Carnal Christian: What 1 Cor. 3 Does Teach

In this part of the sermon: The sermon transitions to the 'problem passage' of 1 Corinthians 3, first establishing the historical and moral context of Corinth as a notoriously wicked city. He then describes…

The coining of the word 'Corinthianize' to mean 'to make wicked and foul and depraved' illustrates the extreme immorality of the city of Corinth, setting the stage for understanding the radical transformation wrought by the gospel.

It's said of that city that was commercial in spirit, unwarlike, luxurious, and licentious. The city was so known for its loose living that a word was actually coined which meant to Corinthianize. It meant to make wicked and foul and depraved. This city had the reputation in its day that perhaps Sodom and Gomorrah had in one sense in their day.

14:42 - 15:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The sermon transitions to the 'problem passage' of 1 Corinthians 3, first establishing the historical and moral context of Corinth as a notoriously wicked city. He then describes…

Comparing Corinth's reputation for loose living to how one might think of Paris today (flowing wine, cabarets) helps the audience grasp the extent of Corinth's debauchery.

When you think today of a city like Paris, you think of flowing wine, and you think of loose living and the cabarets and everything else. This is the thinking. Now this is not true of every Parisian. If anyone from Paris is the Frenchman, don't go out insulted this morning.

15:13 - 15:29 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that Paul's use of 'carnal' in 1 Corinthians 3 refers to the Corinthians' specific reversion to worldly behavior (divisions) in their sanctification, not a general…

Paul's preaching in 'fear and trembling' is contrasted with the 'bombasty and cocky confidence of the modern evangelist' with 'yarn of jokes and cute little psychological tricks,' highlighting the power of the Holy Spirit in Paul's ministry.

Paul said, here I came among you. I came not with the bombasty and the cocky confidence of the modern evangelist, with his yarn of jokes and his cute little psychological tricks to get people feeling happy and then feeling sentimental and dragging them down an aisle and getting them to pray a little prayer. Paul says, no, no, that wasn't me. He said, when I came among you, I came with fear and trembling.

18:13 - 18:41 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that Paul's use of 'carnal' in 1 Corinthians 3 refers to the Corinthians' specific reversion to worldly behavior (divisions) in their sanctification, not a general…

The analogy of a baby's undeveloped digestive system that can only handle milk, not meat, is used to explain why Paul had to speak to the Corinthians as 'babes in Christ,' unable to bear deeper spiritual truths.

I had to talk to you as though I were talking to unsaved men without the Spirit. Then he says, To change the figure, I had to speak unto you as unto little baby Christians. The baby's digestive system hasn't developed to maturity. As we read in Hebrews, they can only digest milk, can't take meat.

26:06 - 26:30 Read in full sermon

Driving home: Because 1 Corinthians 3 teaches what the rest of the Bible teaches, that the child of God can become overcome in a certain area of carnality. And there, the progress of sanctification is checked.

David's sin with Bathsheba is used as an example of a child of God acting like an unregenerate man in a specific instance, but not as the pattern of his life, distinguishing between committing sin and practicing sin.

It may be in the area of pride. And the child of God in that area will act like an unregenerate man. When David lusted and took Bathsheba, he acted like an unregenerate man. But he was not an adulterer, though he committed adultery.

29:33 - 29:52 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not knowingly, deliberately, and continually tolerate sin in your life, especially 'darling' sins.

The metaphor of sin being as precious as a 'right hand' or 'right eye' is used to emphasize the radical cost of mortifying cherished sins, drawing from Jesus' teaching.

What about that sin that's as precious to you as your right hand and your right eye? What about that darling love, that covetous spirit that's as much a part of you and as dear to you as your right hand and your right eye? What did Jesus say to do with such sins? What did He say?

38:46 - 39:13 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin shares a lengthy quotation from a 17th-century Puritan writer describing true conversion. The quote vividly portrays the convert's abhorrence of sin, earnest desire for…

An extended quotation from a 17th-century Puritan writer is used to vividly describe the profound change in a true convert's attitude toward sin, from cherishing it to abhorring it and warring against it, confirming Martin's teaching.

truth of God, that blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. May I, in closing this morning, and this has been a real joy to me, I thank God that God taught me these things from the Word. And then I began to think, I'm going to go to heaven. I'm going to go to heaven. I'm going to Lord, am I crazy? I can't swallow what I hear these Bible teachers telling me, that a man can be saved and still have no desire to be holy. I can't, I don't see this in the Word. And God crystallized these convictions through the Word, and I began to think, well, maybe I'm just, maybe I'm just crazy. And...

46:47 - 47:51 Read in full sermon