April 25th 2021 - 1 CORINTHIANS :: The Priority of Gospel Work
April 25, 2021 • Pastor Josh Kee • 1 Corinthians 15:58
1 Corinthians 15:58b Sermon Information
“Therefore…” Series
1. Q #1: What is “the work of the Lord”?
a. Evangelism – proclaiming the gospel to those not in Christ
b. Edification – building up the Church through service
c. Paul has in mind a particular work with a particular goal after the mission of Christ = salvation of the spiritually dead and maturity of the spiritually alive (1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:28)
d. The normal spheres of your life are the contexts in which this gospel work is to be done
2. Q #2: Are all Christians called to this work?
a. Yes, as ambassadors and as Christ’s body
b. Ambassadors (Matthew 5:13-16; John 17:18, 21-23; 2 Corinthians 4:13, 5:20-21)
c. Christ’s body (1 Corinthians 14:12; Rom. 12:9-21; Eph. 4:1-7; Col. 3:12-17; 1 Pet. 4:7-11)
3. Q #3: What should we expect of this work?
a. “toil”; “agony”; “labor”; “struggle”; “opposition” (Pauline language)
b. 1 Corinthians 3:5-16; Philippians 1:21-26, 2:16-18
c. “strenuous exertion toward a purposeful goal” (salvation and maturity)
d. Fruitfulness and joy
e. Reward (Matt. 25:14-30; 2 Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:24; Rev. 20:13)
4. Q #4: What motivates our work?
a. The resurrection of Christ (past event) and our resurrection with Christ (future reality)
b. We will all be raised – 1 Cor. 15:51; Acts 24:15
i. Those not in Christ will be raised to judgment, therefore we proclaim Christ
ii. Those in Christ will be raised to life, therefore we build up believers in their faith
iii. The Church, building itself up in love, in the most compelling apologetic for the gospel message, therefore we labor to this end
5. Q #5: What marks those who “abound in the work of the Lord”?
a. Humility, gentleness (meekness), joy, hope, confidence
b. Galatians 5:22-25 (fruits of the Spirit)
God’s strategy for accomplishing his redemptive mission in the world is for every member of his church to labor in the evangelistic and edifying work of the Lord.
POINT: The resurrection of Christ (past) and our resurrection with Christ (future) compel believers to pour their lives out in the proclamation of the gospel and the building up of the Church.
Discussion Questions:
1. How involved are you in the gospel work of proclamation and edification (building up believers)?
2. What keeps you from giving yourself to this work? (Lack of conviction, skill, fear, apathy, busyness, insecurity, etc.)?
3. How does the resurrection serve as both a motivator and confidence for this two-fold work?
4. How do your normal realms of life help you discern how to go about this work?
5. Who has God placed in your life that you can begin praying for?
6. Are you connected enough to the body of Christ to be able to build up other believers in their faith? What gifts or opportunities do you have to do this work?
7. How does isolation keep you from “abounding in the work of the Lord”? Is isolation an acceptable excuse according to these passages?
8. Are there any changes that need to be made in your life so that you might begin to give yourself to this gospel work?
April 18, 2021
April 18, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Corinthians 15:58
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:58a
Title: Gospel Stability
Therefore, in light of Jesus’s victory over death through resurrection,
1. Say “No” to sin.
2. Stop trying to earn God’s favor by rule-following.
3. Remain loyal to Jesus.
How?
a. We stand firm in the Gospel.
b. We remain fully committed to the Gospel.
Main Idea: In light of Jesus’ resurrection, we must order our lives exclusively and unflinchingly around Him.
Application Questions:
• If we know that the sting/deadly poison of death is sin, why do we struggle with sin so greatly? How can we say “No” to sin?
• How do you attempt to earn God’s favor by rule-following? In light of the previous point to reject sin, why would rule-keeping be wrong?
• What does “remaining loyal” to Jesus mean? How does this help us understand faith?
April 11, 2021
April 11, 2021 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • 1 Corinthians 15:49–57
Theme: Be who you will become
Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:49–57
Main Idea: Because we are in Christ through our faith in his completed work, we will become like Christ at the resurrection.
What does this mean that we will become like Christ at the resurrection?
• Our bodies will be transformed into a glorified and flourishing form just like Christ possesses.
• Whether dead or alive at His return, we will be raised and transformed.
• We will fully experience God’s new creation work, free from death and sin.
How should we live as we await His return?
1. Bear Christ’s likeness now (49).
2. Live victoriously as if death and sin have lost their sting (54–55).
3. Praise God continuously for his work through Jesus Christ (57).
Application Questions:
• How often do you think about the fact that Jesus Christ will return, and it could happen at any moment? What could be a potential problem with dwelling on this too much? What are the dangers of failing to ponder this enough?
• From the message, what does the translation flourishing contribute to our understanding of this passage that imperishable may not?
• What does this passage teach us about death? How should this impact your own thinking about death?
• What should change in your attitude and actions as a result of this passage? What steps do you need to take in order to address these attitudes and actions so that you live in alignment with what this text says?
