1 Corinthians 3-4:21 (brief) Avoid factions, worldly wisdom and become good stewards of Christ instead

The church in Corinth was carnal. (Still operating in the old, sinful, un-redeemed human nature) There was envy, strife, and division amongst them. This was primarily because they had formed factions centered on popular leaders of that day. (3:4) The Apostle Paul had to rebuke the Corinthians and explain that all of the contemporary leaders of that day were not to be pitted against one another but rather seen as fellow servants working for the same master. (3:6)

The important subject of heavenly rewards (1 Corinthians 3:9-15) is then addressed clearly teaching that Christians will receive differing rewards from God Almighty depending on the quality of service rendered to their king. Gold, silver, and precious stones are likened to eternally profitable service that is done with the right motive, right conduct, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Wood, hay, and stubble are likened to eternally worthless service that is done with a wrong motive, wrong conduct, and in the power of the carnal flesh. Every Christian will receive a reward but rewards will vary depending on the faithfulness of each servant. (3:14-15)

We are strongly cautioned (3:18-23) against drawing conclusions about spiritual truth from worldly wisdom. (That which is prevalently taught in culture or society) Human pride leads us to boast in men; thus dividing the church. (3:20-21) A right view that Christ is the centre of true wisdom and all service is to be for the glory of God unites the church. (3:23)

Human ministers (servants of Jesus Christ) are called to be faithful stewards of the truths of God within the house of God. (The Church) Human beings may be able to judge external evidence but they are unqualified to judge internal motives. (4:5) thus; only God is able to rightfully judge the faithfulness and loyalty of each minister. In fact; ministers and all Christians for that matter are called, equipped, and ordained by God for the work of ministry so exalting human beings is wrong. (4:7)

In 1 Corinthians 4:14-21, Discipleship is identified as the setting of a godly example by leaders for disciples to follow in the effort to become more Christ-like themselves. (4:16)

See Explanation Below…

The work of discipleship (1 Corinthians 4: 14-21)

Babes in Christ are new believers who have come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ by hearing and responding to the gospel message by faith. (Romans 1:16) They have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12) and have been born into the family of God.



Babes in Christ are characterized as rejoicing because their sins are forgiven.

1 John 2:12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.



Babes in Christ need spiritual nourishment in order to grow to adulthood.

1 Peter 2:2  ² as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow ^[a]thereby,

Christians are commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ to makes disciples - Matthew 28:18-20 

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go ^[a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[b]Amen.

The work of Discipleship has to do with a Birthing and Raising Babes in Christ to adulthood so that they can in turn reproduce by birthing and raising babes of their own.



Babes or Babies must be:

·       Begotten into existence by the preaching of the gospel. 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, Acts 8:14-17, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Acts 4:4

·       Shown an example of how to follow Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1

·       Loved in gentleness.  I Thessalonians 2:7-8, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

·       Warned and Corrected. Galatians 6:1, Ezekiel 33:6-9

·       Taught the truth of scripture. Isaiah 28:10, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Timothy 4:2,

1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16 (brief) God’s wisdom exclusive to the cross of Christ

Human philosophy is inadequate in obtaining righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. God’s perfect wisdom is only found in person of Jesus Christ which is God’s wisdom personified. (1: 29) The wisdom of the cross of Christ may be ridiculed by an unbelieving world (Those who are wise in their own eyes) but it is God who determines what is truly wise and what is truly foolish. (1:27)

God’s wisdom preached or taught must begin with Christ crucified because there is no power in human philosophy. True wisdom begins when we accept God’s testimony about his Son Jesus and build on the knowledge that He is both our Lord and Savior. (2:9) The Holy Spirit comes to inhabit those who love Jesus Christ and gradually teaches believers the deep things of God (2:13) Apart from the mind of Christ which is revealed by the Holy Spirit; man is hopelessly kept in spiritual darkness. (2:14)

What happens on earth after the snatching up of the church?

