Firing on All Cylinders: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

Summary

### Summary

Today, we began our new series titled "Firing on All Cylinders," focusing on Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. This letter, written around 53-55 AD during Paul's stay in Ephesus, addresses a church deeply influenced by the secular and pagan culture of Corinth. Despite the church's many problems, Paul provides theological and practical answers that are still relevant to us today. The core message is that giving up on the church is not an option because the church is God's Plan A for displaying His manifold wisdom to the world.

Paul's letter starts with a reminder of who we are in Christ. He emphasizes that we are sanctified and called to be saints, not because of our own merit but because of God's grace. This identity is crucial as we face various challenges both individually and as a church. Paul underscores that all answers to our struggles are found in Jesus Christ and His gospel. He saturates the first nine verses with references to Jesus, reminding us that our hope is not in ourselves or our leaders but in Christ alone.

Paul also highlights the resources and grace given to us by God. He assures us that we lack nothing in Christ and have been enriched in every way to fulfill our calling. This grace is God's active work in our lives, enabling us to overcome our natural weaknesses and failings. As we engage in the fellowship of Christ, we are called to share in this great enterprise of God's kingdom, both locally and globally.

Finally, Paul reassures us of God's faithfulness. Despite the problems we may face, God is faithful and will accomplish His will. We are called to participate in this divine plan, knowing that God will never leave us or forsake us. As we journey through this letter, let us remember our identity in Christ, our calling, and the faithfulness of God who will bring about His glorious purpose.

### Key Takeaways

1. Identity in Christ: We are sanctified and called to be saints, not because of our own merit but because of God's grace. This identity is foundational as we face challenges. Remembering who we are in Christ helps us navigate through life's difficulties with a sense of purpose and belonging. [06:46]

2. Christ-Centered Hope: All answers to our struggles are found in Jesus Christ and His gospel. Our hope is not in ourselves, our leaders, or our institutions but in Christ alone. This Christ-centered hope is what sustains us through trials and tribulations. [10:04]

3. God's Grace and Resources: We lack nothing in Christ and have been enriched in every way to fulfill our calling. God's grace is His active work in our lives, enabling us to overcome our natural weaknesses and failings. This grace equips us to live out our faith effectively. [31:17]

4. Fellowship in Christ: We are called to share in the fellowship of Christ, which means participating in the great enterprise of God's kingdom. This fellowship extends beyond our local church to the global body of Christ, encouraging us to serve and engage with the world around us. [35:24]

5. God's Faithfulness: Despite the problems we may face, God is faithful and will accomplish His will. We are called to participate in His divine plan, knowing that God will never leave us or forsake us. This assurance of God's faithfulness gives us the courage to persevere. [37:32]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction to "Firing on All Cylinders"
[01:43] - Context of Corinth and Paul's Letter
[03:30] - The Temptation to Give Up on the Church
[05:08] - God's Plan A: The Church
[06:46] - Our Great Hope in Christ
[08:27] - Prayer for Understanding
[10:04] - All Answers Found in Jesus
[11:38] - The Saturation of Jesus in Paul's Greeting
[13:19] - The Importance of Identity in Christ
[16:18] - Paul's Calling and Mission
[18:15] - Our Calling and Gifts
[20:07] - Serving the Lord, Not Men
[23:32] - Sanctified and Called to Be Saints
[29:28] - Resourced and Equipped by God's Grace
[35:24] - Fellowship in Christ
[37:32] - God's Faithfulness
[39:03] - Preparing for Christ's Return
[39:57] - Final Encouragement and Closing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (ESV)
> Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul emphasize about the identity of the believers in Corinth in the opening verses of 1 Corinthians? ([06:46])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of being "sanctified in Christ Jesus" and "called to be saints"? ([23:32])
3. How does Paul describe the resources and grace given to the believers in Corinth? ([31:17])
4. What assurance does Paul give about God's faithfulness in 1 Corinthians 1:9? ([37:32])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul start his letter by reminding the Corinthians of their identity in Christ before addressing their problems? How does this approach help in dealing with church issues? ([11:38])
2. How does the concept of being "enriched in every way" in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:5) relate to the challenges faced by the Corinthian church and by modern churches today? ([34:15])
3. What does it mean to be called into the "fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:9)? How does this fellowship extend beyond the local church? ([35:24])
4. How does the assurance of God's faithfulness (1 Corinthians 1:9) provide comfort and motivation for believers facing difficulties? ([37:32])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own identity in Christ. How does knowing you are sanctified and called to be a saint impact the way you face personal and communal challenges? ([06:46])
2. In what ways can you shift your hope from yourself or your leaders to Jesus Christ alone? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of this Christ-centered hope daily? ([10:04])
3. Consider the resources and grace God has given you. How can you use these gifts to serve your local church and the global body of Christ more effectively? ([31:17])
4. How can you actively participate in the fellowship of Christ in your daily life? Identify specific actions you can take to engage with your community and share in God's kingdom work. ([35:24])
5. Think about a time when you doubted God's faithfulness. How did you overcome that doubt, and what can you do to strengthen your trust in God's faithfulness moving forward? ([37:32])
6. How can you encourage others in your church to remember their identity in Christ and the resources they have been given? What role can you play in fostering a supportive and Christ-centered community? ([23:32])
7. Reflect on the idea that the church is God's Plan A for displaying His wisdom. How does this perspective change the way you view and engage with your local church, especially during times of difficulty? ([05:08])

Devotional

### Day 1: Our Identity in Christ

Description:
Understanding our identity in Christ is foundational for navigating life's challenges. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are sanctified and called to be saints, not because of their own merit but because of God's grace. This identity is crucial as it provides a sense of purpose and belonging, especially when facing difficulties. By recognizing that we are sanctified, we can approach life's trials with confidence, knowing that our worth and identity are rooted in God's grace and not in our own achievements. [06:46]

Bible Passage:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection:
Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did remembering your identity in Christ help you navigate through it? If you didn't, how might it have changed your approach?

