A THANKFUL LIST |
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In Paul's introductory statements he expresses his thanks for the Corinthian believers. There were many things about the Church that disturbed Paul, but there were many things that delighted him. In our text we see certain things for which Paul was thankful concerning the Corinthians believers. The items that were on his "Thankful List" are items that can be added to every believers "Thankful List."
During the Welsh revival, one of the hymns that was sung at every service was "Count Your Blessings." We are familiar with the great hymn:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
It is inspiring to count our many blessings. It is also impossible to count our many blessings. The Psalmist said in Psalm 68:19, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits." God is not a Brylcreen God--just a dab will do. He is a God that loads us down with blessing each day of our life. All of us have much for which to be thankful.
Let's notice Paul's thankful list and consider 3 things for which we should be thankful. First, think with me of:
1. THE GRACE BY WHICH WE ARE ENRICHED
We read in verses 4-5, "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge." Paul gives thanks for the grace of God that has been given to each believer. In Ephesians1:7, Paul spoke "riches of His grace." It is not just that we have been given grace, but the riches of His grace.
I think of an article that appeared in the Chattanooga Times (6-5-95). The article listed the worlds richest individuals. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, was listed as the richest with a worth of 12.9 billion. The article calculated his wealth based on a 40 hour work week. If Bill Gates worked a 40 hour work week, he would make:
When you read something like that, it makes you want to send the poor fellow an offering or give his name to the benevolence committee. But seriously speaking, the riches of Gates is nothing compared to the riches of grace. Someone has said, "Poverty is hereditary, we get it from our children." There is no poverty in grace. We are rich in God's grace. The word "enriched" in verse 5 in interesting. We get our word is "plutocrat" and "plutocracy," from the word which speaks of a controlling class of rich men. Paul is telling us that we are spiritual billionaires.
First, we reminded:
A. WE ARE RECIPIENTS OF GOD'S GRACE (VS.4)
Paul tell us that this grace is "given you by Jesus Christ." Grace is a gift from God. It is the gift of God. It is received from Jesus Christ. Grace is received without merit or achievement. The word "grace" speaks of that which is undeserved. The many blessings we enjoy are UNDESERVED BLESSINGS.
A mother found under her plate one morning a bill made out by her small son, Bradley. It read: "Mother owes Bradley: for running errands, 25 cents; for being good, 10 cents; for taking music lessons, 15 cents; for extra's, 5 cents. Total 55 cents." At lunch Bradley found under his plate a note: "Bradley owes mother: for nursing him through Scarlet fever, nothing; for loving him, nothing; for clothes, shoes, meals, toys, nothing. Total: nothing."
We could not buy God's grace or earn God's grace. It cost us nothing. All we had to do was receive it. It is a gift from God. Furthermore:
B. WE ARE REVEALERS OF GOD'S GRACE (VS.6)
Notice the word "confirmed" in verse six. It speaks of that which is secure or guaranteed. Paul was saying that the testimony of God's saving grace was without question in their life. God's grace had been demonstrated in their life. There was no question about the matter. The believers at Corinth had received God's grace for it was revealed in their life. This grace is not only an undeserved blessing but an UNDENIABLE BLESSING.
I read about a notorious Bar that had been turned into a church. Out front a sign was placed that read, "Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound." The grace of God is demonstrated in our changed lives. An example of how God's grace had been demonstrated in the Corinthian believers is found in Paul's words in I Corinthian 6:9-11. There Paul spoke of how God had saved them from all manner of wicked lifestyles. The change in their life was but one proof that God's grace had been received. It is indeed "Amazing Grace." Each believer is a revealer of God's amazing grace.
Secondly, think with me of:
2. THE GIFTS IN WHICH WE ARE EQUIPPED
We read in verse 7a, "So that ye come behind in no gift..." One of the primary subjects of I Corinthians is that of spiritual gifts. Paul declared in Ephesians 4:8, that the Lord Jesus "gave gifts unto men." As believers, we have not only been given grace but gifts.
I don't guess there is a subject in which there is anymore confusion as the matter of spiritual gifts. The Church at Corinth was much like our day. There was all kind of confusion about gifts, and as well, there was a lot of heresy being taught about gifts. Because there was so much confusion, Paul set aside a large portion of 1 Corinthians to discuss the matter. But in spite of the confusion, one great truth of the Bible is that God has given unto His children spiritual gifts.
Everything God created has been created fully equipped to function. Humans have eyes, arms, etc., to be able to function in life. Fish have gills and fins to be able to function in its environment. Bats have sensors and radar capabilities that enable them to operate. Every thing God has created has been created equipped to function. Believers are not exception. Each believer has been equipped to function as a son of God and a servant of God.
It is important to understand that spiritual gifts are not talents or skills. Spiritual gifts are that which God imparts the moment we are saved to equip and enable us to do His work and will. They are not skills that are developed. They are gifts that imparted. We will later look at spiritual gifts more in detail, but let me say just a couple of things about them.
