I’ll be with you soon – Preaching
Preaching Outline on I Corinthians 4:18-21 – But some are puffed up, as if I should not come to you. But soon I will come to you, if the Lord wills, and then I will know, not the words of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
Introduction to I Corinthians 4:18-21
In the context of divisions forming among the brothers in Corinth comes Paul’s statement: “I will come to you soon…”. His words span time and echo down the centuries, calling us to examine our lives in the light of Christ’s imminent return. The coming of Christ is not just a theological doctrine to be believed, but a reality to be lived that must shape our faith and conduct. Every true servant of God longs for Christ’s return!
Development
The church in Corinth, just like the church today, was dealing with pride, division and alienation from one another. The apostle warns the brethren about the dangers of being consumed by vanity, as if it mattered little whether they were judged by a human critic, a disciple of Christ or an English disciple. He calls them to focus on virtue, Christian character and what that means in terms of actions.
Christ’s coming brings us hope and expectation; however, this hope must not be an excuse for complacency. We must be prepared and vigilant for his return. Will I be prepared? Will I change my daily behavior if his coming is near? Paul asks the Corinthians: what do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love and a spirit of gentleness? The choice is ours. We can decide to live lives that honor God and prepare the way for his coming, or we can continue, like those in the Corinthian church, to behave like worldlings and neglect his commandments.
Virtue, the fruit of the Spirit, is the only evidence that we are followers of Christ. When we live loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, gentle, kind, faithful, meek and self-controlled lives, we are actually helping, comforting, edifying and exhorting one another. It is vital that we cultivate these fruits because the fruits are the only thing that prove that we are true Christians. So, may the work of HE be in our lives bearing the fruits of true repentance.
Conclusion of I Corinthians 4:18-21
Beloved, the coming of Christ is closer than we believed. May the expectation of his return help us to live holy lives pleasing to the Lord; to put off the old man and put on the new, created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Our hope, then, must be firmly rooted in Christ and may we live it in such a way that we would not be ashamed to meet him at any time.
Preaching Outline on I Corinthians 4:18-21 – But some are puffed up, as if I should not come to you. But soon I will come to you, if the Lord wills, and then I will know, not the words of those who are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power. What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
More Preaching Outlines
- Following in the same footsteps – II Corinthians 12:17-18
- Judges 4:8 – Without Prophecy the people are corrupted
- Genesis 24:58 – Will you go with this man?
