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1 Corinthians
Copyright 1999. John Creamer. All rights reserved.
Questions: Do you ever dream you are walking into a class—there’s a huge
mid-term exam—and you haven’t cracked a book in weeks? How do most students feel about exams? Why? What is the purpose of a test in school? A test is a test is a test…right? Then, is there a difference between
how students feels when the professor informs them they have exempted
a final exam and how you would feel if the airline you normally fly on
decided their jets no longer needed to be tested to see if they meet F.A.A.
standards? Scripture: Reviewing the last lesson; how many kinds of people are described
in chapters 2 and 3? (3) This lesson will study the difference between how the man with
the Spirit and the natural man respond to tests in life…the difficulties,
hardships, trials and temptation. (1 Corinthians 3:6-15 NIV) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but
God made it grow. {7} So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,
but only God, who makes things grow. {8} The man who plants and the man
who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his
own labor. {9} For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's
building. {10} By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an
expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should
be careful how he builds. {11} For no one can lay any foundation other
than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. {12} If any man builds
on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
{13} his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring
it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the
quality of each man's work. {14} If what he has built survives, he will
receive his reward. {15} If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself
will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. What did Paul call the people in verse 9? (God’s building…) What did he say is the foundation for the building in verse 11? (Jesus
Christ…) What was the choice of building materials in verse 12? (gold, silver,
costly stones, wood, hay or straw…) How would you rate the durability of these materials? Which ones sound
superior? …inferior? Why would someone use cheap materials to build? When does cheap construction show up? (Storms, wind, snow, rain, etc.) According to verse 13, what will reveal the quality of spiritual construction
in our lives? (“…the fire will test the quality of each man's
work…”) Although the fire in verse 13 that will ‘test the quality of each man’s work’ could be the ‘Final Exam’ on judgment day, Scripture tells us we will have some ‘mid-term exams’ in life when the quality of our construction is tested by trials, temptations, tragedies and afflictions. How should we prepare for the test? (Proverbs 1:20-33 NIV) Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her
voice in the public squares; {21} at the head of the noisy streets she
cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: {22} "How
long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers
delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? {23} If you had responded
to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts
known to you. {24} But since you rejected me when I called and no one
gave heed when I stretched out my hand, {25} since you ignored all my
advice and would not accept my rebuke, {26} I in turn will laugh at your
disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-- {27} when calamity
overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you. {28} "Then they will call
to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
{29} Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, {30}
since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, {31} they
will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their
schemes. {32} For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the
complacency of fools will destroy them; {33} but whoever listens to me
will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Who ‘calls aloud’ in verse 20? (Wisdom) According to verse 22, who is wisdom addressing? (…simple ones,
mockers and fools…) According to verses 24 and 25, these people had not responded to the
opportunity to gain wisdom and knowledge; because of their unresponsiveness,
what do verses 26 and 27 say will happen? According to verse 28, they will realize their mistake and seek wisdom
at their point of need. What does verse 28 say will happen when they do? Many blame God when they are in a ‘pickle’, but according to
verses 31 and 32, what is the reason for their destruction? (Their own
waywardness and complacency. They will simply reap what they have sown…
prior to their calamity they had no time to develop faith in God—the
point of need is too late—like walking into an unexpected exam and
praying for knowledge.) How do the following verses from Galatians relate to the ‘simple
ones, mockers and fools’ in Proverbs 1? (Galatians 6:7-8 NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A
man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature,
from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the
Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. So! Does this mean we will never have troubles in life if we seek
God? (Luke 6:43-49 NIV)
"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
{44} Each tree is recognized by its own fruit.
People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. {45}
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.
For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
{46} "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what
I say? {47} I will show you what he is like
who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
{48} He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid
the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house
but could not shake it, because it was well built. {49}
But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice
is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The
moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction
was complete." Which of the two men in verses 47-49 experienced difficulty? (Both.) What was the difference between them? (Their response to difficult times
because of what was ‘stored up in their hearts’—verse 45.) (Hebrews 12:4-11 NIV) In your struggle against sin, you have not yet
resisted to the point of shedding your blood. {5} And you have forgotten
that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do
not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he
rebukes you, {6} because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes
everyone he accepts as a son." {7} Endure hardship as discipline;
God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
{8} If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then
you are illegitimate children and not true sons. {9} Moreover, we have
all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.
How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
{10} Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;
but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
{11} No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who
have been trained by it. According to verse 4, what is one of the things we struggle against? According to verse 7, what does this struggle against sin cause in our
life? (Hardship.) According to verse 7, how should we respond to these hardships? (Endure.)
