Sunday, July 24, 2011 - Straighten Up and Fly Right
Let’s do a little experiment. I am going to call out a name and I want you to respond – if you know the name – by
cheering for the names you think are important. And you can boo the names you don’t care for. You can cheer and
boo as many times as you want.
Joe Paterno Bob Stoops Kirk Ferents Bo Pelini
Jim Tressel Steve Spurrier Turner Gill
- Evaluate -
If we spent more time thinking about or even talking about these people, we would find that we had major
disagreements among ourselves in some cases. And others of us would not care in the least. We may find that those
who agreed would move together and support one another. Those who disagree may, in a good-natured way of
course, begin to ridicule those with whom they disagree. Camps may be formed – small groups might start based on
which coach people liked.
But truthfully, if you care at all about what has been talked about, the real issue is college football. Everyone who
expressed an opinion about this or that coach probably really enjoys college football. Those who didn’t participate may
not have really cared and are wondering what is the point. But even if we disagree about certain coaches, those who
care would likely express similar opinions about enjoying college football.
We could have used politicians – that would have been a disaster, wouldn’t it! We could have used car brands. We
could have brought up versions of the Bible. We could have mentioned “famous” Christian speakers. And we would
have heard a lot of different opinions of like and dislike. And those who like or dislike various people or brands or
whatever probably have reasons that they have thought through as to why they feel the way they do. Most likely
peoples’ experience with certain political parties or car brands influence their opinions about them. We become
“followers” of those people or those brands.
And that is not always wrong. We are told to go into all the world and make disciples. Paul makes statements in his
New Testament letters to copy or imitate him. The underlying context is not that people become little Pauls. Paul can
say “Imitate me,” because he is imitating Jesus Christ. So if people imitate Paul, they would become little Christs. That’
s what the term “Christian” originally meant in early church times – “little Christs.” And it was not a term of endearment
– it was a term of ridicule. But believers took it and used it as a badge of honor.
We all find ourselves loyal to certain brands, certain teams, even certain preachers. But to place your identity primarily
in a human being is not wise nor does it promote the Kingdom of God. I wonder what God thinks of us – and churches
in general – who in their printed material and in their practice emphasize issues like “4-point” or “5-point Calvinists,”
“King James only,” “in line with the World Council of Churches.”
I’m not sure God cares or is impressed with how closely a church follows the teachings (or supposed teachings) of John
Calvin from the early 1500s. I’m not sure God is impressed with a church that proudly promotes the use of a version of
the Bible that is over 400 years old. I’m not sure God is favorable to a church that has discounted much of what the
Bible says and now holds teachings that are based more on cultural issues. God is not excited about our adherence to
the teachings of men.
This would even relate to me. If I’m not here on certain Sundays, does that mean God doesn’t speak? Sure the
presentation is different. But we seek carefully to hold to God’s Word being proclaimed here at Plattsmouth Bible
Church. So when I’m not here, that doesn’t mean you have God’s permission to take a Sunday off. It better not be
about me. We’ll see that in 1 Corinthians today.
We are at the beginning of a new series in 1 Corinthians called “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” Just like the Corinthian
believers Paul wrote to in the first century, we have issues that God desires to address and fix in us. And what we’ve
been talking about is one of them. We’ll see shortly how this relates directly to us. As we get started, let’s ask the
Spirit of God, our Teacher, for His help. PRAY
Turn to 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. READ. Paul starts dealing with issues that are out of whack by calling – pleading with
– these believers based on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to speak the same thing. In verse 11, Paul lets the
believers know why he is addressing this issue – people from Chloe’s family have told him what is going on. Usually we
try to protect the whistle-blower, but Paul rarely does that. And the Corinthians, knowing that both Paul and Sosthenes
are backing the view that those in Chloe’s house are saying, probably aren’t going to hate or reject or turn on Chloe or
her family. Although some might, but Paul doesn’t seem to worry about that. Interesting.
The issue is that some people in the church at Corinth are claiming that Paul is the best guy to follow while others are
claiming that Apollo is and still others are saying that Peter is (his Hebrew name is Cephas). And the result of these
various camps of followers is that quarrels are developing. So Paul pleads in verse 10 that all of the believers in this
church speak the same thing, have no division between them, that they be perfectly joined together in the same mind
and in the same judgment.
