POPPING THE QUESTIONS OF THE CHURCH
1 Corinthians 1:1-19
Introduction: As we begin a study in First Corinthians, we need to lay a little groundwork so to speak. Paul founded the Corinthian Church during his second missionary journey … Acts 18:1-18 records the founding of the church
Acts 18:1-4 In Corinth
1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
The church was composed of mostly Gentile believers. The city itself was a very wicked city, and as such presented the young church with a constant temptation.
One of the bright spots of this ministry is the possible conversion of Sosthenes. Acts 18:12-17 records this:
Acts 18:12-17 (NIV) 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court.
13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."
14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.
15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things."
16 So he had them ejected from the court.
17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
Though, no one can be sure, it would seems that Sosthenes, who is referred to at the beginning of the letter is the same Sosthenes who ruled the synagogue, and was beaten for bringing Paul before Gallio.
Paul writes this letter for two main reasons:
· Paul is writing to correct the disorder in the church
· Paul is writing to answer questions that the church has submitted to him.
As we study this book further we will see that Paul bounces to each of these reasons several times, dealing with each of them alternately, not unlike a person walking – first on the left foot, and then on the right foot.
So if you are taking notes, there is an outline included for your convenience ……….
I PAUL’S CREDENTIALS – 1 Corinthians 1:1
A Called by Christ
1 This is the highest calling anyone can have is to be called by God himself to accomplish something for God.
2 The issue is not what we are called to do for God, the issue is THAT we are called to do something for Him.
3 Calling is an act of the will of God
4 Calling is an act of appointment by God
B Paul was called to be an Apostle
1 The office of an apostle
a Some in the church were denying his call to apostleship
b This office was a foundational office according to Eph 2:20
Ephesians 2:20 (NIV) 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
2 The work of an apostle
a While Paul defends his call to be an Apostle, he also declares his ministry as an apostle
b A messenger, a witness, or even a missionary is the thrust of Paul’s calling.
1 Real messengers are called by God
2 Real messengers are not called OVER others
3 Real messengers are called TO others
4 This brings us to our next point ….
II PAUL’S FOCUS – 1 Corinthians 1:2-3
A Paul was called to God’s Church in Corinth
1 The church is made up of a special group of people.
2 A gathering of people together does not constitute a church.
a Pews do not make a church
b A steeple does not make a church
c A sermon does not make a church
d Music does not make a church
e A sanctified set apart group makes a church
SANCTIFICATION – Three parts, One person
· Part one – Positional Sanctification
o Permanent
Hebrews 10:10 (NIV) 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
o We can NEVER be un-sanctified in our positional. Once we got saved, we got sanctified
o We have been set apart for God through the work of Christ on our behalf!
· Part two – Progressive Sanctification
o Daily Discipline
o Requires effort and energy
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
o We still live in a sinful world
o Pressures and temptations are still around
· Part three – Eternal Sanctification
o Permanent, but future
1 John 3:2 (NIV) 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
o When Jesus comes
B Paul was called to a group called to be holy
1 KJV uses the word “saints”
2 Holy people are holy because they have a new heart in Christ
3 Holy people are holy because they are set apart from the world
4 What makes the church different from any other organization is CHRIST
1 Timothy 2:5 (NIV) 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
a Being set apart in Christ should give us a different lifestyle
b Being set apart in Christ should give us a different purpose
1 Not working for the same goals anymore
1 Peter 1:14-16 (NIV) 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
5 We were never removed from the world, but we are to be different than the world
The Church Is An Organization:
· Born of God
· Different than the world
· Linked to other believers
· Experiencing God’s mercy and grace
III PAUL’S JOY – 1 CORINTHIANS 1:4-9
A Paul was excited enough about this that he remembered it EVERYDAY in his prayers
1 Paul understood where the real answers came from.
a Not from reason or knowledge
b They came from Jesus
1 Paul wanted this church to focus so much on Christ, that he mentions the name of Christ 10 times in the first ten verses!
B Paul was excited the Corinthian Church had God’s grace.
1 God grace is getting His undeserved favor on our side
2 God’s grace is an act of unbelievable and indefinable love
3 God’s love allows Him to give unbelievable gifts to us!
C Paul is excited for them to know that God’s grace goes far beyond them as individuals.
1 How lonely would heaven be if it was JUST you!
2 God has a universal concern for all mankind.
Where we err ourselves is thinking that God’s gifts to us are a sign of Spiritual strength. E need to understand – and we will see in the coming weeks that although the Corinthian Church was full of gifted people is also struggled with TREMENDOUS carnality.
· A long walk with Christ doe not mean a strong walk with Christ
· A place of position in the church does not mean a strong walk with Christ
· A Bible degree does not mean a strong walk with Christ!
D Paul was excited that the testimony of Christ was in them
1 Word means a witness or evidence
2 Visual evidence of the testimony of Christ being in us
a Being spiritually gifted – we got’em, we may not know what they are, but we got’em!
b Having an expectation for the future – looking for Christ
c Having a daily security – Christ will keep you strong
AND THIS IS ALL BECAUSE GOD IS FAITHFUL!
IV PAUL’S GREAT CONCERN – 1 Corinthians 1:10-19
A Internal Division – 1:10-12
1 Internal Division affects unity
a Paul needs to start here.
b Unity in the church is foundational to the life of the ministry
Luke 11:17 (NIV) 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.
1 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV) 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?
c Paul encourages the church to move beyond its divisions
1 I appeal to you
a) Call alongside
b) As Brothers
c) In Christ
d Do not allow a split in your midst
1 Encourages them to be united in mind and thought
a) Mind – reasoning and emotion
b) Thought – Purposes. Goals, and Objectives
2 Avoid division
a) Church seemed to be divided over preaching style – ie: Paul and Apollos
b) Church seemed to be divided by tradition and ritual – ie: Peter
c) Church seemed to be divided over “spirituality” – ie: Christ
A DIVISIVE CHURCH IS NOT SEEN FOR THE GOOD IT DOES BUT FOR THE SPIRIT IT HAS!
2 Internal Division creates Cliques – 1:13
a Cliques end up dividing Christ
1 Take Christ off the throne
2 Set themselves up as Lord
3 Decide right and wrong in the church based on their “membership”
b Cliques end up elevating men to be Saviors
c Cliques end up betraying their confession
1 Baptism is identification with Christ
2 We are to always identify with Christ
B The Primary Purpose of the Church – 1:17-19
1 The primary purpose of the church is to understand that they were sent there by Christ
2 The primary purpose of the church is to understand that they were sent there to have an impact with the gospel of Christ
3 The primary purpose of the Church is to accomplish what it is supposes to do God’s way
a The way the church accomplishes its purpose is not the same way the world accomplishes its purposes
b God’s way does not often agree with man’s way!
c God’s way works!
So, as we continue to look at the kind of church we should be, we need to pull some principles from the first words to Paul wrote to the church at Corinth.
So, for us to be the kind of church we ought to be we must:
1. Commit ourselves to providing an atmosphere where all believers can grow and mature.
2. Commit ourselves to unify our resources, spiritual, physical, and material to impact those around us with the message of the gospel.
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