Why We Can Wait Confidently for the Appearing of Christ: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Part 1

>> This is our first session on 1 >> This is our first session on 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Corinthians 1:4-9, Corinthians 1:4-9, and I hope you will put on your thinking and I hope you will put on your thinking and I hope you will put on your thinking cap with me because cap with me because cap with me because we're going to do some serious we're going to do some serious we're going to do some serious big picture analysis of this entire big picture analysis of this entire big picture analysis of this entire unit, and then we'll step back and unit, and then we'll step back and unit, and then we'll step back and having looked at the forest and how the having looked at the forest and how the having looked at the forest and how the the big sections of the forest fit the big sections of the forest fit the big sections of the forest fit together, we will look at the trees. together, we will look at the trees. together, we will look at the trees. Father, I pray that as we tackle the Father, I pray that as we tackle the Father, I pray that as we tackle the the totality of Paul's argument here and the totality of Paul's argument here and the totality of Paul's argument here and try to see it whole, you'd try to see it whole, you'd try to see it whole, you'd make it plain and that you'd keep us make it plain and that you'd keep us make it plain and that you'd keep us faithful. faithful. faithful. Be our helper now, I pray, in Jesus' Be our helper now, I pray, in Jesus' Be our helper now, I pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. name. Amen. name. Amen. I give thanks to my God always for you. I give thanks to my God always for you. I give thanks to my God always for you. So, we'll say that's the big That's the So, we'll say that's the big That's the So, we'll say that's the big That's the big response of Paul to everything big response of Paul to everything big response of Paul to everything that's going to go on here. So, I'm that's going to go on here. So, I'm that's going to go on here. So, I'm going to leave that aside for the going to leave that aside for the going to leave that aside for the moment. We'll come back to it later. I moment. We'll come back to it later. I moment. We'll come back to it later. I think the rest of it is the foundation think the rest of it is the foundation think the rest of it is the foundation for why he's so thankful for them.

for why he's so thankful for them. for why he's so thankful for them. So, here he begins the big the reason So, here he begins the big the reason So, here he begins the big the reason why he's so thankful. why he's so thankful. why he's so thankful. Because of the grace of God that was Because of the grace of God that was Because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus. given you in Christ Jesus. given you in Christ Jesus. That's the basic That's the basic That's the basic fountain from which everything is fountain from which everything is fountain from which everything is flowing in this text. The grace of God flowing in this text. The grace of God flowing in this text. The grace of God was given you. was given you. was given you. And then here is the the outpouring of And then here is the the outpouring of And then here is the the outpouring of that grace in its effect that grace in its effect that grace in its effect or the way it was manifest. or the way it was manifest. or the way it was manifest. That in every way That in every way That in every way in every way you were enriched in every way you were enriched in every way you were enriched in him in him in him in all speech in all speech in all speech and in all knowledge. and in all knowledge. and in all knowledge. So, this every way here is So, this every way here is So, this every way here is particularized with in all speech and particularized with in all speech and particularized with in all speech and all knowledge. So, we'll put all that all knowledge. So, we'll put all that all knowledge. So, we'll put all that together. So, the grace of God So, the grace of God was poured out and was shown in or had was poured out and was shown in or had was poured out and was shown in or had the effect of enriching them in Christ the effect of enriching them in Christ the effect of enriching them in Christ Jesus in every way, particularly in Jesus in every way, particularly in Jesus in every way, particularly in speech and knowledge.

speech and knowledge. speech and knowledge. Even as Even as Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed the testimony of Christ was confirmed the testimony of Christ was confirmed among you. among you. among you. So, that So, that So, that you are not lacking in any gift. you are not lacking in any gift. you are not lacking in any gift. Now, that you are not lacking Now, that you are not lacking Now, that you are not lacking in any gift in any gift in any gift is very similar, is it not, to you have is very similar, is it not, to you have is very similar, is it not, to you have been enriched been enriched been enriched in him in every way. Not lacking in any in him in every way. Not lacking in any in him in every way. Not lacking in any gift, enriched in every way. So, I think gift, enriched in every way. So, I think gift, enriched in every way. So, I think these two are basically saying these two are basically saying these two are basically saying essentially the same essentially the same essentially the same thing. And in between them is this even thing. And in between them is this even thing. And in between them is this even as the testimony of Christ as the testimony of Christ as the testimony of Christ was confirmed among you. was confirmed among you. was confirmed among you. So, what's the function of the So, what's the function of the So, what's the function of the confirming confirming confirming of the testimony of Christ? And this of the testimony of Christ? And this of the testimony of Christ? And this could be could be could be this could be the testimony that Christ this could be the testimony that Christ this could be the testimony that Christ gave in and through the gave in and through the gave in and through the gospel or it could be the testimony gospel or it could be the testimony gospel or it could be the testimony about Christ. We won't about Christ. We won't about Christ. We won't talk about that anymore right now. But talk about that anymore right now. But talk about that anymore right now. But that testimony to the truth of Christ, that testimony to the truth of Christ, that testimony to the truth of Christ, whether he spoke it or it was spoken whether he spoke it or it was spoken whether he spoke it or it was spoken about him, that testimony was confirmed.

