Support The Work Of The Ministry

MPT: Paul wanted the church to support the work of the ministry through faithful giving, a firm faith, love, and encouragement.

MPS: I want you to support your local church faithful giving, a firm faith, love, and encouragement.

1 Corinthians 16

INTRODUCTION

Let’s continue worshipping our Lord this morning. Today we are closing out our series in 1 Corinthians, so if you have your Bibles, I ask that you turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 16. If you didn’t bring a Bible that’s okay, there is a copy in the pew in front of you, and if you don’t own a Bible, please keep that copy, take it home, read it, and learn about the God who loves you, again 1 Corinthians chapter 16.

If you’ve been coming to Northwood Baptist at Wando Woods for a while now, you will know that over the past few months we have been walking through the whole book of 1 Corinthians together, and if this is your first time here, well, you’ve missed a wild ride. Even though we call 1 Corinthians a book, it is actually a letter. If you are like me, you don’t think about letters that often, but sometimes letters are very impactful to us. I’m going to tell you about two letters that I’ve received. So as most of you know, Ariana and I met in 2007 when we were attending Liberty University, but what you don’t know, is that I was only at Liberty for 3 semesters, because at end of my third semester, I received a letter from Liberty, explaining to me that I had been placed on academic suspension. Turns out a requirement to go to school there, was to actually show up to class. But, in 2015, I enrolled again to Liberty online, where I eventually finished my degree. I remember my first semester back at school, I was determined to do well and finish, and I got all A’s. At the end of my first semester back, I received another letter from Liberty. As you can imagine, a little PTSD was creeping up because I did not have a pleasant experience with the last letter from then. So, I opened it, unsure what it was going to say, and the first thing I see on the page in all caps are two words, DEANS LIST. I saw those words and I panicked! I couldn’t believe it, my first semester back after taking a long break and I’m already in trouble. Why am I on the dean’s list? Did I work too hard, got too good of grades and they thought I cheated? I mean, my heart is racing, and then Ariana says, “deans list is a good thing dummy”. Okay, she didn’t really say that, but in reality, I did see the words DEANS LIST, and there was a moment of panic, because I’ve never gotten any academic accolades before. My track record shows that if I get a letter from school, it’s not a good thing. So for me, at a glance, this deans list letter looked bad, but after reading it fully, I understood that it was a good letter. So as we’ve gone through 1 Corinthians, at a glance, it looks like a bad letter, but as we have walked through it together, and have studied it, we see that this letter was sent with love, and encouragement. And the final chapter of this letter shows that. We see here in chapter 16 that Paul wanted the church to support the work of the ministry through faithful giving, a firm faith, love, and encouragement. A lot of you in here have been very faithful in the support of this ministry, some of you might still be trying to figure out how you can support the work of the ministry, and some of you are still on the fence of whether or not you want to support this ministry. Supporting the ministry looks different for everybody, but I want you to know that each one brings something to table, and in this chapter we are going to see three ways to support the work of the ministry. I ask if you are able, please stand as we honor the reading of God’s Word together.

CONTEXT

We have spent the past few months studying this letter, and a letter is exactly what this is, a real letter, written by a real person, to a real church, with real issues, at a real point in history. Typically letters are read entirely through in one sitting. You don’t typically read a letter little by little over the course of 5 months like we have. So imagine what it would have been like for the Corinthians when they received this letter. They get it and all gather around. The first 9 verses are nice. Paul calls them saints, he says he’s thankful for them, then that’s it. For the next 15 chapters Paul just lets them have it. Throughout our time in 1 Corinthians, we’ve seen a wide variety of issues that this particular church was struggling with, unity, Christian maturity, sexual immorality, lawsuits, roles of men and women in the church, questions about spiritual gifts and doubting the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But Paul takes this much needed corrective letter, and lets them know that this letter was sent with love, and that the work of the ministry needs them, that’s why he addressed all of these things. The first way we see how to support the work of the ministry, is to

