April 2, 2017
Morning Service

I Cor. 1:1-9

 

            This morning we are looking at the introduction to the first letter to the church at Corinth.  Now Acts 16 is where we see the Apostle Paul, and his company go into Macedonia.  The first city they come to is Philippi, then Thessalonica, then Berea, then Athens, and finally Corinth. (51-52AD)  The old city had been destroyed in 146BC by the Romans.  Corinth was a fairly new city, composed of Romans, Greeks, and Jews.  It was noted for it’s wealth, and luxurious, and immoral habits of the people.  This is where it was stated, Act 18:5-6  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.  (6)  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Paul had good success among the Corinthians; Act 18:8  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

After preaching the Word to the people of Corinth for nearly two years, the Jews rise up and began persecuting Paul for his preaching Jesus.  Paul leaves, and heads for Syria, stopping first at Ephesus.

After a period of time Paul revisits Corinth, and stays about 3 months. (Acts 20). 

While at Ephesus, the news which had reached him from Corinth frustrated his plan. He had heard of the abuses and contentions that had arisen among them, first from Apollos (Act_19:1), and then from a letter they had written him on the subject, and also from some of the “household of Chloe,” and from Stephanas and his two friends who had visited him (1Co_1:11; 1Co_16:17). Paul thereupon wrote this letter, for the purpose of checking the factious spirit and correcting the erroneous opinions that has sprung up among them, and remedying the many abuses and disorderly practices that prevailed. Titus and a brother whose name is not given were probably the bearers of the letter (2Co_2:13; 2Co_8:6, 2Co_8:16-18).

            What we are looking at this morning is the introduction to this first letter.  Let’s begin:

1Co 1:1-10  Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 

·         Paul again establishes his authority in the church.  An Apostle of Jesus Christ, meaning one that had been sent, and through the will of God.

(2)  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth,

·         Here is a good biblical name for a congregation of believers, and followers of Jesus Christ.

·         The word church means ( called out ones ).  And we will see here in a moment what we are called out from, to be followers of Jesus Christ, and His teachings.

to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

·         Sanctified, means to be set apart.  To them that are set apart from the worldly order.  If you recall, it was said of Jesus, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead”: (Rom.1:4).  This declares His sanctification.  These things set Him apart from the world.

·         And I submit to you that this description should be said of all His followers.  We should be declared to be sons of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by our resurrection from the dead, (waters of baptism), our death, burial, and resurrection unto holiness.

·         If I am not what I should be for God, it’s not His fault, but mine.  “For I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.”  “And “greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”

·         We have been partakers of God’s Holy Spirit, to guide, teach, instruct, and sanctify us, or set us apart from this world of corruption, unto a life of obedience to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

called to be saints,

·         Christian, you are called to be a saint.  Not after your dead, but while you are still alive.

with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 

·         All Christians are the same.  I don’t mean in looks or abilities, but we have the same Father, and are all brothers, and sisters, in the faith.  We all have been given the same opportunities, the same expectations, and same wonderful promises concerning eternal life.

(3)  Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 

·         Grace, and peace.  Are we longing for something else?  Is this not enough? 

·         Grace, unmerited favor.  Can’t earn it, can’t buy it, only receive it from our Heavenly Father.  We don’t deserve it, but yet He bestows it upon us.  “My grace is sufficient for you.”

·         And this grace leads us into the peace that passes all understanding, and this peace only comes by having a close relationship with the Giver of Peace, Almighty God. 

·         Joh 14:26-28  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  (27)  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  (28)  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

·         How can I have a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father?

1.       Pray, and let Him know your desires for a closer relationship with Him.  Cry out to Him.

2.      You have chosen to be a child of God, so study your Bible, and listen to what God has to tell you.  In prayer, you talk to God, in Bible study, God talks to you.

3.      Put God first in all you do.  Bring yourself under the subjection of the church leadership.  Let the church leadership know that you are available for service in the church.  Make yourself available for doing helps in the church.  Be faithful in attendance.  Be faithful in your giving.  Get to the place where you can give faithfully to the work of the church.

4.      Let go of the things of this world that would harm you.  The places you go, the people you hang with, the way you talk, all these can be changed for the glory of God.  You cannot continue rubbing shoulders with satan without being called an associate of Satan’s.  

(4)  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 

·         Paul realized the wonderful gift that grace was.  We must too, and be thankful for it.

(5)  That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;  (6)  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:  (7)  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (I Cor. 12 gifts)

·         Christ is alive, and is there for you, whenever you call upon Him.  He will not do things against your will, but will help you, if you only ask.  How bad do you want it?

·         Your testimony is very important, it tells who’s you are.  Your life is the confirmation of you knowing Jesus as your personal savior.  You will produce the fruits of who you serve.

·         When you are His, He will give you the gifts you need to edify the church, and He will not hold back, but give you your heart’s desire to magnify the Lord, in your life.

(8)  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  (9)  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 

·         If you want kept, He will keep you in the will of God, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is faithful, He called you, you answered, and He will keep you until that final day.  But it is not without us making an effort.  It will be worth it all one day.

IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT???  THEN PAY THE PRICE, WHICH IS, FORSAKE THE WORLD, AND DRAW CLOSER TO GOD.

HOLY, AND RIGHTEOUS GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYER, HELP US TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU, AND PREPARING FOR YOUR SOON RETURN.  AMEN.