THE KINGDOM DOES NOT CONSIST IN TALK, BUT IN POWER: 1 Corinthians 4:18-21

DISCUSSION: 1. According to the beginning of verse 18, what are “some” of the Corinthians? What reason does Paul give for their being “arrogant,” and what does he mean? 2. Read verse 19. What does Paul plan to do, and how does he condition his plans? What does Paul mean by “if the Lord wills”? What does Paul plan to “find out” concerning “these arrogant people,” and what does he mean? How does 2 Timothy 3:2-5 help clarify? 3. Read verse 20. What does “the kingdom of God...not consist in”? What does “the kingdom of God...consist in”? What does Paul mean here, and how does Matthew 7:21-23 help clarify? 4. In verse 21, Paul gives the Corinthians two options concerning in what way he will come to them. What are they? What does a “rod” represent concerning gospel ministry? What does Paul mean by “with love and a spirit of gentleness”?

DOCTRINE: Christ came not only to be Prophet and Priest, but also King. It is evident that Christ is your King not by mere words but by power.

I. CHRIST CAME NOT ONLY TO BE PROPHET AND PRIEST, BUT ALSO KING (1 Corinthians 4:20a)

II. WHETHER OR NOT CHRIST IS TRULY YOUR KING IS NOT EVIDENT BY WORDS ONLY (1 Corinthians 4:20b)

I) Whether or not Christ is truly your King is not evident by you PROFESSING that He is King (Matthew 7:21).

II) Whether or not Christ is truly your King is not evident by you PROCLAIMING that He is King (Matthew 7:22a).

III) Whether or not Christ is truly your King is not evident by you merely HEARING that He is King (James 1:22).

III. WHETHER OR NOT CHRIST IS TRULY YOUR KING IS EVIDENT BY POWER (1 Corinthians 4:20c)

QUESTION I. Does this power Paul speaks mean doing seemingly extraordinary works in the name of Christ? ANSWER. No. This power that reveals you belong to Christ does not consist in seemingly extraordinary works done in Christ’s name (Matthew 7:22-23).

QUESTION II. What is the power Paul speaks of that is evidence that you and I belong to Christ, and He is in fact our King? ANSWER. The power of the Holy Spirit, at work in our souls, to bring us into subjection to Christ.

I) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin and righteousness (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

II) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to give you the ability to believe on Christ for salvation, sanctification, and glorification (Ephesians 1:19).

III) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to enlighten you to see Christ and Him crucified as your only hope in life and in death (1 Corinthians 1:18).

IV) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to grant you everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:2-4).

V) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to help you discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14).

VI) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to help you comprehend and experientially know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:14-19).

VII) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to help you abound in hope (Romans 15:13).

VIII) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to grant you endurance and patience with joy (Colossians 1:11).

IX) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to toil and struggle for Christ’s glory in life (Colossians 1:28-29).

X) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to enable you to be a faithful witness of Christ Jesus (Acts 1:8).

XI) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to enable you to share in suffering for the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8).

XII) The kingdom of God consists in power given by the Holy Spirit to guard you by sustaining your faith in Christ to the end (1 Peter 1:5).

DIFFERENT CASES

I) If you know nothing of this power of the Holy Spirit at work in you: You need to be Born Again. You are still dead in your sins, not matter what you profess, proclaim, or hear. “The Kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.” Cry out to God in prayer and ask Him to give you life! Then repent of your sin, trust in and submit to Jesus, be baptized, and He will receive you.

II) If you know much of this power: Praise the Lord and press on! “What do you have that you did not receive” (1 Corinthians 4:7)? “Take heed lest you fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

III) If you know little of this power: Praise the Lord and press on! We are all at different stages of the Christian life, some further along than others. Devote yourself to the ordinary means of grace—the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, Bible-memorization, Bible-obedience, meditation, confession, worship, the Lord’s Supper, and Christian fellowship. Give yourself to these or you will never have much of this power. Also go to God in prayer and ask for The Spirit to work even more powerfully in you. “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2).

CONCLUSION

Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”