The People: Part # 1

Good Morning!

It’s good to be with you again this Sunday. You know, we come to church to worship God, and to be encouraged by each other! Paul says to not forsake meeting together, and there’s a reason for that! It’s because in part we need to be in fellowship together, and encourage each other as we walk with Jesus. So, it is indeed a good Sunday because we get to do just that!

Before we dive into God’s Word this morning, would you bow your heads and pray with me?

Pray

So, this morning I thought I would start by giving us a snapshot of the church, our message, and who we are...

Slide show (Factor 2 minutes extra)

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did. In all seriousness, who are we as the church, as Christ’s body? Church is more than just random people showing up on a Sunday morning. Church in fact, has next to nothing to do with a building. Romans 12:4-5 says:

Romans 12:4–5 ESV

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

We are a body of believers, Christ’s body. This is “church.” united with those who have gone before us, and those who are coming. Faithful believers in Jesus. But what does that look like? What is our message? What does it mean to be Christ’s body? These are questions that we are going to be answering in the next few weeks together. We are starting a new, six-week sermon series in 1 Corinthians 1-4. The purpose of this sermon series is for us to explore the question “what is church?” or “what does it mean to be part of the church? 1 Corinthians 1-4 provides some great answers to this question. We’re going to touch on three main areas about church: our message (the gospel) what we preach and why we preach it, who we are as God’s people, and the preacher’s role. We’re going to be following the flow of the text, which means we are going to bounce around from topic to topic a bit. However, the main drive with this is for us to get a good handle on what Paul is saying, and understand us as the people of God functioning as a body of believers.

So, without further ado, let’s start this week by looking at 1 Corinthians 1:1-16. We’re going to spend most of our time in verses 4-16, but I would still like to read it anyway, so that we can have the context of this letter to the Corinthians. I will be reading from the ESV, and you are welcome to following along with me in your bibles or on the screen.

1 Corinthians 1:1–16 ESV

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

Our main focus is on verses 4-16, but notice before we jump into this notice particularly verse 2: Paul notes how all of his readers are sanctified in Jesus, called as a body as God’s church, and serving the same Lord that the other churches and Paul are serving. I point this out because it showcases a theme that is common to 1 Corinthians: The universal church: every believer, united with those who have gone before us, and those who are coming, in and through Jesus. This theme underscores this first sermon topic. The main point of our message today is that

God’s people are empowered and united in Christ.

Today we are going to explore two attributes of what it means to be empowered by and united in Christ as God’s people.

Our first attribute is...

Attribute 1: Gifted by God For Testimony 4-9

There is so much to cover in this one section that we are not going to get to everything in depth, but I would like us to turn our attention for a moment to verses 4-7. These verses are the start to a very standard part of any ancient Greek letter: Thanksgiving. This thanksgiving section is standard not only in ancient Greek letter writing, but for Paul as well. Every letter Paul wrote - with the exception of Galatians - includes a thanksgiving section. The thanksgiving that Paul expresses to God concerning the Corinthians faith also serves to introduce some of the major themes the reader finds in 1 Corinthians. Paul uses words like gifts, knowledge, speech, fellowship or partnership. Many of the words return later in Corinthians, as Paul expands upon them.

But what we see here in these verses are the gifts that God has blessed the Corinthians with. Read verses 4-5 with me again:

1 Corinthians 1:4–7 ESV

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

We see that because of the grace given to them by God, through Jesus Christ, the Corinthians are enriched in every spiritual gift. Particularly, Paul singles out speech and knowledge. No doubt Paul is addressing these two because he knows the Corinthians are not exercising these gifts well. Yet here his statement is genuine. Believers are empowered in their speech and knowledge.

Eloquent speech and knowledge were precious entities to the Greeks. They loved eloquent speeches and demonstrations of knowledge. But the type of speech and knowledge Paul is addressing is far more than a well-crafted speech. They had actual knowledge, and the ability to speak well! The testimony about Christ, the revealing of the deep things of God’s Word through the Holy Spirit, this is the foundation of their knowledge. Their speech - their testimony - was empowered by the Spirit of God.