SUPPORT WITH FAITHFUL GIVING

GIVE PRAYERFULLY (V1-2): Paul is instructing the church in Corinth that they should be giving weekly in support of the ministry. On the first day of the week, according to Jewish custom, that would mean Sunday, just like it does here. Pauls says EACH person is to prepare their offering before coming, not just those who have some to spare. Giving should be intentional, not spontaneously guilted. No specific amount is prescribed, just as someone is prospering (could fluctuate depending on financial circumstances). The idea behind collecting regularly and intentionally is one, the giver has to prayerfully consider how much to give, and two, more will most likely be given to Paul in this manner rather than trying to collect it at one time. So GIVE PRAYERFULLY

KNOW WHERE YOUR GIVING IS GOING (V3-4): Paul has letters that he either plans on completing or sending with those taking the collection to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was going through persecution, and Jewish Christians were living in poverty. Paul wants the Corinthians to recommend people worthy enough to transport the fund to Jerusalem, and if convenient, Paul can go with them. Paul wants to remove himself from transporting the money to show transparency and to remove any doubt about his motives. After all, Paul is the one instructing the Corinthians to collect money, they have a right to see where and how that money is being used. And so do you. We recently passed a budget that Pastor Buck and I worked on together. I appreciate y’all showing us some grace because it’s the first budget like this we have done so we are still learning, but we tried to be as transparent as we could, and we are always willing to answer questions about the budget, because you have a right to KNOW WHERE YOUR GIVING IS GOING.

(V5-7): Paul’s description of his trip matches with his third missionary journey (Acts 20:1-3). For reference, here is a map of Paul’s third missionary journey. We see that he starts in Antioch, travels to Galatia, then Ephesus, all the way to Philippi, then to Corinth. After he leaves Corinth, he goes back to Philippi in Macedonia, down the shoreline of Asia Minor, then sails to Caesarea, and finally ends his third missionary journey in Jerusalem. Seeing maps like this really help me appreciate the traveling they did in the ancient world. But Paul doesn’t want to just see the Corinthians in passing, he wants to spend quality time with them because he loves them. But he adds “if the Lord allows”. Paul understands that we can make all the plans we want, but if it’s not God’s will, then it won’t happen. Even though Paul wants to spend time with his friends and this church, he understands that the work of the ministry comes first, which leads to verse 8. Trouble seems to follow Paul, right? Remember a couple of weeks ago, Pastor Josh mentioned that Paul was lashed, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, and robbed? Because of his faithful work to the ministry, he was going to receive opposition from the world because they are blind. This shows that Paul is not afraid to back down from any challenge for the sake of the Gospel. Another way to support with faithful giving is to

ASSIST THOSE CALLED TO MINISTRY (V10-12): There could be a number of reasons why Apollos didn’t want to come to Corinth then. It could be because of the division in loyalty there was toward Paul and Apollos, it could be because he felt a ministerial responsibility to remain where was. Either way, I see what Paul is doing. He brings up Timothy coming first, and how the Corinthians are to treat him with respect and help him along his journey, then he hits them with oh by the way, the guy you really want isn’t coming. Paul is reinforcing that it’s the goal of the mission that is important, not personal preferences. I’m sure some of you came today looking forward to Pastor Buck preaching and then saw me and grumbled “not this guy again”. As we think about this scene right here, Paul is training Timothy for the work of the ministry. Timothy needs experience and practice so that he can continue training others for the work of the ministry. That’s why Pastor Buck is intentional about giving Pastor Josh and myself opportunities to preach so that we can eventually start mentoring others, and send them out. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Tim: 4 not to let anyone despise him for being young. Timothy is Paul’s protege, and Paul has sent Timothy to several places to be on mission for the Gospel. Paul followed the great commission, he made disciples who think, live, and love like Jesus, and then recognized those called to ministry and sent them out. People are called to ministry at various ages and various stages of life. For both Pastor Buck and I, it was later in life, for some it’s at a young age. Regardless of when a person is called to ministry, they should be encouraged and supported. We have people who have served faithfully in this church preparing for international missions, and when their time comes, I hope we can assist them generously. And the great thing about the Southern Baptist Convention, we have the Lottie Moon offering. That is a designated fund for those serving in the International Mission Board. That fund is great because through cooperative giving, those international missionaries don’t have to stop what they are doing to come home and raise more money. One day, Pastor Buck and I hope to support a pastoral residency program where we can bring on someone called to ministry and train them up. When we think of the Family of Churches model from Northwood, I envision us here at Wando one day taking that leap of faith by replanting another dying church, and having qualified men and women here that we are confident in sending out. So it’s important for the church to assist those who are called to ministry. And who knows, as we continue our model of discipleship by making disciples who think live and love like Jesus, we could see more and more people answering the call to ministry. So lets ASSIST THOSE CALLED TO MINISTRY.

