Intoduction and Thanksgiving
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading 1
Opening Prayer
Introduction
The City of Corinth
Paul, the author
Acts 18, planting the church
Letters and communication
Struggles with sin
Five major themes
Divisions in the Church
The importance of physical purity
Issues of personal choice and liberty illustrated in food
The importance of order in gathered worship
The importance of the ressurection
Exposition One (1-3)
Introduction vss. 1-3
Introduction vss. 1-3
Verse One
In verse one, Paul introduces himself to a church he knows well.
He founded the church, and as we said in the introduction, he has been in communication with them over the past years.
He emphasizes his apostolic credentials as well as introduces his companion, Sosthenes
Sosthenes may or may not be the same as Acts 18:17 who was the ruler of Corinth’s synagogue.
Not very important but I think it is most likely the same man
Verse Two
In the second verse, Paul addresses the church
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:
Notice the words of his address,
“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”
Sanctified means “made holy” or “set aside for a special purpose”
He identifies these sanctified ones with everyone who is called to be a saint everywhere that people call upon Jesus as Lord.
This unity is important and plays a key role in the book. One of the major themes of the book is unity and this verse lays it’s first foundation
Introduction vss. 1-3
Introduction vss. 1-3
Verse Three
Paul, in typical form, greets them with grace and peace from God the Father and Son, once again emphasizing Jesus’ Lordship.
I do want to make a point from this introduction because I think the theology taught here is foundational to the message Paul brings in this book. The point is this.
I. Jesus is Lord over all His churches and the source of grace and peace.
I. Jesus is Lord over all His churches and the source of grace and peace.
What does it mean that Jesus is Lord?
answer...
What do I mean by all His churches?
local, universal, etc...
What is meant by Jesus being the the source of Grace and Peace
The church in Corinth has been having problems
This church has not been enjoying grace and peace because instead they have been fighting and giving into sin.
The same thing is true for us and our church.
There are certainly times where we as individuals give into sin and we fail to follow Jesus as our Lord and certainly there are times when we, as a church may tolerate sin or even encourage it.
At the very least, we can be tempted with it.
Thanksgiving vss. 4-9
Thanksgiving vss. 4-9
Verse 4
Paul must have some frustration with the church in Corinth yet he begins this portion of the letter by specifically saying that he is thankful to God for them. Why?
Because of the grace given them in Christ Jesus
What grace? Salvation? Yes, but more
Verse 5-6
Let’s look at vss. 5 and 6
5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—
They were enriched
enriched food
in Him
in all speech and all knowledge
These are spiritual gifts listed later in the book and when we get to those passages, we will address them more fully.
For now, it is enough to see what they do in verse 6
Verse 6
6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—
These gifts confirmed the Gospel to them (NEXT SLIDE)
Verse 7
7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
There are no gifts lacking
It is interesting that, as we will see later, these gifts are actually causing issues. I would submit to you that the gifts are not causing the issues but the carnality of those who are wielding them that cause the issues
they are waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ (NEXT SLIDE)
Verse 8
8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
perseverance of the saints
Verse 9
9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul set’s up God’s own faithfulness as the surety of continued fellowship
II. God is the one who gives are preserves salvation so live in confident expectant faith
II. God is the one who gives are preserves salvation so live in confident expectant faith
Apply...