A Burning Fire

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1 Cor 15:29-34

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MANY IN THIS WORLD HAVE NO PURPOSE

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HG Wells: “I have no peace. All life is at the end of the tether.”

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HG Wells: “I have no peace. All life is at the end of the tether.”

Thoreau: “Most men live lives of quiet desperation.”

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HG Wells: “I have no peace. All life is at the end of the tether.”

Thoreau: “Most men live lives of quiet desperation.” Ralph Barton: “I have had few difficulties, many friends,

great successes; I have gone from wife to wife, from house to house, visited great countries of the world, but I am fed up with inventing devices to fill up twenty-four hours of the day.”

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MANY CHRISTIANS FEEL THE SAME WAY!

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Rick Warren‟s The Purpose-Driven Life: “You are not an accident. Even before the universe was created, God had you in mind, and he planned you for his purposes. These purposes will extend far beyond the few years you will spend on earth. You were made to last forever! This book will help you understand why you are alive and God‟s amazing plan for you.”

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Scripture informs me of that plan & purpose.

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Scripture informs me of that plan & purpose. “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and

keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”

(Eccl 12:13, ESV).

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Scripture informs me of that plan & purpose. “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and

keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”

(Eccl 12:13, ESV).

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the

Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV).

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Scripture informs me of that plan & purpose. “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and

keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”

(Eccl 12:13, ESV).

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the

Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV).

If only men would go to the Bible to find their purpose!

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But, simply knowing my purpose doesn‟t automatically put A Burning Fire in me to full that purpose.

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But, simply knowing my purpose doesn‟t automatically put A Burning Fire in me to full that purpose.

Paul provides A Burning Fire in this morning‟s text. My Burning Fire is the resurrection of the dead!

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But, simply knowing my purpose doesn‟t automatically put A Burning Fire in me to full that purpose.

Paul provides A Burning Fire in this morning‟s text.

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THE RESURRECTION IS MY BURNING FIRE FOR: SHARING. SUFFERING. STANDARDS. SEPARATING.

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A BURNING FIRE FOR SHARING

v 29

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“Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” (v 29, ESV).

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There are many theories about “baptism for the dead.”

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There are many theories about “baptism for the dead.” Gr term rendered “for” means “on behalf of ” or “in place of.”

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There are many theories about “baptism for the dead.” Gr term rendered “for” means “on behalf of ” or “in place of.”

It seems likely that the Corinthians knew some who were

being baptized on behalf of the dead.

Paul uses an argument based on people‟s behavior.

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There are many theories about “baptism for the dead.” Gr term rendered “for” means “on behalf of ” or “in place of.”

It seems likely that the Corinthians knew some who were

being baptized on behalf of the dead.

Paul uses an argument based on people‟s behavior.

He does NOT say that he approves of such behavior.

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There are many theories about “baptism for the dead.” Gr term rendered “for” means “on behalf of ” or “in place of.”

It seems likely that the Corinthians knew some who were

being baptized on behalf of the dead.

Paul uses an argument based on people‟s behavior.

He does NOT say that he approves of such behavior. “Some,

through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to

an idol” (8:7, ESV).

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism.

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism. They believed that baptism—in and of itself—imparted

salvation.

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism. They believed that baptism—in and of itself—imparted

salvation.

That is why infant baptism developed in the second century.

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism.

That thinking seems to have led to “baptism for the dead.”

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism.

That thinking seems to have led to “baptism for the dead.” They were right to acknowledge baptism‟s role in salvation.

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism.

That thinking seems to have led to “baptism for the dead.” They were right to acknowledge baptism‟s role in salvation.

“Baptism . . . now saves you” (1 Pt 3:21, ESV).

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Many in the early church seem to have accepted a sacramental view of baptism.

That thinking seems to have led to “baptism for the dead.” They were right to acknowledge baptism‟s role in salvation.

“Baptism . . . now saves you” (1 Pt 3:21, ESV).