### Day 2: Christ-Centered Hope

Description:
All answers to our struggles are found in Jesus Christ and His gospel. Paul emphasizes that our hope should not be placed in ourselves, our leaders, or our institutions but in Christ alone. This Christ-centered hope sustains us through trials and tribulations, providing a firm foundation when everything else seems uncertain. By focusing on Jesus, we can find the strength and guidance needed to overcome any obstacle. [10:04]

Bible Passage:
"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection:
Identify an area in your life where you have been placing your hope in something other than Christ. What steps can you take today to shift your hope back to Jesus?

### Day 3: God's Grace and Resources

Description:
In Christ, we lack nothing and have been enriched in every way to fulfill our calling. God's grace is His active work in our lives, enabling us to overcome our natural weaknesses and failings. This grace equips us to live out our faith effectively, providing the resources we need to serve God and others. By relying on God's grace, we can confidently pursue our calling, knowing that He has already provided everything we need. [31:17]

Bible Passage:
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate or unprepared for a task. How did God's grace and resources help you succeed? How can you rely on His grace more in your current situation?

### Day 4: Fellowship in Christ

Description:
We are called to share in the fellowship of Christ, participating in the great enterprise of God's kingdom. This fellowship extends beyond our local church to the global body of Christ, encouraging us to serve and engage with the world around us. By being part of this fellowship, we can support one another, grow in our faith, and work together to advance God's kingdom. [35:24]

Bible Passage:
"That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a way you can engage more deeply in the fellowship of Christ, either within your local church or the global body of believers. What specific action can you take this week to strengthen these connections?

### Day 5: God's Faithfulness

Description:
Despite the problems we may face, God is faithful and will accomplish His will. Paul reassures us that God will never leave us or forsake us, and we are called to participate in His divine plan. This assurance of God's faithfulness gives us the courage to persevere, knowing that He is always with us and will bring about His glorious purpose. [37:32]

Bible Passage:
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23, ESV)

Reflection:
Consider a situation where you are struggling to see God's faithfulness. How can you remind yourself of His promises and trust in His faithfulness today? What practical steps can you take to hold fast to your hope in Him?

Quotes

1. "Now, when things aren't going well, it's really easy to want to give up on the church. I've met a lot of people throughout my ministry who have just said, yeah, I'm done. I'm done with the church. So it's really easy when you're involved in a church and there's trouble, or when you meet other Christians who just seem to bring an ill repute on the name of Jesus and on what it means to be a Christian. It's really easy to want to give up." [03:30] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The church is not an option. The church is not something we get to decide, do I want to be a part of the church or do I not want to be a part of the church? We are the church. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are the church, whether you go to a church or not. And God's desire clearly expressed throughout the New Testament is that he wants us to be vitally and integrally involved." [04:10] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I believe that Paul's letter to the Corinthians gives us real answers, all of which, every one of which find their core and their basis in the person of our risen Lord Jesus and his gospel. And I don't, know that we see that any more beautifully than in the text that we have before us this morning so let's read that together." [06:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "All of the answers to the struggles and to the problems that we have both as individuals but also as we see in this book as we see as a collective body all of the answers are found in Jesus all of the answers are found in the gospel we often joke about you know the right the the the best Sunday school answer is Jesus you know like that that's the right answer well in this case it is the right answer Jesus is the answer he is our hope." [10:04] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Paul wants them to know first of all who they are and whose they are and who they serve and then he begins to dive in and address all of the deep and pervasive problems in the church so there's this beautiful thread of Jesus all throughout these first nine verses and it starts in verse one when Paul says that he is an apostle of Christ." [11:38] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Our hope is all rooted in a person and in a work that he's accomplished on our behalf and every day that we get up and every day that we head out into our lives and into this fellowship that we have with Christ and with all the others who call upon the name of Christ it is really important that we remember that we are in Christ we are in Christ we are of Christ we have been given everything that we need in and through Christ." [14:43] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Paul did not wake up one day and say you know what I I think I want to I think I want to be an apostle I think I want to go around and talk to people about Jesus no one day God knocked him off of his mount knocked him onto the ground woke him up to his sin and called him into a relationship with himself and then sent Ananias to find him so that the scales would fall from his eyes because he said I have something for this man to do have a calling on his life." [16:18] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "If you are born again if you belong to Jesus Christ you have been sanctified in Christ and you have been called to be a saint so what does that mean what does that mean consecrated set apart well interestingly if you look I think if you if any anybody here still have an old a King James Bible um I used to for 14 years I preached out of the King James Bible well if you look at your King James Bible and some of the older translations when it says those sanctified in Christ called to be saints the words to and be are in italics which means they don't exist in the original Greek text the point is Paul's saying I'm writing to those who are sanctified in Christ called saints." [25:08] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I believe one of the one of the things that the devil wants to do is he wants us to lose our sense of identity he wants us to forget the fact that we are his we have been sanctified in him that we have been called saints but secondly he wants us to forget how we have been resourced and how we have been equipped through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ while we're here functioning as the church because God has given the church everything she needs to fire on all cylinders." [29:28] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God is faithful. In the end, folks, this does not depend on us. It depends on him. Remember back in the story of Esther, Mordecai was telling Esther, this is what you need to do. You need to go in and talk to the king. You need to tell him, you need to go in and save the people. And she's like, I don't think I can do that. And he says, well, listen, God is going to save his people. One way or another, with you or without you. But maybe, just maybe, you were raised up for such a time as this." [37:32] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?