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Status Rivalry Is Merely Human: 1 Corinthians 3:3-4

April 3, 2022 Preacher: Bob DeWaay Series: 1 Corinthians

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:3-4

1 Corinthians 3:3-4  “Status Rivalry is Merely Human”By Bob DeWaay

This sermon deals with the key reason that Paul used irony to describe the Corinthian church as “still of the flesh.” They were making judgments about the relative value of various preachers which created “jealousy and strife.” The term for strife is used nine times in the NT, all with negative connotations. Some were making claims that would not be made if they understood that they are no longer “merely human.” cTheir slogans showed this confused thinking. In Luke, and elsewhere in the Bible, there were debates about who was the greatest. Those who come to Christ through the gospel already have received great honor as they are part of the family of God. When we compare gifts and make judgments about who is more or less important, we are in danger of bringing worldly status rivalry into the church. Some in Corinth made such judgments about Paul. The sermon ends with sharing the gospel based on 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22 and what it means to be in Adam where all die, or in Christ with the gift of eternal life.