Revelation 4:1 

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

With the church age complete after the snatching away of the church from the earth; (1 Cor 15:51-58) God unveils the program of events that await those who dwell upon the earth. With all of heaven seeking one worthy to open the scroll; only Jesus is found worthy to open the scroll. (Revelation 5:5) The opening of the scroll by Jesus Christ (Rev 6:1) ushers in a 7 year period of divine judgment upon the inhabitants of the earth. (Mathew 24:3-9, Daniel 9:27) The last 3 and a half years being more terrible than the first. The opening of the scroll initiates 7 seal judgments, 7 trumpet judgments, and 7 bowl judgments.

The 7 seals (Revelation 6-8)

The antichrist is made credible to the world’s population as a great military / political leader by the working of the false prophet (Rev 13:11) who will religiously supports the antichrist. Allegiance to the antichrist becomes mandatory and is implemented through a mark of allegiance. (Revelation 13:16) The first seal leads to the rise of antichrist to power after a period of false peace which ends with antichrist bringing about world war. (Rev 6:4) Although world war is terrible as we have seen in WW1 and WW2; this is nearly the beginning for those who inhabit the earth.  (Mathew 24:7-9) Antichrist’s war leads to scarcity, which leads to widespread death as a third of the world’s population dies from this world war. (Rev 6:7) During this period; people who come to faith in God’s word are persecuted and slain. By the sixth seal; a massive earthquake hits earth bursting every fault line simultaneously causing numerous simultaneous volcanoes that blacken the sky with ash and cause the moon to appear blood red. Terror grips humanity as they attempt to hide underground and in cliffs. People become aware they are under divine judgement. (Rev 6:15-17)The seventh seal sees 144,000 Jews from each of the 12 tribes come to faith in God and begin to evangelize the whole world bringing forth massive redemption upon the devastated earth.

The 7 trumpets (Revelation 8-11)

The lava storm caused by the sixth seal now causes one third of the world’s vegetation to be scorched. If food was scarce before, it has just become scarcer. The second trumpet causes a huge meteor or asteroid to smash into the sea destroying one third of all ships and killing one third of all marine life. The third trumpet sees the lakes and rivers devastated as a comet poisons one third of the world’s drinking water making the water poisonous and undrinkable. The 4^th trumpet blackens the sun and stars by one third. The effects of this will be devastating to metrological, botanical, and biological cycles. The fifth trumpet unleashes demon locusts that inflict physical and spiritual pain on those who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (The 144,000 Jewish evangelists and their converts) The tormenting locusts will be so terrible that men will seek relief by suicide. (Rev 9:6) The sixth seal sees the unbinding and loosing of 4 powerful demons causing another one third of mankind to perish by their destructive plagues. Even after all this death and destruction; survivors will not repent. (Revelation 9:20-21) The seventh trumpet includes the 7 bowl judgements and the ushering in of the millennial kingdom and the coronation of Jesus Christ as king over the earth. (Rev 11:15-18) 

The Jewish nation during the great tribulation

God supernaturally preserves the Jewish nation during the forty two months of the last three and a half years of the great tribulation (Revelation 12:6,14,16) when antichrist focuses his destructive power against God’s covenant people after breaking his pact to protect the Jewish nation. (Daniel 9:27) During this period; God also appoints 2 prophets who have power to call down fire from heaven, shut the sky of rain, and turn seas to blood and strike the earth with plagues at will. These witnesses are eventually slain by antichrist but miraculously resurrected by God. (Rev 11:11-12) God then judges the city of those who slew the 2 prophets by causing an earthquake to strike the city where they were slain. God will also graciously spread the gospel of grace to the whole earth by angelic proclamation. (Rev 14:6, 7) The climax for the nation of Israel occurs in Revelation 19:11-21 during the battle of Armageddon when Jesus Christ returns to defend and rescue his covenant people as they are on the threshold of inhalation. (Zechariah 13:8-9)

7 Bowls (Revelation 16)

The bowl judgments begin in heaven; with 7 mighty angels being given 7 bowls of God’s wrath to be poured out upon sinful mankind in plague form.  These plagues are God’s most severe judgments upon rebellious earth. The first bowl strikes those men who took the mark of the beast giving them foul and loathsome sores. The second bowl completely kills aquatic sea life rendering the seas blood red.  The third bowl completely pollutes the fresh drinking water making blood red water the only type available for consumption. The fourth bowl causes extreme heat by the sun that scorches men. (Men still blaspheme God) The fifth bowl sees one of the angelic beings pouring wrath directly on antichrist’s throne causing his domain to be completely covered in darkness. (Men will writhe in pain and gnaw at their tongues in a futile attempt to alleviate pain) The sixth bowl is poured on the river Euphrates and dries it up. Unclean demonic spirits then draw the kings of the east for the battle of Armageddon. The seventh bowl immediately precedes the second coming of Christ and includes an unprecedented earthquake and a 75lbs. hail storm.

