Sermons by Ken Trivette from The Living Word

The Book of 1 Corinthians (16 of 49)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRISTIAN?
I Corinthians 4: 9-13

1. A reality of our Christian heritage is that many of our spiritual forefathers paid the ultimate cost for their faith. Many of the early leaders of the Church died as a martyr for their Christian faith.

2. Nothing has been so moving to my heart as to stand at the places where believers gave their life for the cause of Christ. I think of the old market area of Edinburgh, Scotland where a monument stands at the spot where thousands of believers were hung and burned at the stake. Just a few hundred feet from it, on the grounds of Greyfriar Kirk, is a marker erected in honor of the thousands who died for their faith in Scotland.

3. I think of an arena not far from Pompeii, Italy where thousands of Christians were fed to the lions and martyred as a sporting event of the soldiers. When I visited there, I was told that more Christians had lost their life in that arena than at any other spot.

4. There are other places that I have visited where believers paid the ultimate cost for their faith. They are places that bring home the reality that the faith we enjoy has been purchased by others at a tremendous cost.

5. They are places that are overwhelming. There are no words to say for it is difficult to say anything. A reverent silence touches all that are around. You find yourself standing there wanting to lift your voice in praise to God for the depth of commitment shown by those who gave their life, but at the same time you feel like falling on your face repenting of the shallowness of your own dedication and commitment. It is an experience that lingers heavily on your heart and mind through out the rest of day.

6. I think of the Apostles. Tradition tells us that Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross. James was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and finding him still alive, was beat to death with clubs. Peter was crucified upside down. Philip was severely whipped and scourged and then hanged by the neck against a pillar. Thomas was martyred by a lance being thrust through his body while kneeling in prayer. Paul was beheaded.

7. It is interesting that as we look at our text we see that Paul expected to be martyred. He said in verse 9, "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed unto death."

8. Paul, as well as the other Apostles, lived with the knowledge that their faith had brought on them a death sentence. In their day and time it was not popular to be a Christian. To be identified with the Christians in many cases was an appointment unto death.

9. Paul lived with the expectation that he would may have to give his life for Christ because he was well aware of what it meant in his day and time to be a Christian.

10. In the passage before us, Paul is contrasting his perspective of being a Christian with that of the Corinthian believers. They had a faulty view of the Christian life and a false impression of themselves as Christians.

11. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:10, "We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised."

12. The Corinthian believers considered themselves wise but Paul considered himself a fool for Christ sake. The Corinthian believers viewed themselves as strong and honorable, but Paul viewed himself as weak and despised.

13. It is obvious that there was a difference between Paul and the Corinthian believers as to what it meant to be a Christian. That's why, in one of several "winged outbursts" (as one called it) that we find in I Corinthians, Paul turns on the Corinthian believers with scathing irony. In essence, he tells them they have the wrong ideal of what it means to be a Christian.

14. Now the circumstances are quite different in our day and time than it was in Paul's, but the principles he taught are the same. We do not live under the threat of martyrdom as a Christian (at least in America), but what Paul said about being a Christian is very relevant.

15. Let's look at the passage and learn what it means to be a Christian.

1. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS OBSERVED BY THE WORLD!

1. We read in 1 Corinthians 4:9, "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."

2. The word "spectacle" was a word used to describe what was known as the Roman Triumph. When a Roman General won a major victory it was celebrated by what was called the Triumph. The general would enter the city leading a procession that included his officers and troops. Behind them would follow the prisoners of war in chains for all to see and mock.

3. The word carried the ideal of a public spectacle. In fact, we get our word "theater" from this word which implies a production for public viewing.

4. Paul was declaring that the Christian life is a public matter. Being a Christian means our lives are on public display. Christians are on the stage of this world being viewed by a lost world around us.

5. Notice that Paul says that this observation of our life is two-fold.

A. THERE IS A HUMAN OBSERVATION OF OUR LIFE!

1. He says in verse 9 that we are a spectacle to "the world" and "to men." There is a human observation of our life. We are being watched by those around us.

2. I have heard people speak of being a Christian as a private matter. I have asked people if they were saved and they said, "That is a personal matter." In a sense that is true, but we must never forget that being a Christian is very much a public matter.

3. People around us watch how we live. They listen to what we say and take note of the things we talk about. They observe what we do and how we do things. When you profess to be a Christian, whether you like it or not, you become a spectacle to the world and to men.

4. There was a pious Church member who thought himself to be a great Christian. One Sunday he visited the Junior Department of the Sunday School. The superintendent asked him to say a few words to the boys and girls. He stood pompously before them and asked, "Why do you think people call me a Christian?" From the back of the room, a little fellow responded, "Because they don't know you."

5. The sad truth is that many who call themselves Christians are known by those around them and the life they live is hurtful to the cause of Christ and a hindrance to winning others to Christ. We all have met someone who used the hypocrites of the Church as an excuse not to be saved.

