It is some what surprising what an international outlook Paul has as he writes to the Church in Corinth. He mentions Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, Ephesus, Jerusalem. Even though most of Paul’s readers had never left their own city they understood that they were part of a world wide church body in no less significant way than we are today.
He gives us a picture of the church that stretches beyond the horizon. More that one church starting another. More than one church helping another, but a sense of interconnectedness. So as he wraps up he thoughts he with the Corinthians. He wants to make sure that they are not isolated in their view of Christianity. Here as in many of his letters
He mentions the people he has worked with: Apollos, Timothy
Aquila and Priscilla, Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus.
Paul wants to make it very clear that he is the author of this letter. That these are his words and that these are his friends. So he states in 21 - I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. He is not using a scribe at this point . He has dictated the letter up to this point, now he writes personally. Today it is not uncommon for Christian writers to hire a Ghost Writer. A Ghost Writer is a professional writer who will write the bulk of the book and take payment for remaining anonymous. The named writer will fill in the rest of the book. Chuck Colsen is known to have used Ghost Writers, as well as many popular Christian authors.
Tony Campolo - From Philadelphia. He wrote a new book about Christianity and the environment and hiis first stop on promo your was Princeton Theological Seminary. I was a seminary student and I was looking forward to hearing him speak. Tony got up and was animated and funny as usual. Then came the time to promo his new book that he wrote. He held it up high and said. "I was overcome with emotion when I first read this book", He paused a moment, "I mean when I wrote this book", We all laughed, he was caught, he moved on with his talk.
Paul is not using a Ghost Writer. He has dictated this letter, up to this point, verse 21. He wants the Corinthians to know its authenticity.
Note: Length of 1Cor probably because Paul ran out of scroll to write on. He could have said much more, ut he stops here. It is kind of like writing a note on a post card. Paul sees he is running out of room – so he must say some parting words.
Paul instructs that if certain people are to be held up in honor household of Stephanas – verse 15 - they werer the first believers in the area, something, Paul holds in great honor. They believed, even if no one would follow in belief. Being the first to believe isn’t easy.
Joe.
He stopped by one day in midweek. His son wanted to see what church was like and he was checking out churches in the area. I showed him around answered his many questions. His family started coming, and got semi involved.
Joe called and wanted to have lunch. At lunch he told me he wanted to commit his life to Jesus but knew his wife would have none of it. They were hurt by a church years ago. He asked if he gave his life over to Jesus Christ – would his marriage be ok. I wanted to say – yes...but I had to say, if it is true that your wife was hurt by church in the past and will have none of this, life, most likely will be very difficult and there is a possibility your marriage will fall apart.
That was that. I didn’t hear or see him for a few of weeks. He showed up one Sunday – I asked how it was going. Joe said he gave his life to Jesus. I asked him about his family. Joe said that he realized that what was faith without a risk. If faith did not carry with it the risk to loose all
then it wasn’t faith at all. Because he had something to lose – he realized his faith was real. Christ was real.
Being the first is never easy. Joe’s son became a Christian. His wife, at first was furious, but now she sees how he is changed…we are to respect those who have been on the Faith before us.
17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived,
because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also.
Such men deserve recognition.
That must have hurt. I think these individuals had a spiritual maturity that the Corinthians did not even though they thought they were spiritually superior. These individuals came, and increased their faith.
He mentions Apollos, who was known as a phenomenal preacher (Verse 12) -
12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Apparently, the Corinthians had a hard reputation and Apollos was unwilling to go as Paul had requested. Paul thinks he will relent in the future.
He also mentions a pastor Timothy (verse 10-11) and asks for acceptance of him if he comes. Do you get the feeling that this church is a tough church for pastors?
Paul is writing this letter from the city of Ephesus. The church there meets in Aquila and Priscilla’s house. They seem to be happy that there are fellow believers in a distant land. Paul brings in the wide international flavor, because his words are not only for the Corinthian church, they are directions and concepts to be applied across the Christian world. Others are in agreement with Paul and so he mentions these people known to them. But also, because they, the church, are an international phenomenon. He wants them to act like it, so he speaks of the church in Jerusalem.
Jerusalem: The Mother Church. Where it all began. Where the absolute first believers resided. It is because of them that the Corinthians had a chance to believe at all. Persecution hit, the church was scattered, but many remained and many suffered double persecution. Those who had been Jewish suffered twice as much, for even though they were Christian the general population thought of them as Jews as well. For Jews were not liked or treated well in the Empire and in many places Christians were not treated well either and so the Church in Jerusalem, suffers.