Which second coming are you looking for?

Revelation 1:8 

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega, ^[a]the Beginning and the End,” says the ^[b]Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

No greater thrill should enrapture the church as the return of the Lord Jesus Christ for his bride; the church. But the Bible presents 2 distinct second comings of Jesus Christ with their own unique characteristics and purpose. Are we as the church trained to know the difference and how should we anticipate the second coming of Jesus Christ? In today’s message; I’d like to clarify what the Bible teaches about Christ’s rescue of His Bride and His Judgment upon his enemies.

Christ’s rescue of His bride

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

¹³ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen ^[b]asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who ^[c]sleep in Jesus.

¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are ^[d]asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Purpose: To comfort the church that those who died will precede those who are living in the resurrection. To inform the church that there will be a general “snatching up” of the church by Jesus Christ at some point. (Verse 17)

Characteristics: Those who have died in Christ are resurrected and ascend to meet Christ in the air then those who are alive also ascend to meet Christ in the air.

John 14:1-3 

14 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many ^[a]mansions; if it were not so, ^[b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Purpose: Christ pledges that He will return to receive His disciples unto Himself so that they would to be with Him forever.

Characteristic: Christ will return to receive his beloved (The church) to be with Him forever.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 

⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a ^[a]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵ “O^[b] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Purpose: Paul was explaining the “snatching up” of the church when believers in a given generation would be instantly transformed.

Characteristic: The fact that Paul describes this as a mystery is because the “snatching up of the church” was not taught in the Old Testament because the church was not in the radar for the nation of Israel. They were expecting a resurrection and judgment on the Day of the Lord but this “snatching up” was not in their scope before Jesus’ time. Hebrews 6:1-3

Other Reasons why this “snatching away” differs from the second coming

·        Beliverers are with Christ when He makes his second coming (Revelation 19:11-16)

·        God did not appoint the church to suffer wrath. (1 Thessalonians 5:9, Revelation 3:10, John 5:24)

·        The purpose of the tribulation is the judge the unbelieving world (Mathew 24:40-41)

·        The “snatching away and secretive and instantaneous” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54

·        The second coming is visible to the whole world (Revelation 1:7, Mathew 24:29-30)

·        Certain signs accompany the second coming (Mathew 24:15-30) where as the blessed assurance is imminent (Titus 2:13)

Christ’s Judgment on his enemies

Revelation 19:11-16

¹¹ Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He ^[a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in ^[b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a ^[c]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

Purpose: Christ makes his second coming to earth and judges all his enemies in glorious triumph. The attention of scripture during the great tribulation is on Israel and no longer the church (Jeremiah 30:7, Mathew 11:25-31)

Characteristic: In his second coming Christ comes to rule the world and establish his permanent kingdom.

Identity In Question

Identity in Question - A Gospel Presentation

Ephesians Ch. 1-3

The letter of Ephesians found in the New Testament guarantees an awesome identity that believers possess in Jesus Christ. In a world of lies and blurred truth, it’s easy to become lost and confused about our identity. On the other hand; Christians enjoy a permanent identity through the person of Jesus Christ. We are given the right to be called children of God by adoption and our identity is permanent.

In this message; I will identify the “ways of the world” which will ultimately leave us lost and compare them to the “way of life” which gives us a secure identity in the person of Jesus Christ.

