Living in Light of Eternity - Intro to 1 Corinthians

Intro

“Now concerning” is like saying “About that...”

Background

From (Author) : v. 1

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. Also called to be a saint along with everyone in every place who calls on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is their Lord and ours.

Grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son.

Acts 7:58 is the first time we meet Saul, where he held the coats and approved of the stoning of Stephen the very first Christian martyred or executed for his faith.

Two chapters later, in chapter 9, Saul is described as breathing threats and murder agains the disciples of Jesus. He asked the high priest in Jerusalem for letters giving him authority to find and bring Christians to be persecuted.

On his way to Damascus, a bright lighted blinded him and voice from heaven said “Saul, Saul, why are presecuting me?” Saul said “who are you?” And the voice answered “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

NOTE: When you are truly being persecuted for your faith, God notices this and cares for you.

The blind Saul was lead into the city of Damascus where me a Ananias, a disciple of Jesus who was told in a vision to find Saul and restore his sight. He was afraid of Saul’s reputation, in Acts 9:15-16 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.””

Saul regained his sight and he got up and was baptized. He stayed with Ananaias and the other disciples in Damascus learning more about Jesus.

In Acts 13, while at the church in Antioch, through the Holy Spirity, Barnabas and Saul were set apart for the work of the Gospel and they began their missionary voyages to many cities around the Mediteranean Sea.

To (Recipient): v. 2

The church of God in Corinth. To those who are sanctified (forgiven and cleansed of sin), called to be saints - living believers not just perfect Christians and not someone who performed miracles and is now dead. If you called on Jesus to save you from your sins you are a saint. Paul addresses individuals within the church and sometimes the church as a whole.

Acts 18 gives the history of the church in Corinth.

READ Acts 18:1-18

Why (Reason):

(1:11 )Paul heard from Chloe’s people that there was disunity and they were quarreling or arguing with each other about church leadership and baptism.

The church wrote to Paul about some more issues (7:1)

Paul will also adress problems with sexual immorality, church discipline, marriage, and divorce.

He writes to them about food offered to idols and introduces the concept of Christian liberty.

He deals with problems related to public or corporate worship including communion and spiritual gifts.

And he concludes with teaching on the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of believers.

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Benediction