Not only this, but Paul demonstrates as we see in verses 6-7 that we are given everything we need to sustain us in our commitment to the gospel until Christ returns. Paul see believers as living, breathing testimonies to God’s grace at work in their lives. They are given everything they need for being testimonies in this world. And it’s not just for them. Clearly, this empowering is for the whole church, anyone who is in fellowship with Christ. Fellowship in the Greek went deep. Fellowship for a Greek meant a close and personal relationship with the person they were in fellowship with. For anyone who shares that relationship with Jesus, there is gifting from God so that we may serve Christ. Paul reminds the Corinthians of God’s gifting for them, and he reminds us of our share in this gifting too.

We are gifted with everything we need in order to live out our commitment to Jesus until He comes back. Thinking about speech and knowledge, we are equally gifted here as well. Speaking to other about the gospel is not an easy thing. Often we are scared to do it because we think we need to have just the right words to say, or have all the answers, or say everything in just the right way. But even as we talked about God’s presence going with us last week, we see that God empowers us to be testimonies to the gospel. Luke 12:12 says:

Luke 12:12 ESV

for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Holy Spirit, given to us by Jesus through His death and resurrection, empowers our speech and our words. Does that mean that 100% of the time we’ll have the best presentation possible? No certainly not! Take it from the guy in the pulpit, preachers screw it up all the time! But it does mean first and foremost that we have knowledge that is truly vital to the world. It does mean that the Holy Spirit will take our attempts at sharing the gospel, no matter how feeble, and will stir in peoples hearts. It does mean that God does grow in us empowerment for speaking well and presenting the gospel boldly and in a gifted way. But we have to let God grow that in our lives.

This is our first attribute: we, both as individuals and a body of believers are gifted by God to serve Christ, and be sustained in our commitment to the gospel until Jesus comes back! Now, as we move into our second attribute we see that

Attribute 2: Empowered to live as Partners 10-16

As we move into verse 10, we see Paul starting this new section of text with the words “I appeal to you, brothers.” This appeal is more than a request, but less than a command. It comes out of genuine love and friendship. Paul says, do not be divided, instead united in mind and judgement. Then he goes on to note this strange report:

1 Corinthians 1:11–12 ESV

For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

At this point, some of us might be thinking, what does this mean, that they are following different people? Aren’t they all Christians? You would be right, they were all Christians, but clearly they were not acting like it.

Paul has a flair for the dramatic here, and basically paints the Corinthians as standing on the street corner each shouting out their favourite person. I’m for Paul! Oh yeah? well, I’m for Apollos! Whatever, I’m for Cephas (or Peter). Oh, well I’m for Christ! Was this actually happening? Probably not. Even the fact that Paul places in there a Christ group is a little absurd, they were all Christians. People were not standing around shouting for their favourite person, but Paul was concerned about division. I wonder if what can happen in our churches today was maybe happening there to. A rumour starts, somebody saying they like Paul better than Apollos. Then someone else decided that’s not ok, takes offence, and argues that Peter is better! Paul probably read into the report of divisions and read between the lines. Divisions, maybe over teachers, were at play. While having teachers they really appreciated over others was ok, Paul was concerned about them splintering because of their favourites, and having rival groups.

Paul looks at them and goes, is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into my name? These three questions should give us pause. The first question could also be read as an indicative: Christ has been divided! In simple terms, Christ being divided is as ludicrous as trying to carve up your body because your right arm cannot agree with your left. It’s a stupid statement, but that’s exactly what happens when we choose to divide up Christ’s body - the church - because of trivial matters.

The other two questions are automatic “no” statements. Jesus was crucified for them, not Paul. So who should they be following? Christ first, not Paul. In Ancient times, to be baptized into someone’s name meant you were spiritually linked with them. Were they spiritually linked with Paul? Yes, in the sense that they were his brothers and sisters, as he calls them. But their allegiance was not to Paul, or Apollos, or Peter, or any other teacher. Their allegiance was to Christ alone, so of course they were baptized into Christ’s name, not Paul. Paul says in later chapters that the Corinthians should follow his example. But what is important about this is that they should follow is example only insofar as he follows Christ. Therefore they are not followers of Paul, but of Christ.

