Get Real!
1 Corinthians 16:13—14
INTRODUCTION
Chapter sixteen of 1 Corinthians concludes Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. In his final words Paul gives the Corinthians some strong final words that really wrap up "in a nutshell" what he has been trying to teach them.
1Corinthians 16:13--14
13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.
Popular TV show host, Dr. Phil McGraw, has a famous "one—liner" that I think best relates for us today what Paul was saying here in our passage. What Paul is saying to us is GET REAL!
Paul wants the Corinthians to realize the danger they faced and take his advice. Paul is saying get rid of all the divisiveness, factions, hate, strife, in general sin that had invaded the church and Get Real about Christianity.
MAIN BODY
I. Stand Firm in the Faith.
A. Stand Firm
1. Persevere
2. Do not deviate.
B. In the Faith
1. How do we know true faith? Romans 10:17
2. Ephesians 4:11—15
C. The only way to persevere in life is using the tools God has provided.
1. Eph. 6:13 NIV
2. Eph. 6:13 TMNT
II. Be Men of Courage
A. Literally, Act like a Man.
B. Be a man!
C. KJV—"Quit ye like men."
1. Actually implies a decisive action and not quiting.
2. One of getting involved to deter an action of detrimental consequence.
III. Be Strong
A. Literally, Be Strengthened.
B. Strength doesn’t come from within, it comes from God. Eph. 6:10
CONCLUSION
In his final statement Paul brings it all together. Do everything in Love.
For the Corinthians this meant no more petty squabbles, no more corruption of the Lord’s Supper, no more arguments about who is more spiritual, no more lawsuits, etc.
What does this mean for You?
People, its time to Get Real!
