WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.719 It might just look like being open to receive criticism from people who know you well and love you deeply, 00:00:06.259 --> 00:00:11.419 like your spouse, or a roommate, or a close friend, or a trusted co-worker. 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:17.120 But once a year, the elders normally conduct a review of the pastors. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:21.339 And so we go through each of our list of ministry responsibilities, 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:27.179 we give each other feedback, we do a self-evaluation and give each other feedback about how things are going, 00:00:27.179 --> 00:00:29.400 what are our strengths and weaknesses, how we can grow. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.799 I remember the first time that I was reviewed, about six months after I became a pastor at Trinity. 00:00:35.780 --> 00:00:38.219 This is what one of the elders wrote to me. 00:00:39.859 --> 00:00:43.560 By and large, he wrote, I think Greg is humble and committed to growing. 00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:50.200 But I have noticed a pattern of him responding defensively when open-minded questions would make more sense. 00:00:50.679 --> 00:00:52.900 Like, why do you see it that way? 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:55.460 Or, am I missing something? 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:59.500 I'd like to see you relax a little in terms of proving yourself, 00:01:00.240 --> 00:01:06.560 and instead have the attitude that you'll never know less about how to pastor well than you do now. 00:01:06.960 --> 00:01:08.859 So you should have tons of questions, 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:13.680 and really be working hard to find believable people who can help you grow. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:17.060 Now, I didn't particularly want to hear that. 00:01:17.060 --> 00:01:22.960 I wouldn't have been able to identify those patterns all by myself, 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:25.299 but I really needed to hear that. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:27.680 It was absolutely right. 00:01:28.780 --> 00:01:31.859 And I still need to hear things that I don't want to hear. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:36.719 In fact, I can't even tell you all of those things what they are. 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:44.560 That's part of the process of becoming a fool so we can become wise. 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:51.599 Embracing the humbling way of life under the cross as it's lived out in Christian community. 00:01:52.579 --> 00:01:55.500 In honest and loving speech to one another. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:01:59.140 That's an ongoing process. 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:04.019 So that's the first confining framework that we can easily get stuck in. 00:02:04.019 --> 00:02:10.780 We can become self-deceived by measuring ourselves either against ourselves 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:14.180 or just against the prevailing standards of this twisted world. 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:20.039 The second confining framework we can get stuck in is idolizing someone else. 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:23.900 Paul says, let no one boast in men, verse 21. 00:02:24.780 --> 00:02:28.740 Now, the problem in Corinth was the Corinthians were dividing themselves into factions. 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:32.659 They were attaching themselves to one Christian leader at the expense of others. 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:36.740 We've already talked about this theme quite a bit in the last few weeks. 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:39.180 Matt and I preached on it in chapter 1. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:41.780 Nick preached on it at the beginning of chapter 3. 00:02:42.099 --> 00:02:44.280 So I'm not going to repeat what's already been said. 00:02:44.379 --> 00:02:46.400 You can listen to the other sermons on the website. 00:02:47.079 --> 00:02:50.099 But if the problem in verse 18 through 20 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:55.479 is having an inflated sense of our own wisdom or our own spiritual maturity, 00:02:55.479 --> 00:03:02.560 the problem in verse 21 is having an inflated sense of somebody else's wisdom or spiritual maturity. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:04.879 In other words, putting them on a pedestal. 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:09.139 Paul says, don't put another individual on a pedestal. 00:03:09.839 --> 00:03:17.519 Don't make one other person the source of your fulfillment and joy and security. 00:03:17.520 --> 00:03:24.380 Whether it's a particular Christian leader or a boyfriend or girlfriend or even a husband or wife. 00:03:25.380 --> 00:03:30.920 If you idolize them and they disappoint you, which they inevitably will, 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:36.379 then you will either demonize them and hate them or you will be driven to despair. 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:40.700 Or you will just repeat the same cycle all over again and find someone else. 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:42.980 And Paul says, don't do that. 00:03:42.979 --> 00:03:49.159 That's another confining, enslaving framework. 00:03:51.079 --> 00:03:55.759 And God wants us to break free and never return to that. 00:03:57.819 --> 00:04:03.259 Now Paul goes on in verse 21 to 23 to give a reason for his warning against boasting in other people. 00:04:04.399 --> 00:04:07.280 And you know, if you're reading this passage, you might think, 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:08.719 okay, don't deceive yourself. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:12.819 You know, don't think you're too wise in this age. 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:15.939 God catches the wise in their craftiness. 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:19.680 The self-deceptive thoughts are futile. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:21.540 Don't boast in people. 00:04:22.219 --> 00:04:22.980 Boasting's foolish. 00:04:23.819 --> 00:04:25.480 People can't bear the weight of your boasting. 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:26.779 It's futile. 00:04:26.899 --> 00:04:27.500 It's empty. 00:04:27.759 --> 00:04:29.740 But actually, Paul takes a different tack. 00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:35.360 This passage takes a bit of a surprising turn in the middle of verse 21. 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:39.399 Let me sort of set it up this way. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:45.659 You know, if you're trying to help someone who is strongly tempted toward a particular sin, 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:50.339 say alcohol abuse and drunkenness, 00:04:50.859 --> 00:04:54.359 you can talk about how dangerous it is, 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:56.219 how it's against God's law, 00:04:56.379 --> 00:04:57.819 how it harms your liver, 00:04:58.079 --> 00:04:59.279 how it hurts other people, 00:04:59.419 --> 00:05:00.859 how it makes you do stupid things, 00:05:00.939 --> 00:05:02.139 how it makes you more vulnerable, 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:04.779 how it may result in God's judgment, 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:06.199 and all of that is true. 00:05:06.919 --> 00:05:09.459 But if you really want to help someone break free 00:05:09.459 --> 00:05:13.519 from a deeply entrenched self-destructive pattern, 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:19.060 they also need to see a compelling vision of a better life. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:23.000 A better way to spend a lonely Saturday night. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:28.139 A better way to cope with anxiety about the future and stress in the present. 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:33.620 A better way to blow off steam after a long and hard week. 00:05:34.519 --> 00:05:37.040 And this is what Paul does in verse 21 to 23. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:40.120 He doesn't just talk about how bad and futile boasting is. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:44.079 He rips the blinders off our eyes. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:46.100 He opens the doors of our prison and says, 00:05:46.100 --> 00:05:49.340 Look at the freedom you have in Jesus Christ. 00:05:50.140 --> 00:05:53.200 You've lived in the narrow and twisted confines 00:05:53.200 --> 00:05:56.439 of deceiving yourself and idolizing other people 00:05:56.439 --> 00:06:00.080 and conforming to the twisted patterns of this world. 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:05.300 Look at the glorious eternal inheritance which belongs to you in Jesus Christ. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:08.140 All things are yours. 00:06:09.080 --> 00:06:12.800 Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:14.800 or life or death 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:16.840 or the present or the future 00:06:16.840 --> 00:06:17.920 all are yours. 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:20.639 And you are Christ's. 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:23.120 And Christ is God's. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:25.579 He says, 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:27.660 Stop competing with each other 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:30.780 over which Christian teacher is the best. 00:06:32.160 --> 00:06:32.420 He says, 00:06:32.460 --> 00:06:33.460 You know, you're getting worked up 00:06:33.460 --> 00:06:34.759 about all these little things. 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:36.280 It's sort of like sitting in a restaurant 00:06:36.280 --> 00:06:39.379 where you know the cook. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:42.340 And you know that the cook 00:06:42.340 --> 00:06:44.600 makes the best food in the world. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:50.460 And he's making a special meal just for you. 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:52.980 And you're arguing with each other 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:55.579 about which waiter is going to bring that meal to the table 00:06:55.579 --> 00:06:57.180 and put the little garnish on the plate. 00:06:58.460 --> 00:06:59.020 He says, 00:06:59.120 --> 00:06:59.920 That's what it's like 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:03.080 when you're arguing about Christian leaders. 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:06.139 Who's going to serve me the bread of life? 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:07.480 You've got the bread of life! 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:13.040 Or you're like two children 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:14.160 fighting with each other 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:16.540 over a matchbox car 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:20.819 when their parents own the toy store. 00:07:22.400 --> 00:07:23.939 They can have any of them. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:25.980 They all belong to you, 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.140 Paul says. 00:07:29.220 --> 00:07:31.620 Paul doesn't just stop with naming Christian leaders. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.439 He says, 00:07:32.720 --> 00:07:34.160 The world belongs to you. 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:36.660 Life, death, the present, the future. 00:07:38.660 --> 00:07:39.639 Gordon Fee writes, 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:40.680 These five items 00:07:40.680 --> 00:07:44.220 are the ultimate tyrannies of human existence 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:48.180 to which people are in lifelong bondage. 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:50.379 To the demands of the world. 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:53.120 To the uncertainty of the future. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:56.100 To the inevitability of death. 00:07:57.139 --> 00:07:58.000 These are the things 00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:59.800 that can cause us the greatest anxiety. 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:03.699 And that we can respond 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:08.459 by clinging to one of these confining frameworks. 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:11.060 But as Paul says in Romans 8, 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.139 as we heard earlier in the service, 00:08:13.280 --> 00:08:15.600 none of these things can separate us 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:18.639 from the love of God and Jesus Christ, our Lord. 00:08:20.540 --> 00:08:21.879 For those in Christ Jesus, 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:24.439 the things that were formerly tyrannies 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:26.980 are now your new birthright. 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:31.500 This is the glorious freedom of the children of God. 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:33.620 We are not bound to the whims of chance. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:36.179 The future is no cause for panic. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:38.539 It is already ours in Christ. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.100 You see, in Jesus Christ, 00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:44.399 in his coming to earth 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:46.480 and taking on human flesh, 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:49.919 in his death for us on the cross, 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.659 in his resurrection, 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:53.199 in his ascension to glory, 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:55.099 God has decisively begun 00:08:55.099 --> 00:08:57.679 what he will one day complete. 00:08:59.199 --> 00:09:00.439 Ephesians 1.10 says, 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:02.979 he will bring all things in heaven 00:09:02.979 --> 00:09:04.479 and on earth together 00:09:04.479 --> 00:09:05.939 under one head, 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:07.360 even Christ. 00:09:09.939 --> 00:09:12.419 Jesus Christ has entered this world in person. 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:18.559 He has taken on human nature. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:21.399 He didn't just appear to be human. 00:09:21.699 --> 00:09:23.519 He wasn't just temporarily human. 00:09:23.699 --> 00:09:24.879 He became human. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:27.439 And he still is fully human 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:29.179 and fully God, 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:30.500 our brother in heaven, 00:09:30.740 --> 00:09:33.860 who is preparing a place for us 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:35.199 in his eternal kingdom. 00:09:35.200 --> 00:09:39.580 He came and lived a perfect life 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:41.120 on this earth. 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:43.800 He went through all the different stages of life 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:46.379 and has faced every kind of temptation. 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:49.920 He understands what we're going through. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:53.240 And he's with us in the midst of it. 00:09:53.900 --> 00:09:55.240 The world is his. 00:09:55.700 --> 00:09:57.620 There's nowhere you can go in the world 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:59.180 that is too far 00:09:59.180 --> 00:10:01.379 for Jesus to be with you 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:04.580 and for him to sustain you. 00:10:06.720 --> 00:10:07.960 And in his resurrection, 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:09.879 we have a promise of life 00:10:09.879 --> 00:10:12.100 that will triumph over even death itself. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:14.799 What Paul calls the last enemy. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:18.899 So life and death are ours in Christ. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:19.919 And in Christ, 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.120 we have a glorious future. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:24.240 And we begin to experience 00:10:24.240 --> 00:10:25.299 that future glory 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:26.919 spilling over into the present 00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:29.120 by the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:10:31.379 --> 00:10:32.120 When he brings 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:34.519 the future into the present. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.100 So the present 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.220 and the future are ours. 00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:40.340 You see, in Jesus Christ, 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:42.659 all that we are is his 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:43.919 and all that is his 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:45.159 is now ours. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:48.179 And Christ, 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:49.279 the Messiah, 00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.179 is God's. 00:10:51.080 --> 00:10:52.960 Jesus is carrying out 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:54.439 the one eternal purpose 00:10:54.439 --> 00:10:55.360 of God the Father 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:57.019 in perfect union. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.399 God the Father, 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.100 God the Son, 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.159 and God the Holy Spirit. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:03.080 perfect union 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:03.500 in their 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:05.559 one purpose. 00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.620 So Paul says, 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.500 don't be confined 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.100 to a short-sighted vision. 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:17.200 Thinking that you're wise 00:11:17.200 --> 00:11:18.299 by comparing yourself 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:19.259 to others 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.939 or boasting in some other person 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:23.179 and idolizing them. 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:25.740 Look to the glorious inheritance 00:11:25.740 --> 00:11:26.940 that is yours in Christ. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.399 And that is ours 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.259 in Christ together. