"Saints and Sinners" (1 Cor.1:1-9)
Rev. A. LaMar Torrence
Pastor of the Cross of Life Lutheran Church
For a little while, I want to talk on the subject Saints and Sinners. I want to dialogue on the dichotomy of the saved and the sanctified, the holy and the justified. We want to explore this relationship between saints and sinners. Paul in all except two of his epistles address the congregations with the salutation “called to be saints”. The term saint in common use is limited to certain classes of holy people. It is applied to the inspired evangelists like Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It is ascribed to apostles and the early church martyrs like Paul, Saint Anthony, Saint Justin, and St. Mary. It is a term attributed to the great doctors and missionaries canonized by the holy Catholic Church like St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Benedict. It is a term that is not taken likely. To say someone was or is like a saint is to classify that person in an exclusive class of holiness or to make that person super or ultra human beyond the dark realms of sin. It is to place of halo above their head and angel wings on their back. The application of sainthood to a person or group of persons is nothing that is taken likely.
That’s why it is puzzlement that Paul uses this term to address those at the church of Corinth. Those of us, who are familiar with our biblical history, know that the Corinthian Church was not a church that behaved like saints of God. For even Paul, himself said that they were still of a fleshly nature. We know that the Corinthian church caused Paul to write sixteen chapters of Greek text correcting the mistakes and the wrongs that these so-called Christians at were committing. We also, know that this was a church in the midst of Satan’s strong hold. The city of Corinth was considered the ‘pleasure city’ of the Roman Empire. It was rich and lavish, wealthy and wicked. It was a den of iniquity, a kingdom of degradation and a place of debauchery. The Corinthian church was a church placed at the gates of hells. Christ was its head and the cornerstone of its foundations; yet, it was a strange church. It was mixture of Roman citizens, Heathen Greeks, and oppressed slaves. There were fractions and divisions, cliques and groups - Everybody in their own corner trying to do their own thing - Everybody with their own program and their own agenda. Council members didn’t like the pastor and treasurers wouldn’t give up any money. Young adults were tired of the old folks. The old folks complained about the rebellious behavior of ‘young-ins’. Worship was more centered on melodies and beats rather than godly praise and adoration. Instead of spreading the Gospel of Christ, they talked about the latest gossip of the day. They prided themselves in having spiritual gifts yet showed no interest in giving tithes back to God. They knew how to talk about the word but rarely came out to bible study. They were people fighting over titles and positions - getting jealous because pastor never visit their house or called their name from the pulpit. The church at Corinth was a strange church but nevertheless Paul says that they were called to be saints.
They were sinners but they were still regarded as saints.
Well then what is a saint? What makes these hell raising, so-called Christians at (cross of Life), I mean Corinth saints? What’s so special about them?
Well first we must understand what a saint exactly is. A saint is someone who simply has answered God’s call to Christ and is now headed in the right direction. A saint is a disciple of Christ. A saint is a sister or brother who has decided to follow Jesus and allow God to work his will in their lives. A saint is a sinner saved by grace. He’s not perfect but he is a saint. He struggles with two natures flesh and spirit; mind and body. He is a mixture of beings. -- Two selves wrestling in one. He is not yet an Angel and He’s not a beast for the word says we are lower than the celestial inhabitants and just a little higher than the jungle creatures. The saint is a mixture of two natures - A high nature and a low nature. He struggles daily with his identity and purpose. And yet, in spite of his battle between spirit and sin, he is still considered a saint.
After considering what a saint is we must ask the question, “Who is a saint?” There’s a term in Christian theology called sanctification, which in simple terms - means to be set apart, consecrated for a divine purpose. In concrete terms, it is the progressive work by which we become partakers of God’s holiness. It is the work by which we grow in grace. It is the active process by which we become more and more like Jesus. This means then that every believer is a saint. Every Christian is saved and sanctified. This is the reason why we are called children of God and not adults of God. We are still being perfected. We are diamonds in the rough. God has to work on us and polish us everyday of our lives. We are like gold that has to be tried in the fire. We are called to be saints. We may not all the worldly clarifications for such an office of sainthood. We are not devoid of sin and temptation. We are not ascetics, nuns, or monks living in solitary totally focused on God. In fact some of us come from simple and humble backgrounds while other may hale from more notorious and scandalous experiences. We may just be a tax accountant like Matthew or a caretaker like Martha but we are called to be saints. We may still cuss like Peter, and have some doubts like Thomas but God still calls us to be his saints. We may have been around the town like Mary Magdalene or be naïve, young, and intimidated like Timothy but nevertheless, we are God’s saints.
It’s not an office we choose but God gives it to us. It’s not based on our merit or achievement but on the grace and mercy of God. It’s not based on what we have done but what Christ has done in us. The office of sainthood is not gained but given. As long as Christ is your savior, it doesn’t matter if you lived a lifestyle of fame and fortune like Princess DI or a life of sacrifice and suffering like Mother Theresa. It’s not what we have done with our lives but what Christ has done for our lives. He became the Lamb of God sacrificed for our transgressions. His blood became the atonement for our sins. Because he was willing to do that in which we could not and cannot do for ourselves, we can refer to ourselves as saints. He has consecrated us – set us aside for God’s use. He has anointed us, appointed us, elected us, sanctify us, and chosen us to fulfill God’s will here on earth. That’s what it means to be a saint. We have been selected to do God’s will here on earth. The apostle Paul says in verse 26, “to consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth, but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are.” And that’s good news – God wants to use us. We may not be much in the world’s eye but in God’s eyes we have treasures in earthen vessels. God wants to use us. He wants to abide with us, and dwell in us. And through us, He wants to change the world in which we live.