6. Mahatma Ghandi, the famed leader of India, as a young man searching for answers in his life, lived a short time with a Christian couple. He made the statement in the latter years of his life, "I would be a Christian if it were not for other Christians."

7. Robert Ingersoll, the infidel notorious for his attacks on the Bible, had a godly aunt. He once sent her a copy of one of his books against the Bible. In the flyleaf over his signature he wrote: "If all Christians had lived like Aunt Sarah perhaps this book would have never been written."

8. Now you may not be a vibrant and vocal Christian, but the people you go to school with, work with, and live near, know that you are a Church member. When they see certain things and hear certain things, whether you realize it or not, you are helping to form their image of what it means to be a Christian.

9. Charles Spurgeon would frequently visit Monaco. It had been a gambling resort for many years. Spurgeon, of course did not go there to gamble, but for his health, He enjoyed walking through the lavish gardens of the Casino of Monte Carlo. He thought the gardens there were some of the most beautiful in the world. But a conversation one-day with a friend made him determine that he would never visit the gardens of the Casino of Monte Carlo again. The owner of the Casino had said to Spurgeon's friend, "You hardly ever visit my gardens anymore?" Spurgeon's friend replied that since he didn't gamble it would not be fair of him to continue to enjoy the beautiful gardens without making some contribution to the casino.

10. The casino owner encouraged the friend to continue visiting the gardens for he felt he would lose customers if the friend quit visiting the gardens. He said, "There are many people who don't gamble in the casino who feel quite comfortable visiting the gardens. Then, from the gardens, it is a short distance to the gambling tables. You see, when you visit my gardens, respectable person that you are, you attract other people who eventually become my gambling customers." When Spurgeon heard about this he never went to the gardens again. ("Illustrating Great Words of the New Testament" by J.B. Fowler)

11. Why did Spurgeon make such a decision? It is very clear why. He did not want his life to be one that led others in the wrong direction.

12. We as Christians are being observed by the world and men. We should live our lives in such a way that the cause of Christ be not hurt and nor our ability to win them to Christ.

13. William Carey, known as the father of modern missions, was brought to Christ by the life and influence of a fellow apprentice who worked by his side. Carey said about his young friend, "He could not answer my questions, but I could not answer his life."

14. May we live in such a way that this world sees a real and genuine Christian.

B. THERE IS A HEAVENLY OBSERVATION OF OUR LIFE.

1. Notice also in verse 9 that Paul says we are being observed by "angels." The Bible speaks of angels as heavenly messengers that aid, assist, and accompany the believer.

2. The missionary John Paton served the Lord in the New Hebrides among hostile natives. One night the natives were going to burn out the missionaries and kill them. All through the night Paton and wife prayed for God's protection. For some reasons the natives did not attack.

About a year later the chief of the tribe became a Christian. Paton asked the chief why they did not attack them that night. The chief replied, "Who were all those men you had with you there?" Paton replied that there was no one but he and his wife. But the chief insisted that there were hundreds of men in shining clothing holding drawn swords standing in a circle around the mission station.

3. There are angels with us daily to help us and protect us. We are often and mostly unaware of their presence. Only heaven will reveal the numerous times they helped us and protected us.

4. Now I believe that this heavenly observation is in direct relation to the human observation. We live in a world in which is easy to fall and fail. God's angels are there to assist, aid, and accompany us in times of temptation and weakness.

5. You could say that God's angels are resources to help us live as a Christian should live before a world that is watching us. The world observes us but angels as well are observing us to rush to our side when we need them.

6. Being a Christian means that we live a life before the world that honors the name of Christ. Regardless of where we live, what we do in this world, it is possible to live as a Christian should live. God has provided resources such as angels to enable us to do so.

1. The Christian Life is Observed by the World!

2. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS OPPOSITE OF THE WORLD!

1. Notice 1 Corinthians 4:11-13a, "Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; [12] And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: [13] Being defamed, we intreat."

2. Vance Havner once said, "The Church has become so worldly the world so churchy you can't tell the two part."

3. When you talk about being a Christian you are talking about living a life that is totally opposite of this world.

4. Oftentimes when the Bible speaks of the "world" it is talking about a system going in the opposite direction of God. That's why John told us not to love the world" (I John 2:15). The world is going in an opposite direction of God and is at all times trying to pull us in its direction.

5. Paul speaks of the opposite life that a Christian is to live. Notice verses 11-13.

A. WE SEE THE CONDITIONS OF HIS LIFE.

1. Paul describes in verse 11 how he had experienced hunger and thirst. He had known what it was to be poorly clothed (naked). In truth, there was no place that he could really call home and on top of that he had been roughly treated (buffeted).

2. We see in verse 12 and 13, that in spite of being in the ministry full-time, they had to work just to make ends meet. They had also been reviled, persecuted, and defamed.

3. Being a Christian had not been easy for Paul and others. It had created many hardships and brought on much suffering.

B. WE SEE THE CONDUCT OF HIS LIFE.

1. Paul not only described what he had experienced but also described his response and attitude to all the things that he had experienced.