They were wrong, however, to believe that they could be

baptized for another.

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Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (ESV).

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Acts 2:38: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (ESV).

Those who wished to have the forgiveness of sins were those who needed to be immersed.

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LET’S NOT LOOSE SIGHT OF PAUL'S MAIN POINT.

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LET’S NOT LOOSE SIGHT OF PAUL'S MAIN POINT.

If there is no resurrection of the body, why are

these folks worried about the eternal destinies of

their loved ones?

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If Jesus has rotted in Jerusalem, there‟s no reason to worry about heaven & hell, for there is no heaven or hell!

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If Jesus has rotted in Jerusalem, there‟s no reason to worry about heaven & hell, for there is no heaven or hell!

But, because there is a resurrection, there is A BURNING FOR SHARING.

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If Jesus has rotted in Jerusalem, there‟s no reason to worry about heaven & hell, for there is no heaven or hell!

But, because there is a resurrection, there is A BURNING FOR SHARING. Those baptized for the dead had a burning for sharing, but

they waited until it was too late!!!

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LET US NOT WAIT TOO LONG TO HAVE A BURNING FOR SHARING!

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Jesus taught us to share our salvation.

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Jesus taught us to share our salvation. “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19, ESV).

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Jesus taught us to share our salvation. “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19, ESV).

Paul had a burning desire to share his salvation.

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Jesus taught us to share our salvation. “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19, ESV).

Paul had a burning desire to share his salvation. “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Col 1:28-19, ESV).

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DO WE—BECAUSE OF THE RESURRECTION—HAVE A BURNING FOR SHARING?

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A BURNING FIRE FOR SUFFERING

vv 30-32

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“Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus?” (vv 30-32, ESV).

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?”

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?” Paul faced much danger in his ministry.

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?” Paul faced much danger in his ministry.

“We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the afflictions we

experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our

strength that we despaired of life itself ” (2 Cor 1:8, ESV).

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?” Paul faced much danger in his ministry.

2 Cor 1:8.

“As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great

endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings,

imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger” (2 Cor 6:4-

5, ESV).

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?” Paul faced much danger in his ministry.

Part of Paul‟s danger was that he fought with wild beasts at

Ephesus.

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?” Paul faced much danger in his ministry.

Part of Paul‟s danger was that he fought with wild beasts at

Ephesus.

Scholars debate whether this is literal or allegorical.

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Paul asks the rhetorical question: “Why are we in danger every hour?” Paul faced much danger in his ministry.

Part of Paul‟s danger was that he fought with wild beasts at

Ephesus.

Scholars debate whether this is literal or allegorical.

Personally, I believe it is literal.

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BUT, EITHER WAY DOES NOT NEGATE PAUL’S POINT.

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BUT, EITHER WAY DOES NOT NEGATE PAUL’S POINT.

Without the resurrection, why have A BURNING FIRE for suffering?

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THERE IS MUCH SUFFERING IN THIS WORLD.

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THERE IS MUCH SUFFERING IN THIS WORLD.

But, Paul is specifically speaking of suffering for the

faith.

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SO MANY SUFFERED VIOLENTLY IN CHRISTIANITY'S EARLIEST DAYS.

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Timothy: “As the pagans were about to celebrate a feast call Catagogion, Timothy, meeting the processions, severely reproved them for their ridiculous idolatry, which so exasperated the people that they fell upon him with their clubs, and beat him in so dreadful manner that he expired of the bruises two days after” (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs).

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Ignatius: “Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible, or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ Jesus!” (Epistle to the Romans).

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We may not suffer as Timothy & Ignatius, but we do suffer.

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We may not suffer as Timothy & Ignatius, but we do suffer. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it

hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love

you as its own” (Jn 15:18-19, ESV).

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We may not suffer as Timothy & Ignatius, but we do suffer. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it

hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love

you as its own” (Jn 15:18-19, ESV).

