AINT’S, SAINTS, & TAINTS

EPHESIANS 2:1-3

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I. THE AIN’TS

 

“Ain't” is a colloquialism and contraction for "am not" [I ain’t gonna do it], "is not" [he ain’t gonna do it], "are not" [they ain’t gonna do it], "has not" [he ain’t ever driven a stick], and "have not" [they ain’t ever driven a stick] in the common vernacular. The usage of ain't is a perennial issue in English. Widely used by many people, its use is nevertheless commonly considered to be improper. For our purposes it is theologically correct. You see, The Ain’ts refers to the natural man, the unsaved man, They ain’t got Jesus so…

 

1. They Ain’t Safe - without the Saviour [2:11-12a]

 

2. They Ain’t Sure - without the Scriptural Promises [2:12b]

 

3. They Ain’t Secure - without Salvation they are condemned already [2:12c]

 

II. THE SAINTS

 

For our purposes here we are referring to the spiritual man, saved by, and serving, the Lord

 

1. Set Apart by God because of their Relationship to the Saviour [1 Cor. 1:2]

 

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

 

2. Set Apart to God because of their Relationship to the Scriptures [1 Cor. 2:9-16]

 

But as it is written , Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

3. Set Apart for God because of their Relationship to the Spirit [1 Cor. 6:19-20]

 

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

III. THE TAINTS

 

Noun- 1. a trace of something bad, offensive, or harmful. 2. a trace of infection, contamination, or the like. 3.a trace of dishonor or discredit. For our purposes, the carnal man, a Christian- saved but not serving- tainted by the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

 

1. Tainted so they Ain’t Growing Right [1 Cor. 3:1-2]

 

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

 

2. Tainted so they Ain’t Acting Right [1 Cor. 3:3-4]

 

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

 

3. Tainted so they Ain’t Rewarded Right [1 Cor. 3:13-23]

 

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.