“Dear Wakelee Church…Sincerely, Paul”
The Corinthian Connection Series
“Practical Helps for Difficult Times” ~ I Corinthians 6:12–11:34
Wakelee Church ~ June 20, 2004
(All verses are NJKV unless otherwise noted)
Introduction -
Today is Father’s Day. A day of cologne. A day of hugs. A day of neckties and long-distance phone calls. It’s a day for hallmark cards.
Father’s Day is that day when, unlike mother’s day when we lift up motherhood and give it praise, we often quote statistics about fatherless homes and workaholic trends in American society. A small boy once said, “Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day only don’t have to spend as much on the gift!”
We often hear sermons about the role of a father and how to be a better father or the positive impact that we should be having on our families.
As a father myself, I’m not willing to go there this year.
This year, I want to look at a father and see what advice he gives to his children.
Now this is no ordinary father…in fact, he had no children of his own, that is in the physical sense. But he had thousands of children in the spiritual sense.
When he sat down to write a letter to his kids in Corinth, he did so with the full blessing and inspiration of his Heavenly Father, who had had a life-changing impact on his life.
Yes, of course, we’re talking about Paul.
Last week, we looked at good ideas gone bad. This week Paul, in these chapters, Paul dives right into the main problem that the people of Corinth were facing…namely prostitution and sexual sin.
A casual read at the surface level of these chapters will show this. But, this morning I’ve taken those connections out of the text and put them in a top ten list of sorts.
While I believe that Paul was talking mostly to the church at Corinth, they are particular verses that stand out as connections to our very existence today…they’re the universal truths that connect to our time and place.
Paul was the father of the Corinthian church…he birthed it, he nursed it, he cared and nurtured it.
And today, on this Father’s Day, I believe that we can see how Paul’s fatherly message to the troubled church at Corinth can be a message of value for us today.
A Father’s List of Ten Practical Helps in Difficult Times
Some facts to get us started…There is no doubt that the Corinthian church was struggling. There were struggling with the sin outside their doors as well as the sin that permeated their own souls. They were experiencing the consequences of all this sin, from within and without, but they couldn’t see it.
You can imagine the letter that was sent to Paul….
Paul you told us that everything was going to be good, but it’s not.
You told us that things would get easy, but they’ve only become harder.
Paul, how come this isn’t working????
Paul’s first response was to tell them to quick making excuses and rationalizations…
Read with my #1 on our your handout, will you?
1 – Don’t use pithy slogans/excuses to explain away your faults – look for ways to make yourself right. (6:12-20)
Key verse: “For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit,
which are God’s. (6:20)
Their slogan: All things are lawful for me….
Paul’s Response…Yes, but all things are not helpful…
Their slogan: Food for the stomach and the stomach for the food…(natural argument)
Paul’s response: Yes, but God will destroy both…the natural does not last a lifetime…
2 – Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God that come with responsibility. (7:1-17,25-40)
Key verse: “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk…”
(7:17)
At this very moment, you are called to be the best husband, the best wife, the best single person, widowed or divorced person, God has called you to be.
3 – Live as you are called. Don’t try to be something you’re not! (7:17-24)
Key verse: “Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.” (7:24)
It’s not about circumcision…thanks be to God!
It’s not about our physical freedom…Paul said, if you’re a slave be an awesome slave, if you have been
physically made free….then use it. (7:21).
We use what we have and who we are as God has given our particular situations to us.
“Keeping the commandments of God (Paul says) is what matters…” (6:19b)
4 – There is freedom in responsibility to each other! (8:1-13)
Key verse: “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours becomes a stumbling block to those who are weak.” (8:9)
Illus. Bar and not drinking….
5 – Those who preach it should live from it! (9:1-23)
Key verse: “…I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” (9:22)
Something in the letter from Corinth ticked Paul off here!
It’s obvious that someone on the church questioned Paul’s credentials.
Can you hear it?
Paul you don’t act like a Christian leader should.
