The Servant Heart Of Paul Series

1 Cor 15:1-24 ESV

CONCERNING THE COLLECTION FOR THE POOR – Paul Meets the Practical Needs of People

1Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

AN UPDATE ON HIS TRAVELLING – Paul Plans But Submits to God’s Leading

5I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Paul Shows Concern for His Colleagues in Ministry

10When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

12Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

13Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14Let all that you do be done in love.

15Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and labourer. 17I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

FINAL GREETINGS

19The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! 23The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Paul set us a good example, even in his concluding remarks for this letter.

• This last chapter is about some “housekeeping” matters and it seems unimportant until you try to appreciate the heart of Paul through what he says.

• We can see his concern for the welfare of the poor in Jerusalem, his care for those who are serving in the ministry, and his passion for the work of the Gospel.

Paul’s ending in 1 Cor 15 is appropriate. If there is the certainty of resurrection for us, then this world is transitory and will pass, maybe even sooner than we expect.

• We need therefore to be ready at any time to “pack up and go” and see the Lord.

• If everything will pass away, it would also mean we have to live in the light of “leaving everything behind” and focus on what is truly significant post-resurrection.

• 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”

• This is the only concern that makes sense in the light of eternity.

• What has been our labour in the Lord so far? What are we doing today that is for eternity?

In this concluding chapter on seemingly unimportant matters, I see the heart of Paul for the ministry that he was called to, which is what we can learn today.

1. PAUL MEETS THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE (16:1-4)

The first thing Paul talks about is the taking up of a collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem and gave them some very practical advice.

• 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”

• Parents, that’s how we teach our kids right? We give them a piggy bank and tell them to drop in a coin daily or every other day. We want them to learn to save up.