A Formula To Eliminate Divisive Relationships
Mike Matijevich
1 Corinthians 3:18-23
February 7, 2007

Intro:
- Our mission to reach people… Prayer, Proclamation, Prioritize…
Jn 13:35 "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
* Why Jesus said - people will believe when they see LOVE one for another- good smell
People don't care what you say- but what you do!

1Cor 3:18-23 4 elements to avoid divisive relationships (church, job, home)
I. YOU MUST HAVE BIBILCAL VIEW OF SELF (3:18)

A. Don't fake yourself out, "fool" yourself, get serious
1. The battle is in the MIND
a. When come to church we think, "what do I have to do?"
b. The answer is not what you "do", but what you "think" (when think right act right)
2. Many try to do the right thing but aren't "thinking" right
Prov 23:7a "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"
3. Why are you the way you are? (… because of the way you think)
NOTE:
1. So if you don't like the way you are --- change the way you think.
2. The good news Rom 12:2; Eph 4 what God wants to do is to "RENEW" our minds!
- People in health store ginseng- but the WOG will do it for free. (Go GNC- tell free a new mind)
4. Gal 6:3 "For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
5. Gal 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Eph 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."

Paul said, times in which we live…
2 Tim. 3:13 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
Picture of modern life today…
Titus 3:3 "For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another."
*(Paul reminding Titus that was how we USED to live.)

* Is that what you want?
James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
NOTE: People come here every week & do ____________ James says , they are faking themselves out. When you don' t do what the book says…
James 1:26 "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

* To get a grip on life - we MUST have a biblical view of self! 1 Jn. 1:8
- The world tells you, "you can do it, you're the best…") then get in the word- just the opposite!

Text 3:18b (Paraphrase- "Better to be a saved moron then a lost genius.")
(3:19-20 read)
3:18b "Fool" the word KJV (Greek= "moro")
NOTE 1: What Paul is saying here is, just when you think you have life figures out - you don't!
NOTE 2: Paul is saying, "if you have to get counsel from a PHD that is lost or a godly truck driver that hasn't graduated from HS--- go to the truck driver.

II. YOU MUST HAVE A BIBLICAL VIEW OF OTHERS (3:21)

A. Respect godly men DON'T reverence them. (a serious problem in Corinth)
1. 1 Cor. 1:11-13; 3:3-7
2. Don't glory in men- 1Cor 3:31; Gal 6:14
3. The opposite- the guy says, "I don't trust any man." (Usually been hurt)
* Get a perspective:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:7, 17
* Don't reverence me, but respect me if I follow the word- or find another church.
B. Take advantage of all men that God has made available to you. 1 Cor 3:21b

III. YOU MUST HAVE A BIBLCAL VIEW OF LIFE (3:22)
A. God intends for you to have the best that this world has to offer.
1. The ISSUES of life are to be faced with VICTORY not with FEAR.
a. Not Christians retreating- even though the war is real.
(We are MORE than conquerors)
b. Rom 8:33-39 What are you worried about? All are yours!
NOTE: We are to be INSULATED from the world not ISOLATED! Why we are here - to go get them!
B. There are four things that insulated me from the world:
1. The power of the cross
2. The power of the Spirit of God
3. The protection of the local church- many counselors, accountability
4. The power of my PURPOSE in life- to proclaim the Gospel

1V. YOU MUST HAVE A BIBLCAL VIEW OF GOD (3:23)
A. You belong to Christ- (Acts 20:28 We have been PURCHASED with His blood!)
1. Thus He has the right to BOSS us around
B. In Christ you belong to God
1. Jn 17:17-21; 24-26

* That is why it is absolutely necessary that there are NO DIVISIONS among us!
* Why you just can't come & sit in a church & do nothing- that's carnality.
* People come to Christ when they see a transformed life- by Christ's love in US!