about him, that testimony was confirmed. about him, that testimony was confirmed. And this is And this is And this is given as an as. So, I think given as an as. So, I think given as an as. So, I think what he's saying in this is is that that that the enrichment in every way the enrichment in every way the enrichment in every way and the supply and the supply and the supply so that they're not lacking in any gift so that they're not lacking in any gift so that they're not lacking in any gift is the way this confirmation happened. is the way this confirmation happened. is the way this confirmation happened. The testimony The testimony The testimony about Christ was confirmed as true and about Christ was confirmed as true and about Christ was confirmed as true and reliable and valuable in the way the reliable and valuable in the way the reliable and valuable in the way the grace of God enriched them with all grace of God enriched them with all grace of God enriched them with all speech and knowledge and in the way that speech and knowledge and in the way that speech and knowledge and in the way that they are now lacking in nothing. they are now lacking in nothing. they are now lacking in nothing. So the the big point then So the the big point then So the the big point then How should we do this? of that first big unit, the point there of that first big unit, the point there is you you have have have all all all you need you need you need in order to live the Christian life.

in order to live the Christian life. in order to live the Christian life. Now, Now, Now, as as as you wait eagerly and confidently Come you wait eagerly and confidently Come you wait eagerly and confidently Come back to that. I'll come back to that. As back to that. I'll come back to that. As back to that. I'll come back to that. As you wait eagerly and confidently for the you wait eagerly and confidently for the you wait eagerly and confidently for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ who revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ who revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ who will confirm you to the end guiltless in will confirm you to the end guiltless in will confirm you to the end guiltless in the day of Christ. God is faithful by the day of Christ. God is faithful by the day of Christ. God is faithful by whom you were called into the fellowship whom you were called into the fellowship whom you were called into the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ our of his son Jesus Christ our of his son Jesus Christ our Lord. So we have a new unit. So we have a new unit. He takes a significant turn. In that unit right there, this unit here In that unit right there, this unit here with the circle with the circle with the circle there are three propositions, right? there are three propositions, right? there are three propositions, right? First, First, First, you you you eagerly eagerly eagerly wait wait wait confidently wait confidently wait confidently wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus for the revealing of our Lord Jesus for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, Second, what does he choose to say about the what does he choose to say about the what does he choose to say about the Lord Jesus Christ for whom they are so Lord Jesus Christ for whom they are so Lord Jesus Christ for whom they are so eagerly and confidently waiting? eagerly and confidently waiting? eagerly and confidently waiting? He says He says He says that Christ will confirm you to the end. that Christ will confirm you to the end. that Christ will confirm you to the end. So, this waiting here So, this waiting here So, this waiting here is not to be is not to be is not to be a waiting with your fingers crossed. a waiting with your fingers crossed. a waiting with your fingers crossed. This is why I added the word confidently This is why I added the word confidently This is why I added the word confidently because that's what's supported here. because that's what's supported here. because that's what's supported here. Who will confirm you to the end? You Who will confirm you to the end? You Who will confirm you to the end? You don't need to fret. You can wait with don't need to fret. You can wait with don't need to fret. You can wait with confidence because he will confirm you confidence because he will confirm you confidence because he will confirm you to the end guiltless in the day of to the end guiltless in the day of to the end guiltless in the day of Christ. Christ. Christ. So, that's the second So, that's the second So, that's the second proposition. proposition. proposition. And now here's the third one. And now here's the third one. And now here's the third one. God is faithful. God is faithful. God is faithful. By whom you were called into the By whom you were called into the By whom you were called into the fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our fellowship of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. So, what's the function of calling Lord. So, what's the function of calling Lord. So, what's the function of calling attention attention attention to the faithfulness of God who called us to the faithfulness of God who called us to the faithfulness of God who called us into the fellowship of Christ?

into the fellowship of Christ? into the fellowship of Christ? Why does Paul Why does Paul Why does Paul underline God's faithfulness? underline God's faithfulness? underline God's faithfulness? Reason? Reason? Reason? Because this faithfulness is the rock Because this faithfulness is the rock Because this faithfulness is the rock bottom foundation and bottom foundation and bottom foundation and security of this confirmation. security of this confirmation. security of this confirmation. They will be confirmed to the end They will be confirmed to the end They will be confirmed to the end guiltless in the day of Christ because guiltless in the day of Christ because guiltless in the day of Christ because God is faithful. God is faithful. God is faithful. And those whom he calls into the And those whom he calls into the And those whom he calls into the fellowship of his son, he confirms to fellowship of his son, he confirms to fellowship of his son, he confirms to the end. That's the logic. the end. That's the logic. the end. That's the logic. So, how does So, how does So, how does this unit then this unit then this unit then fit together to make one point? fit together to make one point? fit together to make one point? God is faithful. God is faithful. God is faithful. Rock solid makes sure his purposes come Rock solid makes sure his purposes come Rock solid makes sure his purposes come to pass, and the purposes implied here to pass, and the purposes implied here to pass, and the purposes implied here are the ones in the call of the are the ones in the call of the are the ones in the call of the Christians into the fellowship of Christians into the fellowship of Christians into the fellowship of Christ. Thus, the faithfulness of God Christ. Thus, the faithfulness of God Christ. Thus, the faithfulness of God secures the confirmation secures the confirmation secures the confirmation to the very end. And that is their hope.

