Fool's Gold Part II

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Following the message titled: Fool's Gold that I delivered at New Life Community Church in Fayetteville, NC, which focused on 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, I was able to give a message titled: Fool's Gold Part II in the evening service, which was based on 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. I could not get audio recordings to post here but here are some points for you to think about...


Introduction: In the midst of world that considers mankind to be the ultimate master of this universe and thus urges us to celebrate our own accomplishments as the gods of this universe the Bible calls us to humble dependency on the true God of this universe who has provided a way to righteousness for the unrighteous and life for the spiritually dead.


Point 1 (:26-29): Consider your calling! 
                              - Fact: We had nothing to offer God in our salvation. 
                              - Fact: God chose to call the destitute, the hopeless, and the worthless to  
                                 salvation in Christ.
                              - Conclusion: Therefore, no one can boast in the presence of God! 
                              - Reality: This knowledge must lead all of us to strive for unity. To make 
                                 decisions based on what is best for others. To extend grace to our  
                                 brothers and sisters based on the grace that has been given to us.


Point 2 (:30-31): Boast in the Lord!

                              - Fact: Jesus is our source of 4 invaluable qualities
                                           1) Wisdom - Even wisdom unto salvation
                                           2) Righteousness - rightness before God - Justification
                                           3) Sanctification - Being both set apart and purified over time
                                           4) Redemption -  set free from our slavery to sin and Satan,          
                                                                          adopted into the family of God upon whom we  
                                                                          wait for that day when we will finally be 
                                                                          redeemed to him for eternity.
                              - Conclusion: Therefore, If you are going to brag about anything, brag  
                                                       about Jesus!

In conclusion, I wrote this poem titled: Ode to me which reminds us of the self-serving, self-reliant, selfish attitudes that we too often have in light of the complete brokenness and complete dependency to which we are called in Christ.

Ode to Me

It's all about me, Jesus.
It's myself who set me free!
My chains are gone but they weren't that long
I don't need the 3 to abide with me
What I have to offer is the greatest of all
And everyone else just seems so small
So it must be about me, Jesus
Therefore, let everyone else do as I please
Move out of my way as I play
as the master of this day
It's all about me, Jesus
It's all about me.

To often we battle this fiercely independent spirit within our self-righteous hearts when in reality our boasting is empty and worthless because it is focused on the wrong object of affection...Come church, let us boast in the Lord and follow this command from Paul:

 Ephesians 4:1 (ESV)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

What do you have to brag about Jesus?

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