Bible Study 1 Corinthians 16:5-11

Introduction

Do you plan ministry? I wonder many times we miss out on mountaintops with the Lord because we do not open our calendars to more ministry opportunities with the Lord?

Paul had the church at Corinth on his radar. Paul definitely lived by an itinerary. Now, we know there were places Paul wanted to stop or had planned to stop and the Lord forbid him at that point in time. The Lord had other plans for Paul.

Acts 16:6–7 – Forbidden by the Holy Spirit

Acts 16:6–7 “6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.”

Context: Paul, Silas, and Timothy were on Paul’s second missionary journey.

Application: Even though Asia and Bithynia were populated and needed the gospel, God had specific timing and direction for Paul’s ministry. His guidance here is clear and direct.

Acts 18:9–10 – Encouraged to Stay in Corinth (a contrast)

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you...’” — Acts 18:9–10

Context: In contrast to being forbidden to enter certain areas, here Paul receives divine encouragement to remain in Corinth despite opposition.

Significance: Shows that God both opens and closes doors, affirming that where God sends, He sustains.

3. Acts 22:17–21 – Commanded to Leave Jerusalem

“And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.’... And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’” — Acts 22:19–21

Context: Paul is recounting his earlier experience in Jerusalem.

Takeaway: Paul had a burden to minister in Jerusalem, but God redirected him to the Gentiles, revealing that our personal desires may conflict with God’s mission plan.

4. Romans 1:13 and 15:22 – Hindered from Visiting Rome

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented)...” — Romans 1:13

“This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.” — Romans 15:22

Context: Paul longed to visit the Roman believers but faced repeated delays.

Key Insight: Providential hindrances can come from external circumstances or divine restraint, all under God’s sovereign timing.

5. 2 Corinthians 2:12–13 – A Door Opened, But No Peace

“When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there.” — 2 Corinthians 2:12–13

Lesson: Even with an open door, Paul discerned that it was not time to minister there due to internal unrest — a powerful example of following Holy Spirit peace as part of divine direction.

This is a great deal of background to simply understand that Paul planned to minister, He had a game plan, sometimes his gameplan was thwarted, but all in all, Paul ministered because his mind was stayed on opportunities to minister.

Let me ask the question again. Is ministry a part of your planning? Now, the planning for ministry is a broad paint brush. Some of you have card ministries. Some cook and carry a dessert or a meal as way of ministering. Some make phone calls or stop bys or hospital visits. There are so many ways we can minister, but it usually doesn’t happen if we do not plan it and make time for it.

An Itinerary for Ministry V. 5

You here me quite frequently desire my calling as pastoring, preaching, and administration. When I use the word administration as it relates to the ministry is the fact ministry and leading a church requires planning, it involves, collaboration, it involves recruitment, it involves creativity and the list goes on and on. Now, to accomplish everything that is called for in the church, we nor I ever reach perfection, but it is a highly coordinated task. For one, I can’t do all that is needed to lead God’s people no more than you could by yourself. Everyone is needed to lead God’s church and accomplish all that He would have us accomplish. But it can be the most beautiful coordination when each one assumes their ministerial duties and the utilization of your gifts for His use, it can be a beautiful thing.

Paul had a planned logistical itinerary of ministry (given he was in the will of God).

North to South

Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea)

↓

Achaia (Corinth, Athens)

↓

Asia (Ephesus on western Turkey coast)

↓

Judea (Jerusalem in southern Israel)

Rural living-trips into town must be planned. You think about the grocery store, the pharmacy, gas for the car, or a trip to Walmart, but you must make a list over a couple of days so that when you go into town you do not overlook or forget something.

Paul operated in such a fashion as it relates to his missional work.

Ill. When I traveled four days in sales I use to travel what I call a cloverleaf method to start closest to Montgomery on Monday and move out to the farthest point on Wednesday night and start making my way back home so that I would arrive relatively early on Friday afternoon. That was the plan.

May I ask you yet again, do you plan for ministry?

For example, hospitals is an on call type of ministry, but visits are usually scheduled on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday afternoons? Why, that is when I am in the area. So, Paul as he traveled set in his schedule to go to Macedonia and then to Corinth. One obvious reason is that he was working in a certain direction.

Ministry works when we plan it and we fashion it into what is our normal travels.

Acts 19:21 “21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.””

2 Corinthians 1:15–16 “15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit—16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.”

One of the great blessings of ministry is that we do it to give a blessing, mut more times than not we receive the blessing.

2. Partitioning for Ministry VV. 6-7

1 Corinthians 16:6–7 “6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.”

Ministry calls for planned flexibility. There are times you will serve the Lord in your area of ministry and be on tight time constraints and there are times that can not be avoided. But, one of the things I attempt to do is visit people where I do not feel constricted in my time due to poor planning.

Now, one example of proper time spent is the hospital. People are in the hospital because they are sick. They are not all dressed up and usually not presenting themselves at their best. They just do not feel good. I heed that because I know how I am when I’m sick which is rare. You sense from the individual if they are enjoying your company or they are ready for you to depart. The point is if you can help it, using your ways of ministering, do not be rushed.

“I hope to spend some time with you.”

IN verse 7, Paul was saying I want to make a quality visit with you.

What would you call a quality visit? Maybe I can learn something here. If I came to visit you, what would I do or not do for you to say, “I enjoyed our time together. I found that spiritually uplifting.”

In verse 9, Paul defines one of the many benefits to ministry. “a great door for effective work has opened to me.”

-Deepened relationships

-deepened understanding of someone to accept their differences from mine. Note: Not everyone will be like you. One of the ways we accept people is by getting to know people.

-evangelizing to them

Proverbs 19:21 “21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.”

-I find that God shows up in a special way and reveals Himself-maybe an answer someone is looking for.

