 05/25/2014am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
