Jesus is Our Sacrifice for Sin

“Jesus is Our Sacrifice for Sin”

1 Peter 2:21-25

SUBJECT: THE PROFIT IN SUBMISSIVE LIVING

THEME: There are immediate and eternal benefits to living submissively unto God.

RELEVANCY: But why is this important to us?

Christ’s example and the message of the gospel impact our lifestyles and behaviors of submission giving credibility to our faith claims and confidence in our experiences.

INTRODUCTION:

Christ’s Submission to God Involved Suffering to Secure Our Eternal Benefit. Please consider that the Lord Jesus suffered in life as a Servant to God (1 Pet. 2:21-25).

MESSAGE:

I.       Jesus Is Our Voluntary Sacrifice to Our Benefit (1Pet. 2:21, 24). Again, the Lord Jesus is not our Example in suffering wrongfully merely, He died in our place and for our sin! He is our Substitute. His submission to the plan of God involved suffering and dying for our sins at Calvary. 

1.  Jesus Died as Our Substitute and Not a Martyr. This reminds us of the great “Servant Chapter,” Isaiah 53, especially Isaiah 53:5-7, but also verses 9 and 12.
1. Jesus did not die as a martyr; He died as a Savior, a sinless Substitute. The word ‘for’ (1Pet. 2:21) when used in conjunction with the death of Christ has the meaning of a substitute.  This is NOT teaching that Jesus left us the example of how we should be willing to die for the truth or some great cause. It is teaching that Christ died in our place, in our room, as our substitute. The Substitutionary death of Christ.

                                                    i.     John 10:15, As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

                                                  ii.     John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

                                                iii.     Isa 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. He suffered for the supreme benefit of others!  That we sinners might be saved; let our sufferings lead to the conversion of sinners!

2. The word translated “bare” (1Pet. 2:24) means "to carry as a sacrifice." The Jewish people did not crucify criminals; they stoned them to death. But if the victim was especially evil, his dead body was hung on a tree until evening, as a mark of shame (Deut. 21:23). Jesus died on a tree—a cross—and bore the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13).

                                                    i.     Christ did not deserve to suffer (1Pet. 2:22), because He did not sin at all. The Lord Jesus lived a completely sinless life, therefore He did not deserve to died.

                                                  ii.     There was NO SIN in His pure perfect holy life and there was NO GUILE in His mouth or there was no deceit in His heart either. Matt 12:34, O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

                                                iii.     This means that Christ was the perfect candidate to die for the sin of the world. God required a sinless sacrifice and Jesus provide exactly that. 1 Pet 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

3. Secondly, it means to us that we must live pure, clean and holy before God and the world. Jesus’ heart and life were free of any anger towards God, any bitterness about His circumstances, or any resentment in his emotions! He was not secretly holding these events against God; he did not expect better treatment because he was the Son of God; he did not feel slighted or mistreated by God for these developments. While he recognized that people were treating him unfairly, he did not make the mistake of blaming God for his pains. Remember there is nothing thank worthy or praiseworthy in being knocked around and beat up for our faults but if we suffer for living godly this is tolerable with God! His kingdom is not of this world.

2. Jesus Died in Complete Surrender as an Act of Trust. Christ suffered willingly and voluntarily as a matter of Trust in God (1Pet. 2:23).  This can be seen in three facts.
1. He was reviled but He did not rail back at His attackers.  He had the power to fight back and end it all with His spoken word, but He didn’t do it.  It would have been lawful for Him to protect Himself, but it would not have been expedient for His cause and us sinners.

                                                    i.     We need to keep this important principle in mind when we want to wage war against our government or when we have a legitimate complaint at work.  You may have a good argument and the right or power to voice your opinion. But remember our Lord suffered and died unjustly.

                                                  ii.     Sometimes we may have to overlook the immediate issue, surrender our power to fight back, look at their need for the Savior, and willingly suffer wrong that they can see Christ in us.

2. He was abused, beaten and crowned with thorns, but He suffered it willingly. He ‘committed’ Himself, His life into the hands of a just God.

