Fools for Christ 1 Corinthians 4:10 KJV “We are fools for Christ's sake” BBE - “We are made to seem foolish for Christ”

Context - 1 Corinthians 4:1-8 v. 1-2 = Must be honest and trustworthy v. 3-5 = Paul’s judgment was in God’s hands v. 6 = Used himself & Apollos as examples v. 7-8 = Felt greater than those who taught Text - 1 Corinthians 4:9-16 Apostles were a spectacle Fools for Christ’s sake Fool = without learning or knowledge Why ? They gave their life to God

Were the Early Christians Losers ? No Property “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" Lk. 9:58 Poor "...yet for your Sakes He became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" - 2 Cor. 8:9 No Money "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee ..." Acts 3:6

Were the Early Christians Losers ? No Higher Education “...and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled...” - Acts 4:13 No Looks: Ugly “...but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible...” - 2 Corinthians 10:10 Jail Birds: Prisoners “Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner-prison, and made their feet fast in stocks” Acts 16:24

Were the Early Christians Losers ? Failure to Exercise Power “...to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think...” Rm. 12:3 Sickly “...for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities” - 1 Timothy 5:23

Were the Early Christians Losers ? Hungry, No Clothes, No Shelter “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place” - 1 Corinthians 4:11 Persecuted and Hated “And labour, we working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it” - 1 Corinthians 4:12

Were the Early Christians Losers ? Lost Everything “...I have suffered the loss of all things...” - Phil. 3:8 A Giver - Not a Getter “...it is more blessed to give than to receive” - Acts 20:35 Failed to Reach Goal “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us” - 1 Thes. 2:18

Were the Early Christians Losers ? Elderly or Aged “Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now a prisoner of Jesus Christ” - Philemon 9 By worldly standards Jesus and his followers were losers - they were not successful ! They were fools !

“We are fools for Christ’s sake” 1 Cor.4:10 Fool = “moros” - dull or stupid, blockhead, absurd, foolish “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more” 2 Cor. 11:23a Fool = misthink, be insane, silly, as a fool English definition = a person who lacks good sense or judgment, a stupid or silly person

What Makes one a Fool for Christ ? Not the attitude: Make excuses - Luke 14:16-20 Do the least I can - Col. 3:23 Ashamed of Christ and Gospel - Rm.1:16 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”

What Makes one a Fool for Christ ? Has a Love for: Christ and His Church Lost Souls Willing to Sacrifice “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1

Is The Price Too High ? We will have a Fool’s Reward: NOW Burdens - “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Ps.55:22 Companionship - “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Heb. 13:5-6 Rest - “I will give you rest” Matt. 11:28-30

Is The Price Too High ? We will have a Fool’s Reward: Everlasting Life “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 1:11 “crown of righteousness” - 2 Tim. 4:8 “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Mt.25:23

KJV “We are fools for Christ's sake” 1 Corinthians 4:10 KJV “We are fools for Christ's sake” Man’s Estimation of what you are is not as important as God’s Evaluation ! There is an honor to being a fool for Christ !

“Like a Persecuted Church”

“Like a Persecuted Church”

“Like a Persecuted Church”

What if you were a member of a Persecuted Church ? Would worship be more meaningful ? Would fellowship be strengthened ? Would your prayer life be stronger ? Would you overlook personality differences ? Would you be less likely to pick flaws in others? Would you be less critical about matters ?

What if you were a member of Fools for Christ’s Sake a Persecuted Church ? Fools for Christ’s Sake

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249 evanscoc@bellsouth.net www.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Morning July 21, 2013