1. Baptism Vs 29
  1. They are baptizing for the dead.
    1. In context we have to ask why do this if there is no resurrection
  2. There are no other verses that talk about this happening and that it should be a practice in the church
    1. Remember, if it is an important doctrinal issue, then the Bible will mention it up to three times. (This is a rule of thumb)
  3. Baptism cannot save people so there is no reason to baptize those who have already died.
    1. Romans 10: 9, 10 any who believe and confess are saved.
    2. Vs 12 anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2. Facing dangers for the cause of the cross. Vs 30, 31

  1. This is why this chapter is so vital to our christian walk.
    1. Paul is saying, there is nothing I am not willing to face because I know that no matter what happens, I will be resurrected and live forever.
    2. If we were not going to be raised again, why expose yourselves to danger for others.
    3. Paul expounds on these sufferings more in 2 Corinthians 11: 23 – 30
      1. Notice that there are attacks that are not man made
      2. We sometimes go through things like others, The key is that the only reason we are in this situation is because we are living for Jesus and sharing this with others.
    4. Challenge: as a christian, Paul was able to face death at any moment because he believed in the resurrection
  1. How   do we get to this spot?  Paul already died daily.
    1. Philippians 1: 23 it is far greater to leave and be with the Lord
    2. Taking up cross daily and following Jesus.
      1. Emptying us of ourselves on a daily basis
      2. Giving is part of this.  We give what is a stronghold in our lives to loosen the stronghold.
      3. Because Paul was empty of himself, he was able to face death at anytime.  He was not some super human, he was what we are called to be.
    3. God honors those who are able to stand in the face of danger and not shrink back in their faith. (See Hebrews 10: 39)
  2. Paul is proud of their faith even in the midst of all the problems
    1. Paul is not over looking the problems in the Corinthians church, This is the reason for the letter.  He is letting them know he still loves them as a church.

3. Purpose of living the disciplined life. 32 – 34

  1. Paul faced wild beasts in Ephesus
    1. Could be real beasts
    2. More likely they were wild people who attacked Paul.
      1. Heraclitus in 513 BC. called the men of Ephesus wild beasts.
  2. Key is what happened in Ephesus.
    1. So Mightily grew the word of God and prevailed Acts 19: 20
  3. Who cares how we live if there is no resurrection of the dead?
    1. We show where we are with this whole concept by how we live our daily life.
    2. Here Paul is talking about gluttony (See Proverbs 23: 20, 21)
    3. Cretans are always liars, evil beasts lazy gluttons Titus 1: 12
  4. There was a problem of the philosophy of the people of Corinth affecting the church and its beliefs.
    1. The idea here is not to disassociate yourself from others, but don’t pick up their talk.
    2. Be the influencer not the influenced.
    3. Realize we cannot walk into the fire and come out unburned. (See 1 Corinthians 10: 12 take head when you think you are standing lest you also fall)
    4. Don’t associate with those who call themselves christians and act like those around them. (See 1 Corinthians 5: 11)
    5. Watch what you are yoked to.
      1. Matthew 11: 30 be yoked to Christ
      2. 2 Corinthians 6: 14 don’t be unequally yoked to unbelievers.
      3. If someone claims to be a believer and doesn’t shine Jesus, don’t encourage them or associate with them.
    6. Interesting word used for associating with others.  The evil are not out to destroy the good in you and make you evil, they are out to make you indifferent to the things going around you.
      1. Corruption from within without our noticing it.
    7. Wake up to the reality that we are living for eternity
      1. Like wine, they are in a slumber
      2. Like eating themselves into a glutton state they are unable to change and move
      3. They can’t discern what is happening around them.
      4. We are alright with the story of Jesus as long as it does not interfere with their daily life.
      5. The only way to awaken is a desire to change.  The Holy Spirit will awaken us if we ask Him to.