How do we often respond instead? (Whine and complain.) According to verse 7, what should we understand these hardships are in
our life? (Discipline. God is treating us as sons.) According to verse 10, what is the purpose of this discipline in our
life? (It is for our good.) According to verse 11, will this discipline be fun? Suppose a young man who had enlisted in one of the branches of the
military was asked half-way through basic training if the discipline he
had experienced was ‘fun’? And yet, if the same young man was
asked if he understood the purpose of the discipline, he would more than
likely say yes and give several reasons for his answer. Discipline in
life is much the same way—not pleasant, but for our good. The sooner
we understand, the more we can benefit from the training. (1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little
while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. {7} These
have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise,
glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. According to verse 7, what comes out of suffering grief in all kinds
of trials? (Our faith is proved genuine.) (James 1:2-8 NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, {3} because you know that the testing of your faith
develops perseverance. {4} Perseverance must finish its work so that you
may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. {5} If any of you lacks
wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding
fault, and it will be given to him. {6} But when he asks, he must believe
and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown
and tossed by the wind. {7} That man should not think he will receive
anything from the Lord; {8} he is a double-minded man, unstable in all
he does. Why do you think we are told to ‘consider’ it pure joy instead
of ‘feel’ pure joy whenever we face trials of many kinds? (Because
‘feeling’ joy in trials is difficult because our feelings will
likely be overruled by our pain. On the other hand, ‘consider’
is something we do in our mind—and can be done in spite of our feelings
if we so choose. A good example of this would be going to the dentist
to get relief from a throbbing toothache. As the dentist works on the
tooth, what you ‘feel’ is probably not pure joy, but pain. However,
even through the pain you can ‘consider’ in your mind the pure
joy of how much better you will feel when the dentist fixes the tooth.)
According to verses 3 and 4, what will the trials do for us? According to verse 5, what do we need to ask for from God if we don’t
fully understand how this works in our life? How does asking God for wisdom in trials tie in to some of the previous
Scriptures we have looked at in the lesson? (Proverbs said without wisdom,
calamity will overtake us like a storm. Jesus said if we ‘hear his
words and put them into practice’ the ‘torrent’ will strike
our house, but will not be able to shake it, because it will be well built.) What will sufferings produce in us? (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) No temptation has seized you except what
is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted
beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide
a way out so that you can stand up under it. (Trials and temptations are often the same in Scripture. Review Hebrews
12:4-11 in which ‘your struggle against sin’ in verse 4 is later
referred to as a ‘hardship’ in verse 7.) Do you see a limitation on temptation (trials) in this verse? In addition to the limitation, what else does God also provide? (A way
out.) Who will determine whether or not we take the way of escape? Bottom Line. The key question for all of us is not whether or not we will have trials,
temptations, tragedies and afflictions. Rather the question is: “What will the trials, temptations, tragedies and afflictions show
we are made of?” “But the one who hears my words and does
not put them into practice Are you ready? More on the tests… (Psalms 17:3 NIV) Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth
will not sin. What did the psalmist expect God to find in the test? (Daniel 12:10 NIV) Many will be purified, made spotless and refined,
but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand,
but those who are wise will understand. What are the two contrasting responses to the test? (James 1:12 NIV) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because
when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God
has promised to those who love him. How does this describe the man who perseveres under trial? (Blessed.) (Job 5:17-18 NIV) "Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not
despise the discipline of the Almighty. {18} For he wounds, but he also
binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal. How does this describe the man ‘whom God corrects’? (Blessed.) (Psalms 119:67 NIV) Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey
your word. What did hard times do for this man? Do you think this is always the
case? What do you think determines which outcome takes place? (The individual
decides.) (Job 23:10-12 NIV) But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested
me, I will come forth as gold. {11} My feet have closely followed his
steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. {12} I have not departed
from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth
more than my daily bread. Did Job believe he was ready to take the test? (Jeremiah 9:6-8 NIV) You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit
they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD. {7} Therefore
this is what the LORD Almighty says: "See, I will refine and test
them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people? {8} Their
tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks with deceit. With his mouth each speaks
cordially to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. Why did God test these people? (Psalms 94:12 NIV) Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man
you teach from your law; (Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and
do not resent his rebuke, {12} because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. (John 15:2 NIV) He cuts off every branch in
me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes
so that it will be even more fruitful. (Deuteronomy 4:30 NIV) When you are in distress and all these things
have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your
God and obey him. (John 16:33 NIV) "I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in
the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in
you--unless, of course, you fail the test? (Lamentations 3:38-40 NIV) Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that both calamities and good things come? {39} Why should any living
man complain when punished for his sins? {40} Let us examine our ways
and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (Galatians 6:1-4 NIV) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who
are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also
may be tempted. {2} Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ. {3} If anyone thinks he is something when he
is nothing, he deceives himself. {4} Each one should test his own actions.
Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody
else, (Psalms 139:23-24 NIV) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and
know my anxious thoughts. {24} See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (1 Chronicles 29:17 NIV) I know, my God, that you test the heart and
are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and
with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people
who are here have given to you. (Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV) Remember how the LORD your God led you all the
way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in
order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his
commands. (John 6:5-6 NIV) When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward
him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we
buy bread for these people to eat?" {6} He asked this
only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NIV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. {17} For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. |