Temple Baptist Church - 7-23-2025
1 Corinthians 3:23
Introduction:
A. One more message in 1 Corinthians chapter three before we move on. We hear the words “Christian” and “Christianity” often while living in the Bible Belt, but do people know what Biblical Christianity is?
1. Every denomination, “ism” or “schism” falls under the umbrella of “Christendom.” They certainly do not live like they know the true meaning.
2. While in Bible College, we took a course on cults and were asked to give a personal definition of what a cult was. My definition was “any religion or denomination that teaches any other way of salvation than through grace alone.” Anything added to or taken away from grace destroys it.
3. These “cults” add baptism, good works, communion, sacraments, etc. thus destroying grace.
4. I said all that to say this: “Christian” or “Christianity” have become generic terms that cover everyone and everything.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 4:3-5 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
B. “Christian” is only found three times in the Bible in one form or another. Let’s look at these three mentions as they define the life that should define the life of the believer
1. First Mention of “Christian.” Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
a) Here we find the First Mention of the word “Christian.” First Mentions are vital to the doctrine, as God, in the First Mention of any subject, will state His mind on the topic and will not change it, but will progressively add to it.
b) The people of Antioch took notice that these believers were “Christ-like.” The believers did not call themselves Christians; the unsaved called them such.
2. The Second Mention of “Christian.” Acts 26:27-28 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. (28) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
a) The Apostle Paul stands before King Agrippa in witness and reminds him of his knowledge of the prophecies of the coming of Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. “I know that thou believest” would not make him a child of God. The difference between a head knowledge and heart knowledge of Christ.
b) King Agrippa did not speak of being saved, he spoke of what it was to be saved. “A Christian.” He knew that salvation would involve a change of heart, mind, and actions. Once again, Paul did not say that he was a “Christian,” but Agrippa knew he was like Christ.
3. The Last Mention of “Christian.” 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
a) To be like Christ brought about a change that brought about persecution and suffering.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
b) Because they hated Christ first, they automatically hate anyone who is like Him, as those who live godly in this world still suffer persecution!
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
C. Biblical Christianity is an action, not a position: “be ye transformed,” “be ye followers of me,” “be ye steadfast,” “be ye reconciled to God,” “be ye not unequally yoked,” “be ye separate,” “be ye kind,” “be ye thankful.”
1. Biblical Christianity is a life of Obligation. “Ye are Christ’s!” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
a. I preached on this subject a few weeks ago, but it needs to be re-preached and taught regularly, as the worldview of Christianity is one of freedom to do as you wish. We live in days of a lack of integrity.
1) Integrity, in the sense of strength, refers to the state of being whole, undivided, and structurally sound. It means something (like a structure, system, or even a person’s character) can withstand pressure, stress, or adversity without breaking or collapsing.
2) Examples of integrity:
a) A building has structural integrity if it can withstand storms, earthquakes, or heavy use without collapsing.
b) A bridge has integrity if it remains solid and safe despite weight and weather.
c) A person demonstrates integrity (in the sense of strength) when they remain morally or emotionally strong under pressure or temptation.
d) In all these cases, integrity implies internal strength, stability, and reliability.
b. People think that they need to get paid but not to work! Thus, it is with many believers; they get heaven instead of hell with no obligation to Christ.
c. The saved have been redeemed with the “precious blood of Christ” as He paid such from His “Bride!”
1) We are debtors to God. Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
2) We are debtors to each other. Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
3) We are debtors to the world. Romans 1:14-15 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
2. Biblical Christianity is a life of Opportunity. “Ye are Christ’s!”
a. We name the name of Christ! Jesus Christ, our personal Saviour! We either choose “A good name” or we choose “great riches.” Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
b. We cannot serve both God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
c. Paul described this opportunity as his “earnest expectation and my hope.” Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
d. Biblical Christianity is a golden Opportunity to make our life count for Christ and souls in this life. To walk in the light as He is in the light that others will see Christ in us, the Hope of Glory! We are ambassadors for Christ—his representatives in the present evil world.
3. Biblical Christianity is a life of Obstruction. “Ye are Christ’s!” There is and will always be opposition for the child of God who loves and lives for Christ.
a. The opposition of Satan. Zechariah 3:1-5 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (2) And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? (3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. (4) And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. (5) And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
1) Satan tries to oppose God, but he cannot.
2) Satan then tries of oppose the children of God, and he can if we allow.
b. The opposition of our flesh. Romans 7:14-20 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (19) For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (20) Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Conclusion: We are His and He is ours! 1 Corinthians 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.