1 Cor. 16 Stand Firm
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsPaul's final instructions to the Corinthians remind us of the necessity of standing firm together as the body of Christ.
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Stand Firm
Stand Firm
1 Corinthians 16
Read text and pray
Main Idea: Paul's final instructions to the Corinthians remind us of the necessity of standing firm together as the body of Christ.
Main Idea: Paul's final instructions to the Corinthians remind us of the necessity of standing firm together as the body of Christ.
Paul’s final words in 1 Corinthians speak to us where we are today. The past 6 weeks have revealed many things. One of which is that we are coming to terms with what is necessary. Paul’s focus in his final instructions.
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ in generosity
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ in generosity
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
Shared teaching to the other churches.
Based on need. Collection for the suffering saints in Jerusalem…Gentiles helping Jewish background believers…picture of the gospel.
Planned and systematic—first day of the week
Planned according to provision (not equal amount given)
Planned and careful manner of distribution.
Commend current giving of the church…encourage people to continune to be planned and sytematic according to provision.
Crisis fund…giving requires receiving.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Give and receive.
Are we relying on the gracious provision of God for generosity?
Are we relying on the gracious provision of God for generosity?
8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
young couple who have struggled…when provided for, they gave what they could.
Generosity is tied tightly to mission...
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ on mission
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ on mission
5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
I intend to pass through…stay with you even spend the winter Paul is a strategic planner and leader
if the Lord permits Disciplined flexibility. (Gardner 754)
help me on my journey cannot function alone.
8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me,
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
and there are many adversaries. adversaries(seen and unseen) and wide open doors often go hand in hand.
Acts 19 conflict in Ephesus
10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
2 more personal thoughts from Paul...
Don’t be an adversary to those doing the work of the Lord.
10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
Don’t create adveristy through conflict.
12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.
Are we relying on the gracious presence of God to stay on mission?
Are we relying on the gracious presence of God to stay on mission?
How the gospel came to Corinth
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Covid 19 cannot stop the spread of the gospel…we must see this unique opportunity and respond by trusting the Lord…will require courage.(move to next point)
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ in courage
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ in courage
13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
watchful being alert to temptation and bad theology.
stand firm in the faith (see 15:1…gospel which you stand)
act like men
be strong
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Are we relying on the gracious of provision of God for courage?
Are we relying on the gracious of provision of God for courage?
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Courage to be the Church. Courage to gather…in the face of illness and possibly in the face of government.
all three applied to how to move forward…power, love and self control.
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ in love
The necessity of standing firm as the body of Christ in love
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
Courage without love can damage. As followeres of Christ, love is to be the motivating factor in our courage and in all that we do.
Illus: Love and courage coming together in serving others…see this in health care personnel. Must be seen in all believers. We are called to care and to love.
Paul now mentions those who have displayed love through serving the saints and Paul himself.
15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts(literally firstfruits) in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brothers send you greetings.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. distinct christian greetingl
21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!
This verse makes it perfectly clear that one’s attitude toward and relationship with the Lord is of ultimate significance. (Ciampa 864)
27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Our Lord, come! Maranatha…those who love the Lord, long for his coming.
Until then...
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Only letter of Paul that extends with expression of love.
Are we relying on the gracious provision of God to love?
Are we relying on the gracious provision of God to love?
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Bored, tired are being trapped…How can you distinctly express the love of God to someone today? I’m busy…doing what?
One of my fears of how this is playing out is that we are further instilling selfishness in people. Look out for yourself. Let’s find ways to love one another and our neighbors as safely as possible.
Illus: sitting on the porch visiting with an older member who live alone.
Prayer:
Giving
Moving forward steps…
GG,
Worship with size and safety in place,
Mission-support those who on the field.
END