to the very end. And that is their hope. to the very end. And that is their hope. They are waiting with confidence. They are waiting with confidence. They are waiting with confidence. All right. Now, let me just dump all All right. Now, let me just dump all All right. Now, let me just dump all this so you can this so you can this so you can see the conclusion without the mess. see the conclusion without the mess. see the conclusion without the mess. What's the main point of this unit? You What's the main point of this unit? You What's the main point of this unit? You got two main sections. This one got two main sections. This one got two main sections. This one and and and this one. The main section, I think, of the whole The main section, I think, of the whole is is is wait eagerly and confidently for the wait eagerly and confidently for the wait eagerly and confidently for the revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, revealing of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, I'm going to put that here. I'm going to put that here. I'm going to put that here. Wait. I think it's an implied Wait. I think it's an implied Wait. I think it's an implied exhortation. Wait eagerly for for the coming the coming the coming of Christ.

The foundation The foundation of that is here. The faithfulness of God secures the fact The faithfulness of God secures the fact that you will be confirmed to the end. that you will be confirmed to the end. that you will be confirmed to the end. You You You will will will be be be confirmed. confirmed. confirmed. You could say You could say You could say kept to to the end. the end. the end. So, those two right there are the point So, those two right there are the point So, those two right there are the point of that circle there. of that circle there. of that circle there. This one. Now, Now, how does this how does this how does this relate to that point? relate to that point? relate to that point? And I would say it relates by saying And I would say it relates by saying And I would say it relates by saying not only not only not only will you be will you be will you be kept or confirmed kept or confirmed kept or confirmed by the faithfulness of God, confirmed to by the faithfulness of God, confirmed to by the faithfulness of God, confirmed to the end, the end, the end, but as you wait eagerly, but as you wait eagerly, but as you wait eagerly, every need will be met.

every need will be met. every need will be met. You'll be lacking in nothing. You'll be lacking in nothing. You'll be lacking in nothing. In every way, In every way, In every way, you are enriched. you are enriched. you are enriched. So, I'm going to add that as another So, I'm going to add that as another So, I'm going to add that as another support or basis for this eager and support or basis for this eager and support or basis for this eager and confident waiting. confident waiting. confident waiting. You You You have every every thing you need you need by way of spiritual help in gifts and in by way of spiritual help in gifts and in by way of spiritual help in gifts and in every way. All the speech, all the every way. All the speech, all the every way. All the speech, all the knowledge that you need, you will have. knowledge that you need, you will have. knowledge that you need, you will have. So, my understanding of why God why Paul So, my understanding of why God why Paul So, my understanding of why God why Paul is giving thanks here is giving thanks here is giving thanks here is because there is a there is a eager eager eager confident waiting confident waiting confident waiting called for called for called for that is not based on them. that is not based on them. that is not based on them. It is based on this promise that they'll It is based on this promise that they'll It is based on this promise that they'll be confirmed to the end, which is based be confirmed to the end, which is based be confirmed to the end, which is based on the deep profound, absolutely sure on the deep profound, absolutely sure on the deep profound, absolutely sure faithfulness of God. And in the faithfulness of God. And in the faithfulness of God. And in the meantime, it's based on meantime, it's based on meantime, it's based on all the needs being met. Paul sees all the needs being met. Paul sees all the needs being met. Paul sees all these needs met by the grace of God, all these needs met by the grace of God, all these needs met by the grace of God, and he sees the promise here and the and he sees the promise here and the and he sees the promise here and the faithfulness of God securing their faithfulness of God securing their faithfulness of God securing their confident waiting and he rejoices in confident waiting and he rejoices in confident waiting and he rejoices in giving thanks. And I'm I'm saying that giving thanks. And I'm I'm saying that giving thanks. And I'm I'm saying that this waiting here this this is uh

this waiting here this this is uh this waiting here this this is uh a participle this is waiting a participle this is waiting a participle this is waiting is an implied do this now Corinthians is an implied do this now Corinthians is an implied do this now Corinthians take heart. God has given you everything take heart. God has given you everything take heart. God has given you everything you need. God has promised to keep you you need. God has promised to keep you you need. God has promised to keep you to the end. Wait eagerly and confidently to the end. Wait eagerly and confidently to the end. Wait eagerly and confidently for the coming of Christ. That's the big for the coming of Christ. That's the big for the coming of Christ. That's the big picture as I see it. We'll step back in picture as I see it. We'll step back in picture as I see it. We'll step back in the sessions to come to look at some of the sessions to come to look at some of the sessions to come to look at some of the details.