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus

will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go

on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tm

3:12-13, ESV).

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EACH OF US KNOWS SUFFERING FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST, DON’T WE?

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How many of us have been ostracized for doing the right thing?

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How many of us have been ostracized for doing the right thing?

What provides the strength to keep going when we do the right thing?

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How many of us have been ostracized for doing the right thing?

What provides the strength to keep going when we do the right thing?

A BURNING FIRE FOR SUFFERING because of the resurrection!

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A BURNING FIRE FOR STANDARDS

v 32

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“If the dead are not raised, „Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die‟” (v 32b, ESV).

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In Paul‟s day, many Christians believed they could live however they wanted.

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In Paul‟s day, many Christians believed they could live however they wanted. Some denied there was any law.

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In Paul‟s day, many Christians believed they could live however they wanted. Some denied there was any law.

Others denied that anything they did in the flesh affected the

spirit.

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In Paul‟s day, many Christians believed they could live however they wanted. Some denied there was any law.

Others denied that anything they did in the flesh affected the

spirit.

First John deals extensively with these heretics.

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Paul says, “You know something? Those folks over there that we consider heretics are right! If there is no resurrection, we have absolutely no reason for morality.”

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Life is so short!

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Life is so short! “You are a mist that appears for a little time and then

vanishes” (Js 4:14, ESV).

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Life is so short! “You are a mist that appears for a little time and then

vanishes” (Js 4:14, ESV).

Unless Jesus comes first, we are all going to die.

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HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THIS WORLD TODAY?

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If there is no resurrection, we need to “live it up” because life is so short.

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If there is no resurrection, we need to “live it up” because life is so short. The so-called “rich fool” had it right.

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If there is no resurrection, we need to “live it up” because life is so short. The so-called “rich fool” had it right: “I will say to my soul,

Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax,

eat, drink, be merry” (Lk 12:19, ESV).

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If there is no resurrection, we need to “live it up” because life is so short. The so-called “rich fool” had it right: “I will say to my soul,

Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax,

eat, drink, be merry” (Lk 12:19, ESV).

Without the resurrection, we need to forget every moral

norm we‟ve ever known!

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IT IS HARD TO FIGHT THIS FLESH.

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We are weak & sinful people.

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We are weak & sinful people. “When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed

from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:13, ESV).

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We are weak & sinful people. “When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed

from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:13, ESV).

Satan was not finished with Jesus, but he would be back!

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We are weak & sinful people. “When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed

from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:13, ESV).

Satan was not finished with Jesus, but he would be back!

I‟m confident that Jesus was bombarded with temptation like no

other.

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We are weak & sinful people. “When the devil had ended every temptation, he departed

from him until an opportune time” (Lk 4:13, ESV).

“I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.

For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability

to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil

I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Rm 7:18-19, ESV).

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WHY DID JESUS & PAUL STRUGGLE SO HARD AGAINST TEMPTATION?

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WHY DID JESUS & PAUL STRUGGLE SO HARD AGAINST TEMPTATION?

Because of the resurrection of the dead!

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A BURNING FIRE FOR SEPARATING

vv 33-34

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“Do not be deceived: „Bad company ruins good morals.‟ Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to our shame” (vv 33-34, ESV).

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• “Bad company ruins good

morals” comes from Thais

by Menander.

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• “Bad company ruins good

morals” comes from Thais

by Menander.

• That‟s important for

understanding this text.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples. We know from chapters 8 to 10 of the problems pagan

temples caused in Corinth.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples. We know from chapters 8 to 10 of the problems pagan

temples caused in Corinth.

Some in Corinth denied the resurrection, an error taught in pagan

temples, & some in Corinth regularly ate in pagan temples.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples. We know from chapters 8 to 10 of the problems pagan

temples caused in Corinth.

Some in Corinth denied the resurrection, an error taught in pagan

temples, & some in Corinth regularly ate in pagan temples.