What is Paul talking about? And how does this relate to us? Honestly answer these questions to yourself:
- Are differences in doctrine between churches or believers beneficial to the expansion of the Kingdom of God?
- Since we are to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3), should we just agree with
everyone so we’re unified?
- Is compromise one of the hallmarks of followers of Jesus?
I think the answer to all of those questions is NO. Differences in doctrine do not expand the Kingdom of God.
Agreeing with everyone and validating all beliefs does not preserve the unity of the Spirit or expand the Kingdom of
God. Compromise is not what followers of Jesus are called to. And this is Paul’s message to the Corinthians and to us
– speak the same thing, let there be no divisions, be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment. It is VITAL to know – as best you can – correct doctrine and promote it. Turn to 1 Timothy 1:3-11.
READ.
Years ago we went through 1 Timothy and this was a major theme – sound doctrine is absolutely vital for God’s
children. God wants His people to understand Him accurately, He wants His people to understand His ways and His
words correctly – the way HE does. Our opinions about what God says and even the ways we apply what He says
may be interesting, but they have little value unless they are correct. In fact, we may even find ourselves divided against
others in the family of God – something Paul pleads against here.
It is not about Paul. It is not about Apollos. It is not about Peter. And even those of you who say, “I am of Christ,” –
it is not about YOU. It gives the wrong message to argue about whose preaching is better. And even those who were
claiming to be pure Christ followers (in Corinth) were not really proclaiming Christ – they were proclaiming themselves.
You other guys have it all wrong – we have it right. This is a fine line, but it is an important one.
Are there different versions of Jesus for different people? NO. Did Paul die for your sins? NO. Were you baptized in
the name of Paul? NO. These issues are starting to cloud the real issue – Jesus Christ and Him crucified, buried and
risen. Don’t let your preference for one preacher or another cloud the real issue – give up fighting for your “rightness.”
Speak the same thing, which God can only mean is HIS thing. Give up seeking to validate your own view and instead
seek HIS. Straighten up and fly right!
Paul takes one of those issues and expands a little – baptism. He is thinking through the people in Corinth he baptized –
Crispus, Gaius and then the family of Stephanas. But he did not baptize them for himself. In verse 17, Paul reminds
them that he was not called as an apostle to baptize people. The Lord Jesus sent Paul to preach the good news of the
life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And even in that, Paul’s calling was not to dazzle people with his logic –
that would take the focus off of the cross of Christ. Paul was to preach this good news in purity according to God’s
understanding – soundly and correctly.
If we focus on the wrong things, the things of God are not easily seen or noticed. Paul is saying that he could have
made a name for himself by baptizing in his own name. But his focus was on the calling he had received – preaching the
Gospel. And even as he did that, he did not depend on his abilities. He was certainly well taught and had a lot of
insight – as we see in his letters in the New Testament. But he kept his message simple and straightforward –
regardless of how it sounded. This is what he brings up in verse 18 and following.
1 Corinthians 1:18,19. READ. This message that Paul was called to proclaim – the message of the cross of Jesus –
what He did, what He suffered and went through on earth, what He accomplished – that message is foolishness to those
who don’t get it. Paul says those who don’t get the significance and the reality of the message of the cross are
“perishing.” That’s scary. If you talk about spiritual things with people and they don’t get it – especially if they act like
it is foolishness – they are letting you know that they are certainly bound for eternal separation from God.
For us who believe, to talk of the Savior who died, was buried, and then rose from the dead is senseless to those who
seek to depend on any- and everything else for meaning and purpose and life. They trust in logic, “luck,” reason,
earthly wisdom – anything but Jesus Christ. And we know from God’s Word and from experience with Jesus that
there are no answers and there is no hope in anything BUT Him. To us who “are being saved,” the message of the
cross of Christ is literally the power of God in action.
Think about that phrase “are being saved.” We talked about that last week – this is another indication of what
“salvation” is. Salvation is not merely a point-in-time event in your past. You may, at that certain point in time, have
been justified. Your sins were forgiven totally at the point of belief. But salvation is an ongoing, day by day, moment by
moment experience for those who have BEEN justified. Jesus lives in us through the Spirit of God so that our lives are
saved.
