THE PRIDEFUL COMPARED TO THE HUMBLE: 1 Corinthians 4:8-10

Mar 27, 2022 • Brett Baggett

DISCUSSION:

1. Read verse 8. Is Paul being literal or sarcastic? How does Revelation 3:17-18 shine light on what Paul seems to be articulating in verse 8?

2. Read verse 9. What does Paul think “God has exhibited” the apostles as? What does Paul mean by “as men sentenced to death”? What does he mean by “we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men”?

3. What is something in the explanation or application of the Word that stood out to you or had an effect on you?

THEME: The prideful compared to the humble and the faithless compared to the faithful.

I. THOSE WHO ARE PROUD THINK HIGHLY OF THEMSELVES (v. 8)

I) Those who are proud do not hunger and thirst after righteousness nor the Word of God (v. 8a)

II) Those who are proud do not see themselves as beggars at the Lord’s table but as possessors of everything they need (v. 8b)

III) Those who are proud do not see themselves as lowly slaves of Christ, owing their gifts to the mercy of God; they rather see themselves as accomplished kings among men (v. 8c)

II. THOSE WHO ARE HUMBLE THINK LOWLY OF THEMSELVES (v. 9)

III. THOSE WHO ARE PRIDEFUL AND UNFAITHFUL WILL PAY LOW COSTS IN THIS WORLD FOR CHRIST (v. 10)

IV. THOSE WHO ARE HUMBLE AND FAITHFUL WILL PAY HIGH COSTS IN THIS WORLD FOR CHRIST (v. 10)

Consider the high costs Paul paid in this world for Christ! (2 Corinthians 11:24-27)

Consider also the high costs Moses paid in this world for Christ! (Hebrews 11:24-26)

Consider now the high costs Christ Himself paid in this world! (Isaiah 53:3-4)

If you are humble and faithful to Christ you will have high costs in this life. Oh! but Christ pays more than it costs to follow Him.

Consider Paul and what He received though he paid high costs for Christ! (2 Timothy 4:8)

Consider Moses and what He received though he paid high costs for Christ! (Hebrews 11:26)

Consider Christ and what He received for the high costs He paid! (Hebrews 12:2-3)

CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS:

I) Humble yourself in your sanctification, hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

II) Humble yourself concerning your need for spiritual food, longing for the pure spiritual milk of the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2-3).

III) Humble yourself concerning your state in this world, being content to simply be a slave of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

IV) Pay whatever cost you must in this life in order to trust in and submit to Christ (Philippians 3:18-21).

V) Look at the wealth of Christ and His promises, and press on in faith (Hebrews 11:26).