(1 Cor. 3:18-23)
Intro.
1. It’s that time again - New Year’s resolutions.
2. In hope, Christians wait for Jesus - Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 3:4.
3. 1 Cor. 1:18-23 - All things are created & sustained for the benefit of Christians.
4. The Christian blessed w/ every spiritual blessing - Eph. 1:3.
I. THE WORD OF GOD IS OURS - 3:18-20.
A. Divine Revelation "Belongs" To The Humble - cf. 1:18-31.
1. Utter incompatibility between human wisdom (philosophy) & divine revelation (truth)!
2. Those who rely upon human wisdom are deceived! (v. 18-19)
3. Divine wisdom is ours in Christ (Col. 2:3).
B. We Judge All Things On The Basis Of God’s Word, Not Human Wisdom - Phil. 1:9-11.
1. Jno. 17:17 - God’s word is the standard we apply - World scoffs!
2. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 - In 1999, remain committed to inspired scripture!
II. ALL THINGS ARE YOURS - 3:21-22; cf. Rom. 8:28 .
-(Not in the sense of ownership, but that all things exist & subsist for the usefulness of the saint).
-Only the Christian can properly use the things of the world -- the non-Christian generally lets the world use him, or is possessed by the world (Matt. 16:26; 1 Jno. 2:15).
A. Preachers & Teachers - 3:22. cf. 1 Tim. 4:4, 11, 16; 2 Cor. 12:14-16. What will you teach & expect to be preached in ‘99?
B. The World - Lk. 16:8-10 (Matt. 6:19-21). Where will your treasures be in ‘99?
C. Life & Death - Phil. 1:19-24.
1. A life of faith, exalting God - Gal. 2:20. How will you live in ‘99?
2. A death of hope: the door to heaven - Phil. 1:21, 23. Are you ready to die in ‘99?
D. Things Present & Things To Come - cf. Phil. 4:11-13.
1. Life’s present challenges & future uncertainties are our opportunities to trust in God! - Jas. 4:15.
2. Phil. 1:12-18 - See the benefits of both trials and joys!
a. Present things: Fellowship w/ God; brotherhood; families; gov’t; etc.
b. Future things: Glory; crown of life; rest; joy; heaven (Phil. 3:20-21).
3. How will you face the present & the future in 1999?
III. EVERYTHING SERVES THE CHRISTIAN BECAUSE OF HIS RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST - 3:23.
A. If You Belong To Christ: (Gal. 3:26-29)
1. Sons of God through faith - v. 26.
2. Put on Christ - v. 27.
3. One (united) in Christ - v. 28.
4. Abraham’s seed - v. 29.
5. Heirs of God’s promise of blessings - v. 29.
B. It Is Precisely Because We Are Christ’s That All Things Are Ours! - Eph. 1:3 -Will you belong to Christ in 1999?
C. Christ Is God’s - 3:23.
1. Brings this train of thought to its ultimate conclusion.
2. He voluntarily subordinated Himself to God for our redemption - Phil. 2:5-8; Jno. 6:38.
3. When you belong to Christ, you belong to God - Jno. 14:23.
4. Will you belong to God in 1999?
Conclusion
1. The world has been created for man, not man for the world.
2. The Christian has the proper perspective of the world & all things.
3. In 1999, rely upon the word of God, live in gratitude for His blessings, and rest upon your hope of eternity.