Entrusted

1 Corinthians 4:1-13

Today will look at 1 Corinthians 4:1-13.  In order to put today’s message in the context with the rest of the series we have to look back at a couple of verse from last week.  Here Paul exhorts the church in Corinth:

So let no one exult proudly concerning men [boasting of having this or that man as a leader].  For all things are yours whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) —1 Corinthians 3:21-22 (Amplified)

Moving on to our passage for today, we read:

“So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.”—1 Corinthians 4:1

The Wisdom of this World

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

We opened the time with a video of the song “A Puzzlement” from movie version of The King and I.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u5iHzag120

Who recognizes that movie?  It’s The King And I.  It is a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical from1951. It was based on a novel written in 1944 which in turn was based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens.  Mrs. Anna as she is called in the movie was a teacher to the king’s household in the kingdom of Siam, modern day Thailand, from 1862 until 1867.  So the musical is based (somewhat loosely) on a true story.  The song we saw performed is titled “A Puzzlement”.  The king played by Yul Brynner is the singer. 

Have you ever felt like the king?  Have “there been times you almost thought you were not sure of what you absolutely know?”  Or have you “found confusion in conclusion, you concluded long ago?”  Are there many facts in your head “of which you wish you were more certain, you were sure?” 

God's Temple

I Corinthians 3:10-17

Welcome! Today we continue our series in I Corinthians, looking at verses 10-17 of chapter 3. I want to start today by telling you about my slightly exciting adventure the Friday before last. I came to work early, before almost anyone was around, parked and came through the basement entrance of my building on campus. There, as I have many times before, I got in the elevator and waited to be transported to the third floor. The elevator beeped as we passed by the 1^st floor, beeped again as we passed by the 2^nd, and just before I expected to hear the final beep and have the doors open, the elevator lurched to a stop. At the same time, the number three on the control panel which had suddenly been lit turned off, and so did the lighted display up at eye level of the number three.

I tried pushing the number three again, but nothing happened, nothing lit up. I tried pressing other numbers – again, nothing. Now I am getting concerned. I look more carefully at the elevator and notice there is a button with a picture of a bell on it. I press it, and a bell rings quietly. That’s not going to do any good, I thought, since nobody is here. Then I noticed a little door below the control panel. I opened it and found a phone with a keypad. I picked up the receiver and heard a dial tone, so I dialed 911.

Not Mere Humans

I Corinthians 3:1-9 

Good morning and welcome to I Corinthians chapter 3!  That is where we are in our series titled “Broken but Indispensable.”  In today’s passage, Paul is going to make some rather firm statements to the Corinthian church and likely to some of us listening.  Before we dive into our verses in chapter 3, let’s go back to see where we have come from, giving special attention to how Paul opened this letter.

In his regular fashion, Paul first introduces the writers of the letter:  himself and Sosthenes.  He states his intended recipients:  the Corinthians, of course, but he is also writing to “all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” which includes us as well.  Paul describes his audience as “those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus” and “saints by calling.”

Paul continues, saying, “I thank my God always concerning you.” (I Cor 1:4-9)  He goes on to say, “You’ve got it!”  You have been given the grace of God in Christ.  You have been enriched in everything in Him:  in all speech, in all knowledge.  You are not lacking in any gift.