God's Provisions Series

Introduction

A. Last week I mentioned that Paul uses “Jesus” in combination with “Christ” and “Lord 6 times in this first chapter of 1 Corinthians

1. However, He also uses “Jesus” in combination with “Christ” 9 times in these first 10 verses

2. And He uses “Jesus.” or “Christ” 10 times in these first 10 verses

3. Why do you suppose that might be?

4. Paul wanted the minds of the Corinthian believers to be immediately centered upon Jesus Christ

a. He knew this: the answer to the Corinthian problems did not lay in his ability to discuss and reason

b. Nor in his laying down rules and regulations for them

c. But the solution was and is in Jesus Christ

d. Therefore, he immediately discussed some of the resources which the believer receives when he accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord

e. Let us talk about resources, this passage can be outlined as follows

(1) Resource 1: the grace of God (v.4)

(2) Resource 2: the gifts of God's grace and Spirit (v.5-7).

(3) Resource 3: Jesus Christ Himself-His security (v.8).

(4) Resource 4: God Himself--His call (v.9)

(a) Lets turn to 1 Corinthians 1:4

(b) In this message when I mention Church, understand I am talking about the called out ones, the ekklesia

i) Not a building

ii) Or even the group who meets together

a) Which might include no-believers

b) In this case, I am referring only to believers

II. Body

A. The first resource, the Grace of God

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NKJV)

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

1. In the epistles of Paul, he generally expresses thanks for the church’s faith, hope, and love

2. However in this epistle, Paul talks about his thanks to God for God’s grace and other provisions

a. In verse 4, Paul expresses thanks for the grace of God given to the church in Corinth

3. Very simply, grace means the undeserved favor and blessings of God

a. We do not deserve God looking upon us with favor nor God blessing us with His favor

b. But God loves us with an unbelievable love, so He favors us with the most unbelievable gifts

c. The Corinthian church, the called out ones, knew and experienced the grace of God

(1) They knew what it was to receive the favor and blessings of God

(a) Grace, the favor and blessings of God

i) The undeserved and unmerited favor and blessings of God

ii) The depth and richness of the heart and mind of God

iii) The kindness and love that dwells within the very nature of God

(b) God's grace covers all of life

(2) Grace means the kindness and love that God freely gives to those who have acted against Him

(a) It is the favor of God showered upon men who do not deserve His favor, men who are...

i) "without strength" (Ro.5:6)

ii) "ungodly" (Ro.5:6)

iii) “sinners" (Ro.5:8)

iv) "enemies" (Ro.5:10)

a) Let us turn to Ephesians 2:8 - 9

4. No other word so expresses the depth and richness of the heart and mind of God.

a. God has done a thing unheard of among men: He has given His very own Son to die for His enemies

(1) God's grace is not earned

(a) It is something completely undeserved and unmerited

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, {9} not of works, lest anyone should boast.

b. God's grace is the free gift of God

(1) Lets turn to Romans 3:24

(2) God extends His grace out toward man

Romans 3:24 (NKJV)

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

c. God's grace is the only way we can be saved

(1) Let us turn to John 14:6

(2) These are Jesus own words and testify to the truth that only by grace through Christ Jesus is there salvation

John 14:6 (NKJV)

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

(a) Lets turn to 1 Corinthians 1:5 - 7

B. He second resource: the gifts of God's grace and Spirit

1 Corinthians 1:5-7 (NKJV)

that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, {6} even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, {7} so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1. .God's grace enriched the Corinthian believers "in every thing"

a. Notice the all inclusive word, “everything”

(1) Everything could run the gamit of spiritual, emotional, physical and material things