Spectacles and Spectators :: 5/30/12

Spectacles and Spectators

I Cor. 4:1-21

1 Corinthians 4:9  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Intro:  I have learned many things in the last 40 years of being in Baptist churches, but one thing remains one of the most obvious.  There are two groups of people in the church – those that DO, and those that LET DO.  There are those that WORK, and those that WATCH.  There are those that GIVE, and those that GRIPE.  Very rarely are the one’s doing the giving EVER the one’s doing the griping.

Paul described his life as an apostle in verse 9 as a SPECTACLE.

• The word spectacle simply means: anything presented to the sight or view, especially something of a striking or impressive kind
• The word spectator simply means: One that looks on; one that sees or beholds; a beholder; as the spectators of the show.

I. Spectacles are known by their Accountability – vs. 1-5

A. They don’t have a problem with others holding them accountable – vs. 1, 3

B. They don’t have a problem understanding what is required of them – vs. 2

C. They don’t have a problem waiting on the Judgment Seat of Christ – vs. 4, 5

II. Spectacles are known by their Attitude – vs. 6-8

A. An attitude of Selflessness – vs. 6, 7 …that no one of you be puffed up…

B. An attitude of Sacrifice – vs. 8 …and I would to God ye did reign.

III. Spectacles are known by their Appointment – vs. 9

A. It is a Sovereign Appointment – God hath set forth us…

B. It is a Specific Appointment – vs. 9 hath set forth us apostles; …for we are made…

IV. Spectacles are known by their Audience – vs. 9

A. A Spectacle unto the world – because of their LIFE

B. A Spectacle unto the angels – because of their LOVE

C. A Spectacle unto men – because of their LEADERSHIP

V. Spectacles are known by their Adversities – vs. 10-13

A. Mental Adversities – vs. 10 …we are fools

B. Physical Adversities – we are weak

C. Social Adversities – we are despised

D. Material Adversities – we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, no dwellingplace

E. Emotional Adversities – vs. 12 being reviled, we bless

F. Spiritual Adversities – being persecuted, we suffer it; being defamed, we intreat

Whoever said serving Jesus was always going to be FUN was telling a big, fat lie.

Sometimes doing what is right, and pleasing God cannot be described as FUN – sometimes it’s very hard.

Some people were meant to be happy, and some people were meant to be disciples. (there is a cross for disciples)

VI. Spectacles are known by their Admonitions – vs. 16-21

A. They are Patterns – vs. 16

B. They are Personal  – vs. 17

C. They are Powerful – vs. 19, 20

D. They are Passionate – vs. 21