                                                    i.     According to verse 23, He knew that God would vindicate Him and He fully ‘Committed’ (handed Himself over to God).  And certainly, God vindicated Him early one Sunday morning when we raised Him from the dead. 

                                                  ii.     We must TRUST God’s wisdom and God’s way. Suffering for any reason at all is not easy, but we must trust the council of God written in this passage. It Will take real faith…super trust…to Commit ourselves to God as Jesus our example did.

3. We as Christians need to stop looking entirely to the government to turn our country around and Trust God to bring us a national revival. We as Christian must first get right with God and then we will see the healing of our land. 2 Chr 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. It is not the government’s fault that our society is going to the devil; it is our fault. Perhaps we have been cowardly quiet where we should have boldly spoken righteousness! And it will not change until Christians repent! 

3. Jesus Suffered to the Ultimate Degree, and it was Extremely Severe. 1 Pet 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,
1. Isa 53:5, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
2. 1 Pet 3:18, For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
3. Jesus Christ took our sin, our guilt, our judgement and our punishment -----and bore them for us. When we trust Him we receive His payment for our sins and we receive His righteousness. We as Believers cannot die for our own sin—as our own substitutionary sacrifice. But it may be necessary to DIE FOR OUR SIN BARER. Not to atone for or sins, but out of loyalty to Jesus Christ. The reality of Christian persecution in America will continue to increase as our society becomes more anti-God and anti-Bible. There are reports of Christians being arrested for street preaching, witnessing, and passing out tracks all the time.  Those who preach on the streets are being arrested all the time.  Churches are attacked with lawsuits and court battles regularly. It is no longer a distant possibility it is an own going battle today and it could mean our lives one day for the cause of Christ. 

4. Jesus Suffered for Our Sin That We Should Live in Righteousness. 1 Peter 2:24 ....that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. This is the clear and expressed purpose for his suffering; that we should live unto righteousness. And the hold purpose of our submission is to point people to our righteous God! So continue to do right!

5. Jesus Died to Secure Our Spiritual Healing. 1 Peter 2:24 ...by whose stripes ye were healed. The paradoxes of the cross never cease to amaze us. Christ was wounded that we might be healed. He died that we might live. We died with Him, and thus we are "dead to sin" (Rom. 6) so that we might "live unto righteousness."
1. The healing Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 2:24 is not physical healing, but rather the spiritual healing of the soul (Ps. 103:3). One day, when we have glorified bodies, all sicknesses will be gone; but meanwhile, even some of God's choicest servants may have physical afflictions (see Phil. 2:25-30; 2 Cor. 12:1).
2. It is not Jesus the Example or the Teacher who saves us, but Jesus the spotless Lamb of Cod who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
3. Clearly, suffering for the benefit of others in not child’s play. Such trust in God is what Christ exemplified. Are we willing to submit to God’s leadership…to be His sacrifice…to lay ourselves down for His offering that will benefit someone else? Will we sacrifice rights, privileges, and opportunities for the spiritual benefit of others?   

6. Jesus’ Death is significant because all sinners abide under the wrath of God and we were all correctly sentenced to death. But JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED AND DIED IN OUR STEAD AS OUR SUBSTITUTE AND AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE! HE DIED FOR US! Therefore, if He took my death then I as a believer am no longer obligated to Death. That’s GOOD NEWS to us sinners!
1. Ezek 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
2. Rom 6:23, For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. Rom 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
4. God Has Declared That the Proper Punishment of Sin is Death. We all have sinned; we all have a tendency to sin and God has condemned that tendency in us all. Because we have sinned against God, we deserve death. This death is threefold:

                                                    i.     Physical Death—This is the separation of the Spirit and Soul from the Body.

                                                  ii.     Spiritual Death—This is the separation from God, we are born in this condition because of a sinful nature. (Ps. 51:5; Ps. 58:3)

                                                iii.     Eternal Death—This is separation from God forever in the Lake of  Fire (Hell) also called the Second Death. (Rev. 20:11-15)

5. The Good News is that Jesus Christ Died for Us. He took the punishment for sin that we deserved.  He was completely sinless and could not sin, therefore He did not deserve death.  But He willingly died in our place and as our substitute.