Paul you’re not supposed to do those things.
Paul you can’t eat with those people.
Paul you’re leading us astray but not following the law.
Paul….
So, for about 23 verses, we have Paul defending his “fatherhood,” his right to be an apostle.
But if you have your Bibles open Paul ends this emotional defense with some of the most important ‘
pieces of advice Paul offers… vs. 9:19 says, but let me tell you…”I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more….”
6 – Life’s a race…run to win the prize! (9:24-26)
Key verse: “Therefor I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats in the air. But I
discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (9:26-27)
The word “disqualified” in the Greek means “disapproved after testing.” While some would claim this verse is about loosing one’s salvation…I say it’s more about the rewards for enduring and suffering for the cause of Christ.
7 – Trust in humankind, you will fall. Trust in God, he will be faithful. (10:1-13)
Key verse: “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (10:12-13)
Human dads will eventually let us down, but our heavenly dad is never a disappointment.
8 – Do it all for God. (10:14-11:1).
Key verse: “Therefore, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.”
(10:31)
Illus. – Someone once said that “Parents spend the first part of a child’s life getting them to talk and
walk, and the rest of their childhood getting them to sit down and keep quiet.”
We are blessed…and because we are the least that we can do is to do it all for the One who created all
the blessings we have.
9 - As creatures of God, we need each other as we depend on God together. (11:1-12)
From The Message translation…
Key verse: “Don’t, by the way, read too much into the differences here between men and women. Neither man nor woman can go it alone or claim priority.
Man was created first, as a beautiful shining reflection of God—that is true. But the head on a woman’s body clearly outshines in beauty the head of her “head,” her husband.
The first woman came from man, true—but ever since then, every man come from a woman!
And since virtually everything comes form God anyway, let’s quit going through these ‘who’s first’ routines.” (11:11-12)
We need one another….my NKJV says that we are independent of one another, but solely dependent on one another as we are dependent on Christ, who depends upon the Father.
10 – Continually examine yourself before God. (11:13-34)
Key verse: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For
he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner, eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (11:28-29)
While the struggle here was with Communion…our struggle may be with our faith in general.
Being truly honest with ourselves about our own shortcoming, and shall we say, “needed growth areas” is a necessary part of a disciple’s life.
If you think you’re perfect…think some more…Amen?
Conclusion –
In conclusion this morning, I want to turn from Paul just a bit and put the focus on our heavenly father. He, too, has a bunch of good advice found throughout this book…but there’s another part of fatherhood, beyond instruction that is equally as important., maybe even more so…
This morning…
Somebody is very proud of you.
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody is caring about you.
Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants to talk you.
Somebody wants to spend time with you.
Somebody hopes you won’t get it trouble, but will always be there even when you do.
This somebody is thankful for the times you’ve supported others.
This somebody knows that everything will turn out all right.
This somebody wants to hold your hand, wants you to be happy.
Somebody wants to give you a gracious gift.
Somebody understands that you ARE a gift to others.
Somebody wants to hug you, to protect you, to see you, to hear from you.
Somebody admires your strength as well as your weaknesses, and loves you who you are.
This somebody treasures your spirit and wants to be near you.
This somebody wants to be there for you, do anything for you,
They want to share your dreams with you.
This somebody will never leave you, nor forsake you.
This somebody has promised the gift of life more abundantly.
This somebody sent his Son to live, to minister, to die, and to rise again…so that you may know how much you mean to him.
Of course, God is more than just somebody, but this Father’s Day I hope that you’ll not only take Paul’s Holy-Spirit inspired advice, but that you’ll also know that if you find yourself swimming in the deep end of life’s journey and you’re feeling alone, there is somebody who help, our Heavenly Father, if we only call upon His Name.
Closing Song - #397 – I Need Thee Every Hour
Benediction –
Here these words from Paul himself…
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen. (I Cor. 16:23)
NEXT WEEK: “Calm Answers in Confusing Times” – I Corinthians 12 - 16