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:29.840 When Paul says, 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:30.720 all things are yours, 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:32.100 it's a plural yours. 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:33.920 It's like when, 00:11:34.040 --> 00:11:35.200 in verse 16 and 17, 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:35.740 when he says, 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:37.180 you are God's temple. 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:38.019 You together 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:40.639 are God's dwelling place. 00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:42.879 And all things 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:44.519 belong to you 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:46.779 as God has called you 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:47.639 to belong to him 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:48.139 in Christ. 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:50.519 I want to end 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:52.460 by quoting from 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:56.899 an old Christian catechism, 00:11:57.059 --> 00:11:58.179 the Heidelberg catechism, 00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.919 written in the 16th century. 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.840 The first question 00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:03.039 is as follows, 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:04.319 and it expresses 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:05.840 this truth 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:06.659 that Paul ends with 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.319 in this passage. 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:07.720 It says, 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:09.120 what is your only comfort 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.120 in life and death? 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:13.139 And the answer is this, 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:15.180 that I am not my own, 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:18.180 but belong body and soul, 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:20.519 both in life and in death, 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:22.279 to my faithful Savior, 00:12:22.420 --> 00:12:23.160 Jesus Christ. 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:25.580 He has fully paid 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:26.759 for all my sins 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:28.080 with His precious blood, 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:30.340 and He has set me free 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.519 from all the power 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.180 of the devil. 00:12:32.179 --> 00:12:35.019 He also preserves me 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.959 in such a way 00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:37.819 that without the will 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:39.019 of my heavenly Father, 00:12:39.959 --> 00:12:40.919 not a hair can fall 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.639 from my head. 00:12:42.819 --> 00:12:43.099 Indeed, 00:12:43.219 --> 00:12:44.519 all things must work together 00:12:44.519 --> 00:12:45.539 for my salvation. 00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:46.519 Therefore, 00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:48.839 by His Holy Spirit, 00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:50.359 He also assures me 00:12:50.359 --> 00:12:51.759 of eternal life 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.079 and makes me heartily willing 00:12:54.079 --> 00:12:54.679 and ready 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.019 from now on 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:57.979 to live for Him. 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.519 Let us pray. 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:05.819 Father, 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:06.279 we thank You 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:06.859 for Your Word, 00:13:07.239 --> 00:13:07.979 and we especially 00:13:07.979 --> 00:13:08.539 thank You 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.139 for the greatness 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.099 of what You have done 00:13:10.099 --> 00:13:11.919 for us in Christ Jesus. 00:13:13.099 --> 00:13:14.039 We thank You 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:16.959 that through faith in Him, 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:17.959 we belong to Him. 00:13:20.319 --> 00:13:21.179 We thank You 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:26.620 that You have bestowed upon us 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:29.000 Your very self. 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:33.340 and ultimately 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.320 that all things 00:13:34.320 --> 00:13:36.159 belong to us 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:37.440 because they belong to You 00:13:37.440 --> 00:13:39.899 and because we will one day 00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:42.039 share in Your reign, 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:42.600 Your kingdom, 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:43.460 and Your glory. 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:44.879 Lord, 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.700 help us to live. 00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:48.200 Help us to live humbly 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:50.159 in light of the cross. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.080 Help us to live confidently 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.100 in light of Your grace 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.259 and the glorious inheritance 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.000 that we have 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.379 in Jesus Christ. 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:58.500 Amen. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:58.600 Amen. 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:58.679 Amen.