So then, how can we check our sainthood? What are the marks of a saint? How can you tell if on the right path to glory?
Well first, a saint is apart of the church of God. He or she is a part of the body of Christ that is corporately being sanctified. The church is a body of people made holy – set aside apart. When you are a saint you are a part of the ekklesia – meaning the ‘called out ones’. You are a part of those called of our bondage to worship Yahweh and share communion with Christ. You are part of a people standing in covenant with God. A Saint is a part of the cosmic fellowship of saints that transcends time. You share a fellowship with Andrew and peter, James and john. You share a bond with Clement, Origen, and Tertullian. You share the peace of the lord with Richard Allen, Nat Turner, Adam Clayton Powell, and Martin Luther King. You are apart of the ekklesia – the church, established by God, directed by God, and devoted to God. That’s why you need the church in your life. It’s existence and purpose is to worship and glorify God. Oh you may not need the church to become a Christian but you need the church to help you understand what it means to be a Christian. You may not need us to get into heaven. But be sure enough, that the word says Christ is coming back looking for his church - not a solo act. You need the church. You need that place which will allow you to be what you really are – imperfect sinner – like us. In God’s church we know who you are. You don’t have to put on any act for us. We are the only place that does not ask you for your resume or your references. We don’t run a credit check or even ask you for ID. The church is a place where you can be you. I would think that you would be glad to be someplace where you can just be you. At work, you have to be the token black executive pretending like he got all together. At school, you have to be one of the cool kids, with the latest fashions and hippest style. At home, you have to place mother to both husband and kids. But at church you can be you. You don’t have come in here wearing a mask like you got it all together. If you had all together- you wouldn’t be here. NO, we know that you are just making it – hanging in there by a thread. And the good part of being a saint is that you know if the thread pops Jesus will catch you. Yea, you are in the right place when you are a part of God’s church. You are only the right path, when you have made a commitment to one of the branches of Zion.
Secondly, we can distinguish a saint by whose name he calls on. A saint knows how to call on the name of Jesus. She knows that there is power in the name. She doesn’t have to always call on pastor to get a prayer through to heaven – she can call on Jesus. She doesn’t have to read her horoscope or call up her psychic because she can call on Jesus. When her husband has left her or her child has gone a stray – she doesn’t call on mama first – she calls on Jesus. When the doctor has done the best and all he can do – she calls on the specialist, the great Physician himself – Jesus. When her lawyer has rested his case and jury has been called in to render the verdict – she still knows how to call on Jesus. To call on Jesus is to call on power. The weakest man can gain strength if he only knew how to call on Jesus. The child with no hope, no food, and no clothing can find love, shelter, and living bread if they knew how to call on Jesus.
And yet, many of us fall have no power because we don’t know how to call on the name of Jesus. Day-in and day-out we function on empty because we have no power. We don’t call on Jesus in worship. We don’t call on him in prayer. We are like a child who goes away to college and only calls when we need money or help. We don’t have any power because we seldom call on his name. We let the world manipulate and intimidate us because we don’t know the value of calling on his name.
But as saints of God we would know our self-worth and demand the respect we rightly deserve.
You see, to have power in our lives is to have the courage to be ‘somebody.’
To be a saint of God is to be somebody. It is to have power to change our social situation regardless of our circumstance. We can create some good out of the darkness in our lives. Out of our experience with abusive relationships we could create support groups for healing and comfort.
Out of our struggles with addiction, we could create education programs for deliverance and liberation. Out of our battle with AIDS and Cancer, we could create advocacy groups to help others with those diseases. As saints, we know that we have power, regardless of our circumstance, regardless of our situation to use our lives as witnesses to others. We know that what we have done in our past, and who we were in our past is irrelevant now because we have receive grace and peace from God to cover our mistakes.
We know longer limit our perspectives on ourselves by how others view us, because we are called to be saints. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us.
We can go to Jesus with any need and find that need supplied because we have power.
We can go to Jesus with any vision and find that vision a reality because we can call on the name of Jesus. As saints we know that if we ask in his name it shall be done.
We know that at his name every need shall bow and tongue confess that he is Lord. We know that demons tremble at his name. Souls are save only in his name.
And I am so glad that I know his name. I’m not perfect but his name is perfecting me. I’m not all that I should be but because of his name I’m more than what I use to be. I preach in his name. I pray in his name. I’m a sinner and a saint because of his name. Oh yea, I know his name.
I can call him Jehovah Jireh and God will provide.
I can call him Jehovah Nissi and, in warfare, the Lord will be my banner.
I can call him Jehovah-Shalom and the Lord will give me peace.
I can call him Jehovah Shamma and the Lord will be there.
I can call him Jehovah Tsid ken-ooo and God will be my righteousness.
But just in case, I forget those names,
I think I’ll just call him Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
For by no other name shall man be saved.
Jesus, my rock, my sword, and my shield.
Jesus, my wheel in the middle of a wheel
Jesus, my water when I am thirsty,
Jesus, my bread when I’m hungry.
Jesus, the alpha and omega, my beginning and he is where I’m going to end.
Jesus, my bright and morning star. My guiding light. He is my all and all.