                                                    i.     2 Cor 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

                                                  ii.     1 Pet 2:24, Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

                                                iii.     Isa 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The truth is that since Jesus Christ died for me and the penalty of sin was paid for everyone by Him, then we who have accepted Him need not die for our own sin.  If we accept His sacrifice for all sin…our own sinfulness, we receive complete payment to our sin debt the credit of death. We are no longer obligated to pay a debt that is paid in full by Christ. THIS IS GOOD NEWS!

 

Ministers of Christ

Ministers of Christ

 

Reflection

Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.

1.  Think of someone who has served Christ for many years. In what ways has that person's example inspired you?

While no one should be placed on a pedestal or be compared by people in their evaluations, Paul clarifies how we should understand servants of Christ. I have had the privilege of witnessing a few good servants of Christ execute their various ministries devotedly as to the Lord Jesus. I need to be quick say it was not their ministry longevity, popularity, political savvy, or pulpit exploits that seized my considerations. Their level of commitment to Christ, and dedication in His will…to His plan, is what struck me as attractive or worthy of immolating. They were fixed on pleasing the Lord first and foremost. I have found such devotion to God, His plan, and the pursuit of God’s pleasure both stirring, correcting, motivating, and guiding through the years.   

Bible Reading

Read 1 Corinthians 4:1–6.

In 1 Cor 3, Paul presented three pictures of the local church. Now he presents three pictures of the minister - a steward (1 Cor 4:1-6), a spectacle (1 Cor 4:7-13), and a father (1 Cor 4:14-21). He wanted his readers to understand how God measured and evaluated a Christian’s service. First Corinthians 4:6 explains Paul's purpose: “That no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” He would deal with misplaced loyalty rooted in pride!

It follows then that all who minister for Christ are responsible to Him.^[a]

In order that they might properly appraise Paul and the other apostles, he says that the saints should look upon them as servants or assistants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.^[b]

We must avoid extremes when it comes to evaluating men and their ministries. On the one hand, we can be so apathetic that we accept anybody who comes along. But the other extreme is to be so hypercritical that Paul himself would fail the test.

It is important to develop discernment, that we “try the spirits” their teachings (1 John 4:1-6; and note 2 John), but we must be careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit in the process. In these three pictures of ministry, Paul presented three characteristics of a true minister of Jesus Christ

I.  Faithfulness - The Steward (1 Cor. 4:1-6)

II. Humbleness - The Spectacle (1 Cor. 4:7-13)

III. Tenderness - The Father (1 Cor. 4:14-21)

Discovery

Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.

2. Paul saw evidence of spiritual pride in the early church. Why did that trouble him?

A.  Here, the term “puffed up” is “spiritual pride” and refers to one Christian judging whether a fellow Christian is a good follower of Christ. Often that results in arrogance. Evaluating others tempts us with the attitude that we are better than they are. What are the long-term effects of this kind of pride?  Church splits, discouraged believers, loss of witness, etc.

The apostle challenges the respect due to him on account of his character and office, in which many among them had at least very much failed: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God (v. 1), though possibly others might have valued them too highly, by setting him up as the head of a party, and professing to be his disciples. In our opinion of ministers, as well as all other things, we should be careful to avoid extremes. Apostles themselves were, 1. Not to be overvalued, for they were ministers, not masters; stewards, not lords. They were servants of Christ, and no more….^[c]

B.  Pride distorts our view of ourselves and others. Spiritual leaders and believers alike could be guilty of spiritual pride -- Leaders for thinking about their faith, education and training elevated them above everyone else, believers for trusting in their achievements, power, or position. Spiritual pride blinds us to our own faults and magnifies the faults of others. Be careful not to become proud of your area or opportunity of service. Instead, humbly thank God for what he has done, and encourage others who might be struggling in their ministry.

