(Audio/Video/Text)
Title: 8 Observations of the Lost, Part One
Intro:
I want and need to be very careful with how I frame and introduce what we are going to be looking at over the next two weeks.
As Paul makes his mid-chapter transition here in chapter four, he takes a beat to remind the Corinthian church what they no longer are, by defining what they used to be.
The reason we have to be careful with the presentation and tone here is because Paul uses some very clear and aggressive language to describe the condition of the lost soul, and, explained by a teacher with the wrong tone, this teaching could lead the church to think of themselves as superior, and lead to arrogance and judgementalism from the believer to the lost.
We need to strive for the exact opposite effect over the next few weeks. As Paul reminds the Corinthian church what they were, he is also reminding us what we were before Christ, and the correct reaction is empathy, humility, and compassion for those who do not know the Lord.
Furthermore, it is my hope, that by analyzing the condition of the lost we would be armed with the knowledge of WHY they may be oppositional to the good news of the Gospel…Let us dive in!
(read/pray)
Observation One: Futility of Mind
(alternate translations?)
Greek: mataiotēs (mat-ah-yot’-ace)
Definition:
what is devoid of truth and appropriateness
perverseness, depravity
frailty, want of vigour
Tough Question: If the lost are devoid of truth, how do we still show respect to their views on the condition of the world?
Observation Two: Darkened Understanding
(alternate translations?)
Greek: skotizō (skot-id-zo)
Definition: to cover with darkness, to darken, to be covered with darkness, be darkened, also used as a metaphor to show a darkness: of the eyes, of the understanding, of the mind
Tough Question: If the issue is darkness, how do we present “The Light” in a way that doesn’t shock/blind them?
Observation Three: Alienated from the life of God
(alternate translations?)
Greek: apallotrioō (ap-al-lot-ree-o’-o)
Definition: to alienate, estrange, to be shut out from one’s fellowship and intimacy
Tough Question: If they are alienated from the Truth of God, what will they naturally do?
PB’s Answer:
- They will create their own truth
- They will congregate together to defend their truth
Observation Four: Ignorance
(alternate translations?)
Greek: agnoia (ag’-noy-ah)
Definition: lack of knowledge, ignorance (esp. of divine things), moral blindness
Tough Question: Is Ignorance Stupidity? (Name something you are ignorant of.) If we know the difference between ignorance and stupidity, what should we be moved to? (Compassion, because they are incapable, without Christ, of consistently making wise and God honoring decisions.)
Close:
To Be continued…
Q/A