1 Corinthians 3:21-23 21 So let no one boast in men [about their wisdom, or of having this or that one as a leader]. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter) or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things are yours, 23 and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
Men can not dictate what is to be in my life. God is who I am built upon, so if it does not come from Him and is not founded on His word, what am I really doing?
Boast in Christ alone, not in men.
Be careful on how I see myself and my God given capabilities.
All is mine, that God had already has laid for me as His child.
Discussion of Problems of Which Paul had been Informed.
Divisions in the Church
A wrong perception of Christian Ministry
1 Corinthians 1:12-13 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, “I am [a disciple] of Paul,” or “I am [a disciple] of Apollos,” or “I am [a disciple] of Cephas (Peter),” or “I am [a disciple] of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided [into different parts]? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? [Certainly not!]
Do not be more attached to a Leader than you are to Christ.
Lead to betraying Christian Principles
Lead to division of the church
Center your love and loyalty on God.
You still must be submitted under authority even with the great gifts and wisdon inside of you.
This is to keep you from Spiritual arrogance.
Stay GOD FOCUSED!
1 Corinthians 1:31 31 so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord.”
Always give God all of the Glory
2 Corinthians 4:5 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.
Preach the Gospel
I am simply a servant
2 Corinthians 10:7 You are looking [only] at the outward appearance of things. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, he should reflect and consider this, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.
You are no better than another believer.
Proverbs 18:20-21
A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;
He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
My fruit must be Christ Jesus, the word of God
He is who will be my satisfaction
It is Jesus that gives life and life more abundantly
I shall allow the word of God to perform in my life, He is my identity.
James 4:13-16 13 Come now [and pay attention to this], you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and carry on our business and make a profit.” 14 [g]Yet you do not know [the least thing] [h]about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. 15 Instead [i]you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast [vainly] in your pretension and arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.
Inquire of God and seek His will according to our goals.
We must not act independently like the rich fool
Luke 12:16-21 16 Then He told them a parable, saying, “There was a rich man whose land was very fertile and productive. 17 And he began thinking to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place [large enough in which] to store my crops?’ 18 Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my storehouses and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many good things stored up, [enough] for many years; rest and relax, eat, drink and be merry (celebrate continually).”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own all the things you have prepared?’ 21 So it is for the one who continues to store up and hoard possessions for himself, and is not rich [in his relationship] toward God.”
True happiness and useful living is solely dependent on God's will.
Life Principle: If the Lord will.
Prayer, Thy will be done
Matthew 26:42 42 He went away a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Acts 18:21 21 but after telling them goodbye and saying, “I will return again if God is willing,” he set sail from Ephesus.
If God willing
1 Corinthians 4:19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not just the talk of these arrogant people, but [evaluate] their [spiritual] power [whether they live up to their own claims].
1 Corinthians 16:7 7 For I do not wish to see you right now just in passing, but I hope to remain with you for some time [later on], if the Lord permits.