For those who are being saved, the message of the cross of Christ is the power of God. And that power accomplishes
a lot in us. Verse 19 says that the power of God destroys the earthly wisdom of the “wise” and brings to nothing the
worldly understanding of the prudent – in other words, the experts, those who consider themselves intelligent, scholarly
or clever.
The power of God through the message of the cross of Christ transfers those who believe it out of hell and into heaven.
The power of God through the message of the cross changes those who believe from being sinners to being saints. The
power of God through the message of the cross of Christ changes us from who we WERE to who we ARE. The
power of God through the message of the cross of Christ also does the most amazing and transformational thing – it fills
us who believe with the Spirit of God.
The power of God through the message of the cross of Christ allows the sin and stupidity of the past to be useful to the
God of all power to bring about good things for His glory and for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. Following a
man or a human system of living cannot accomplish what the power of God can accomplish. Sound doctrine and
effective application of biblical principles – the proclamation of a consistent message from God Himself – causes God’s
power to have full impact.
SO – put forth as much effort as it requires as a follower of Jesus to speak the same thing and not be divided in areas of
doctrine. Be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Think about THAT statement – “be
perfectly joined together.” Can you or I do ANYTHING perfectly? What is it that allows us to experience ANY
perfection? It only happens in and by and through the work of God Himself. So to be “perfectly joined together in the
same mind and same judgment” requires that we KNOW JESUS.
When I say “KNOW JESUS,” I don’t mean to merely know ABOUT Jesus – like being able to answer questions
about Him to pass a test of some kind. To know Jesus means to have an intimate, meaningful connection with Him. To
have an understanding of how He thinks and responds to circumstances of life – to be a genuine friend of His. I can
demonstrate the difference between “knowing” and “knowing about.”
- Tell me about Tiger Woods
- Tell me about Osama Bin Laden
- Tell me about Billy Graham
- Now, tell me about your spouse
- Tell me about your child
- Tell me about your closest friend
Which set of questions will have more detailed, intimate, meaningful information? Why?
Can we have a close, intimate kind of relationship with Jesus? Or are we relegated to merely know stuff about Him? Is
that all Jesus desires from us – merely our ability to answer trivia questions about Him, or does He want to have a deep,
personal connection with us? From what you know of Him and how He lived and how He communicates and what He
has done for us – what do you think?
When we KNOW JESUS, we will be better equipped and much more able to discern sound doctrine and correct
teaching. We will be better equipped and much more able to be perfectly joined together with the same mind and the
same judgment, speaking the same thing – God’s thing. HOW DO YOU GET TO KNOW JESUS LIKE THAT?
It will always be the same answer – it is required that you are in His Word. To be “in His Word” means to read it, to
study it, to meditate on it (which means to think about it), discuss it with others (like we do in R12), and to apply it to
your life. No one – LISTEN, NO ONE – who is a believer is unable to do this. If you have come to understand your
need of Jesus as Savior, then you have the ability to read, study, meditate, discuss and apply God’s Word. You have
the Teacher – the Spirit of God – living in you, and He is able to teach you unless you blatantly reject or ignore His
work.
I encourage you – if you think you can’t be in God’s Word – GET OVER YOURSELF. Straighten up and fly right!
Your opinion of you is WRONG! Trust in the Lord – do not lean on your own understanding. This applies to you right
now.
This lack of knowing Jesus is part of where the Corinthians were getting off base and following after people. Even
people like Paul and Apollos and Peter – to take your knowledge of the Lord Jesus and the Word of God only from
others and not get into it yourself is dangerous. The Corinthians had begun to depend and trust more in the people than
in what God’s Word was clearly saying. Their own understanding led them to choose camps around these men – who
were great teachers, but were not Jesus. When we KNOW JESUS, we automatically put a guard in our lives against
getting off base.
What is the message your life proclaims? What would those around you who see what you do and are involved in
consider to be the message and focus of your life? Is it Jesus? Is it Jesus crucified, dead, buried and risen? Is the thing
or things others see in you going to amount to anything valuable eternally? God has given us the blessing of having
eternal value to our lives here on earth. But if we live merely for the things of the earth, we know from 1 John 2 that
those things are passing away and will amount to nothing. He who does the will of God abides forever. Straighten up
and fly right. Align your life with the things of Jesus – and not ONLY for others watching you – for your fulfillment
AND for God’s glory.