1 Cor 16:10-24 • The Hopeful Conclusion Pt. 2

Review & Overview

1.1 Previous Study’s Review

Back in chp.7:1 Paul said, now concerning the things of which you wrote to me...  

The church in Corinth wrote Paul a letter, a letter we do not have, asking him a variety of questions... 

Last Sunday we looked at the last and final question they asked regarding the collection for the saints or tithing.

We learned that giving to the church is commanded in the Bible:

But, it’s not about what we have: We can give: money, time, talents, resources.

It’s not about how we feel: We are all commanded to give to the church.

It’s not about the quantity: We are to give according to how much God has blessed us.

It’s not about how much I give to the Lord, but how much I hold back for myself.

It’s about HOW we give: This speaks of us internally and externally.

We are to give with a cheer heart, not grudgingly or out of necessity.

And we are not to give to attract attention to ourselves.

Because the Lord carefully looks at HOW we give.

We also began the last and final section last week Paul’s Conclusion.

Where he began to share to the church his desire to visit them after the festival of pentecost.

1.2 Current Study’s Overview

And that brings us to our study for today here in Vs. 10. Read...

As you can see in our quick reading of today’s scripture we have Paul’s conclusion to the letter.

And it is a hopeful Conclusion as he ends with a powerful exhortation and a desire for the Lord to return.

If your taking notes we are going to look at 2 things

Paul’s Coworkers Vs. 10-12 & 15-20

Paul’s Closing Remarks Vs. 13-14 & 21-24

1. Paul’s Coworkers Vs. 10-12 & 15-20

1.1 Equality Regarding Timothy Vs. 10-11

As we’ve mentioned Timothy was on Paul’s 2nd journey, Acts 16:

Paul wrote 2 letters to him... presumably Timothy came to Ephesus & delivered this letter to Corinth... 

And Paul wanted to make sure that the church in Corinth treated Timothy the way they treated Paul...

APPLICATION: Good example for us:  because sometimes we treat people differently...  depending on who they are... or      what they’ve done...

We look at their accomplishments... their title... their wealth... & we treat them differently then others.

It ought not to be that way...       we should treat everyone with Equality...

1.2 Sensitivity With Apollos Vs. 12

Sensitivity with Apollos:  Apollos was quite a guy, just his name alone. 

Acts 18:24 he was an eloquent man & mighty in the Scriptures.  

1 Cor.3:6 Paul planted & Apollos watered...    

1 Cor.1:12 Apollos had a large following, I’m of Apollos...

And obviously Paul was convinced that Apollos should go with Timothy & Erastus to Corinth...  

Because Apollos was a leader...     strong...     bold...     &    Timothy, not so much... 

But apparently what was on Paul’s heart...     was     not on Apollos’ heart...

So Paul sensitive to the heart of Apollos...

APPLICATION: When God puts something on our heart... it’s for us...  it doesn’t always mean that God has put the same thing on the hearts of others...       we need to be sensitive to that...

1.3 Stephanas Vs. 15-16       

Vs.15 - Stephanas and his household was one of the first fruits or one of the first converts in Achaia, the Grecian peninsula...

And as a result of his conversion he was devoted to the ministry of the saints... 

Liv Bible: they are spending their lives in service to other Christians.  

KJ: they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints...

APPLICATION: Talk about how there are those who are called to full time ministry and others are not.

APPLICATION: So Stephanas was a great example for us to follow...    &   became a leader we should submit to… Look at...

Vs.16 - Because of his spiritual leadership Paul said to submit...   &  anyone else who exhibits this quality...

Heb.13:17...      1 Peter 5:5...  tells us to submit & pray for our spiritual leaders...

Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders...

1.4  Fortunatus & Achaicus Vs. 17-18           

Vs. 17-18a - These three guys probably brought word to Paul of what was happening in Corinth along with the letter from the Corinthians wrote to Paul about the questions they had beginning in chp.7:...

These 3 guys are a great example in 2 ways:

They Supplied Paul’s Needs:   ever wonder why the Lord has blessed us with so much… Well, it’s not just us...      

2 Corinthians 9:11 NKJV

11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.

APPLICATION: So one reason the Lord has given us so much is so that we can supply the needs of others...

They Refreshed Paul’s Spirit: To give refreshment...    to give rest...    to give peace...

They didn’t give Paul a hard time...    they gave him a peaceful time...  a restful time...

And notice what our response should be towards these type of men...

Acknowledge Vs. 18b - epi-ginosko,  epi: upon... ginosko: to know thoroughly...  accurately...  experientially...

APPLICATION: Point: we need to know these kind of men...    &      learn from them...     &    act like them... 

1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

1.5 Aquila & Priscilla Vs. 19-20

Vs. 19 - Aquila & Priscilla met Paul on his 2nd missionary journey in Corinth, Acts 18:, they were both tent makers...    &   they left with Paul from Corinth to go to Ephesus where Paul wrote this letter... 

Vs.20 - It’s very typical in the Middle East to greet one another with a kiss on the cheek... . 

APPLICATION: But in vs.20a, Paul said, all the brethren greet you...  point is, our Love for others should be all inclusive.

We shouldn’t pick & choose those we love based on how they treat us...  or  what they can do for us...

2. Paul’s Closing Remarks Vs. 13-14 & 21-24

2.1 Involves Five Commands Vs. 13-14        

1. Watch Vs. 13a -  gregoreuo, 23,   Military term,   to be Awake...   to be Vigilant...    to be Alert...  

Great command in light of 1 Cor.15:51... because Jesus is coming for His church, soon...  Rapture... 

As a result of Jesus’ eminent return we should be vigilant...      be alert...    we should watch...  

1 Thessalonians 5:2 NKJV

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 NKJV

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

2. Stand Fast Vs. 13b -  steko, 8,    to persist...   to persevere...   to stand firm...   in Thee Faith...

We can apply this command to two areas in our lives:

Corporately:  Phil.1:27 stand fast in one spirit, one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

The church in Corinth needed to understand that the Power of salvation was in the Gospel...    not in some fancy stage lights...      or      flashy speaker...

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

1 Peter 1:23 NKJV

23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

Individually:   2 Thes.2:15 stand fast & hold the traditions you’ve been taught by Word or Epistle...

APPLICATION: We need to stand fast or stand firm on what we’ve taught from Word of God...

Not what we think or what we feel... not what the world declares to true...     but  what the Word of God teaches to be true...     

Philippians 1:27 NKJV

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

2 Thessalonians 2:15 NKJV

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

John 17:17 NKJV

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

3. Brave Vs. 13c -  only used here,     to be brave...     not being afraid...

When Joshua & the Children of Israel were ready to cross into the Promised Land Joshua said in, Josh.1:9 be strong & of good courage & do not be afraid nor dismayed for the Lord your God is with you.

APPLICATION: Good word for us... because that which is unknown can often cause us to be afraid... to be fearful...  but...     

2 Tim.1:7 God’s not given us a spirit of fear...    keeping that eternal perspective.

2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

4. Strong Vs. 13d - kra-tah-oo, 4,    to be made strong...      to increase in strength...

Interesting to note it’s in the Passive Voice:  it’s an action we receive...  not something we work at...

Eph.6:10 be strong in the Lord...   

Col 1:11 be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power...

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

5. Love Vs. 14e - agape,  117,     a selfless love...     sacrificial love...    spiritual love...

This was such a huge issue Paul dedicated all of chp.13: to it...     because without we’re nothing, we’re like sounding brass or clanging symbol...

But this is not the kind of Love we work at or strive for...  it’s the kind of Love only Jesus can give us...

Gal.5:22 Love is the Fruit of the Spirit...     it’s the byproduct of God’s Spirit in our lives...

2.2 Paul’s Final Farewell Vs. 19-24

Paul’s Final Farewell involves Love and is seen in 2 ways.

1. Loving Jesus Vs. 21-22 - Accursed:  anathema, 6,  doomed for destruction...  destined for death...   we can look at this in 2 ways:

If we don’t Love Jesus Christ, we can’t receive agape love from Jesus Christ...   so we can’t really love others the way we should...

More importantly,  if we don’t Love Jesus Christ...   we’re doomed to hell for all eternity...  

Because getting into heaven is based accepting Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior...  which means we understand His great Love for us in dying for us...   

Rom.5:8     

John 15:13    

1 John 4:10

2. Loving the Saints Vs. 23-24 - Interesting to note that Paul links the Grace of our Lord...     to Loving others in the Lord...    

This is important as it pertains to loving others...    because there’s some real stinkers out there... 

Let’s face it, some people are easy to love...     others...    not so much... 

APPLICATION: Praise the Lord God has given us His Grace...  that not only saves us...  but  enables us to love others...  

And as we humble ourselves and cry out to the Lord for help to love others He gives us His grace...     1 Peter 5:5...     James 4:6...

ENDING.....