All Is Ready

All is Ready – Vision; nv 4/15/07 am (1 Cor. 1:1-9)

OS: 1 2 Weeks! – I have so much to say! Luckily for you I learned under the teaching of those who believed strongly in the 5 “B’s” of preaching – “Be Brief Brother – Be Brief”.

I.      Thank You

II.   Study (1 Cor. 1:1-9)

A.   Corinth – Blackbeard would be wary of Corinth – Trade Route. (Pirates)

                      1.       People of all kinds

                      2.       Paul (Acts 18) – fear and trembling.

B.    Imperfect Church

                      1.       2 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

C.   But, Corinth was a place teaming with opportunity to spread the message of God’s love.

                      1.       Isn’t it amazing what God can do with the lives of people.

                      2.       In all our different shapes, sizes, dispositions, personalities, abilities, etc.

TS] As I began this study I couldn’t help but think of Northview: We are not a perfect church, but 3  God has brought us to this place to get a job done, and, like these early Christians, we too must Stand beneath the cross, and do the work of sharing His love with those around us.

I.      Text – 4 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

A.   Holy – Separate – sanctified – “Specialized”

                      1.       Go see the specialist! Little Johnny was playing with his father’s wallet when he accidentally swallowed a quarter. He went crying to him mom, choking on the quarter. They took him to a doctor, who said that the quarter was impossible to remove without surgery, they consulted a specialist who was of the same opinion. Then came a man who said he could get the money out in a jiffy. He turned little Johnny upside down and patted him with great precision on the back of neck and, sure enough, the quarter rolled out. Everyone was amazed, the father said “You must be an expert!” The man replied, “No sir I just work for the IRS.”   

                      2.       Imperfect people perfectly set apart (consecrated, sanctified, made holy) for God’s purpose – “tool pouch”

B.    5 1:4-9

                      1.       “You have been made rich in every way.” God has withheld nothing….”

                      2.       God is faithful who has invited you to have a friend in Jesus.

C.   VS. 10 ff – Problem, Problem, Problem

                      1.       Division, CROSS

                      2.       Sexual Immorality among them, Lawsuits, Lord’s Supper, Worship Assembly Problems, and on and on.

                      3.       “HOLD EVERYTHING!!! – TIME OUT!!!”

II.   6 Take a walk through the woods, up on the mountain, and grasp the forest again!

A.   God has set you apart, you have been placed in a fertile location to spread the message of God’s love throughout the world! – Don’t let these things mess it up!!!!

B.    God has brought us to this place to get a job done, and, like these early Christians, we too must Stand beneath the cross, and do the work of sharing His love with those around us.

                      1.       God has enriched us in every way – just look at the heart, unity, talent, abilities, that God has placed in this body. 1 Corinthians 3:5, Τί οὖν ἐστιν Ἀπολλῶς; τί δέ ἐστιν Παῦλος; διάκονοι δἰ ὧν ἐπιστεύσατε, καὶ ἑκάστῳ ὡς ὁ κύριος ἔδωκεν.

                      2.       Look around us – homes, families,

                      3.       People invited by God to be a friend with His Son – Have fellowship.

                      4.       We have been given all we need!

A man prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to tell someone of your love today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat next to our praying friend. The timid Christian anxiously waited for his stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get very nervous about the man next to him, the big guy burst into tears and began to weep. He then cried out with a loud voice, "I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the Lord. Won’t somebody tell me how to be saved?" He turned to the Christian and pleaded, "Can you show me how to be saved?" The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed, "Lord, is this a sign?"  Are you looking for a "sign" to start serving God?
According to survey, an average of 15% of the church are overwork while the 85% has no work!

This August Northview will be 35 years old. – God has brought us to this place! Take a walk through the woods and go up on the mountain and see the forest God has placed us in. It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. “God is faithful, and He has invited you to have fellowship, relationship, communion with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord”

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.1 Co 12:4-7

IT IS UP TO US!