C.  QUOTE: “A popular game played by many Christians is that of evaluating pastors. All kinds of criteria are used to determine who are the most successful, the most influential, the most gifted, the most effective. Some magazines periodically make surveys and write up extensive reports, carefully ranking the pastors by church membership, attendance at worship services, sizes of church staff and Sunday school, academic and honorary degrees, books and articles written, numbers of messages given at conferences and conventions, and so on. As popular as that practice may be, it is exceedingly offensive to God.

First Corinthians 4:1–5 focuses on the true nature and marks of God’s ministers. It sets forth the basic guidelines and standards by which ministers are to minister and be evaluated. It deals with what the congregation’s attitude toward the minister should be and what the minister’s attitude toward himself should be. In short, it puts the minister of God in God’s perspective. Paul makes it clear that popularity, personality, degrees, and numbers play no role in the Lord’s perspective—and that they should play no role in ours.

The main point of the passage here still concerns the divisions over different ministers. The message is that servants of God should not be ranked at all, by others or by themselves. All who are true to Scripture in their preaching and living should be treated equally. Where there is sound doctrine and personal holiness there is no justification for ranking God’s servants. (Romans 16:17 and 1 Timothy 5:20, however, point out that where those two essentials are missing, there must be evaluation and confrontation.)” — John MacArthur

3.  We now understand that we should not “glory in men” from chapter 3.  But how should we view Christian servants?

It is vital that we understand how we evaluate Christian servants—pastors, evangelists, missionaries, ministers, full time Christian workers, and such. This is not dealing with how we view each other as average Christians, but how we view those in special ministries.

A.  They are Ministers of Christ. (1Cor. 4:1)

Paul answered the leaders of the various factions in the church when he called himself, Peter, and Apollos "ministers of Christ". The word ministers literally means "underrowers." It described the slaves who rowed the huge Roman galleys. "We are not the captains of the ship," said Paul, "but only the galley slaves who are under orders. Now, is one slave greater than another?"

B.  They are Stewards of God. (1Cor. 4:1)

Then Paul explained the image of the steward.

     1. A steward is a servant who manages everything for his master, but who himself owns nothing. Joseph was a chef steward in Potiphar's household (Gen 39).

     2. The church members are a part of the "household of faith" (Gal 6:10), and the ministers are stewards who share God's wealth with the family (Matt 13:52). Paul called this spiritual wealth "the mysteries of God." 

           — Paul and the other leaders had been entrusted with "The mysteries of God." This is God's sacred secret wisdom as revealed in the Gospel (1 Cor. 1:30; 2:7) -- the mystery of the complete plan of salvation.

           — These mysteries cannot be discovered or comprehended by human wisdom, but they have been entrusted to God's workers to be carefully and responsibly taught to others.

           — Some of the mysteries revealed in the N.T.

                    (1) the Mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven (Mt. 13:3-50; Mk. 4:1-25; Lk. 8:4-15). This describes "the result of the presence of the Gospel in the world during the present age, that is, the time of seed-sowing which began with our Lord's personal ministry and will end with `the harvest.' The result is the mingled tares and wheat, good fish and bad, in the sphere of Christian profession. It is Christendom" (Scofield).

                    (2) the Mystery of the Rapture (1 Co. 15:51,42; 1 Th. 4:16). The mystery revealed here is that those believers living at the time of Christ's appearance will be glorified and caught up without seeing death. "The O.T. prophets saw the return of Christ to the earth with His saints in power and glory, but not His coming to the air for the saints."

                    (3) the Mystery of the Local Church as the Body of Christ, Composed of Saved Jews and Gentiles of this Age (Ro. 16:25; Ep. 3:1-11; 6:19; Co. 4:3). "The O.T. does not mention anything about the founding of the N.T. Church by Christ, the component members of N.T. churches (Ep. 3:3-9), or the special relationship Christ has with His churches (Ep. 5:23-32; Re. 1:12,13,20)."

                    (4) the Mystery of the Indwelling Christ (Ga. 2:20; Col. 1:26-27).

                    (5) the Mystery of the Incarnate Christ, of God manifest in the flesh (Col. 2:2,9; 1 Co. 2:7; 1 Ti. 3:16).