A famine had swept through the Jerusalem area about this time. Many Christians were facing poverty, in addition to persecution. Paul’s heart is touch – he sets up a special fund. He asks every church to help out, help out the mother church.
It is like us here at First Presbyterian Anchorage. Being asked to help out Mother Church here in Alaska – Barrow. The first believers in Alaska, well over one hundred years ago. A place to be held in high esteem – for their early faith. If it wasn’t for Barrow……
Paul says we need to help these people our brothers and sisters. Paul is not asking for money for himself – but for those who are desperately poor. Now Paul, when he stayed in Corinth asked for no support from the Corinthians, because he knew that there was so many problems in the church and that taking money from them would be just another problem to deal with - And would get in the way of his ministry.
But in fact Paul was supported during his time in Corinth.
2Cor. 11:7 I wonder, did I make a bad mistake in proclaiming God’s Message to you without asking for something in return, serving you free of charge so that you wouldn’t be inconvenienced by me? 8 It turns out that the other churches paid my way so that you could have a free ride. 9 Not once during the time I lived among you did anyone have to lift a finger to help me out. My needs were always supplied by the Christians from Macedonia province. I was careful never to be a burden to you, and I never will be, you can count on it.
We do this here in Alaska. Some of the larger churches help support pastors in some of the villages, because we are part of an international phenomenon.
Let’s look at how Paul instructs about giving. Note that neither Paul nor Jesus were afraid to tell us that we should be generous with our money.
Paul instructs 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Some have taken this verse in our day to mean that we should give every week. Every Sunday as the plate passes, we are to put something in it. But that is not what is says is it? Look in your bibles at verse 2. No, he says set aside money. He doesn’t say how much, just - in keeping with his income.
A Different Economy.
First century – workers paid on a daily bases. See Jesus parable in Matt 20. So they get a little money each day. Paul simply tells them on the first day of the week which happens to be Sunday. Set some aside – for when he comes. Paul wants no collections when he comes. He doesn’t want guilt exacerbated by his presence to give false giving. He doesn’t want accusations that he is just there for the money.
He wants planned giving. If they plan, they can give generously. If they don’t plan they will have very little to give.
How many here have already started their Christmas shopping? (note to reader I find that if I raise my hand and no surprise only women will raise their hands - it will be funny)
Find a good buy, get it hide it away for Christmas. The men are looking at me blankly. Women you get this don’t you? You start buying early, you can be more generous with your gift giving. More bang for your buck. This is the concept Paul is pointing out. Plan your giving, and you will be generous Fail to plan, and you will think you are generous.
When The trustees ask you to make a pledge. This is the concept that they are addressing. Plan what you give.
As you read this passage, is there any doubt that Paul wants the Corinthians to give money? As we have read this book of 1 Corinthians, is there any doubt it applies today?
Paul is asking all the churches to give.
Notice their money will not be wasted, the giving is protected. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve
and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Paul promises that the large sum of money he expects to collect will be well guarded by people of integrity. Here at first Presbyterian, we take this very seriously. I can assure you the money given is protected and well accounted for.
Rabi Maharaj.
Was a Hindu Guru in Trinidad. Groomed from childhood to be a guru – it was all he had ever known. He was proud of his heritage and looked down on Christians as foolish, and opposed tem at every turn. At one point he was invited to a Christian church service and reluctantly went
He was so moved by the people in the service and their sincerity that he gave his life over to Christ in that service. Do you know at what made the greatest impression on him? As a guru he held services and took an offering which he always kept for himself. But the pastor, thanked God for the offering and gave the plates back so there could be integrity with the funds. That’s when he knew in his heart, the people were the real thing.
As the Roman Empire expanded God had a plan behind men’s plans of conquest.Those who were considered barbarian in Paul’s time would become brothers and sisters in Christ. And in turn reach…Those people who were unknown would become brothers and sisters in Christ. And in turn reach…Those who would be unreachable who would become brothers and sisters in Christ, and in turn reach…to those who have now hope.
Largest churches in the world today. Not in Europe, not in the middle east – but in Korea. Fastest growing church in the world today – China. A place thought to be largely unreachable for 200 years. I would fathom to say that in the next 50 years, even 30 years asia will be the center of Christianity. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ cannot be stopped and how exciting –we have a chance to be a part of it.
As we look at our world today, those who hold out the greatest opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ may very well be who turn the greatest number to Christ.
So as he wraps up he thoughts he with the Corinthians. He wants to make sure that the Corinthians or we at First Presbyterian are not isolated in their view of Christianity.
We have been called, all of us to this same international phenomenon
That the apostle Paul was apart of and by joining in, we in way, join in with the efforts of Paul.
