pride exposed 1 Cor 4:6-21
1 Corinthians 4:6-21 (ESV)
Main Idea
The Corinthians view of themselves and their church was warped by the sin of pride. They interpreted the gospel as an excuse for arrogance and factionalism. They were a mess because their sin was shaping their view of themselves, the church and its leaders instead of the truth of Christ. They failed to see the call in the gospel to follow and become like Christ. They failed to follow Paul’s compelling example. This passage leave us and them with the question:Does the man in the mirror mimic the Messiah?
1. MAn in the mirror
1.1. Puffed up
1.1.1. Discerning whether someone is puffed up.
How they relate to leaders.
How they relate to those who disagree.
1.2. Boasting as if not received.
1.3. Rich & Ruling
2. the messiah
.
2.1. Rulers vs. spectacles.
2.2. Lifestyle of an apostle.
2 Corinthians
11:24-30 (ESV)
See 1 Cor. 9:1-18, Mt. 10:10, 1 Tim 5:17-18
Matthew 5:38-42
(ESV)
3. mimic
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
You can never mimic
the messiah.
You must mimic the messiah.
Only the messiah can
mold you into messiah like life.
“God doesn’t want to heal you, he wants to kill you.”
My Main Application:
Questions:
1.
Why did Paul write this portion of scripture? What was going on at
2.
How does what was going on there relate to me, to us?
3.
What are some basic assumptions of a proud person?
4.
In what ways have you seen yourself do this?
5.
In what current area of your life do you struggle with
pride?
6.
How has pride warped your view of Christ, the church, its
leaders, yourself?
7.
How is Christ the antidote to pride?
8.
Who do you know that exemplifies Christ in their
life? What about them is worthy of
imitation?
9.
How important is it to have examples to imitate? How does this help us? What errors do we need to be careful about
with imitating others?
10. How is it possible that we could live like Christ?
11. In what ways are we to follow His example? In what ways can we never do this?
12. In what particular area of your life is God calling you
to imitate Christ right now?
13. What is your one application from this passage?
Resources:
NIV Study Bible
New
NAS Study Bible
ESV Bible
1
Corinthians: Godly Solutions for Church Problems, John MacArthur
The Cross and
Showing the Spirit, DA Carson
1 Corinthians, David Prior, Bible Speaks
Today Series
daily Devotional
|
Day |
Verse |
Thoughts |
|
Mon, Jan 31, 2005 |
1 Cor 4: 6-7 |
What
do you have that was not given to you?
What do you have that you act like it wasn't given to you - like you
deserve it? How does this passage
adjust your perspective? Thank Him for
all that He has given you! |
|
Tues, Feb 1, 2005 |
1 Cor. 4:8-9 |
How
is Paul contrasting the Corinthians opinion of themselves with his opinion of
himself? What is he getting at? Are we called to be spectacles? How so for you? Reflect on how Christ became a spectacle
for your sake. |
|
Wed, Feb 2, 2005 |
1 Cor. 4:10-13 |
Read
2 Cor 11:16-12:10 . How did Paul view his weaknesses and sufferings? What are your current weaknesses and
sufferings? How does this change how
you look at your current weaknesses and sufferings? |
|
Thur, Feb 3, 2005 |
1 Cor. 4:14 |
What
is the difference between being ashamed and admonished? Are you responding to God's correction with
shame or hope and change? How can you
turn shame into hope and change? |
|
Fri, Feb 4, 2005 |
1 Cor 4:15-16 |
What
was the power behind Paul's example?
How did the gospel produce this man worthy of mimicking? What about Paul is worthy of imitation?
What about Paul's life convicts you?
What would God have you do in light of this? |
|
Sat, Feb 5, 2005 |
1 Cor 4:17 |
Paul
sent Timothy as his delegate and example.
How does God use leaders to help us become like Christ? Are you taking full advantage of this? How do you need to change how you relate to
leaders? |
|
Sun, Feb 6, 2005 |
1 Cor. 4:18-21 |
Is
there any attitude or action you are harboring that warrants the use of God’s
rod vs. gentleness. Repent and reflect
on the humility of Christ in dying for your sins. Share this struggle with your caregroup
leader. |