First:
A. THESE GIFTS ARE NOT POSITIONALLY DESERVED
The word "gift" is the Greek word is "charisma," which comes from the word "charis," which is translated "grace." The word literally speaks of a gratuitous endowment. We could say spiritual gifts are a "grace-gift." They are not earned or deserved. They are not individually deserved but sovereignty distributed. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:11 that God divides these gifts "to every man severally as He will." Spiritual gifts are given by God as He so chooses. No one can pick out a gift and decide they are going to earn that gift. God and God alone determines what gift or gifts a believer may have. They are neither earned or chosen.
Since they are a gift, they must be viewed as a trust! The gift or gifts that we have as believer has been given to us as a trust from God. To not know your gift is a tragedy. To not use your gift is a travesty. Furthermore:
B. THESE GIFTS ARE NOT PREFERENTIALLY DISTRIBUTED
In verse 7, Paul spoke of his desire that the Corinthians believers not "come behind" in spiritual gifts. The words speak of that which is defective. Paul was not saying that believers should get busy seeking spiritual gifts they do not have, but that God has done no less for you than He has another. Every believer should realize that God has not deprived them of spiritual gifts.
Every believer is a gifted saint. Each believer has a gift or gifts. Paul said in Ephesians 4:7, "but unto every man is given grace according to the measure of Christ." Gifts are given to every man. Paul is wanting us to realize this great truth so that each believer will not live a defective Christian life. Furthermore:
C. THESE GIFTS ARE NOT PERSONALLY DESIGNED
An important thing to realize about gifts is that each individual's gift is not primarily for ones own profit or prestige. They are for the profit of others. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:7, ""But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." The word "profit" speaks of "edification." Gifts are given to each one that all may be edified. Gifts are not toys to play with, but tools to build with.
What many believers do not realize is that if you have not discovered your gifts and are not using your gifts, you are depriving others of spiritual blessings and growth. Howard Rutledge, a prisoner for years in North Vietnam, described in his book, "In The Presence Of Mine Enemies," that the worst torture of all was solitary confinement. He tells how the need for communication was so great, POW's in the Hanoi Hilton set up a system of tapping, coded notes, coughs, sliding sandals, by which to talk to each other every day. They learned how important that each was to the other.
Each believer is important to the body as a whole. We need each other. We need the edification that comes from others using their spiritual gifts. How we ought to thank God for our gifts and the gifts He has given to the Body, whereby, we are brought into so many blessings.
Thirdly:
3. THE GLORY FOR WHICH WE ARE EAGER
We read in verse 7b-8, "...waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul speaks of the future life that awaits each believer. What a blessing to know that this life is not all there is. One day Jesus will come! How this ought to stir our hearts. The word "coming" speaks of "the removal of a covering." It describes that which is concealed being revealed. The glory of the life to come will one day be uncovered and revealed to all believers.
This glory for which we are eager is:
A. A RETURN FOR WHICH WE LOOK
The word "waiting" in verse 7 means to "welcome" or "receive." It speaks of watching and waiting. We are to look and long for the Lord's return.
On one of Shackleton's attempts to reach the South Pole, he had to leave several of his men on Elephant Island. But he promised that he would come back for them. On several occasions he tried to get back to them, but the weather was so adverse and the ice so thick he could not get to them. He tried again. It was the wrong time of the year, but he found an opening in the ice, ran his boat in with the risk being crushed in the ice, got his men out just before the ice crashed in. It was all done in half an hour. Later, when all the excitement was over, he said to one of the men: "Well, you were all packed and ready!" The man said, "Wild (who was second in command) never gave up hope, and whenever the sea was at all clear of ice he rolled up his sleeping bag and said to us, 'Roll up your sleeping bags, boys; the boss may come today."
May I say, that everyday we should roll our sleeping bags up; this may be the day Jesus comes back. It is also:
B. A RETURN FOR WHICH WE LIVE
The word "blameless" in verse 8 means "to call in." It is a combination of two words. One has reference to a charge or accusation. The prefix that is added makes it to mean "unchargeable" or "above accusation." That is how we should want to live in light of the Lord's return. That is how we should want to be found when Jesus comes again. We should look each for His return and live each day as if He could come.
The return of Richard the Lionhearted is one of the great story's in English history. While he was away, his brother John sought to capture the throne. The people suffered greatly and longed for the return of Richard. One day Richard the Lionhearted landed on the shores of England and marched straight toward the throne. The castles of John toppled like bowling pins. None dared stand in his way. As he neared London, the bells rang his arrival and the people shouted "THE LION IS BACK! LONG LIVE THE KING!"
One of these days the Lion of the tribe of Judah will return. Oh what a glorious day that will be! Who would ever think of not adding this to our thankful list. |