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Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13

I Beg You

Intro.

1. Have you ever begged someone for something? (cf. children)

2. Some say: “I’ll never beg anyone for anything.” (Requires humility)

3. Beseech/Beg (parakaleo): “to call near,” strongly urge, implore, to entreat.

4. Christ, by the inspired apostle Paul, begged Christians (us, too).

a. On Christ’s behalf (2 Cor. 5:20) and by His name (1 Cor. 1:10).

b. With meekness and gentleness, 2 Cor. 10:1-2.

I. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS TO BE LIVING SACRIFICES, Rom. 12:1-2.

A. Because of the Mercy We have Received, Rom. 5:6-11; 1 Cor. 15:10. -Not conformed to the world, but transformed, to be acceptable to God (Luke 6:46; 2 Cor. 5:9).

II. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS TO ABOUND IN LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, 1 Thess. 4:9-10.

A. Every Christian Deserves to be Loved by Brethren, 1 John 3:14-15; 4:7-11.

-Do we look out for the welfare of every Christian, or just those we personally like? (Love in “deed and truth,” 1 John 3:18)

III. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS TO JOIN HIM IN PRAYER, Rom. 15:30-32.

A. We Ought to Pray With and for Each Other, James 5:16.

-God hears and answers prayer; It works.

B. We Ought to Ask Each Other to Join Us in Prayer, 2 Thess. 3:1-2 (Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:2-3).

IV. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS TO BE UNITED IN CHRIST, 1 Cor. 1:10 (Phil. 4:2).

-Requirements of unity, Eph. 4:1-6:

1. Worthy walk (1) (beseech).

2. Worthy attitudes (2).

3. Worthy effort (3).

4. Worthy basis – truth (4-6).

V. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS TO MARK AND AVOID FALSE TEACHERS AND DIVISIVE BRETHREN, Rom. 16:17.

A. Mark the Trouble-Maker [scope him out (skopeo), watch, observe, so as to take heed].

1. False teacher: Contrary to the “doctrine you learned” (Rom. 6:17; 1:16).

2. Factious: Causes divisions and offenses (stumbling-blocks), Titus 3:10-11.

B. Avoid Such People, Rom. 16:17; cf. 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

1. Why? 2 Tim. 2:16-18 To stop the increase of sin and to prevent the overthrow of people’s faith (16-17).

2. Cannot allow intimidation, threats, discomfort, etc. to keep us from obeying this clear command.

VI. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS TO IMITATE HIM, 1 Cor. 4:14-16 (Gal. 4:12).

A. Identify Those Who Follow the Apostolic Pattern, Phil. 3:17; 4:9.

1. Christ is the model (perfect example), 1 Cor. 11:1 (John 13:15).

2. Are we examples for others to follow in holiness, devotion, faithfulness, service, character, obedience?

VII. PAUL BEGGED CHRISTIANS NOT TO RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE IN VAIN, 2 Cor. 6:1-2.

A. By Faithfully Obeying the Truth, Gal. 5:4-7.

B. By Rejecting False Gospels, Gal. 1:6-7.

C. By Not Turning Back to Sin, Heb. 10:26-29, 39.

Conclusion

1. If someone we hold in high regard begged us to do something, we would do so.

2. How highly do we respect God? He is begging us to get right with Him and do His will in all things.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted August 16, 2022