1 Corinthians 1:1-17

Context

Paul planted the church in Corinth during his 2nd missionary journey.

You can read about it in Acts 18.

Corinth was a major city on an important trade route

1 Corinthians 1:1–17 ESV

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 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: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 10 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. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 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.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

I Thank God

Paul uses a standard ancient greeting.

Paul was thankful for his friends in Corinth even though;

There were divisions (1:10-4:21)

Serious Immorality (5:1-13)

Taking each other to court (6:1-11)

Loose attitudes about sexual immorality and idolatry (6:12-20;8:1-11:1)

Misuse and misunderstanding about Spiritual gifts (12:1-14:40)

Denial of the resurrection of the dead (15:12)

8-9— Jesus sustains us until the end GUILTLESS in the Day of our LORD

We still sin

That SIN is FORGIVEN by the BLOOD OF CHRIST

Be Unified

‘In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.’ -Rupert Meldenius

It is critical that we agree on essential doctrines

Trinity- God is 3in1

Person and Work of Christ- Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. He died and rose for our sins

Justification by Faith- We are saved ONLY by GRACE through FAITH

Authority of Scripture- The Bible is God’s inspired, revealed will for us and is our final authority

It’s ok to have a favorite teacher.

But, FIRST, we are Disciples of Christ

We can trust our teachers but must be willing to VERIFY when things sound strange

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 ESV

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”