                    (6) the Mystery of Israel's Blindness, that Israel would be blinded and set apart while God called out a people for His name from among the nations (Ro. 11:25).

                    (7) the Mystery of Babylon (Re. 17:5,7). "The Babylonian system is seen throughout the O.T. narrative, but this final form of a one-world religion as a tool of the Antichrist (Re. 17:7) is N.T. truth."

                    (8) the Mystery of Iniquity (2 Th. 2:7). This is the revelation of the devil's program to bring in the antichrist; it is the revelation of the increase of apostasy throughout the church age.

                    (9) the Mystery of God (Re. 10:7). This mystery is in reality the long time span of this present age of man. "The mystery of God is the long delay of our Lord in taking the kingdom unto Himself and in establishing righteousness in the earth. The mystery of God is seen in these thousands of years ... God has allowed Satan to wrap his vicious slimy, filthy, cruel tentacles around this earth" (H.L. Willmington, The King Is Coming).

                    (10) the Mystery of Consummation (Ep. 1:9,10). This may be described as the mystery of eternity. (Some of the previous study is taken from Robert Sargent.)

     3. The responsibility of the steward is to be faithful to his master. A steward may not please the members of the household; he may not even please some of the other servants; but if he pleases his own master, he is a good steward. This same idea is expressed in Rom 14:4.

     4.  So, the main issue is not "Is Paul popular?" or, "Is Apollos a better preacher than Paul?" The main issue is, "Have Paul, Apollos, and Peter been faithful to do the work God assigned to them?"

           — Jesus had this same test in mind when He told the parable recorded in Luke 12:41-48.

           — If a servant of God is faithful in his personal life, in his home, and in his ministry of the Word, then he is a good steward and will be adequately rewarded.

     5.  Faithful—Trustworthy (1 Cor 4:1-2)

Paul and the other church leaders were "ministers of Christ" (4:1). Christ's true servants prove themselves through their personal character and the content of their teaching. Over a period, servant-leaders must demonstrate both aspects of their calling.

          — Paul knew that leaders in the church played crucial roles in God's plan, but he also knew the difference between ability and usability. The Corinthians were arguing over credentials; Paul wanted them to listen to those who were serving them in Christ's name.

          — He wasn't worried about his declining popularity. He was concerned about the true spiritual health of fellow Christians he loved.

          — How does someone get your attention as a Christian leader? Are you more impressed by a person's image or the evidence of personal integrity? What servant-leader for Christ has made the deepest impact on your life? Take time to thank God for that person.

4.  Is it right to judge the quality of another servant’s work for the Lord Jesus?  Explain.

It should be remembered that it is a virtue to be discerning (based on God’s own requirements), but it is never advisable to be harsh, fault finding, judgmental, and critical.

A.  A Servant of Christ Is Constantly Being Judged (Examined).

There is always somebody criticizing something he does. Paul pointed out that there are three judgments in the life of the steward.

   1. There Is Man's Judgment (1Cor. 4:3 A).

Paul did not get upset when people criticized him, for he knew that his Master's judgment was far more important. The phrase man's judgment is literally "man's day." This is in contrast to God’s day of judgment yet to come (1 Cor 1:8; 3:13).

   2. There Is the Servant's Own Self-judgment (1Cor. 4:3 B-4 A).

Paul knew nothing that was amiss in his life and ministry, but even that did not excuse him. Sometimes we do not really know ourselves. There can be a fine line between a clear conscience and a self-righteous attitude, so we must beware.

   3. The Most Important Judgment Is God's Judgment (1Cor. 4:4 B).

         A.  Certainly, God judges us today through His Word (Heb 4:12) and by the ministry of the Spirit.           

         B.  Sometimes He uses the ministry of a loving friend to help us face and confess sin (Matt 18:15-17).

         C.  But the main reference here is to the final evaluation when each Christian stands at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10). Then the true facts will be revealed, and the faithful servants rewarded.

