“Fools for Christ” – a message from 1 Corinthians 4

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series entitled “God’s Grace for an Imperfect Church: 1 Corinthians.” In this message from 1 Corinthians 4 I took us through Paul’s striking words about finding confidence in Christ, freedom from peoples’ opinions, and the ability to live according to a different measure from the standards around us. This builds upon my earlier exploration, in a message entitled “The Holy Spirit and the Deep Things of God,” of how the apparent foolishness and weakness of the Crucified Messiah connect with the wisdom of this age and the work of the Holy Spirit.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“We are fools for Christ.” (1 Corinthians 4:10)

Living with God and Entrusting Ourselves to God (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)

The calling and identity of Paul and the apostles

Not being controlled by others’ opinions 

But not thinking too highly of oneself

The opinion, and judgment, of God

• Living with God set us free from others’ opinions

Living as Christ’s Fools in an Upside Down (1 Corinthians 4:6-13)

The Corinthians’ perception problem, both of themselves and others

The Corinthians’ sense of having already “arrived”

Paul and the apostles’ confusing resume in an upside-down world

• Living with God sets us free to live by a different measure

Living with God for Others’ Goodness (1 Corinthians 4:14-21)

Paul more than an instructor but a father to the Corinthians

Paul’s pattern of living, Timothy, and the Corinthians

The gospel beyond speech and the gospel’s efficacy or power

• Living with God enables us to bring blessing to others

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize 1 Corinthians 4:20
• This week, consider reaching out to someone who is or has been a spiritual “father” or “mother” to you in order to thank them for their role in your life. 
• Pray about who God might want you to step forward with to be a sort of spiritual “parent” to them. Perhaps reach out for a conversation with them.
• Explore these resources:
  • Timothy Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy
  • D. A. Carson, The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians