Calls and Confirmations
TEXT
: 1 Cor. 1:1-9INTRODUCTION
:A. DENOMINATIONS SPEAK OF RECEIVING A "CALL." (to preach, to go on a mission, etc.)
B. CATHOLICS PRACTICE "CONFIRMATION."
1. "sacrament in which Christ sends the Holy Spirit to make us adult apostles…"
2. "completion of baptism, the giving of full power of a Christian."
3. "…sign … is the imposition of the bishop’s hands and anointing the forhead…"
C. CHARISMATICS CLAIM 9 GIFTS AS CONFIRMATION OF SALVATION.
OUR TEXT SPEAKS OF BOTH. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT
CALLS
AND CONFIRMATIONS?I.
OUR CALLING( vs. 1-3 )."a) invited b) called to some office, divinely selected and appointed" – Thayer.
A. PAUL WAS CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE.
1. Separated from his mother’s womb ( Gal. 1:15-17 ).
2. A special purpose ( Acts 22:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:7-9; Eph. 3:8-9 ).
B. HIS CALLING CONTRASTS WITH OURS – "CALLED TO BE SAINTS."
1. Saints, sanctified, holy, set apart, belonging to God ( 1 Pet. 2:9-10 )
a. Set apart from the world ( 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Thess. 4:7 ).
b. Set apart to a purpose and a work (Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:2)
c. Set apart to salvation ( 1 Pet. 1:2 ).
2. Necessary element to salvation ( 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 12:14 ).
3. How are we called?
a. 2 Thess. 2:13-14. Called through the Gospel.
b. It is the power of God to save ( Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21; Rom. 10:17 ).
4. Who is called?
a. Everyone ( Titus 2:11-12; 1 Tim. 2:4; Mark 16:15 ).
b. "Those who call upon the name" ( vs. 2; Matt. 7:21; Acts 22:16 ).
Show trust and reliance by obedience to
HIS will.C. DO WE RECEIVE CALLINGS TO SPECIFIC DUTIES LIKE PAUL TODAY?
1. Yes, we do, but Not The Same Way Paul Did.
2. Here is your call ( Rom. 12:3-8 ).
II.
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THEIR CONFIRMATION( vs. 4-9).A. THANKFUL FOR THE GRACE GIVEN THEM ( vs. 4 ).
1. They were enriched in him, in all utterance [logos] and all knowledge ( vs. 5 ).
2. A result of the testimony of Christ being confirmed in them (vs. 6 ).
a. How did God confirm the word? ( Heb. 2:3-4 ).
b. The Holy Spirit given as a deposit or guarantee ( Eph. 1:13-14 ).
c. Empowerment from the Spirit was a sign of the truthfulness of the word (Mark 16:17-18; John 3:2; Acts 2:22; 14:3 ).
3. They came "behind in no gift." Confirming signs given to them (vs. 7).
4. To produce faith in them and others.
5. Waiting for the revelation of … Jesus Christ ( vs. 7 ).
apokalupsis
--1) a laying bear, making naked; 2) a disclosure of truth, an instruction; 3) manifestation, appearance ( 1 Cor. 2:12-16?).6. What is being confirmed in verse 6?
The Testimony of Christ
. Not us.B. OUR CONFIRMATION MENTIONED – NOT TOLD HOW HERE ( vs. 8 ).
C. HOW ARE WE CONFIRMED?
1. CONFIRM - "to make firm, establish, make secure."
2. The Spirit bears witness with out spirit ( Rom. 8:16 ).
3. Where is the Spirit’s testimony?
a. The Spirit’s job ( John 16:8 ).
b. Scriptures given by the Spirit ( 1 Cor. 2:10-13 ).
b. Tell us the righteousness of God in Jesus ( Rom. 3:21-22 ) – Forgiveness.
c. Instruction in how to live ( Titus 2:11-12 ) – Righteous living.
d. They are able to make us complete ( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).
4. Where is the testimony of Our Spirit?
a. Examine yourselves ( 2 Cor. 13:5 ).
b. Revealed Truth is the standard ( Jas. 1:25 ).
c. What does it say? ( Jas. 1:22; Matt. 7:21 ).
5. We are confirmed by Christ through our obedience ( 1 John 2:3-5 ).
CONCLUSION
:A. WE ALL HAVE BEEN CALLED TO OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL.
B. HAVE YOU BEEN CONFIRMED BY JESUS THROUGH YOUR OBEDIENCE?