Therefore premature judgment, whether it led to the exaltation of some ministers (3:21) or to the humiliation of others (4:10), was wrong. Only at the divine bar would all the facts be known and even there grace will be displayed—each faithful minister will receive … praise.^[4]

         D.  The Lord will examine “the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” These refer to the inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes which only God can know. Since final rewards will be based, not just on outward service, but on inward devotion (1Cor.10:31), only God can give the praise each deserves. See 1Cor. 3:12–14.

B.  QUOTE: “Servants should be consistent, not critical. Paul refused to pass judgment on the quality of his or anyone else's work for Christ, realizing that Christ would someday do this at the bema judgment seat. Until then, as a servant of Christ, his job was to remain faithful.”  — H. Willmington

C.  These Verses must Not Be Used to Cultivate a Self-righteous Independence of People. The local church is a family, and members of the family must help each other to grow. There is a place for honest, loving criticism (Eph 4:15). If the critic is biblically right, then he has helped us. If he is wrong, then we can help him. Either way, the truth is strengthened. A harsh and judgmental attitude is never sanction in the Word.

   1. Paul’s "therefore" in 1 Cor 4:5 alerts us that he is about to make a personal application of the truths just discussed. He closed this section with a threefold rebuke.

   2.  First, Paul Tells Them They Are Judging God's Servants at the Wrong Time (V. 5).

         — It is when the Lord returns that He will evaluate their lives and ministries, so wait until then. In fact, you cannot see into men's hearts; you cannot begin to judge their motives. Only God can do that. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Sam 16:7).

         — The Corinthians who were passing judgment on Paul were actually "playing God" and assuming to themselves the privileges that only God has. How often in my own ministry I have made this mistake! How easy it is to misread a situation and misjudge a person.

   3. Second, Paul Tells Them They Are Judging by the Wrong Standard (V. 6 A).

        — The Corinthians were measuring different men by their own personal preferences and prejudices. They were even comparing ministers with one another. The only true basis for evaluation is "that which is written" - the Word of God.

        — The Bible clearly reveals what kind of life and service is required of God's ministers. There is no need for us to devise new standards. Sometimes churches seeking pastors, ask for recommendations of candidates to them.        

        — Too often their "requirements" have gone beyond what God requires in His Word. Again, it is the problem Paul discussed in 1 Cor 1 and 2 - the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God.

When the apostle says “I know of nothing against myself,” he means that in the matter of Christian service, he is not conscious of any charge of unfaithfulness that might be brought against him. He does not mean for a moment that he does not know of any sin in his life or any way in which he falls short of perfection! The passage should be read in the light of the context, and the subject here is Christian service and faithfulness in it. But even if he did not know anything against himself, yet he was not justified by this. He simply was not competent to judge in the matter. After all, the Lord is the Judge.^[5]

   4. Third, Paul Tells Them They Are Judging with the Wrong Motive (1Cor. 4:6 B).

        — Each group in the church was tearing down the other preachers in order to build up the man they liked. Their motive was not at all spiritual. They were promoting division in the church by being partisan to one man as opposed to the others. They needed to examine their own hearts and get rid of the pride - that was destroying the church.

        — God's servants are stewards of His truth, and the key test is: Have they been faithful to God by obeying and to teaching the Word of God? Not just faithful preaching, but faithful practicing as well.

        — The testimony of Samuel (1 Sam 12:1-5) and Paul (Acts 20:17) will bear witness to this truth.

 

Prayer

Father, forgive us for our arrogance; for acting as though we can accomplish great things on our own. We are nothing without you. Teach us to recognize our complete dependence on you and to surrender our desires and ambitions. Make our service more pleasing in your sight.

Journaling

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

 

What personal goals or desires do I need to reevaluate, in light of this passage?

 

Additional Questions

5. In what ways can we curb our appetite for prestige and power?

 

Ask the group what feeds our appetite for prestige and power, while you discuss how we can curb that appetite.

 

6.  When God gives us success in ministry, how can we guard against pride?

 

7.  How can we give God credit for the things he has accomplished through us?

 

You may want to ask for examples of public figures who have openly given God the glory for their success. Discuss what holds us back from being open about our faith.

 

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^[a] David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 512.

^[b] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1757.

^[c] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2250.

^[4] David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 512.

^[5] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1757.