June 9, 2024
Evening Service

The Collection for the Saints

1st Corinthians 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 

1st Corinthians 16:2  On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 

1st Corinthians 16:3  And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 

1st Corinthians 16:4  But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. 

Plans for Travel

1st Corinthians 16:5  Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 

1st Corinthians 16:6  And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 

1st Corinthians 16:7  For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 

1st Corinthians 16:8  But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 

1st Corinthians 16:9  For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

When God is gracious to us and allows riches to come our way, He blesses us so that we can bless others. There are a few scriptures that speak about blessings from God and His intent for us to use them.

Proverbs 10:22  The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

Proverbs 10:4  He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

1^st Timothy 6:17  Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

1^st Timothy 6:18  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,   

The scriptures tell us that if we become rich, it is God that allowed those blessings to come to us. If we are storing up things, we should be thinking of the good purpose they can be used for in doing service to God. I think of our Christmas boxes, Bible School supplies, the funeral meals that are prepared, and the community outreach missions for children in our locale. These are all good missions that believers in Jesus can participate in that benefit someone less fortunate that may otherwise be lacking. All that we have is because of God’s gift to us in His blessings, this should prompt us to share what God has given to us as ambassadors for Christ. These missions to help those in need are the fruits of the Spirit at work in our fellowship. God is pleased when we show mercy to others; after all, this is what He has done for us who believe in Jesus. Works of charity will not get you into heaven, but as the body of Christ, works of charity should be prominent in our thinking. We do these works not for ourselves, but because of what He has done for us! Truly attempting to love others as He has loved us. It is fitting for us as a fellowship, when the Pastor presents a need he has been made aware of in our community, to respond with love and gifts as the Spirit moves us in doing. I believe we should pray about all decisions concerning the ministry to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us to the correct action to take. Consulting God first is always going to be the right course of action, remembering that our plans should be made with “If the Lord Wills” in mind at all times. Then we properly place God at the front of our endeavors and requesting His direction in our actions. The devil will always be doing his work to mislead souls away from God, but if we plan according to the Will of God, the devil will not be able to upset the effort. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world!

1st Corinthians 16:10  And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 

1st Corinthians 16:11  Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. 

Final Instructions

1st Corinthians 16:12  Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Paul advocates for Timothy as a man that does the work of the Lord, as he also does. He instructs them not to be disrespectful to him, but to remain at peace with him and send him away to Paul because he is awaiting his arrival. He tells them to show disrespect to Timothy would be showing disrespect to God who sent him, and to grieve the Holy Spirit. Ministers of the gospel are not in contention with one another; they support the other in their work and care about their character image and service. Paul said he strongly urged Apollos to come to them, but he was unwilling to do so at the time Paul asked. He did reassure them that he would come when he has the convenient time.

1st Corinthians 16:13  Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 

1st Corinthians 16:14  Let all that you do be done with love. 

1st Corinthians 16:15  I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— 

1st Corinthians 16:16  that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. 

1st Corinthians 16:17  I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 

1st Corinthians 16:18  For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Paul is speaking to the Corinthians about the characteristics their belief should have. Urging them to stay strong, being brave, steadfast in their faith, and always watching. Real problems existed for the early Christians in that some opposition was ready to stomp them out when given a chance. Of course, the devil was always a part of the schemes to root out Christ in all occasions. This required the attributes Paul spoke to them about, to be able to withstand when trials or temptations came their way. God will never forsake his followers, but the followers may forsake Him and this encouragement given by Paul was to exhort them to not quit, keep on the side of the Lord and His power will hold you steady when troubles come. True believers in the pardon of Christ Jesus for the remission and forgiveness of their sins will come with great gratitude. We love Jesus because he first loved us and our love light should shine not only inwardly, but also outwardly. This love from God to us was freely given and we are commanded to freely give it to others as we have received. Love does no good work if kept in a container and never released, it must be abounding to freely grow and permeate the world. Just as negativity will incite more of the same, a kind word will turn away wrath.

Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to lift up those who do the work of upholding the gospel message. He said these men refreshed his spirit and they will also refresh theirs. Acknowledge them with respect because they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints and labor with Paul to spread the Good News.

Greetings

1st Corinthians 16:19  The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.   

1st Corinthians 16:20  All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 

1st Corinthians 16:21  The salutation with my own hand—Paul's. 

1st Corinthians 16:22  If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! 

1st Corinthians 16:23  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

1st Corinthians 16:24  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Paul closes here with a formal show of respect to the Corinthians from all the churches of Asia and their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. He bluntly states if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus, let them be accursed! He also uses this word accursed concerning the doctrines preached in the book of Galatians.

Galatians 1:8  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 

Paul says this to make them aware of the many false prophets and false doctrines that exist so that people will not be led astray of the Word! Believers in Jesus should have a grateful attitude by the deliverance of sins from their record of life and be cordial with one another. If you were to encounter those that wish to make serving the Lord a dreadful task or a depressing challenge, then something is amiss in their servitude. If serving our Lord Jesus makes you sad, mournful, or glum, it is time to refresh your spirit with the Word of God and do it often. Just because life presents burdensome trials and tribulations, it is not a reason not to have joy in your heart for the kingdom to come when Jesus takes us Home! We are never alone in Christ, His Holy Spirit is always within us and Jesus is always in intercession for us to the Father. Churches do not have to be large congregations to be a church, the book of Matthew says:

Matthew 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." 

Taking this literally, when you and a brother or sister in Christ are together, Jesus is also there and this is the effective church. Thinking of this in terms of a Christian home, your home is also a church because of Jesus’ presence. It is important to say that having the name of Jesus in your mouth only and not in your heart, is not truly a relationship with Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” in John 14:15. True love for Jesus is willingly obeying Him in all that He calls you to do, knowing He will accompany and equip you to complete His work.  Being a follower of Jesus is a privilege and honor and if true to our professions of faith, our life will reflect the life of Jesus. We should strive to be Christ-like in all that we do. Jesus set a very high bar for us to follow, but He also has equipped us with many gifts and blessings to accomplish those things we thought were not possible on our own merits. Trusting the Lord in all things will help us to have a life full of joy by knowing our names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and we are sealed for the day of Redemption. To simply call yourself a Christian does not make you a follower of Jesus, you must believe that He is and diligently seek Him. This requires we desire to serve Him in total commitment and put Him first in all things. We know that serving Jesus makes life worth the living and without Him, we will never find peace. Nothing we do in this body has anything to do with the work required for salvation; Jesus completed that work on the cross at Calvary years ago. Our servitude to Christ comes from our true love and gratitude for His mercies and willingness to pay our debt for us. I love the expression, “I get to serve the Lord”, and not “I have to serve the Lord”. There is a giant difference in these two statements. The one with “get” implies it is an honor and a privilege you are grateful for and the one with “have” implies it is something you are obligated to do. In addition, the one with “get” is truth and the one with “have” is false! It is very difficult for a human being to understand the love of Jesus, he died for us while our lives were in opposition to everything He is and humans simply do not have this kind of love. Our natural state is sinful and destine to be sent to the lake of fire. Thank you Lord Jesus for making a Way where we have no way of our own! In closing, remember to voice your concerns to God through His Son Jesus. He already knows your needs, but His Word tells us to ask, so be diligent in doing this. Also, remember to pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ for His Will to be done in their life according to their faith in Him. Finally, most of all, remember to voice your praises to God for all that He does each and every day through His Son Jesus to provide all that you need each and every day you live. Praise Him for the miracles He works and praise Him every day you have breath to praise Him. Our time is short and our steps are numbered, look to love ones that need the Lord Jesus and do not fail to witness about His goodness and forgiveness He offers to whomsoever will believe!