The GospelsActs of the ApostlesPaul’s LettersOther LettersRevelation

A Walkthru’ of the New TestamentLesson 8: I Corinthians – Heaven’s Gold

GOD REVEALED

Romans – Life Transformation Journey 1 Corinthians - Heaven’s Gold 2 Corinthians – Jars of Clay Galatians – No longer I Ephesians - Pushing Limits Philippians - The Mind of Christ Colossians – Complete Maturity in Christ 1 Thessalonians – Cascading Hope 2 Thessalonians – Confident Hope 1 Timothy - Fighting Fit 2 Timothy – Fearless Faithfulness Titus – Double Grip Philemon

Paul’s Letters

Introduction Investors Detractors Destroyers Man’s Responsibility God’s Sovereignty Understanding

Doctrines Discussion

Presentation Overview Heaven’s Gold

EVENT TIMELINE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3

Heaven’s Gold

The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians about 56 A.D.[1] Paul’s purpose in writing this letter to the church in Corinth was to guide them into: Experiencing Life in Christ contrasting 3

types of people:◦ Investors (on “heaven’s gold”)◦ Detractors◦ Destroyers

Addressing various issues and key doctrines.

Summary of the Book

In Paul’s time, Corinth is the most important city in Greece with a boomtown atmosphere

Freed slaves, veterans, merchants, and trades men stream in. [2]

The church results from his weekly preaching in the synagogue and around 1.5 years stay.

It comprises around 100 - Jews, mostly Gentiles-lower class folks with 3-4 wealthy families.

He supports himself by tentmaking/ leather working, later taking full time support

Background of Corinth

During the study of Romans, “The Transformation Journey” we asked ourselves – have we really changed? If there has been no major change why not? Has the Spirit of God not done enough? Or have we not done enough? How does transformation work?

Introduction

Investors and Detractors are both saved, what is the difference (1 Corinthians 3)?

Types of PeopleLevels of Transformation

Investors• Builds value on

foundation, receives reward. -13b

Detractors• 15 work burned

up, suffers loss, saved through fire

Destroyers

• 14 does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, folly, not able to understand.

Investors have faith on God’s sovereignty but fully leverage man’s responsibility to proactively: Build Foundation - ch 3 Remove Evil – ch 4 Flee sexual immorality – ch 6 Run to win – ch 9 Pursue Love – ch 2,13 Overcome Temptation – ch

8,10 Labour Steadfastly – ch 14,15And much more…..

Man’s Responsibility

12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

Man’s ResponsibilityBuild a Foundation

“You must certainly remove the evil person from among you (your church)” 5:13

While we may complain that the “Church” is tolerant, how are we indirectly supporting that?

Man’s ResponsibilityRemove Evil

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. I Cor 6:18

How does a “mental” sin affect our investment?

Man’s ResponsibilityFlee Sexual Immorality

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 9

What tough disciplines do Christian investors need to adhere to?

Man’s ResponsibilityRun to Win

Keep on pursuing love..1 cor 14:1a

How can we “pursue” love ie chase after it persistently – even with the most difficult people?

Man’s ResponsibilityPursue Love

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Cor 10:13

Man’s ResponsibilityOvercome temptation

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58

Man’s ResponsibilityLabour steadfastly

Detractors get too lazy and rely largely on God’s sovereignty: Revelation – ch.1,2 Inspiration – ch. 11 Commission – ch. 6,7, Sanctification – ch 10,11,12 Unification – Ch 12,14

How many of us can say like Paul “I worked harder than all the rest”? 15:10

God’s Sovereignty

7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. .. 10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Cor 2

God’s SovereigntyRevelation

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 11:1

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3

God’s SovereigntyInspiration

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1

God’s SovereigntyCommission

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Cor 6

God’s SovereigntySanctification

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial. 10:23

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. 6;12 NLT

God’s SovereigntySanctification - Where do we draw the line?

How does the unbelieving spouse get sanctified when Paul clearly mentions that they may or may not get saved?The interpretation is that they are exposed to a spiritual influence and to some extent a spiritual environment “holy ground” so to say by virtue of their spouse being saved. Rather than get pulled down by the unbelieving spouse and their behaviour, the believing spouse should gently start lifting their partner up. This requires immense strength from the Lord, as they will have to demonstrate all the fruits of the spirit, while their partner demonstrates the opposite.

God’s SovereigntySanctification (Cont’d)

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. - 1 Cor 12

God’s SovereigntyUnification

Man’s Responsibility vs God’s SovereigntyInvestors and Detractors – some comparisons

Investors Detractors

Get constant food and contact with God from the word of God and prayer

Make daily choices with eternal perspectives

Discipline spirit, mind and body to get rid of sin

Pursue holiness above everything else

Focus on long term spiritual seeds rather than short lasting events.

Satisfied with occasional food from meetings

Live for the day Weak in discipline

particularly mental Pursue happiness over

holiness Focus on events,

activities and mislead others as well

Man’s Responsibility vs God’s SovereigntyInvestors and Detractors – final Outcome

Investors Detractors

Investors:14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 3:14

Detractors15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 3:15

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor 2

Destroyers

Investors maintain a balance between God’s Sovereignty and Man’s responsibility. Paul “worked harder than all the rest”.

Detractors swing very high on God’s Sovereignty with very little effort on their part

Destroyers swing completely onto man’s responsiblity, as they have not have a personal relationship with Christ

Where do we stand?

Man’s responsibility vs. God’s sovereigntyInvestors, Detractors, Destroyers

We like to feel good, We like to feel God; When all the feelings go, That’s when we really know, How firmly we have stood.

Base your understanding of doctrine on the context: Most of the context in 1 Cor. are clear

instructions from God throughout the ages eg. No divorce, resurrection, spiritual gifts, unity in Church, love, tongues, prophecy, etc.

Some of them are Paul’s personal opinion eg. “better to be single” than married

Others culture and context specific, with core principles commonly applicable eg. Women covering head in church, food offered to idols

Understanding DoctrinesContext

Types of People – Investors, Detractors, Destroyers. First two are Christians. Investors build up gold in heaven.

Man’s Responsibility has to leverage God’s sovereignty by discipline and hard work to : Build Foundation, Remove Evil, Flee sexual immorality, Run to win, Pursue Love, Overcome Temptation, Labour Steadfastly, etc.

God’s Sovereignty available to all who believe are the great gifts of : Revelation, Inspiration, Commission, Sanctification, Unification

Understanding doctrines require understanding long term principles behind the context which may be general or specific.

Summary

How do we know what are the right investments and not diversions?

How can we handle detractors in the church? How can we guard ourselves from diversions?

In what ways do we tend to take God’s grace and sovereignty for granted?

What specific steps/actions do you feel you need to take to take “responsibility” for making better investments in yourself and others?

Discussion

References1. bible.com2. theologyofwork.org