Ministries of Healing V. 9

1 Corinthians 16:9 “9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

Do you avoid strained relationships? Or, by God’s grace, do you work to bring troublesome relationships into their proper state?

Acts 19:9 “9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.”

-There is ebb and flow as it relates to tenuous or strained relationships. There are times we distance because we are not emotionally, mentally, or spiritually ready.

But then the Lord gives us spiritual provision that we are ready to be salve to the soul of those that are adversarial in nature to our demeanor.

Paul was going toa place that had many adversarial components.

A. Strengthened Through the Spirit – Be Empowered (Eph. 6:10–13)

Ephesians 6:10–13 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Eph. 6:10)

Explanation: Paul tells the Ephesians to put on the "full armor of God" because adversaries are not just physical but spiritual (v.12).

Application: We are not to fight in our own strength. Prayer, Scripture intake, and spiritual alertness are essential tools.

Illustration: Like a soldier gearing up before battle, a Christian needs daily preparation to stand, not retreat, when opposition arises.

B. Steady in the Face of Hostility – Be Gracious and Wise (Col. 4:5–6)

Colossians 4:5–6 “5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

Explanation: Paul encourages believers to walk in wisdom toward outsiders, responding with grace.

Application: When dealing with relational adversaries, respond, don’t react. Tone, timing, and truth all matter.

Illustration: A firefighter doesn't pour gas on a blaze. In tense conversations, grace can be the difference between a fight and faith.

C. Suffering Can Be a Setup for Salvation – Be Patient and Hopeful (2 Tim. 2:24–26)

2 Timothy 2:24–26 “24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

Explanation: Paul lays out a clear approach for engaging opponents—not with harshness, but with gentleness and instruction.

Result: "...God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth."

Application: Our goal is not just to “win an argument” but to win a soul.

Illustration: Think of Jesus with the woman at the well (John 4) — He didn’t condemn her but led her into truth through patient conversation.

D. Supplemental Scriptures and Models of Redemptive Engagement

Jesus' teaching – “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44)

Stephen’s example – As he was stoned, he prayed for his adversaries (Acts 7:60)

Paul’s appeal to King Agrippa – “I would to God... you might become such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:29)

Conclusion / Challenge:

You may not choose your adversaries, but you can choose your attitude and approach. As Paul stayed in Ephesus, knowing there were adversaries, he stayed because there was an open door. Don't shut the door to someone God may want to reach through your faithful witness.

Are you seeing your opposition as a wall or as a window? Will you trust God to use even your adversaries as opportunities for the gospel?

Mentoring and Multiplication in Ministry VV. 10-11

1 Corinthians 16:10–11 “10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.”

Paul took a special interest in Young Timothy. He was like a spiritual son. He saw something in him. He loved the fact his mother and grandmother began working with him at a young age. He saw potential in Timothy, but he knew he would must feed him in spiritual spoon sized bites. He must move from milk to meat with careful attention to his progress.

Notice the detail Paul uses in writing to Corinth to prepare them in receiving Timothy. Do not allow him to be intimidated. I assume he was protecting him from throwing him to the wolves of a very advanced educated people and that being overwhelming. We do not know if he was prepared as of yet to preach to the church at large. It may be that someone needed to take him by the hand and introduce him to a few key people and have several people in his corner to show him the ropes.

It may have been that since the early churches were being persecuted, he needed to know who he could trust to see out for his safety. We do not know all the fears potentially that Timothy would experience.

But let me say something important. If Timothy, one who was quickly maturing in the Lord was going to a new church, do you believe the average lay person experiences fear when they come to the church for their first few times?

What types of fears do you think they experience?

Ill. We had a lady coming to Mt Zion for several years and fairly consistent on Sunday mornings. I realized a valuable lesson in her time here.

She doesn’t come here today and the only thing I can imagine that happened was dealing with her fears. I called on her to pray one time in the AM service and she nodded at me to get someone else to close us with prayer. I truly believe it was that incident that caused her to never come back.

She had a fear of speaking or praying before a crowd. People are introverted and they are scared of meeting new people. I watch some of you when you are out of your norm setting and I can see fears in some of you. Do you think others struggle with fears when they first come to Mt Zion?

In what ways can we help them through that period of becoming comfortable.

Ill. Howard-golf “being comfortable.”

What can you do, what can I do that puts people at ease?

1 Corinthians 4:17 “17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”

He sent Timothy to remind Corinth of the ways of Christ (in Paul’s place).

Ill. Kalen DeBoer vs. Nick Saban

Or a Hugh Freeze vs. Gus Malzahn or Gene Chizzik.

We all must give time to these new personalities in leadership.

When someone comes and they compare it to their last church, say they moved here. The church will not be the same as their last church. It is different. It will take time. We must nurture them.

“put him at ease.” -How do we put people at ease?

“no one despise him”-his youth. Give him a chance. on the other hand, Paul instructed Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:12 “12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

“help him on his way in peace”-that is answered in verse 6:

1 Corinthians 16:6 “6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.”

There is nothing more comforting for a new guest or potential member or an young disciple of the Lord than spending quality time with them. Many would say, Brother Luke, I would love to do more ministering to our new people but it takes money.

No, the greatest asset you have to offer is your time and my time.

Paul teaches us much tonight about ministry. Paul firstly teaches us that ministry must be planned out. Make it apart of your daily itinerary. Secondly, He not only planned, but he partitioned blocks of time to be thorough in his approach. He did not want to be rushed and make people feel as if they are getting our seconds. Thirdly, we see that ministry can be caught and taught by engaging others with you. We should take into account they may have never done the things we will be teaching them. Be patient. Put them at ease. Walk with them in their early journey as they learn the things of God.

Let’s pray.