Verses 10-16 I think are equally applicable to our church as verse 4-9. We talk about empowerment, and last week we talked about God’s presence going with us. But we also need to talk about the reality of working together as a church body, and learning to put up with differences in style, and learning to love each other and spur each other on in our walks with Jesus.

I think sometimes churches can have a tendency to operate better on the gossip chain than on the prayer chain. We spread rumours about one another, or nit pick at each other for things that do not matter. Likewise, sometimes we’re so afraid of another church’s differences that we will refuse to engage with them in ministry, and reaching the community. There is a need to be careful, and hold fast to our conviction. Certainly we are not about to up and join the mormons because we are so keen to do ministry! We differ on things that are foundational to our faith! But when we differ with each other of minor issues, like how the music is played, what colour to paint the classrooms, if we should dress up in church, wether to have a pulpit verses a music stand, or having oews instead of chairs, we need to remember to do so in love, because it is ok to think differently than other. Yet also in keeping with the importance of the issue. If we disagree on major issues, ok then maybe working together is not such a good idea. But on matters that are not foundational and salvific we need to be careful not to, in our zeal for our own convictions, end up polarizing and crippling our witness, and worship of God.

Whose Name are you baptized in, and who are you following? We are baptized into the name of the Father, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We follow Christ together. This is who we serve. Empowered by the Spirit of God to work together, to advance God’s kingdom, we are united in Christ.

This second attribute is about us as a body of believers living in unity as Spirit-empowered people. We serve Christ, we live for Christ, and we are Christ’s body. Do not divide the body over trivial matters! When we do this, we only serve to hurt our own witness and our brothers and sisters around us.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our time together today, we’ve looked at some encouraging, but also heavy material. The big idea of this message is that

God’s people are empowered and united in Christ.

Paul talks about how we are gifted by God with everything we need in order to hold fast to the gospel as we wait for Christ. Paul equally discusses how we, as a body of gifted and empowered believers, need to be united in our aim to serve Christ. We must avoid - if at all possible - dividing and polarizing our church.

So, what does this mean for us today?

We as a church are entering a new season. God has given us all hearts that want to reach our town and greater region. God has brought my family and I here to do ministry with and alongside you. God is moving and stirring in this congregation, that much is clear. But that requires a response from us. We are asking the question, what is church? From what we have seen here, we know that church is God’s people, living united and empowered to serve God. but for us todo that, we’re going to have to get uncomfortable. We are going to have to be willing to not always have things just the way we like it. We are going to have to be willing to give, of our time, or prayers, and our finances. We’re going to have to be willing to let God’s Spirit move through us, to personally connect with others and reach out into a lost, broken, and hurting world. Folks, we are empowered! We have the speech, we have the knowledge to do it! Why? Because we have Jesus, and we are saved! We have the Holy Spirit, literally remaking us from the inside out so that we might reflect Jesus’ love to the world.

But if we are going to live like this, worshipping God, encouraging each other, and reaching out community, we are going to have to focus on what matters, and who we serve. Paul is telling the Corinthians, don’t be divided! He is telling us the same thing. If we are too busy fighting inwardly, we will be nullifying our chance to witness. The enemy will be laughing at us. It’s just what he wants! Instead we need to be unified in our commitment to the gospel and Christ. Will the enemy try and stir up fights and arguments right here in this building? Believe he will! Thus it is our task to lean in the Holy Spirit, and allow him, in all ways (and particularly our speech and language) to direct us.

This week, I encourage you to spend five minutes a day in silent prayer. Allow God to speak to you and show you what you need to forgive someone for, or something about church you are holding onto that maybe doesn’t actually matter so much. And begin praying for this community. Begin praying that God would show you how you can serve Him, and how you can encourage your fellow brothers and sister in your life.

My friends, we are empowered and gifted for ministry. It comes from God’s Spirit working in us, but we need to be willing. Please, don’t let quarrelling or division find their way into the life of our church. Instead, be encouraged to walk in the giftings God has given you, and use them for His glory. We are here to serve Christ, and follow him. So this week I encourage you to let God grow that in your life, and be encouraged to love, and live, boldly for Jesus.

Pray