The second way to support the work of the ministry is to

SUPPORT WITH A FIRM FAITH

KEEP GROWING (V13-14): Paul in just two short sentences packs a punch. He spends time throughout this letter correcting the Corinthian’s theology, and fresh out of chapter 15 where he says in verse 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. And 14:20, Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. Because the work of the ministry doesn’t stop, the church needs to be firm in their faith, and willing and ready to for anything. That’s why it is important to keep growing. Keep growing in our knowledge of God, Scripture, theology, and also keep growing in your relationship with Christ. We should never be content with what we know about our faith, and our relationship with Christ. Just in the short time that Pastor Buck and I have been here, we’ve seen spiritual growth within this church, and that is so encouraging to us. We try to offer ways to help y’all in that growth. Not only through Biblical preaching and scripture based worship music, but we have life connection groups that meet at 9:30 on Sundays. We have groups for every age, so there is a spot for everyone. That time is filled with encouragement of diving deeper into God’s Word, and also experiencing community with others in this church. Our Wednesday night prayer group is focused on praying through Scripture, and lifting up this church and community in prayer. We also have a discipleship curriculum that helps us in our understanding of Scripture and how to articulate it, as well as forming relationships with those in your group. We want to help you in your spiritual growth, because the ministry keeps going until we are in the presence of our Savior and I hope that when that day comes, He says “well done, good and faithful servant”. I hope and pray that my work here on earth is not done in vain, but is for the glory of God. That’s why the church needs strong and mature believers. So KEEP MATURING And with spiritual maturity, comes Love. There is a difference between growing, and maturing. I think everyone would agree that I’m gown, but not that mature. But that maturity part is knowing how to use your growing knowledge. Paul reminds the Corinthians in verse 14 to do this in love. Remember, all of chapter 13 is dedicated to love. We get a glimpse of that spiritual maturity is verses 15-18.

(15-18): Paul baptized the household of Stephanas, so they would have been among the first converts in Corinth, which is what Paul meant by firstfruits. Achaia was a Roman province in Greece, Corinth was the capitol of Achaia. This household, has stepped up to serve the church and progress the ministry in this area. Paul is recognizing their hard work and dedication, and tells the Corinthians that this is a family that is qualified to lead this church, and that they should listen to them. Paul also mentions Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and how these three men who came to visit Paul reminded him of how much he loves and misses the Corinthian people and their church. I think we sometimes forget that Paul is a regular person just like us, and he gets lonely, and discouraged, and needs the refreshing company of mature believers that can lift him up. Again, this is why discipleship is so important in the local church. Our church here is mixed of mature, faithful senior saints, young families, young adults, students, and kids. I would love to see our senior saints “adopt” a young adult, and just provide wisdom and insight they have learned over the years. Young adults, don’t be afraid to reach out to our senior saints for advice, and also, I’m sure they can learn from you too. If you are shy, come to Pastor Buck or Miss Lindsey or me, and we would be happy to introduce you.

