More than Impressive Talk

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This is a sermon that was given at Wayside Community Church on April 24, 2016 by Pastor Les.

Written Excerpts:

More than Impressive Talk

1 Corinthians 4:20 (KJV) For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

Introduction:

Several years ago as I was reading the 4^th chapter of 1 Cor. my attention was drawn to the wording of the 20^th verse.

(Interestingly, the 1^st 4 chapters of 1 Corinthians just happened to be on my personal Bible reading schedule for yesterday!)

This verse is one of several in the Bible which seem to emphasize the truth of a common cliché that I’m sure we’ve all heard.

“If you talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.”

Other versions: “Walk it like you talk it.” “Talk is cheap.”  “Actions speak louder than words.” “Practice what you preach.”

(In United Kingdom) “All mouth and no trousers.”

Christians have always been accused of hypocrisy and, sad to say, some have more than adequately lived up to the charge! In addition to any other principles this text may teach, it certainly promotes the simple truth of being authentic and backing up our words (or testimony) with appropriate actions. With the Lord’s help today I want to examine the context and meaning of this verse, and then take a look at a few other Scriptures that have similar messages.

I.    Background and context for this statement.

Acts 18 gives us the record of Paul’s initial ministry in Corinth.

This chapter explains he went to Ephesus after Corinth. Later on in 1 Cor. 16:8 it also tells us that he was in Ephesus at the time of writing the letter, however some scholars believe that there had not been enough time passed yet for all the problems to develop at Corinth that this letter addresses. Therefore, it is believed that it was written when Paul was in Ephesus on his 3^rd missionary journey.

4:18 indicates that Paul knew there were some people at Corinth who were arrogant and they assumed that Paul would not be returning, so they did not need to fear him or submit to him. But (vv. 19-20) he promises to return and when he does, he will not come with the same kind of words as one who is puffed up and arrogant, but he would be coming in the power of the Spirit.

v. 21 – indicates that when he says he would be “coming in the power of the Spirit” it means that he will be ready to exercise discipline and handle the problems.

Paul had already reminded them in chapter 2 that when he was with them the first time he spoke to them, preached to them and ministered to them in the “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”

1 Corinthians 2:4 (NKJV) ⁴ And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

II. Paul possesses and promotes the power of God.

The next point I want to make this morning is to elaborate a little on this point of “demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Let’s review several references in Paul’s letters where he testifies about the working of the Spirit’s power in his own life, and how that same Spirit can fill us and empower us to live authentic Christian lives.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV) ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

(Tyndale Commentaries) Paul may have had in mind the small earthenware oil-lamps sold so cheaply in the market-places. If so, ‘the light of the gospel’ would be the treasure, while the apostles in their frailty would be the earthenware lamps from whom the light was made to shine in the world.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NKJV) ⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV) ⁹ And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Ephesians 1:15-20 (NKJV) ¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

If you are not finding enough power to live victorious and to live authentically, you don’t know this same Jesus! You don’t know this same Lord!

III. This same power impacts other areas of life.

Take a look at a couple of examples, even though this power of the Spirit impacts every area of life.

A. Power to thrive through adversity

Colossians 1:11 (NKJV) ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

Lit. – “powered with all power according to His glorious power.”

“strengthened” & “might” – dunamis; “glorious power” word only used for God’s power; a power that humans can neither have nor gain. (TDNT)

Jesus and the precious presence of the Holy Spirit can give us the power to endure and suffer long with a joyful spirit and attitude. Some can’t do it. Why? Maybe they’re like the people Paul described to Timothy… 2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV) ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

B. Power to love God and our fellowman…

1 John 3:17-18 (NKJV) ¹⁷ But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

James 2:15-16 (NKJV) ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

Conclusion:

1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV) ¹² Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

My hope and prayer is that God will help each of us to live a life of authentic faith that is accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through us.

When people look at my life, I hope that they don’t merely hear platitudes and nice-sounding words, but I hope they will also see the fruit of a genuine faith that produces action.

What about you? Are you just passing yourself off as a committed Christian by merely talking a “good game?” Or, are you experiencing the active power of the Holy Spirit working through your life and enabling you to live up to your testimony and demonstrate God’s grace and victory working through you?

The only way for us to make sure that both words and actions are present in our lives is this:

# 1. Allow ourselves to be accountable to others and give them the permission to call our attention to any inconsistencies or hypocrisy they see when we “talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk.”

# 2. Keep seeking the Lord in fresh anointings and infillings of His Holy Spirit. The only way we can have the power and the victory is by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Let us close the service by singing hymn #383,

Fill Me Now