Cross City Church - North
May 23, 2021 / It's Complicated / Enslaved In Christ
When it comes to relationships, life is complicated, not by design but by our choices and our humanity. The Bible brings clarity to our lives, not confusion. In our new series "It's Complicated" we will continue to apply the truth in God's Word in 1 Corinthians to our complicated lives today.
Locations & Times
Cross City North
2902 Sam School Rd, Westlake, TX 76262, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
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ENSLAVED TO CHRIST:
Misconceptions about Being A Slave To Christ...
- Such a negative connotation throughout history with this word.
- No one should be the boss of me. I’m my own boss.
- I’m the Master, if there is a Master.
Slave in the Bible...
- Used about 150 times in the New Testament
- 1 in 4 people in the Roman Empire at the time of this writing were slaves.
Doulos:
- means slave/mistranslated often into servant.
- Slaves in the 1st Century were much a part of the family & they worked hard for their family like other members of the family would.
- That’s the context Paul is writing in here.
- They were loved.
- But they knew their place in the family as well.
Misconceptions about Being A Slave To Christ...
- Such a negative connotation throughout history with this word.
- No one should be the boss of me. I’m my own boss.
- I’m the Master, if there is a Master.
Slave in the Bible...
- Used about 150 times in the New Testament
- 1 in 4 people in the Roman Empire at the time of this writing were slaves.
Doulos:
- means slave/mistranslated often into servant.
- Slaves in the 1st Century were much a part of the family & they worked hard for their family like other members of the family would.
- That’s the context Paul is writing in here.
- They were loved.
- But they knew their place in the family as well.
1 Corinthians 7:18-24...
18 "Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
18 "Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
A great picture of owner/slave relationship to look at:
Matthew 8:5-8...
5 "When He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, appealing to Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
- The word here is truly slave & not servant.
- The slave was endeared to their master & master was to their slaves.
- Slaves were more than mere property
- This is the proper way to view our relationship with Christ.
- A proper view of ourselves in regard to Christ is vital.
Matthew 8:5-8...
5 "When He had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to Him, appealing to Him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And He said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
- The word here is truly slave & not servant.
- The slave was endeared to their master & master was to their slaves.
- Slaves were more than mere property
- This is the proper way to view our relationship with Christ.
- A proper view of ourselves in regard to Christ is vital.
1. Your identity in your religious status counts for nothing IN LIVNG FOR CHRIST.
1 Cor. 7:18-20...
18 "Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
- Circumcision for Jews was a religious status
- It was a religious rite required of all of Abraham’s descendants as a sign of the Covenant God made with him.
- This is Old Testament Law – Mosaic Law repeated the requirement.
- It’s been passed down through centuries.
Philippians 3:4-6...Paul's Religious Resume
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
1 Cor. 7:18-20...
18 "Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
- Circumcision for Jews was a religious status
- It was a religious rite required of all of Abraham’s descendants as a sign of the Covenant God made with him.
- This is Old Testament Law – Mosaic Law repeated the requirement.
- It’s been passed down through centuries.
Philippians 3:4-6...Paul's Religious Resume
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
2. Your identity in your social status counts for NOTHING IN LIVING FOR CHRIST.
1 Corinthians 7:21-22...
21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
Things to consider...
Your social status:
- Doctor, lawyer, scientist, educator...profession doesn’t matter.
- Super intelligent or extremely stupid...your IQ or GPA doesn’t matter.
- Incredibly wealthy or so far in debt...the balance of your accounts doesn’t matter.
- Your fancy address in a big nice neighborhood or your upstairs run-down apt...
- How popular you were in High School or no one knew your name...
These things matter to us – but they don’t matter to Him.
Only two social statuses once we die:
- Heaven
- Hell
Philippians 3:7-8...
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.
Paul’s social status:
- If my life isn’t bringing people closer to the Lord then I’m pushing them away.
- Are you using it to help people or hurt people?
- Paul said his social status was rubbish.
- Greatest goal was to be found in Him – to be faithful.
1 Corinthians 7:21-22...
21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
Things to consider...
Your social status:
- Doctor, lawyer, scientist, educator...profession doesn’t matter.
- Super intelligent or extremely stupid...your IQ or GPA doesn’t matter.
- Incredibly wealthy or so far in debt...the balance of your accounts doesn’t matter.
- Your fancy address in a big nice neighborhood or your upstairs run-down apt...
- How popular you were in High School or no one knew your name...
These things matter to us – but they don’t matter to Him.
Only two social statuses once we die:
- Heaven
- Hell
Philippians 3:7-8...
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.
Paul’s social status:
- If my life isn’t bringing people closer to the Lord then I’m pushing them away.
- Are you using it to help people or hurt people?
- Paul said his social status was rubbish.
- Greatest goal was to be found in Him – to be faithful.
3. Your identity and your best status is BOUGHT by Jesus!
His blood paid the highest price that you could not pay.
Could you pay that kind of price for yourself?
- My status is SLAVE to Christ.
- His status is MASTER, OWNER, LORD, BOSS!
- My status is I OWN NOTHING.
- His status is HE OWNS EVERYTHING.
1 Corinthians 7:23-24...
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Philippians 3:12-14...
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
His blood paid the highest price that you could not pay.
Could you pay that kind of price for yourself?
- My status is SLAVE to Christ.
- His status is MASTER, OWNER, LORD, BOSS!
- My status is I OWN NOTHING.
- His status is HE OWNS EVERYTHING.
1 Corinthians 7:23-24...
23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
Philippians 3:12-14...
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Steps to owning your identity & having a fulfilling status:
- Know you aren’t perfect.
- Allow Him the great honor of perfecting you.
- Forget every status.
- Move forward with Him as your status.
- Keep Him as your prize.
- Live for His high calling.
If God called you...
- To be a ditch-diggin-missionary in Zimbabwe, Africa
- You’d have to step down to be President of the US or the best doctor/lawyer
- His call is higher, stronger, better than anything you could come up with.
What can God do in people who’s identity is in Christ...
- Lead churches.
- Write books of the Bible.
- Lead strong ministries.
- Whatever He wants to do through you is what He can do.
- Know you aren’t perfect.
- Allow Him the great honor of perfecting you.
- Forget every status.
- Move forward with Him as your status.
- Keep Him as your prize.
- Live for His high calling.
If God called you...
- To be a ditch-diggin-missionary in Zimbabwe, Africa
- You’d have to step down to be President of the US or the best doctor/lawyer
- His call is higher, stronger, better than anything you could come up with.
What can God do in people who’s identity is in Christ...
- Lead churches.
- Write books of the Bible.
- Lead strong ministries.
- Whatever He wants to do through you is what He can do.
What do I do with my calling?
Romans 1:1...be set apart
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God
1 Peter 2:16...live as free people
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Galatians 5:1...stand firm
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Colossians 3:12...be compassionate, kind, humble & patient.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience
Romans 6:16...be obedient
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Romans 1:1...be set apart
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God
1 Peter 2:16...live as free people
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
Galatians 5:1...stand firm
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Colossians 3:12...be compassionate, kind, humble & patient.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience
Romans 6:16...be obedient
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