SUPPORT WITH ENCOURAGEMENT

CHEER ON THOSE CALLED TO MINISTRY (19-20): When Paul says Asia, he is most likely referring to what is now Western Turkey. Priscilla (or Prisca depending on your translation) and Aquila are mentioned several times, but we are introduced to them in Acts chapter 18. They are a husband and wife tent making team from Italy that moved to Corinth, which is where Paul met them. They then follow Paul to Ephesus, where Priscilla and Aquila move there to plant the church in their home. We see here a couple that has answered the call to ministry, and is fully bought in to the mission. I’m going to read Acts 18:24-26 We see Priscilla and Aquila, recognizing that Apollos is called to ministry, and they pull him aside, not to rebuke him, but to encourage him by teaching him. In Romans chapter 16, Paul sends greetings to them, and thanks them for risking their lives for him, and not only does he thank them, but so does the gentile church, and Paul also tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4 to greet Priscilla and Aquila. So we see that these are two people that the church in Corinth would have held in high esteem, so Paul is using this name drop as a way to motivate the Corinthian church. And for those new to Corinth who don’t know Priscilla and Aquila, this gives an opportunity for the members of that church to tell others about them, and reminisce, and that also can provide a spark. Pastor Buck and I will come across names that we don’t know, and when we bring them to y’all, you have great things to say about these people that we haven’t met, and we love hearing about them. Because we love hearing about the people that have faithfully served this church, and a lot of them have moved or have gone home to be with the Lord, but those people from back in the day clearly made an impact on your lives and have supported this church. And that is very encouraging, so CHEER ON THOSE CALLED TO MINISTRY, and also, SHOW LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER. All brothers and sisters is most likely referring to the believers from Corinth that are with Paul in Ephesus. And then he says to greet each other with a holy kiss. What does that mean? It means pucker up y’all, it’s time to smooch. No, Paul wants them to show each other brotherly love and affection. This kiss was more of a cultural custom, not a church ritual. The point is show each other that you care for them, whether here on a Sunday morning, Wednesday night, hanging out together, or just bumping into each other. As my mom used to say when we gathered for family photos, “we are a family, pretend like you like each other”.

(21-24): Paul typically used a scribe to write his letters. He would say it and the scribe would write it down. But for the last 4 verses, Paul writes it himself. This is his way of putting and emphasis on this last part. When he says if anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him, some of you reading out of the KJV don’t see a curse be on him, you see anathema, which means more of a final eschatological destruction and condemnation, not a curse with a wand or a spell. Then he says Maranatha, which is Aramaic for “our Lord come” meaning Paul is ready for Christ to return for His new creation. And when we look at verse 22, it is short and no so sweet right. He is saying that if someone is not in Christ, then they are doomed to a life of eternity experiencing God’s wrath. Some of you might ask “How is that showing love?” John MacArthur said he’s been getting told lately that Christians need to show more compassion toward those that are clearly struggling with sin, and he said that’s correct, he said the most compassionate thing we can do, is in love, warn them of eternal damnation and judgement. And he’s right. The best way to show someone that you love them is to tell them about Christ, which I think leads perfectly into the final 2 verses. Paul ends this difficult letter with the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. There could not have been a better ending to this letter, to close with the words grace and love. Because the gospel is full of grace. Grace that our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ paid an eternal debt that we owe, by coming to earth, fully human, and lived the full human experience, from conception to death, and He lived it perfectly, the way God designed it to be lived. And because we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, we deserve an eternal punishment, Jesus took on all of our sin, and sacrificed Himself, by dying on the cross in our place, and rose again three days later according to the Scriptures. And those who put their faith in Him will have an eternal life in the presence of God. Y’all, we need to support the work of the ministry, because of the one who provides the ultimate support. Let’s pray.

The praise and worship team are going to make their way back up. If you are a believer in this room, I hope this passage, and this whole letter has been encouraging to you, and I hope that it’s helped you understand why church unity, discipleship, and love are so important. If you aren’t a believer in this room, I want you to know that real support, comes from our heavenly father, who loves you, and desires to have a relationship with you. We are going to have a time of invitation, however you need to respond I’ll be up front.