This was our identity in the “way of the world”

Alienation: Without an identity in Jesus Christ we were left clawing at drifting identities that couldn’t anchor us because only God could give our lives meaning and purpose. We searched for a permanent identity to stand upon but found sinking sand instead. People we loved moved away or died, youth was fleeting, athletic ability diminished, culture reinvented itself with the new generation, globalism made us feel invisible, friends and family failed us, social media buried authentic friendship, finances went sour, health deteriorated, that job that once fulfilled us became a burden, children grew up and moved out, marriages became loveless, spouses died or abandoned us, hobbies and passions lost their appeal. Worst of all though; sin was our master and condemnation our companion. Jesus said He came to give us life that we would have it in abundance.

Guilt: We longed to be justified by someone greater than ourselves. We harboured guilt and hated our own sin as we experienced its bitter fruit. We suppressed or denied God existed in order to pacify our guilty feelings. We turned to unhealthy habits and addictions in order to self medicate the pain caused by our sinful lifestyles. The Bible says that Jesus came to set us free.

Hopelessness: Finally; our life without Jesus Christ became increasingly hopeless. What would happen after we died? Would life just end in “nothing”?  Was there a judgement and was hell real? These questions left us hopeless and afraid about the future. We even tried to construct a god of our own imagination and placed our hope on an impotent idol. – That was the most hopeless thing in all. Jesus said anyone who calls upon my name will be saved.

Speaking of our lost condition; God puts it this way…

Ephesians 2:1-3 2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the ^[a]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Our Identity in Jesus Christ… “The way of Life”

Ephesians 1:7 ⁷ In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

1)    Redemption from sin – salvation (Saved from our sin and the wrath to come)

Ephesians 1:5 ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

2)    Adoption into God’s forever family (Permanency as a child of God)

Ephesians 2:18 ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

3)    A real relationship with God through the Holy Spirit (True Fulfilment and a life of purpose)

Ephesians 1:13-15  ¹³ In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who^[a] is the ^[b]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

4)    A  good resurrection which is guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit (A hopefulness that eclipses the trials of this present life)

What future identity does the “way of the world” promise us and what is the truth concerning death and afterlife?

Our culture today is mostly ignorant about absolute truth that governs death and afterlife. Belief in heaven and hell is vague and confused. Most people think they will go to heaven but they are not sure how to get there.  Canadians used to view funerals as a Christian celebration of the heavenly reward that was awarded to their deceased loved ones. Now; instead of looking heavenward where the Bible promises Christians an eternal weight of glory for a life well lived; “Celebrations of life” attempt to fossilize loved ones in the past. Funerals no longer anticipate the glorious resurrection that Jesus Christ promised us, but instead seek to glorify past achievements, passions, and hobbies as the great legacy that will enthrone our deceased loved ones into eternity. The “way of the world” will offer you no eternal life, no eternal security, and no eternal home.

But what is the truth concerning death and afterlife?

The Bible warns people that if they do not repent (turn away from their sins and turn to God instead) they are already lost and condemned because they have not believed on the one and only Son of God. We deny our human nature (all have fallen short of the glory of God) when we deny that we are sinners and that Jesus Christ made a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled to Holy God. Without an identity in Jesus Christ; The Bible makes very clear that people will be severely punished for their sins in a permanent, horrible, fiery place called hell. Hell is the worst place imaginable and the work of every Christian minister is to warn people to escape hell by hearing and believing the gospel message. The book of Revelation records this terrifying judgement and it is called: “The Great White Throne Judgement”.

Revelation 20:11-14

¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before ^[a]God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. ¹⁴ Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second ^[b]death.

Our future identity in Christ…”The way of life”

Our future identity in Jesus Christ has a bright future! God will make us co-heirs of the kingdom he is preparing for his Saints. God is waiting to show his surpassing goodness and kindness to those who honour his son. The Bible promises that God will gloriously recreate the heavens and the earth as a permanent habitation for his children. Our body dies in dishonor, but the Bible says it will be raised in glory. Our new bodies will be fit for heaven and never die.

Ephesians 1:11 ¹¹ In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Ephesians 2:7  ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For those who want to become children of God by adoption

1)    Repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! He died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. He was seen by many witnesses. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe that he paid your sin debt in full by dying on the cross for you.

Closing Prayer – Benediction

Ephesians 3:20-21

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.