WHAT THE WORLD THINKS vs. WHAT GOD THINKS OF THE SAINTS: 1 Corinthians 4-13

DOCTRINE: If you labor to glorify Christ in word and deed, the world will consider you and call you the scum of the world.

I. IF YOU LABOR TO GLORIFY CHRIST IN WORD AND DEED, THE WORLD WILL CONSIDER AND CALL YOU THE SCUM OF THE WORLD (1 Corinthians 4:13b)

I) Use this truth for TRIAL to test and examine yourself: Test yourself by asking “Do those who do not love Jesus think of me like this in any way? If not, why?”

II) Use this truth for COMFORT, to sooth the wounds of the wicked: Take comfort, believer, when you are considered and called such things as the scum of the world, because Christ, His prophets, and His apostles we called such things as well.

III) Use this truth for ENCOURAGEMENT: God uses the persecution of the wicked to remind you that your hope is in Christ, not in your good standing with men! It is a far more dangerous thing for the world to love you than for the world to hate you.

IV) Use this truth for EXHORTATION, to spur you on to faith and obedience: Do not grow weary in doing good! You and I must expect and endure being considered and called such things as the scum of the world!

II. IF YOU ARE IN CHRIST BY FAITH, GOD HIMSELF WILL CONSIDER AND CALL YOU THE HIGHEST TITLES YOU COULD IMAGE (selected scriptures)

I) If you are in Christ Jesus, God calls you Just or Righteous (1 Corinthians 6:11).

II) If you are in Christ by faith, God calls you Saint (1 Corinthians 1:2).

III) If you belong to Jesus Christ, God calls you Sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2).

IV) If you are Christ’s and Christ is yours, God calls you Child (1 John 3:1).

V) If you belong to Jesus, God calls you His Treasured Possession (Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Peter 2:9; Psalm 83:3).

VI) If you are Christ’s and Christ is yours, He calls you Beloved (Romans 9:25).

VII) If you are in Christ by faith, God calls you Slave (Revelation 22:3-5).