sf121 - Called To Be Saints (1 Corinthians 1 1-3)
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Introduction
The Epistle
Ø Paul the author, Written from Ephesus in A.D. 55
The City
It was a large and prosperous city.
Ø The north and south overland traffic passed through Corinth, it was a major trade center.
It was also successful as an entertainment center.
Ø Hosted the Isthmian games (similar to the Olympic Games).
It was a religious center.
Ø Home of the temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love.
Ø The temple housed 1000 temple priestess and prostitutes.
Ø Even in the pagan world Corinth was known for its moral corruption.
The Church
Its history
Ø Founded by Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1)
Ø Paul stayed in Corinth 18 months (Acts 18:11)
Ø The second leader of the church was Apollos (Acts 18:24-19:1)
Its problems
Ø The church was defiled by the sin of some of her members. They lived like the world around them.
Ø The church was divided into at least four groups.
1A. Paul’s Position – An Apostle
1B. He was not a part of the twelve
Of the original twelve Judas was disqualified and replaced by Matthias. (Acts 1:21-26)
As far as we know Paul never saw Jesus prior to the resurrection.
His apostleship was based on the qualifications as the original twelve.
Ø He had seen the resurrected Christ (Acts 9:3-6)
Ø He had experienced unique revelations
Ø He had been specifically chosen by God (1:1)
2B. False teachers and detractors constantly harassed him. (1 Corinthians 4:9)
3B. His past haunted him.
Ø He had been an enemy and persecutor of the church.
Ø He wants to assure his readers that he is speaking for God.
4B. He wanted to emphasize his relationship with God as God’s emissary (1:1b; Ephesians 6:19-20)
2A. God’s Purpose for the Apostles
1B. Apostles were chosen by God to work in the founding of the church.
When all the apostles died, the office of apostle no longer existed.
2B. As eyewitness, they were to preach the gospel. (1:17-18)
Apostles were qualified to teach on the behalf of Christ.
3B. They were to be devoted to prayer and ministering the word.
Acts 6:4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
4B. They were to equip believers for service. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
5B. They gave evidence of their apostleship by performing miracles. (2 Corinthians 12:12)
3A. Paul’s Audience – The Saints
1B. Saints are special people (1:2a; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19))
2B. Saints are a sanctified people
Positional sanctification
Ø “Who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”
Saint (hagios) set apart one
Sanctified (hagiazo) made holy
Ø We are made holy in Christ Jesus
Hebrews 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, We are saints because God has called us to be saints.
Practical sanctification
Ø We do not always act like Christians
Ø Remembering our position should compel us to improve our practice.
Ø Remembering that we are linked to other Christians should motivate us to improve our practice.
3B. Saints are secure people (1:3)
Grace speaks of God’s favor
Peace fulfillment, satisfaction
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Application
Are you a saint?
Are you living like a saint?
What do you need to change in your life in order to be more like Jesus?
1 Corinthians 1:1-3
1A. Paul’s Position – An __________________________
1B. He was not a part of the twelve
Of the original twelve Judas was disqualified and replaced by Matthias. (Acts 1:21-26)
His apostleship was based on the qualifications as the original twelve.
Ø He had seen the resurrected Christ (Acts 9:3-6)
Ø He had experienced unique revelations
Ø He had been specifically chosen by God (1:1)
2B. False teachers and detractors constantly harassed him. (1 Corinthians 4:9)
3B. His past haunted him.
4B. He wanted to emphasize his relationship with God as God’s emissary (1:1b; Ephesians 6:19-20)
2A. God’s ______________________ for the Apostles
1B. Apostles were chosen by God to work in the __________________________ of the church.
2B. As eyewitness, they were to __________________ the gospel. (1:17-18)
3B. They were to be devoted to _______________ and ministering the word. (Acts 6:4)
4B. They were to ______________________ believers for service. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
5B. They gave evidence of their apostleship by performing miracles. (2 Corinthians 12:12)
3A. Paul’s Audience – The Saints
1B. Saints are __________________ people (1:2a; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19))
2B. Saints are a _________________________ people
________________________ sanctification
Ø “Who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”
“Saint” = set apart one
“Sanctified” = made holy
Ø We are made holy in Christ Jesus
Hebrews 2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, We are saints because God has called us to be saints.
__________________________ sanctification
Ø We do not always act like Christians
Ø Remembering our position should compel us to improve our practice.
Ø Remembering that we are linked to other Christians should motivate us to improve our practice.
3B. Saints are ______________________ people (1:3)
Ø Grace speaks of God’s favor
Ø Peace fulfillment, satisfaction
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
