THE COST AND PAY OF BELONGING TO CHRIST: 1 Corinthians 4:10-12

DISCUSSION

1. What does Paul say he and his fellows are “for Christ’s sake” at the beginning of verse 10? Read verse 10, 11, and the beginning of verse 12. Understanding that everything Paul lists in these verses is “for Christ’s sake,” mark down all of the things that Paul says mark the apostles. What do each of these mean?

2. Read verses 10, 11, and the beginning of verse 12 again, and make note of everything that Paul says marks the Corinthians. Is Paul being literal or sarcastic here? What do each of these mean?

OUTLINE

I. THE APOSTLES GAVE UP WHATEVER NECESSARY TO GAIN AND GLORIFY CHRIST (1 Corinthians 4:10-12a)

I) The Apostles gave up their reputation in the eyes of men for Christ’s sake (v. 10a).

II) The Apostles gave up their self-righteousness for Christ’s sake (v. 10b).

III) The Apostles gave up their positions among men for Christ’s sake (v. 10b).

IV) The Apostles gave up food and drink for Christ’s sake (v. 11a).

V) The Apostles gave up clothing for Christ’s sake (v. 11b).

VI) The Apostles gave up their personal safety for Christ’s sake (v. 11c).

VII) The Apostles gave up their personal property for Christ’s sake (v. 11d).

VIII) The Apostles gave up their personal energy for Christ’s sake (v. 12a).

II. THE APOSTLES GAVE UP WHATEVER NECESSARY TO GAIN AND GLORIFY CHRIST, BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S SURPASSING WORTH (Philippians 3:8)

I) Beloved, there is more ascribed glory Christ is owed, therefore give up whatever you must to magnify His name.

(I) Magnify Christ in your personal life! in your vocation, in your private worship, in your personal holiness, in the good works you do and the words you speak. (II) Magnify Him in your family life! In the ordering of your home, in your family worship, husbands in leading and loving your wives; wives in submitting to and loving your husbands; parents in the ways you train up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (III) Magnify Christ in public worship! In the hearing of the word and meekly receiving it in faith, in putting what you hear into action, in praying prayers, in singing of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual songs to praise His name, in giving of offerings, in baptism, in taking the Lord’s supper. (IV) Magnify Him in fellowship with other saints! In praying together; in studying and applying the Scriptures together; in breaking bread together; in singing together; in engaging in holy conversation; in confessing your sins to one another; in spurring one another on to love and good works; in bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfilling the law of Christ. (V) Magnify Christ in the public square! In proclaiming His Law as well as His gospel to sinners and saints alike; in speaking up for the preborn and rescuing those being taken away to death; in calling your governing authorities to bend the knee to Christ; in proclaiming the good news and Lordship of Christ in a chaotic society filled with sinners who need the Prophet, Priest, and King.

II) Dear saints, there is more of Christ to be gained, therefore give up whatever you must to most enjoy Him.

Give yourself to feasting on the Scriptures by both hearing and reading them. If you labor to understand, meditate upon, and put into practice what you hear and read, you will grow in your enjoyment of Christ. If there is a truth or principle, believe it and submit to it. If there is a command, obey it. If there is a good example, follow it. If there is a bad example, avoid it. If there is a warning, heed it and flee from whatever it warns against. If there is sin exposed in you, confess it, repent of it, and praise God for Christ’s blood that cleanses you from all sin. If there is a promise, trust it.

III. CHRIST PAYS FAR MORE THAN HE COSTS (1 Corinthians 4:10-12a)

I) The world will consider you a fool, believer, but Christ has become your wisdom, and He is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30).

II) The world will consider you weak, beloved, but Christ has become your strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

III) The world will dishonor you, believer, but Christ has made you a kingdom of priests to God (Revelation 1:5).

IV) You may hunger in this life, beloved, but Christ has given you bread to eat that will give you eternal life (John 6:51).

V) You may thirst in this life, believer, but Christ will give you continual drink from the waters of life (John 4:14).

VI) You may go poorly dressed in this life, beloved, but Christ has given you His righteous robes to wear before God (Philippians 3:9).

VII) You may be buffeted in this life, believer, but Christ has promised He and His Father will embrace you with tenderness (Luke 15:10).

VIII) You may be homeless in this life, beloved, but Christ has promised He is preparing a place for you (John 14:1-3).

IX) You will labor in this life, believer, and Christ has promised a sabbath rest remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9).