If you add two & two, it is reasonable to suggest that those who

denied the resurrection were the same ones eating in pagan

temples.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples. We know from chapters 8 to 10 of the problems pagan

temples caused in Corinth.

Thus, Paul uses much irony as he quotes this play.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples. We know from chapters 8 to 10 of the problems pagan

temples caused in Corinth.

Thus, Paul uses much irony as he quotes this play.

He provides a common-sense maxim, but he does so using a source

those being corrupted by bad company would have known the

best.

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This play was customarily performed in pagan temples. We know from chapters 8 to 10 of the problems pagan

temples caused in Corinth.

Thus, Paul uses much irony as he quotes this play.

Those eating in pagan temples & being corrupted by the teaching

there were those who desperately needed to know that “bad

company ruins good morals.”

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We customarily apply this text to strictly moral issues, but notice that the context is one of doctrinal issues.

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We customarily apply this text to strictly moral issues, but notice that the context is one of doctrinal issues. How many folks cozy up to those in doctrinal error & end

up in error themselves?

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We customarily apply this text to strictly moral issues, but notice that the context is one of doctrinal issues. How many folks cozy up to those in doctrinal error & end

up in error themselves?

“When Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart

after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the

LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Ki

11:4, ESV).

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LET US COMMIT OURSELVES TO SEPARATING FROM THOSE IN DOCTRINAL ERROR, LEST WE GET CAUGHT UP IN IT OURSELVES!

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Those corrupted by bad company needed to come out of their drunken stupor & stop their lives of sin.

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Those corrupted by bad company needed to come out of their drunken stupor & stop their lives of sin. The idea of a “drunken stupor” lends further support to the

idea that these folks were learning error in pagan temples.

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Those corrupted by bad company needed to come out of their drunken stupor & stop their lives of sin. But, “soberness” is often used in Scripture to refer to right

thinking.

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Those corrupted by bad company needed to come out of their drunken stupor & stop their lives of sin. But, “soberness” is often used in Scripture to refer to right

thinking.

“Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober”

(1 Thess 5:6, ESV).

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Those corrupted by bad company needed to come out of their drunken stupor & stop their lives of sin. But, “soberness” is often used in Scripture to refer to right

thinking.

“Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober”

(1 Thess 5:6, ESV).

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and

sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (1 Pt 4:7, ESV).

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Because alcohol diminishes one‟s thinking, “soberness” refers to proper/right thinking.

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Because alcohol diminishes one‟s thinking, “soberness” refers to proper/right thinking. We must think soberly about sin!

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Because alcohol diminishes one‟s thinking, “soberness” refers to proper/right thinking. We must think soberly about sin!

When we think soberly about sin, we can stop sinning!

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ABOUT WHAT SIN DO YOU NEED TO THINK SOBERLY?

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WHAT SIN DO YOU NEED TO STOP?

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Some of the Corinthians have no knowledge of God.

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Some of the Corinthians have no knowledge of God. The “some” who were denying the resurrection are the

“some” who have no knowledge of God.

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Some of the Corinthians have no knowledge of God. The “some” who were denying the resurrection are the

“some” who have no knowledge of God.

What if Paul were still living & writing an epistle to us?

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Some of the Corinthians have no knowledge of God. The “some” who were denying the resurrection are the

“some” who have no knowledge of God.

What if Paul were still living & writing an epistle to us?

Could he write to us that we have no knowledge of God?

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Some of the Corinthians have no knowledge of God. The “some” who were denying the resurrection are the

“some” who have no knowledge of God.

What if Paul were still living & writing an epistle to us?

Could he write to us that we have no knowledge of God?

Do we demonstrate a knowledge of God, not by answering all the

Bible questions on Jeopardy!, but by the way that we live?

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DO YOU LIVE IN A WAY THAT SHOWS A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?

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DO YOU NEED TO COME THIS MORNING & BEGIN A LIFE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?