An Introduction to the Study
On I & II Corinthians
The letters of I & II Corinthians provide great insight for the modern day church. Down through my years of ministry I have preached from these two books on several occasions. At times I have done a series of sermons. Other times I have randomly preached from various texts. The following is a compilation of sermon briefs that I trust you can use for your own benefit. Some texts may be used more than once. A multitude of resources have been gleaned from as I have preached on these passages. If and where I could remember them I have cited and credited them. I am well aware of the plagiarism issue and don’t wish to steal from anyone. However, there may be some areas where you could find that I have employed what another writer said.
With all that being said, let’s launch out into the deep and we will find some “Providential Pearls”. Let’s take our pick-axe and spade and we will dig up some “Gospel Gems”. Let’s set sail and we will dock on a “Heavenly Horizon”.
Paul’s writings have a lot to teach us. Let’s learn well and preach well!
SETTING THE STAGE
I. The City of Corinth (1:2)
In order to understand Paul’s correspondence we need to comprehend the setting. The city of Corinth was known for her:
A. Immense Wealth: Corinth was founded as a Greek city-state. It was destroyed by Rome and lay dormant for some 100 years. It was reformed in 44 B.C. by Julius Caesar as a colony. It became one of the largest and most significant cities in Greece. It was located along a major trade route near a major seaport. It became a commercial paradise. She controlled traffic by land and sea. You could say the city was a bustling hub of worldwide trade. Her prosperity brought people from all over. With them they brought their laws, culture and religion. A lot of “mystery cults” arose in Corinth. With her location, population and accumulation she would look like some of our major cities.
B. Idolatrous Worship: It has been noted that there were “26 sacred places” devoted to the “gods many”. We’re talking religious pluralism. There was plenty of room for other “gods” but little room for the “living God”. The chief deity was “Aphrodite”. She had her own temple with 1000 prostitutes!
C. Indisputable Wickedness: A city driven by secularism and humanism, Corinth was given over to idolatry. She was known for her degraded culture, loose living, greedy populace, star athletes and self-sufficient scholar. The place was so corrupt they had a term “to Corinthianize” which meant to “fornicate” or “go to the devil”. Sexual sin was abundant and venereal disease was rampant. Sound familiar?
II. The Church in Corinth (1:2)
Corinth is a good place for a church. However, like so many churches today, she was full of internal conflict and wasn’t impacting the city as she should. Look at three things here.
A. Her Wonderful Beginning: Church = Ekklessia. Mentioned 22 times in the book. It means the “called out ones”. Paul had founded the church on his 2nd missionary journey. The church had a great start. She was Christ-centered, God-honoring and firmly united. She had gotten out of the starting block well but along the way she pulled a hamstring and came up lame. Why?
B. Her Wayward Beliefs: She’s now human centered, status seeking and cliquish. She had lost her purpose for being. Instead of transforming the culture, the culture was transforming her. The church was buying into worldly wisdom and knowledge. She questioned Paul’s authority. The true gospel was being threatened. She had become puffed up and arrogant. Bad blood existed between members. Arguments and division arose over spiritual gifts. Immorality spilled over into the church. Sounds about like today, doesn’t it?
C. Her Wrong Behavior: Greed, promiscuity, idolatry and paganism were all exhibited. She was failing to uphold biblical morality and doctrinal purity. Her main goals were greed, gifts, glamour, gamesmanship, gratification and self-glory! Paul’s aim in the 1st letter was to lead them back to focus on God.
III. The Correspondence to Corinth
Nine times in nine verses (1:1-9) Paul mentions Christ. His message is rather clear: become what you are! Note Paul’s words. You are:
A. God’s Church (v.2): Some were acting like the church belonged to them. How did they become God’s church? He called. They came. They were consecrated. “Sanctified” = set apart. “Holy” = saints. Ones conduct ought to match their confessions. If not, you may only have a dose of religion instead of redemption.
B. A Gifted Church (v.5): “Enriched” = do not lack. Gifts are not earned or learned. They are not to be abused or misused. They are to satisfy self, edify others and glorify God. Use your gift to help the church.
C. A Guided Church (v.8): “Blameless” = guiltless. Paul spoke with such confidence. What’s so remarkable is that he spoke with such confidence about a church whose current behavior was anything but blameless. His confidence was not in the Corinthian people but in the grace of God. What God had begun He would complete! “Faithful” = reliable.
CONCLUSION: What had started out so well had gone awry. Paul was calling them back to the foundation – Christ. He is the centerpiece of civilization and the church as well!
