The Church in Corinth 6.11.23

 1 Corinthians Series The Church in Corinth June 11, 2023 Good morning and welcome to Lake Erie Church! (Acts 18:1-10) Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was. Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, "Your blood is upon your own heads-I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles." Then he left and went to the home of Titus Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me." INTRODUCTION The book of 1 Corinthians was written sometime around 54AD by Paul, the Apostle. It has 16 chapters and contains 435 verses. According to Google it takes approximately 1 hour to read the entire book. This is a letter written to a church that Paul established in the city of Corinth and we actually know precisely when the church in Corinth began because of this passage in Acts 18 which tells the story of how Paul came to Corinth in his second missionary journey and how the church was begun. It is likely that the church in Corinth was a network of house churches with elders and spiritual leadership appointed by Paul. Villas like the ones described in this era would have been able to accommodate about 50 persons. There seems to be a twofold reason for the letter: * A visit from those in Chloe's household who told Paul of the divisions occurring between believers in the church. * A letter from the church addressed to Paul with questions/concerns about issues happening in Corinth. The Church in Corinth, like Lake Erie Church, was surrounded by a worldview that was constantly trying to squeeze it and silence the influence of the Gospel. Had you lived in Corinth around this time, you would have recognized * a pronounced culture of self-importance and upward mobility * the worship of personality * the appeal of blending secular with faith. It is IMPORTANT we think and talk about grace perhaps more than we do but sometimes we need to SEE GRACE AT WORK. The letter reminds the Corinthian believers God saved them to be living examples to a world that is confused about faith and God because they see people who claim to be Christian but don't live like Christians and don't act like Christians should act! 5 Questions To Ask Ourselves... 1. How does my commitment to Jesus Christ affect the people who know me? 2. Are people who know me more attracted to Jesus or more confused about what it means to be a Christian because of my life in front of them? 3. How much should we allow the world and culture to affect the way we believe and live? 4. How much of Scripture informs the way we treat one another, interact with one another and raise our children, or spend our money, etc.? 5. When Scripture conflicts with modern thoughts and ideas, how do I most often respond? The Mission Of God Is Worth Sacrifice (18:1-3) Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met Aquila, a Jewish man from Pontus. Not long before this, Aquila had come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Emperor Claudius had ordered the Jewish people to leave Rome. Paul went to see Aquila and Priscilla and found out they were tent makers. Paul was also a tent maker, so he stayed with them, and they worked together. * Paul had only one mission in life-to preach the Gospel and have lost people encounter Jesus Christ! (Romans 1:14-16) I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready (eager/on fire) to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. 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. * What sacrifices would you be willing to make in order for someone you love come to know Jesus? Not Everyone Will Agree With What We Believe (Acts 18:4-6) Every Sabbath, Paul went to the synagogue. He spoke to Jews and Gentiles and tried to win them over. But after Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, he spent all his time preaching to the Jews about Jesus the Messiah. Finally, they turned against him and insulted him. So he shook the dust from his clothes and told them, Whatever happens to you will be your own fault! I am not to blame. From now on I am going to preach to the Gentiles. 2 Prayers to Pray this week... 1. Lead me to someone today who needs you 2. Make me sensitive to what you are doing around me God's Grace Sometimes Saves Unusual People (Acts 18:6-8) Paul then moved into the house of a man named Titus Justus, who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus was the leader of the synagogue. He and everyone in his family put their faith in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard the message, and all the people who had faith in the Lord were baptized. * It is remarkable how God saves the unusual * The grace of God extends to every person, including me * God saved me The Jesus Team Has More Followers Than You Know (Acts 18:9-11) One night, Paul had a vision, and in it the Lord said, "Don't be afraid to keep on preaching. Don't stop! I am with you, and you won't be harmed. Many people in this city belong to me." Paul stayed on in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching God's message to the people. (Revelations 7:9-10) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" CONCLUSION God is at work in the world to redeem every man, woman, boy and girl. The Spirit of God is at work in places where you live and work-Your life is a witness to what God can do in the heart of someone who is completely devoted to following Jesus. What are we to take away? 1. Don't ever give up on someone that needs Jesus. 2. Be aware that your life is being watched by unbelievers (1 Timothy 1:15-16) This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"-and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. God I'm a sinner I'm sorry for my sins I believe Jesus died for my sins I believe Jesus will forgive me of my sins I choose Jesus 2