1st Corinthians 1:1-9
January 20th, 2002
To hurting congregations! What matters most is what God offers first!
Most would say that a recipe for disaster is to take people with different views, ideas, attitudes, backgrounds, and agendas and stick them all in one place. The result would be considered chaotic at best. Case in point the House and the Senate. It is rare when these two groups ever accomplish anything except the ability to disagree. The same promises that were made in the 70’s concerning high taxes are still being made to this day because of all the dissention. Seeing unity among these two groups is almost unheard of, so much so, that in the aftermath of “911”, this nation received a rare moment when members of our government, despite their diversity in politics, gathered together and sang God Bless America. It was a rare moment because unity was displayed where unity is seldom seen.
The Church of Corinth was also made up of a group of people whom also had differing views and religious history. In a community that had prostitution as their religion, had the background for worshipping many false Gods, and had some influence with the Jewish faith as well, they were well on their way to following their own background and tradition rather than the things that Christ wanted them to follow, once they were established as a true Christian Church. And when the world sees this example of the church of Corinth, they say something like, “See, Christ does not change anyone and here is our proof! These new Christians still were selfish, still wanted things their way, still applied their false worship in with Christianity, and followed not Jesus alone but men and religiosity!” And when the world looks at the church of today, they say pretty much the same darn thing! Pastors in Borger say it is like a contagion! One pastor went on a mission trip to Honduras recently and members of his congregation said it was a waist of time. Another pastor told me that many congregations in Borger alone have so, not been willing to be led by Christ’s plan through their ministry, that pastors seldom hang around for very long. And if the Christians see this problem surely the world laughs at it and at Christianity because of it.
Because of this total diversity, the breakdown of living like one Body in Christ, (the Christian Church) has taken a back seat to many other religions that promote good works or some kind of inner light rather than Christ Jesus as the only way, truth and life. This same breakdown was taking place within the new Church of Corinth. They argued incessantly about whom to follow, they wanted to include their religion of prostitution with their newfound faith and they were proud of themselves in the doing of such things.
Paul certainly had reason to write a thesis much less a letter to the Church of Corinth and if he were here today, to write a letter to all the Christian Churches that have yet to find unity among themselves, despite all the many things that today tear Christian Churches apart, Paul would no doubt have given us at least the same opening paragraph as he did for the Corinthians.
In Paul’s letter, he began to address the most important topic of all, and it was not how to mend “this thing or that thing”. Paul did not immediately tell them that they needed to put away such and such; instead, Paul brought them back to the origin of their faith. Paul believed that this origin was of the greatest importance to any Christian. He believed that if the people of God who made up the church received this well, everything else would follow the proper course in time. This message therefore is not only addressed to the church of Corinth, it is also addressed to you and I.
Paul starts off his letter by reminding the Corinthian people, that despite all their diversity and false practices, they were called by God to be His own Holy People. Right off the bat, he reminds us of the two most important aspects of being a Christian. First that we have been called by God, and second that we have been called to be His own (personal) holy people. Paul then begins to elaborate how we became holy. Notice that we are reminded that He made us holy by means of Christ Jesus. Our holiness does not come from ourselves; instead its origin begins with Christ. Then Paul reminds us that he did the same for all Christians everywhere. Whoever calls upon the name of the Jesus Christ, has received this same origin. Paul is showing us where unity begins. This is our focal point! No matter what differences we may have in this place, we all have received the same origin of holiness through Christ. And so we can celebrate and join together simply on this one area of unity, regardless of age differences, history, or personal agenda.
The next thing Paul does is to show us what else we have in common. He says, “ “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Correct Greek translation) This grace and peace Paul refers to, are not mere words to convey a feeling, they are instead actual gifts. God’s grace is upon us all, in that He sent His only Son into our lives so that He could take away our debt of sin forever. His grace is that God is willing to have patience with his people, even when they convey to the world that they are no different than the people of the world. And His peace is given to us, despite our inadequacies, and all the things that keeps churches from growing and serving in the name of Christ Jesus. Peace is given in that in Christ, all things are possible. In Christ, churches like that of Corinth can become unified, and can make a difference and can witness to others, and can build up the body when and only when Christ, his Holiness, Grace and Peace are at the forefront of our ministry. Whatever attitudes, history, agendas will be swallowed up when these gifts are seen and applied in the life of the church.
You have so far heard of three gifts that remind each church of where they came from and where they need to go back to, if they are to have any chance of thriving in this world of sin. But Paul does not stop there, he then reminds us of our purpose once we are unified. Paul writes, “I can never stop thanking God for all the generous gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.” What gifts you ask? Well as we recently had our spiritual gift inventory, you now know what gifts he is talking about. Paul continues, “He has enriched your church with the gifts of eloquence and every kind of knowledge. This shows that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul now directs the Church to respond to the three gifts he earlier addressed. He shows us that among the unity that God creates among his people are also the myriad of spiritual gifts. When these gifts are combined by all the souls who make up the church, then God’s Work can be done.
When God’s work is done, when we gather together in the unity of Christ to serve him by serving our neighbor through Word and Gift, we are then the true church that Christ has called us to be. Paul shows the Corinthians and we as well, that there is nothing lacking in the Church. God equips all his people to serve. Age does not limit this call; youth does not limit this call. History and background does not limit this call. Personal agendas do not limit this call to serve and respond to the unity that Christ has drawn us into unless, we ourselves make those things limiting. But when God’s origin and purpose are driving us, nothing will limit us.
Paul continues his letter by saying, “He will keep you strong right up to the end, and he will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.” Not only is this a promise to what awaits those who die in Christ. Not only will we be kept from blame due to the shed blood of our Savior, but also it is a promise for the now! These remaining words support what has been said up to this point! When God’s people focus on what matters most which are, our Origin in faith, the grace and the peace that have been given to us freely in Christ Jesus our Lord, and the means by which we can “go forth” into the world, we will be kept strong right up to the end. And when the world sees this kind of strength, instead of the strength of individuals doing their own thing, then the world will tremble, because the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be proclaimed once again over and above all else. Paul says, “God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
This is our legacy as it was for the Church of Corinth. It does not matter what our individual history is all about, it does not matter what mistakes we have made or failures that we have had, if but we listen to the words of Paul, and take them into our heart today. For if Paul opened his letter with these things we talked about today, because he believed that it would get them on the right track, should we not also believe it and should also listen? And if we believe that what he says to us today is faithful and true, should we not also put it into practice so that our Lord can keep us strong and unified? And if we do lay down our differences and cling to what we all have in common together, that is Christ Jesus’ Holiness, Peace, Grace and Purpose, should not all else eventually fit into God’s design?
May the Holy Spirit who feeds us with this truth, remain upon our thoughts and upon our actions, so that by His power, we may respond in joy and thankfulness to what Paul speaks to us about this day. In the precious name of He who has saved us from ourselves, Amen.
