The Fellowship of His Son
The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding and responding to one's calling in order to enter into the fellowship of God's Son and experience spiritual gifts.
G.W. North emphasizes the significance of being called into the fellowship of God's Son, as highlighted in Paul's message to the Corinthians. He explains that while the Corinthians possess many spiritual gifts, these gifts can only be truly spiritual when exercised in fellowship with Christ. Without this fellowship, gifts may become carnal or even demonic, lacking the divine power Paul refers to. North stresses the importance of understanding one's calling, the nature of that calling, and the purpose behind it, which ultimately leads to a deeper relationship with Christ and a more effective witness in the world.
Text
How great is our joy then to discover Paul's approach to the whole Corinthian situation. He tells them that, although they come behind in no gift, primarily they have been called by God that they should enter into the fellowship of His Son (1:1-9). To understand these opening verses aright is to possess the key to all that follows, whether it be of life or worship or work or witness, or even the world to come.
In this matter of the spirituals, the gifts can only be spiritual if and as they are operated in the fellowship of the Son. If a man is out of fellowship with Him, that man's gifts are Carnals, or what is worse, Psychicals, or at the very worst Demoniacals.
Whatever be the power of them, if a man is out of the fellowship of the Son it will certainly not be that power of God of which Paul speaks in verses 18 and 24. Plainly, if a man is to be spiritual, he must see and know What is his Calling, Who it is calling him, verse 9, to Where he is called, verse 9, Why he is called, and God's choice and purposes in calling him or the Wisdom of the Call, verses 26-29, the Work implied by the Call, verse 2 and verse 1, Why he is called into the fellowship, verse 18 (the Cross), or the Wonder of the Call.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Fellowship with God's Son
- The Relationship Between Gifts and Fellowship
- The Necessity of Understanding One's Calling
- Knowing one's calling, who is calling, where, why, and God's purposes
- Understanding the wisdom of the call, the work implied, and the wonder of the call
Key Quotes
“To understand these opening verses aright is to possess the key to all that follows, whether it be of life or worship or work or witness, or even the world to come.” — G.W. North
“If a man is out of fellowship with Him, that man's gifts are Carnals, or what is worse, Psychicals, or at the very worst Demoniacals.” — G.W. North
“Whatever be the power of them, if a man is out of the fellowship of the Son it will certainly not be that power of God of which Paul speaks in verses 18 and 24.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- To experience spiritual gifts, you must be in fellowship with God's Son.
- Understanding your calling and God's purposes is crucial for spiritual growth and effectiveness.
- Responding to your calling and seeking to know God's wisdom is essential for entering into the fellowship of His Son.