2. In verse 12, he says we, "labour, working with our own hands." The word "labor" speaks of a kind of work considered by Greeks to be beneath their dignity. It spoke of a kind a work done only by lowly slaves.

3. But Paul was not ashamed of the kind of work he had been required to do. It was work that needed to be done in order for him to be able to preach the gospel. The world may have frowned on such work, but Paul's attitude was the opposite.

4. Paul also said in verse 12-13, "being reviled we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it. Being defamed, we intreat." His reaction to the mistreatment by others was opposite of how the world reacts to such things.

5. The word "reviled" means, "to speak evil against." How does the world at large respond to such treatment? They retaliate and respond with evil speaking. But Paul said they "blessed" those who spoke evil against him. The word "bless" speaks of delivering a eulogy. It means to say a good word.

6. As a pastor I do a lot of funerals. They are often called "eulogies." Now as a rule, when I do someone's funeral, I try to speak well of that person. One would not expect that I would say bad things about a person at their funeral.

7. I heard about a man that called on a pastor to preach his brother's funeral. The man's brother had been a liar, cheat, crook, and scoundrel. The preacher said that he was not sure that he could do it. The man offered him $500 if he would do it. The only condition was, the preacher had to say that his brother was a good man. The preacher agreed.At the funeral the preacher said, "All of you know that so and so was a liar, cheat, crook, and scoundrel, but next to his brother he was a good man."

8. When people said evil things against Paul, instead of saying bad things about them, he said good things.

9. Paul said that when he was persecuted he suffered it. That is, he simply endured it. He did not try to get even or seek revenge. He just accepted it and went on.

10. Paul said that when he was defamed, he simply went on telling people about Jesus. The word "intreat" in verse 13 means to "exhort." He refused to be sidetracked or become bitter. He just threw all that happened over his shoulder and went on telling the wonderful story and exhorting people with eternal things.

11. Now again, this is not how the world would take such treatment. But Paul was not of this world. He was a Christian and the actions and reactions of a Christian are the opposite of the world.

12. As Christians our behavior is to be different than this world. But you say, "I'm not going to be treated that way and I don't care what anybody says." That's the problem. You don't care what anybody says.

13. You don't care that you could hurt the testimony you have with those you work with, etc. You don't care that your behavior could hinder someone from becoming a Christian.

14. Let me remind you of something perhaps you have forgotten. You are a Christian! As a Christian your behavior is to be a reflection of the Lord Jesus and the teachings of God's Word.

15. Paul would later say to the Corinthian believers, "Wherefore, come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord" (II Cor.5: 17). Paul was saying, "You are different therefore be different." What does it mean to be a Christian? It means that you live a life opposite of the world.

1. The Christian Life Is One Observed By The World!
2. The Christian Life Is One Opposite Of The World!

3. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS OFFENSIVE TO THE WORLD!

1. Notice in verse 13 Paul says, "…we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day."

2. The words "filth" and "offscouring" are synonyms which refer to the scrapings or offscourings cleaned from a dirty dish or pot. It would be like what is left in the trap of the kitchen sink after you wash dishes.

3. The word was sometimes used figuratively to speak of the lowest, most degraded criminals, who were sacrificed in pagan ceremonies.

4. Paul was saying that the world looked on him and other believers as the religious scum of the earth.

5. It is hard for some to realize, but this world will never have a love affair with Christians. This world is offended by much of what Christianity represents.

A. THE MORALS OF CHRISTIANS ARE OFFENSIVE TO THE WORLD.

1. As Christians we believe that certain life-styles are not alternative life-styles but immoral relationships.

2. As Christians we believe that certain philosophies and ideologies that are so readily embraced by society is contrary to the teachings of God's Word.

3. Many things that are accepted as standard by this world is called sin by God.

4. It is for this reason that religious organizations that are visible and vocal are constantly attacked and scorned by this world. The morals that are advocated by these organizations and Christians are offensive to the world.

B. THE MESSAGE OF THE CHRISTIANS IS OFFENSIVE TO THIS WORLD.

1. Our message is the message of the cross. As we saw in I Corinthians chapter one, it is a message that is foolishness to the world.

2. Our message declares that all men are sinners and all men need a Saviour. Our message declares there is a hell awaiting those who die without Christ and a heaven for only those who die in Christ. Our message declares that there are not many ways to be saved, but only one way.

3. This goes against the grain in the way this world thinks therefore our message is offensive.

4. That's why people like Ted Turner make statements that Christians do more harm to society and mother earth than anyone. That's why liberals call us ignorant and behind the times. We proclaim a message that is offensive.

5. Being a Christian means that this world looks upon us as the scum of the earth.

6. What does it mean to be a Christian? The Biblical ideal is not always what we want to hear. But a real Christian is one who lives on this world's stage, being watched day by day. It is for that reason we live a life that is pleasing to God. The world may not always appreciate who we are and what we believe, but may we live in such a way that they never doubt that we are what we claim to be.