Be the Church

Intro

TS: We have come to the conclusion of Paul’s 1st letter to the church at Corinth. He has dealt with division, sin, and false worship. In his closing paragraphs, he addresses a few final issues.

Some are sitting back and waiting for their “ship” to come in (a more convenient season). Brother, I’ve got news for you, “You’re ship is already here! You just need to get on board.” What “ship” are you talking about?

I. The Steward-Ship (v.1-4)

1 Corinthians 16:1–4 ESV

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 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. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Notice what Paul teaches here about:

A. The Collection (v.1):

The simple point is believers were called on to help others going through difficult times. Some had lost their jobs for the sake of the gospel. There was a famine and Christians didn’t have the support system from the Jewish community.

Paul demonstrates stewardship by reminding them of the opportunity to help.

The first church was at Jerusalem. Believers had scattered from there planting churches which planted churches. Often they had sent support to missions efforts.

Now the opportunity had arisen to come full circle and support those who had supported them.

WE are still stewards of God’s resources and have obligations.

Some today falsely believe offerings are merely an opportunity to make a few (the pastors) rich.

WRONG

Why take up a collection today?

Needs of the church:

utilities, staff, literature, facilities, etc.

Needs of the Kingdom:

missionaries, Jacksonville College, Seminary, Lifeword, Baptist Home or Children, etc.

Needs of the Community:

Hope, care and share, shut ins, etc.

B. The Direction (v.2):

When? Sunday.

Obviously, the church at Corinth had transitioned to worshipping on Sunday.

The Lord’s Day, a celebration of Christ’s resurrection

Emphasizes that giving was to be regularly done.

Who? All.

Why? An act of worship.

How? Proportionally

“as he may prosper”

OT, the tithe (10%) was a requirement of the Law

In act there were 3 different “tithes” which totaled about 23% of their income.

They were mostly about funding Israel’s government, taking care of public festivals, and providing welfare.

NT: Jesus praised tithers

Here were are reminded it is proportionately to our income.

I endorse and support the goal of 10%, but the NT emphasis is more on freely and cheerfully giving as God has blessed and convicted.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 ESV

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I personally view 10% as the starting point.

The other 90% also belongs to God and is to be used as He convicts you.

C. The Selection (v.3-4):

Accredited representatives.

Paul wanted them to select messengers to deliver the love offering to Jerusalem.

It was a gift from them, not Paul

Accountability.

Set high ethical standards where every dollar is accounted for.

WE must be above reproach.

II. The Fellow-Ship (v.5-8)

1 Corinthians 16:5–8 ESV

I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,

Note “Come to you” (v.5), “Stay with you” (v.6), “Spend some time with you” (v.7). Everybody has a need for relationships/fellowship. What does fellowship accomplish? It:

A. Enables us

to help others with problems

working together lifts our spirits and multiplies our efforts

As with this collection, one person’s gift can’t make a big dent in a problem, but all gifts together enable us to make a greater impact.

B. Energizes others

to help us along the path (v.6):

Paul had previously refused financial aid. Now he’s willing. He’s not using people. Don’t deny people the blessing of helping you.

There is a boost we get when we are together

Paul knew this and longed to spend time with them

III. The Lord-Ship (v.7)

1 Corinthians 16:7 ESV

For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Paul had plans, but knew they were subject to God’s will.

Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard said, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Look back and see his guiding hand. Look forward, but we don’t know the future.

A. God’s Sovereignty:

Paul knew God can open or close doors. Paul understood changes to be under God’s control. (Prov. 16:33; 21:1)

Proverbs 16:33 ESV

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.

Proverbs 21:1 ESV

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.

God is King of all

He can direct the affairs of the world.

He brings to pass what He wants.

This isn’t always comfortable for us

Jonah- God would take nothing short of Jonah’s obedience in going to Nineveh.

Pharaoh- God “hardened” his heart so that:

a. He was glorified as each plague proved He was the only sovereign Lord over over god of Egypt

b. when Israel went free from slavery, they plundered Egypt.

B. Our Submission:

All plans should be contingent on God’s will.

James 4:13–15 ESV

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

It is far more than the mere words, “Lord willing”

It is a call to true submission to His Lordship

Begins with obeying His word

primary way of knowing His will

Follows with applying His Word

The Holy Spirit will illuminate the Word and guide our application in our lives and specific circumstances

This all for HIS glory.

IV. The Hard-Ship (8-9)

1 Corinthians 16:8–9 ESV

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Notice the contrast

A. The Opened Course:

“Effective” = active, divinely directed. He could not walk away prematurely from his efforts.

Paul’s efforts were being blessed and souls were being saved.

He planned to stay and continue reaping the harvest.

B. The Opposing Force:

Anytime you have an opened door you will face an opposing devil. Many would faint or quit (see 1 Cor 15:58).

1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

When opposition comes, keep moving forward

Stay the course

Satan and those under his sway do all they can to stop the Kingdom, but they are powerless before God

They can make things difficult in the flesh

Many have given their lives

Many have suffered great hardship and loss

Jesus even addressed this

Matthew 10:17–25 ESV

Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

V. The Leader-Ship (v.10-18)

1 Corinthians 16:10–18 ESV

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 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. 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. Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence, for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such people.

Paul endorses Timothy and addresses leadership in the church

How should a church treat her leaders?

A. Accept (10-11):

Don’t resist them

They do the work of God

Serve the church for God’s benefit

Don’t mistreat.

None of us are above or beyond criticism. We fail.

Let God deal with certain matters. As wrong as King Saul was David said “I won’t touch God’s anointed.”

B. Affirm (12)

Do all in love

Love all in the church

(We are to love EVERYONE inside and outside the church)

Love the Leadership

You excel at this and my family has been overwhelmed with how loving and affirming you are.

It is sad that such is not the case everywhere.

C. Act (13-14):

Look at his series of commands.

“Guard” = watch.

“Stand firm” = stable.

“Courage” = conduct.

“Strong” = inner strength.

“Love” = I Cor. 13.

D. Acknowledge (18):

Give recognition

Show loyalty

Follow their leadership

CONCLUSION:

Note how Paul closes.

1 Corinthians 16:19–24 ESV

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

A word of greeting (19-21).

A word of gloom (22).

A word of grace (23-24).

It’s a stressful letter that ends with an expression of love.

Your ship is here. It’s waiting for you to board. Bon Voyage