Paul’s First letter to the Corinthians. Intro and Chapter 1:1-3.

Paul’s First letter to the Corinthians. Intro and Chapter 1:1-3.

History: Corinth had a long history but the Corinth Paul comes to is new, the Romans, destroyed the city, and moved all the people to other places see slide 2-4.  

Date and timeline ppt. 5-13

Why the dating is very good – People (Gallio) and inscription - “Erastus, in return for his aedileship, laid (this pavement) at his own expense.”

I think it will be good to look at how the church in Corinth is founded and we read that in Acts 18:1-17. Paul goes to Corinth – beaner seat and temple on top of the mountain.

Ppt 14-17 Paul goes to Corinth after Athens, and joins with Aquila, and Priscilla, that was sent out of Rome by Claudius, and they work together making tents, likely for the visitors for the Isthmian games. Paul also reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to convince Jews and Greeks – that Jesus is the Christ. The Jews opposed him but many Corinthians believed. The church was founded. God encourages Paul that many in this city are Gods (my) people. Paul stays in Corinth 1 and 6 months. Teaching the word of God.

Gallio, refused to condemn Paul, and instead the Jews beat up Sosthenes, - but Gallio did nor care.  Dating.

Okay with the historical back ground done we will start the letter.

Paul and Sosthenes, “write” the letter from Ephesus,  

Paul explain he was called by Gods will to be an apostle, (Paul’s story Short).

 Sosthenes it this the Sosthenes that got beat up in Act 18 by the Jews that is possible/likely.

They write to the church of God, to the ones made holy in Christ Jesus, and they are called to be saints. Like all that where ever they are call upon Jesus Chris our Lord, - their Lord and ours.

Grace and peace, - Paul add grace to a common greeting.  Where is the grace and peace from? From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Grace Gods undeserved favor).

Then this letter is written to followers of Jesus Christ.

The letter even in its greeting teaches very great theological truths.

Who calls? God doses!

How are we sanctified made holy? In Christ Jesus. (His life death, resurrection), gospel.

We are called to be saints, so all in every place that trust in Jesus can call upon his name, we all have the same Lord (God): Jesus Christ.

Paul lay the foundation of faith by grace and that Jesus Christ is the foundation, and his life and work it what can make us holy/sanctified and we are to be saints in Christ.

And that we can have God as our Father and in Jesus Christ we can have the grace and peace as Paul and Sosthenes wish the Corinthians.

This greeting section in foundational for the letter as well, for the ones in Corith and us today, if we don’t have Jesus as our foundation, we will not listen to the teaching of the letter, we will reject the things we don’t like, refuse to listen to the corrections. We will define our own words and reject the one given, in the letter.

The letter written by Sosthenes and Paul is written in great love for God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Corinthia gathering/ church and I think all followers of Jesus that would read the letter. Have that in mind as we read the letter in the coming months. (We may finish in march if the Lord wills).

But what about you? Are you Holy, are you a saint? And what does that mean? Have you experienced the Grace of God?

And how did you become that? That was we read in John, by Jesus’ life and work. We able to become Holy by Jesus life and work. By the Holy Spirt making us more like Jesus, until he comes back.

This might be new to you, in Christ you are a Saint, - God making you Holy before him, in Jesus Christ. God can see you as holy and clean after Jesus’ cleansing work.

God can be your Father, in Christ.

As I just said, the Letter is written with great love for God and The Lord Jesus Christ, and the Corinthians believers, - Some say that this letter addresses more sins and failures in living for Christ that any of the other letters, there is a lot to correct, greed, division, sexual sins, favorite of the rich, food offered to idols, what is Love, order or lack of it in the gatherings, misuse of spiritual gifts.

We are 2000 years but many of the same themes and sins are still, here in our time, as the Corinthians we can learn a lot. It does all start with who Jesus is, - he Lord God and savoir, if not I am not sure, you will listen to what the Holy Spirt teaches from the letter.

It does not mean you have to be perfect, to learn understand, the letter no, but as with all things if you are your own Lord, likely you will not listen.

The letter will address many different sins, sins that many of us have committed, and therefore as said before that is why, Paul does not say listen to me because I am great, He points to God calling him, to teach about who Jesus Christ is Lord (God and savior). Grace to you, Gods unmarried favor, showed in Jesus Christ. No church for fellowship is perfect, but all that are apart of it in Christ, can be seen as a Saint a person made holy by Jesus. Now as we will se that does not mean we all get it right every time, and we are called to return, to Jesus when we sin and ask for his forgiveness, and the person we sin against.

We trust in Jesus Christ for our right standing with God and others. I pray this will be a blessed and amazing time as we will read 1. Corinthians together, May God be glorified as Jesus is praised and lifted up, as we do that in the power of the Holy Spirt. Amen.