“Celebrate the Real Power”

Week 3
Main Point and Overview:   

Many churches have great resources, abilities, and buildings. Some have great preachers, programs, and activities. Ultimately, their “legacy of longevity” is not based on any of these things; it’s based on the unique power of God. The Apostle Paul was noticing a growing trend in the Corinthian church. They were becoming distracted with personalities, prosperity, and “programs.” Instead of seeing the apostles as suffering servants of Christ, they saw them as “weak” leaders. Suddenly, they didn’t seem to respect Paul. Instead, they became apathetic and self-satisfied thinking that they had achieved spiritual greatness – what a dangerous thing to happen! Emmanuel must NEVER become self-satisfied! We need God: his power, his presence, his purpose! In the American Church, we have become more about the production than the people, more about the prosperity than the purpose, and more about the programs than the “professions!” In other words, the American Church as a whole is just like the Corinthian church. We might need a “letter from Paul” too! At Emmanuel, we must always be reminded that our future is built on the power of God! We are called by God to serve him by living the truth. Count on shame, animosity, and rejection from others when we do this. If you are living in this culture without any pushback, you might need to evaluate what kind of testimony you are having. With this kind of commitment comes being “stretched” as we live out our faith. Paul made it abundantly clear to the Corinthians that their source of strength was not in their image or “arrogant words” but in obedient actions that needed to be taking place. The summer is upon us, and it is easy to get a little bit lazy with the weather so nice. Don’t take a break from your relationship with God this summer! For the Corinthians, Paul wasn’t with them at the time of his writing this letter, therefore, they had let their guard down drifting away from the mission. He emphatically challenged them to “get it together” before their influence was lost, and they were held accountable for it. Let’s never become complacent about Christ! Instead, let’s passionately, humbly, and wisely live out the Gospel seeing lives changed! Our lives must only be about one person – Jesus Christ!